Sunday, June 14, 2009

TALKING TO THE DEAD - Bonnie Grove - 2 Free Books

Another debut novelist I've been looking forward to featuring. Welcome, Bonnie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

More than I’d care to admit on color TV. Okay, here’s how it works. The plot is all made up. But I get my characters to say things, do things that I wish I could do. Or say. Jeepers, how do I answer this without sounding like a total geek living vicariously through her characters?

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

In life? Oh my, I’m the queen of quirk. Once, in a traffic jam, I handed my sister one end of my very long knit scarf, tied the other end around my waist and got out of the car. Hundreds of stuck drivers watched me pretending I was an astronaut, moon-walking in slow motion around the car. Helped pass the time.

What a hoot! When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I discovered it in bits and pieces over time. I can follow the trail through my past and put the pieces together. But the big “ah ha!” moment came a couple of years ago. I was working a contract job in Alberta and I was in a meeting with my boss, and the project consultant (whose name was Tammy).

Tammy turns to me and asks, “What are you going to do when your contract ends?”

Without hesitation I replied, “I’m going to write books.”

There were three people in that room and all three of us were startled. Tammy asked what kind of books I would write.

“I have no idea!”

And I didn’t. But the truth of what I had said, the words that came out of my mouth were true. I was going to write books. Right there in the meeting, I did a quick, silent check with God, Books? Write? Me? There was a calm assurance in my spirit.

“Yes.”

Hokey dokey. This should be interesting.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I have young kids, so Junie B. Jones is a regular on my reading rotation. I’ve discovered there are some fantastic kid’s books out there. I read non-fiction more than fiction; I’d say two to one. My husband is a pastor, so much of that is related to what he’s reading – it’s important to me to keep up with the things he’s into ministry-wise.

For fiction? Wildly diverse. I’m all over the map, reading both Christian and mainstream novels, short stories. One book I’m savoring at the moment is Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems for Hard Times. My husband and I take turns reading selections aloud.

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

I have a non-fiction out called Your Best You: Discovering and Developing The Strengths God Gave You. The fine folks at Beacon Hill Press published that one, it released March 1, 2009, available wherever you buy books.

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

Not sure I have. No, kidding. Sort of. For our family it’s all about partnership. We try to all work together to get things done. And I’ve learned to let go of some things I used to feel were important (like a clean house 24/7). And I’ve learned to say no. Sometimes. Oh, okay, I’m starting to think about getting ready to learn how to say no.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes characters pop out already named. Others, not so much. One of my characters, Jack Slater, came from the phone book. Yep, I went looking. And I make sure each character’s name starts with its own letter of the alphabet. So no book with Judy, James, and Jerome wondering around confusing everyone.

Gee, that doesn’t should very magical, does it?

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My marriage and family.

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

A cat. Have you ever watched a cat? One moment sleeping, docile and calm, then all the sudden they jump up, going “Arrgghhhh! I have to be in the other room RIGHT NOW!” and take off running. Yeah. Cat. That’s me.

What is your favorite food?

My life’s motto: if it ain’t chocolate, why eat it?

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

How to start? That was my biggest roadblock. Where on earth does a person begin? I overcame that roadblock by getting connected to other people who were writing. For me, that meant joining The Word Guild (www.thewordguild.com) an organization of writers and editors who are Christian. There I found people who took the time to chat with me, coach me, answer questions, and present opportunities.

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

Get connected to other writes as soon as possible in your journey. Get online, get blogging, join writer’s networks and absorb all you can. And read, read, read. Be passionate, electric, eccentric, yourself.

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

Here is the blurb:

Talking to the Dead: Twenty-something Kate Davis can’t seem to get this grieving widow thing right. She’s supposed to put on a brave face and get on with her life, right? Instead she’s camped out on her living room floor, unwashed, unkempt, and unable to sleep—because her husband Kevin keeps talking to her.

Is she losing her mind?

