Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Author Delia Latham - GOLDENEYES - Free Book

This week and next week, we'll have an extra interview to catch up with my schedule. Today, we're talking to Delia Latham



Delia, tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t do it intentionally, but my readers tell me they see a lot of me in my heroines. Maybe I just paint a little of myself into my characters (the things I like about me), then round them out with all the wonderful characteristics I wish I possessed!

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirky is not a word I would use to describe myself, as a rule. But I do occasionally get in strange moods …. A friend and I once pushed my husband’s little VW out of our driveway at midnight. (It was a standard shift, and I couldn’t find reverse, hence the pushing trick.) We drove it all over our tiny little town (and rather jerkily, I must admit), trying to find a place to buy sodas in a little berg that rolled up the sidewalks at five o’clock. I forgot about the reverse situation, and we nearly got attacked by guard dogs at a service station while pushing the silly thing out of the corner I’d parked it in. All we wanted was a Dr. Pepper out of the machine! LOL

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In third grade, during an essay contest. The entire class had to write on the same subject: “What I Was Like As A Baby.” I won the girl’s prize, a beautiful bed doll with a pink satin, quilted skirt. After that, it was difficult to find me without a pen and notebook in hand. I wrote songs, poems, little stories – anything I could think of. If the notebook wasn’t in my hand, I was holding a book. I always loved to read.

I believe you cant can be good writer without reading a lot. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Anything from Steeple Hill-type romances to murder mysteries to paranormal studies. I like so many inspirational authors, but I have to admit that my favorite book of all time is still Robert R. McCammon’s Swan Song. Second would be Stephen King’s The Stand. Both are outstanding, unmatched epics of good vs. evil.



What other books have you written, whether published or not?

My first published novel was Almost Like a Song (2006). That wasn’t a positive experience, as I got in a hurry and chose to publish through a company I later learned had a less-than-sterling reputation. (Patience is not my strong suit, but God is teaching me.) I now have the rights back to that book, have reworked it a bit, retitled it, and hope to sell it elsewhere before long.
Goldeneyes was released March 30 by Vintage Romance Publishing. I’m very excited about this one! Reviews so far have been more than encouraging and I’m eager to introduce it to my readers.


I’ve completed a novella, Karissa’s Dream, and am currently working on a novel that will tie together characters and components from Almost Like a Song and Goldeneyes. I had no idea that was going to happen until it did, but I’m liking the route it’s taking.


How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Who says I do? LOL I’ve decided a person needs to be just a little over the edge to survive this crazy world! What keeps me even minutely sane is my trust in God. Without Him, I’d have been certifiably out of my mind a long time ago.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Most of the time, I don’t. They tell me who they are. I don’t study the phone book and I don’t keep a stack of “Name Your Baby” books in my bookshelf. The right name comes to me along with the development of the character. I give more thought to making sure I don’t have several people whose names start with the same letter, or names that sound too similar, and could cause confusion for my readers.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My four children. They’re all good, moral individuals with loving, caring hearts. I consider them – and my four perfect grandchildren, of course – my greatest accomplishment.


If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

This isn’t an easy question for someone who’s not an “animal person.” Hmmm. I think I would choose to be a lazy housecat. I’d be petted and pampered, fed and groomed, and “my humans” would consider all this extra blubber just evidence of their outstanding care.

What is your favorite food?

It would take up less space to say which foods I don’t like. I’m a meat-and-potatoes gal – I love food! I guess my favorite is lobster, but I never turn down a chicken breast, either. On the ethnic side, I like Chinese … and Mexican … and Italian … see what I mean?

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Planning. I’m a Seat Of The Pants writer. For awhile, though, because I’d taken certain writing courses and attended a few writing groups that frowned on that method, I tried hard to be a plotter. Needless to say, trying to force myself into a mold that didn’t fit choked my imagination and dried up the idea flow. I was dead in the water until I sincerely prayed about it, and God let me know it was okay to just be me. Now I leave the plotting to Him, and He guides me through each project, from beginning to end. He’s the absolute best outline guide!

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Write, write, write! Take every opportunity to learn more about your craft. But attending a class every day will never get you published unless you write. Don’t take rejections personally, and don’t let them stop you in your tracks. Get back on that horse and write!





What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Goldeneyes has been brewing in my mind and in my heart for several years. I grew up in a little farming community called Weedpatch, and I always wanted to use it as a setting for a book. But Weedpatch and it’s history is so much a part of me, I found myself struggling with turning it into a work of fiction. When God helped me overcome that roadblock, it became such a pleasure to share a bit of my heritage with my readers.

