Welcome, Deborah. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Not as much as some writers, perhaps more than others. All my female main characters seem to turn out shorter than average! Maybe that’s because I have no imagination regarding what it’d be like to be tall.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Bought myself a dirt-bike motorcycle, enjoyed riding it ‘til I had to sell it to pay college tuition. I can prove I’m a biker chick. I have photos.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I started writing when I was ten, because “Bonanza” had no pre-teen girl with her own pony. I thought this was a crying shame so I grabbed a stub pencil and a spiral notebook and created Vanessa Cartwright, the long lost sister. I haven’t stopped writing since then—so I expect that makes me a writer. I’m still discovering what kind the Lord wants me to be.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read everything from science fact to science fiction, techno-thrillers, historical non-romance, contemporary romance, historical romance (particularly medieval) and the occasional mystery. The only genre I can’t read is horror. It squicks me out.
I agree about horror. What other books have you written, whether published or not?
How long have you got? I have two out of print (POWERLINE and OAKWOOD), three e-books currently available (ANGEL WITH A RAY GUN, ANGEL WITH A BACKHOE, and DAMAGES), and one print book (SEASONS IN THE MIST). I have something like 14 other stories finished, about 4 in progress, a couple languishing and one or two that will never see daylight. Currently I’m working on SEASONS OF RECKONING, a sequel to SEASONS IN THE MIST.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Who says I keep my sanity? I call my house “Casa Chaos.” That ought to ring a bell for many readers. I find I need my “down time” increasingly as I get older, and I’m getting more covetous of my prayer time. If I don’t get enough during a typical week, it tends to get still more insane.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
It varies. Sometimes when I start a book, I just “know” the characters, and their names come to me as part of who they are. Sometimes, particularly when I’m writing a historical, I have to dig long and hard for a name that sounds right to me for that person, and is authentic to the time.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising my daughters. Both of them know and love the Lord. If ever I lay a crown at His feet, I think that will come first to mind.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a horse, because they look like they’re having fun much of the time. I’ve always loved them.
What is your favorite food?
Dark chocolate, good coffee, artichokes, well-prepared fish. I can’t choose just one!
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My stories tend to be more character-driven than plot-driven, and I’m a seat of the pants writer. So I never quite know exactly where a story will take itself while writing it. That can be a challenge, when I’m sitting here staring blankly at the keyboard and wondering what happens next. I’ve tried a more structured approach, such as outlining, and find it just doesn’t work. It’s just not my work style. I’m still overcoming it and learning to accept that my style is okay for me.
What advice would you give to an author just starting out?
Write early, write often, write what’s in your heart. It’s a learnable skill, but you can’t learn it if you don’t do it.
What would you like to tell us about the featured book?
SEASONS IN THE MIST is a story my heart was begging to tell. A young woman accidentally time-travels from 21st century Cornwall, in England, to that of the 14th century. In the journey she must rediscover both love and faith. I’ve loved this story since the first parts of it came to me, on vacation in Cornwall, and I’m tickled to pieces that it’s out there now for others to enjoy.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I’m at http://www.debkinnard.com/ . My blog’s address is http://www.justtellthestory.blogspot.com/ . I love company!
Thanks, Deb, for the wonderful interview.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using the link when you order, you'll help support this blog.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
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http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/
would love to win.
ReplyDeleteexcellent review/interview...would love to read this book :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Deborah, you may see yourself as short, but I decided I'm not short, I'm height challenged. :-)
ReplyDeletePlease enter me to win.
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
I don't need to win because I already have a copy. I just finished this book last night! What a WONDERFUL escape! I loved it! You're an awesome writer with an awesome imagination, Deb! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThis is so great. Congratulations, Deb. I became a huge fan after reading the Angel books, and I know I'll love this one, too.
ReplyDeletelisalickel-at-gmail-dot-com
So funny, Deb that you created a long-lost Cartwright sister - so did I! Would love to win, Donna
ReplyDeleteSeasons In The Mist sounds awesome. I love time-travel books, and this sounds like a really good one. Please enter me, and thank you, Deborah and Lena for a wonderful interview!
ReplyDeletefaith4u7(at)gmail(dot)com
I've never read a christian time travel book, so I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteSign me up please!
Here's another Bonanza fan (assuming you are still one) and a medieval time period fan! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd kind of like to know more about the book (the link didn't work for me), but I think I would like to read it!
hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love Cornwall. Sounds a fun book.
ReplyDeleteI love reading time travels, please enter me!
ReplyDeletelead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
This sounds like a super, wonderful book. Would love to win it. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Great interview and Seasons in the Mist sounds like an awesome read. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I LOVE TIME TRAVEL!!!!! Oh goodness...and a medieval! What could be better!?! lol
ReplyDeleteMy first story is a medieval and I wrote it knowing that there was not a big market for it. But I love the era and am hoping it becomes all the rage at some point!
I would love to read Seasons in the Mist!
sherrinda (at) gmail (dot) com
I really want this one...I posted about it on my Waiting on Wednesdays a few weeks ago and the giveaway is listed at Winning Readings.
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed the interview...your quirk, how you started writing, Casa Chaos (I may have to use that to describe my house), your most proud accomplishment (Amen!), the use of the word "squicks" (never heard that before but love it!) Thanks!!
I'm with Sherrinda I LOVE tie travel (think Doctor Who) and I love history and can't get enough of books with both! I would love to win this.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah Deborah even though I never owned a dirt bike I absolutely love to go "mudding" on my cousin's ATV! Fun stuff!
XOXO~ Renee
hahaha i meant "time travel" not "tie travel." :-P
ReplyDeletePlease include me.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
Seasons in the Mist sounds like a wonderful adventure, please include me! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
Please, enter me. Would like to read this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Sorry for more this comment, but my contact is:
ReplyDeleteletrassantas at hotmail dot com
I would love to be entered:) Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteesterried[at]yahoo[dot]com
Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteplease include me in this giveaway
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
As a new member of the ACFW MIDWEST ZONE - I was really happy to read more about Deb. Thank you for asking questions that showed us her heart as well as her publishing history.
ReplyDeleteJoyfully Writing For HIM
Joy Avery Melville
joyjournal@copper.net
Cool. Finally, a book about a woman that time travels. lol
ReplyDeletegahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com
I would love a chance to win this book! I read another book called Gallimore (by Michelle Griep) that had to do with time travel and I loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
~Amber
This should be a great book to read and I would love to win.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to enter.
Great review/interview
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Wonderful interview. Sounds like my kind of read. Please enter me. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me.
ReplyDeleteWendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com
I would love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Carla
Sounds like a great book. Please add my name to the drawing.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Sherry
Christian time travel? Who can resist? Please enter me in!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me
ReplyDeleteI follow on google
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
I really enjoyed your interview. I also agree about not reading Horror!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Maureen
I would love to win this book. Great posting.
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would like to read this book. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteOooh I would love to see those dirt bike pics! How fun!
ReplyDeleteSounds really good. I love books containing time travel. Please enter me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
hope it's not too late to enter! i just learned about this book from a sheaf house email newsletter and it sounds just wonderful. thanks for the interview and chance to win!
ReplyDeletejeannie
The Character Therapist
charactertherapist (at) hotmail (dot) com
Please enter my name in the drawing. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDeborah, I would love to be a horse too! I'd want to be a Pegasus horse, so that I could run and fly. =) Seasons in the Mist sounds wonderful. Would love to read it. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteEsther
faith4u7(at)gmail(dot)com
Thsi definitely sounds like a very intriguing storyline. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarla
Sounds like a very interesting book. I'd love to read it! Please enter me in the drawing
ReplyDelete