Kate’s attempts to find the source of the voice she hears are both humorous and humiliating, as she turns first to an “eclectically spiritual” counselor, then a shrink with a bad toupee, an exorcist, and finally group therapy. There she meets Jack, the warmhearted, unconventional pastor of a ramshackle church, and at last the voice subsides. But when she stumbles upon a secret Kevin was keeping, Kate’s fragile hold on the present threatens to implode under the weight of the past…and Kevin begins to shout. Will the voice ever stop? Kate must confront her grief to find the grace to go on, in this tender, quirky first novel about embracing life.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Hop on by http://www.bonniegrove.com/ for updates, newsletter signup, and other cool stuff.
You are most welcome to pop into places I blog: http://www.fictionmatters.blogspot.com/
And at the multi-author blog http://novelmatters.blogspot.com/ where I hang out with authors Sharon K. Souza, Kathleen Popa ( both just named Mount Hermon’s Writers of the Year, 2009!) Christy finalists Patti Hill and Debbie Fuller Thomas, and Latayne C. Scott.
I’m also on Facebook and Twitter (@BonnieGrove)

Thank you, Bonnie, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link where you can order Talking to the Dead:


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. The only notification will be the winner announcement post on this blog. So check back on Saturday in two weeks to see if you won.

There are several winners from the last few weeks that I haven't heard from. So on any Winner announcement post click on the Winners link. The other winner posts will open see if you have won, then contact me.

If you're reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave a comment. Here's the link:

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

22 comments:

The Wendt Family said...

Sounds like a great book. Please put my name in the drawing.

Michelle
GetWatkins[at]gmail[dot]com.

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Loved the interview..."if it ain't chocolate why eat it, is too funny!!!! The book sounds very interesting and different and I would love to read it!

steelergirl83atgmaildotcom

CarlybirdH said...

Love chocolate! I saw Talking to the Dead at Lifeway the other day and it sounds great! Please put my name in the drawing. Thank you.
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

I've been hunting for a new author to check out and this sounds perfect! Please put my name in the drawing. ppreacherswife at gmail dot come

Edna said...

Loved the interview and the book sounds really good, sure hope it is my time to win, LOL

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Melissa Jagears said...

good back cover blurb, makes me want to read it!
rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

peachykath said...

Sounds like a very interesting book. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Linda W. said...

This book sounds so different that it intrigues me. Not that all books do. I'd like to see where the author takes it.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Bonnie Grove said...

Good luck to all of you! Great to see so many throwing names into the hat!

Maybe I'll have to chat with Lena and offer more than one signed book?? What do you all think?

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Sounds great Bonnie!!

hippmom said...

I enjoyed reading this interview with Bonnie. I keep praying for one of those moments where she had that she knew she was supposed to write books! THanks for the giveaway.

Sherry Kuhn said...

What a great interview. Bonnie sounds like my kind of friend! Would love to read her book.

Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Wendy said...

Looks like a great book!
Wendy
wsmarple@gmail.com

Unknown said...

the interview was great! :) I can't wait to read the book. Thanks so much for having the contest.

val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com

Rachel Rossano said...

I loved the interview. It sounds like God has bless you, Bonnie Grove, with one of those delightfully spontaneous personalities. :) Best wishes on your writing.

Unknown said...

Woo Hoo! Lena gave a big thumbs up to TWO book give-aways.
Your chances of winning just doubled! Um...does it work that way?

I'm enjoying reading all the comments. Rachel: Thanks so much! How sweet of you to say.

By the way, you can read chapter one of Talking to the Dead at www.bonniegrove.com

Becky C. said...

This sounds like a fantastic book! I would really love to read it.

Please enter me in the contest.

Thank you,

Becky C.
rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

Sheila Deeth said...

Ooh, this sounds a good book. (And chocolate sounds good too.)

Carolynn said...

The book sounds interesting, I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Carole said...

I really enjoyed this interview, as Bonnie's book was already on my list to read. Thank you for the giveaway.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Marla said...

This book sounds very good. Great interview. I can relate with Bonnie on reading Junie B. Jones books. My daughter loves her books. Thank you for the giveaway.

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ha ha ha! That is so funny what you did in the traffic jam! I loved the interview! Totally agree with you about chocolate.

Please enter me in the contest, I would love to read this book.

Thanks so much
Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com