Part One of Goldeneyes is set during the Great Depression, when farm labor camps were springing up all over California to house the immigrants from other storm-torn states. Poverty was a way of life, and many people resorted to unthinkable actions in order to obtain the necessities of life. That’s the premise this entire book is built on–one alcohol addicted man resorts to a despicable action in order to obtain his “fix,” and the results of that action reverberate down through time, creating a whole set of repercussions twenty years later, in Part Two.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website: http://www.delialatham.com/
My blog: http://www.themelodywithin.blogspot.com/
Christian web community: www.shoutlife.com/delialatham

A writers’ blog I co-host with three other authors: http://www.dailymuseforwriters.blogspot.com/



Delia, thank you for spending this time with us.



Readers. check out all these wonderful web sites. But before you go, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Goldeneyes.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

I have heard such wonderful things about this author and this book!! Sign me up for the drawing! :o)

Christy

orca0024 at yahoo dot com

windycindy said...

I loved this interview. I love the VW story. I love my Dr. Pepper, also! The cover of her book is very good. The story line sounds intriguing. Please enter me in your giveaway drawing. As always.....Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Delia Latham said...

Thank you, Lena, for hosting me here on A Christian Writer's World - I'm honored!

And thank you, ladies, for your kind comments. It's always good to know your book's being talked about, and that people are saying good things! :)

Maureen said...

This book sounds very interesting.
mce1011[at]aol[dot]com

The Book Whisperer said...

Sounds like an awesome book, sign me up
In Christs Love
Michelle~

Anonymous said...

I have known Delia for over 30 years and have known of her abilities to write. I loved her 1st book "Almost like a Song" and felt it was a great book. Looking forward to readng "Goldeneyes" Been told it was better altogether.
Love Ya, Delia

Anonymous said...

Hi Delia and Lena

Many thanks for another sterling interview. Please enter me for the book draw- I love books set in a small community. Weedpatch- what a lovely name- conjures up all sorts of images in my mind.

Happy writing and God bless

Ruth Dell
tonydell@mweb.co.za

Lindsey said...

I would love to read this, please enter me in the drawing! And thanks so much for the interview!

Lindsey
ladyufshalott at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking time read the interview, ladies - and for your sweet comments! Brenda...thank you for your constant support. Michelle, I hesitate to use the word "awesome" in definition, lest I come across as egotistical. I will say this: God gave me the words to use in Goldeneyes, and the two of us spent a lot of time together while I wrote it. He IS an "awesome" God, and always does things right - so I'm thrilled with Goldeneyes. I know you'll all enjoy reading it, and it is my hope and my prayer that you'll also be blessed and enriched by this book.

Blessings,
Delia

Anonymous said...

When you said it was set in the Great Depression, I was in. That's one of my favorite periods to read about. Thank you offering this book in your giveaway.
doot65[at]comcast[dot]net

Anonymous said...

Sis. Latham, Wow! Great interview. I would love to win your book! Even if I don't win, I think I'll buy it and your first one too! I would love to have it signed by you too! What a wonderful blessing to be a writer. That has always been my dream and I am happy for you for what you have accomplished. God Bless you and your family!

Anonymous said...

My parents went through the Depression too, blueviolet. I heard them talk about it many, many times. In fact, most of the people who lived in Weedpatch when I was a kid were affected by it in some way - directly or indirectly. It was a horrible time, and some very interesting history.

Pauline, you go ahead and write that book! You can do it! Hey...I promise to buy a copy. See, you've already made a sale! :D

Carole said...

The storyline of this book really appeals to me. I enjoyed the interview and would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a very interesting book. Gotta admit, this is the first time i've heard about Delia Latham. PLease enter my name in the draw.
thanks,
sarahwoll[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Hey Delia,, Your interview was great. I have known Delia for many,many years! Was good to be back in touch. Throw my name in the hat for the drawing. Can't wait to read your book. Linda
sampsoncam@bellsouth.net

Anonymous said...

I'm a new author, Sarah - no reason you would have heard of me. But I certainly hope you hear a lot more! :)

Carole and Linda, thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing!

cpullum said...

Would love to read the book sign me up!
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

Pamela J said...

Sounds like this book has deep meaningful insights and deep truths to learn. I'd love to read it, from the first time I heard of it awhile back. Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you.
Pam Williams
cepjwms at yahoo dot com

Delia Latham said...

Thanks again to everyone who stopped in to leave a comment! My prayer is that Goldeneyes truly blesses each of you, and perhaps even changes lives. I received a recent e-mail from a lady who said the book did exactly that for her, and she felt one portion of the book had been written specifically for her benefit and her blessing. For me, that's what it's all about.

apple blossom said...

I have read reviews on this book sounds like a good one. I'd love to win it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Abi - and good luck!t

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful interview. I really got a chuckle out of your pushing the vehicle since you didn't know how to drive a stick shift. Just pictured it in my mind. Please enter me in the drawing for the book.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I get a laugh out of it now too, Jo - but trust me, Vicki and I were not laughing when those guard dogs wanted us for a late-night snack! LOL Thanks for stopping by.