Denise Hunter

Today, I'm introducing you to Denise Hunter and her newest release, Surrender Bay.

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

Great question! There’s usually an issue or a personality trait that comes from me. Not telling which ones. :-) This helps me feel closer to the character and helps me make her more real to the reader. Sometimes it even helps me work through things I don’t like about myself.

I know what you mean. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I’m not really a quirky kind of person, but I do have some little oddities about myself. I order the exact same drink every morning (Cinnamon, skinny, single latté), I always eat the broken potato chips first, and I save my favorite thing on the plate for last. These are all about food, aren’t they? Hmmm.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’m a writer? Just kidding. I didn’t decide I wanted to write a novel until I was in my mid-twenties, and even then, I didn’t know if I was a writer or not. I figured I’d just research how to write a novel, sit down and do it, then see what happened. I didn’t realize that writing is a craft, and you get better with practice and acquired knowledge. It’s a good thing I sold that first book, because if I hadn’t, I would have assumed I didn’t have what it took to be a writer.

I really know what you mean with that last statement. I sold my first novel, too, but it took a long time. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I have become such a picky reader. I used to be able to sit down and read just about any novel. Writing, or rather, learning the craft, has made me very particular. I love contemporary books with a strong romantic thread, but it’s hard to find ones that hold my interest. I probably finish one book for every seven I start. I miss the days when I could just pick up a novel and curl up for a couple hours!

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

I started out writing historical romances for Heartsong Presents. Barbour packaged these four novels together under the title Kansas Brides. I wrote a series set in Jackson Hole Wyoming. The titles are Mending Places, Saving Grace, and Finding Faith.

Currently, I’m writing a series set in Nantucket. The first one, Surrender Bay, just released.

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

I say no a lot! No kidding. (See, I just said it.) I learned several years ago that when I’m overburdened by a hectic schedule, I am not a nice person (mother, wife, friend).

In addition to my writing, I drive my three boys to and from school—that’s two hours of my day, but a good two hours because it’s a good time to connect with them. After all, they can’t leave. :-) They’re all involved in sports, which requires a lot of running, then there’s homework, and church stuff (I play the drums on my church’s worship team). I put some time into book promotion. Most other things, I say no to.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I love naming my characters! I use a book called Beyond Jennifer and Jason. It organizes names by personality, origin, ethnicity and so forth so it really helps me get the names right.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’d have to say being married for 18 years. Making a marriage work is hard, but worth the effort. I’m proud and thankful that we’re providing a healthy family life for our three boys. I think, other than our faith, that’s the best gift we can give them. I always wonder, though, if we’re doing something that’s going to put them in therapy twenty years from now. LOL

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

Sadly, I’ve actually given thought to this question many times. It’s a toss-up between the sea lion and the penguin. I love how lazy and surprisingly graceful sea lions look floating through the water. But they’re big and cumbersome, so the penguin appeals too. They get to play and slide and frolic. However, I don’t like fish, so maybe neither is a good pick. Is there an animal that eats chocolate?

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate, in case my last answer didn’t give it away. Preferably dark chocolate. It’s healthy, you know. I’ve believed that for years and now science backs me up.

I love dark chocolate, too. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Undoubtedly, it’s my own fear, and unfortunately, I haven’t conquered it. It faces me every time I sit down to write or procrastinate writing by doing laundry or dishes or toilets or anything that will help me avoid that moment when I face the blinking curser. One good thing about it, though, is that it keeps me dependent on God. I truly can’t do this writing thing without Him and we both know it.

That's the truth. What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Read books on writing. Practice what you learn. Read good novels in the genre you enjoy. Write in that same genre. Join a writers' group and learn from them. Practice what you learn. Go to conferences to network. Take workshops, online and otherwise. Practice what you learn. Keep reading, keep writing. It takes persistence to get published. You will get rejections (we all do!), just learn from it and keep plugging away at it.

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

Surrender Bay is a love story set on the island of Nantucket. It features Sam, a single mom who inherits the dilapidated seaside cottage she grew up in. She returns home to fix up the cottage for resale and finds her old best friend and soulmate, Landon Reed, still living two doors down the shoreline. Because of issues from her past, Sam is afraid to trust her heart to Landon or anyone else, but Landon is determined to make her see that his love is steadfast.

Although there’s no overt faith thread in Surrender Bay, it’s told as a parable so there is a faith message. Landon loves and pursues Sam the way God pursues us. I hope it will help readers see God’s love in a fresh way.

I can hardly wait to read it. However, I've promised my readers that I would read Christmas books and review them in November. So Surrender Bay is on my to-be-read pile for when I've finished with the Christmas books. How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.DeniseHunterBooks.com
I also have a blog with authors Kristin Billerbeck, Colleen Coble, and Diann Hunt at www.GirlsWriteOut.blogspot.com

Thank you for spending this time with us, Denise. I'm sure many of my readers will want to get a copy.

Readers, check out both of Denise's web sites. Remember to leave a comment on this interview for a chance to win a copy, but if you don't win, you'll want to get a copy.

You can still leave comments on these interviews for a chance to win a free book:

Toni V. Lee - Expectations
Kathleen Y'Barbo - Beloved Castaway
Lynette Sowell, Carrie Turansky, Gail Sattler, Vasthi Reyes Acosta - A Big Apple Christmas (4 copies)

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