ANOTHER DAWN - Kathryn Cushman - Free Book

Welcome, Kathryn. So good to have you here on my blog. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I write a lot of myself and my friends and family into my books. There is always one or two real-life experiences woven in my stories, plus expressions, etc., that I observe in my friends and family.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I went zip lining in Alaska. As I have a moderate fear of heights, this was a bit of a challenge.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I've always had a vivid imagination and always known I wanted to write "some day." I actually started writing as an adult, after I’d left my career as a pharmacist and was staying home with my kids.

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

I like a mix of everything. If I read something sad, then I might choose suspense for the next book. If I read something light, then I'll likely go to something more dramatic.

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

That's something I'm currently pondering. My life has been CRAZY this last year, mostly due to an extremely ill daughter. After spending weeks at a time sleeping on a cot in a hospital room, I realized there are many activities in life that are not really necessary. I’m trying my best to cut back on some of the less necessary things.

Something like that will really bring what's important to the forefront. How do you choose your characters’ names?

Many of my characters are named after friends, family, or people I know (first or last name, rarely the combination of both). My rule is that a character can be nothing like the person for whom they are named. For instance-- my daughters have shared names with middle-aged mothers, my husband has been an elderly man, and my friends show up in all sorts of weird places.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Having the tenacity to stick with writing through years of learning, striving, and rejection. There were many times I wanted to quit, but I believed that God had called me to write and I kept at it.

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

A cat, because I think my cat lives a pretty ideal life. :-)
What is your favorite food?

Cheeseburgers and french fries

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

Plotting and first drafts overwhelm me. This continues to be a problem for me. I overcome it by walking in the faith that God has called me to do this.

Tell us about the featured book.

Another Dawn is the story of Grace Graham, a woman who tends to run when things get hard. She returns to her hometown to help her estranged father recover from surgery, and soon after arrival her unvaccinated four-year-old son is ground zero for a measles outbreak. Several infants, including Grace’s niece, develop severe complications. As Grace begins to come to terms with how her decisions have affected others, she must choose whether to run, or stand strong and help in any way she can.

Please give us the first page of the book.

The Santa Barbara Wharf was the perfect place to get lost from reality for a few hours—the smell of salt air, the smiles of tourists, the Ty Warner Sea Center to enthrall my son, and the complete absence of anything resembling my normal life. We climbed out of my car and Dylan ran immediately to the safety rails lining the edge of the pier. “Look, Mama,” he said as he pointed toward the churning water below.

My sandals made a contented scuffling sound against the wooden deck as I moved to his side. At the mouth of the harbor, a long blue sailboat was cutting through the water on its way into the marina, several people hurrying around its deck folding and securing the sails. Yes, this had been a brilliant idea. “Isn’t that awesome?” My mood was already improving.

“Yep, now let’s go pet a shark.” Dylan turned and started skipping in the general direction of the Sea Center, his dark brown hair bouncing with each step.

“Dylan, wait for Mama.” I hustled toward him, almost laughing with the lightness of the day.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.kathryncushman.com/

Thanks, Lena, for letting me drop by!

My pleasure, Kathryn.
 
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