I've known Diane for a long time. I'm glad to welcome her to the blog. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I think anyone who knows me will hear traces of my voice in
my books. And while I’m not Annie in The
Runaway Pastor’s Wife, there’s a lot of me in her. I think it’s our life
experiences that make the best writing, so I’ll always surface in one character
or another.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
When I was in my mid-twenties, I was a turtle dove in a
Christmas program at our church—in full bird-costume glory. Quirky must be a
good look for me because the partridge in the pear tree proposed and we got
married.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Senior year of high school. My Creative Writing teacher,
Mrs. Bullock, told me I had “quite a gift.” For a freckle-faced redhead who'd
never been a stand-out in anything, I was thrilled. I only wish I’d listened to
her and stayed with it. But in this “second chapter” of my life, it’s been such
a blast to rediscover this long-forgotten passion.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Show me a bookshelf and I’ll always reach first for a well-written
novel with colorful, interesting characters. I steer clear of vulgar language
or graphic writing, so I lean more toward Christian fiction. I also enjoy
biographies and inspirational books by those who’ve walked the walk. Nicole
Johnson’s Fresh-Brewed Life is my
all-time favorite in that category.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I tune out that run, run, run philosophy and make sure I
start the day on my knees in prayer. It’s amazing how quickly the world and its
antics fade into the background when you start your day with Him.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
Good question. I have no idea! They just seem to name
themselves. I like to stay away from weird or bizarre names because as a
reader, I don’t like being tripped up page after page with names I can’t pronounce.
But that’s just me.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My marriage of thirty years to the love of my life and our
two amazing kids. They’re both grown and successful and happy. Pretty darn
proud of both of them!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Well, I do have this thing for flying pigs and what they
represent. But there’s just something wrong with thinking of oneself as a form
of pork, don’t you think?
What is your favorite food?
You didn’t leave me enough space here, Lena !
But if I have to narrow it down to just one, I suppose it would be
exceptionally good Mexican food. No, wait. My cheesecake. Although my
grandmother’s carrot cake is legendary . . .
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
The Gatekeepers – traditional publishers, editors, and
agents. For almost fifteen years, I played the game, spent thousands of dollars
I didn’t have going to conferences, submitting my brains out, only to receive
those lovely rejection letters over and over. I had to have their approval,
their “legitimacy” to be a published author, right? No! This year I discovered
the New World of self-publishing and proved
them all wrong. I’ve never had so much fun in all my life! I’ve been in the top
five Christian fiction bestsellers on Kindle for almost a month now, often in
that coveted #1 slot. Every day I watch my sales numbers soar. If readers buy
and love my books, doesn’t THAT make me a successful author? Just sayin’ . . .
Tell us about the featured book?
The Runaway Pastor’s
Wife actually evolved from a series of counseling sessions. I was in
full-blown menopause hell when my husband lost his job on staff at a large
metropolitan church in Florida .
He handled it with so much grace. Me? Not so much. Long story short, my
counselor knew I loved to write and suggested I start writing a book as a form
of therapy. Almost without thought, the plotline came to me: a pastor’s wife
who runs away from home . . . Since the book came out, I’ve lost count of how
many pastors’ wives have told me they’d had that urge many, many times. Fascinating.
I guess God needed me to write for them too.
Please give us the first page of the book.
There’s a Prologue that takes a peek back into Annie’s past,
but I chose to give you the first page of Chapter 1 instead.
The Runaway Pastor’s
Wife: Chapter
1/First Page
Annie McGregor felt the heat of impatience creep up her neck
as she clutched the steering wheel, the cell phone cradled against her
shoulder. “Because I can’t be there. I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to manage
without me.”
“Well, calling Tuesday morning is
rather short notice, don’t you think?”
Annie bristled. “Fran, I know it’s
short notice. Something has come up and I simply can’t make it to Bible study
this morning.” Glancing over her shoulder, she merged into the flow of traffic
entering the Tampa
International Airport ,
irritated at the obstinacy on the other end of the line. Didn’t “assistant”
mean you assisted when necessary?
“What’s wrong, Annie? You sound upset.”
Fran’s tone iced through her veins.
“I’m not upset! But I don’t think I should have to explain myself just because
I can’t be there. You’ll do fine without me. Run the video then break them into
their small groups. It’s not that hard, Fran.”
“Are you sick? Is one of the kids
sick? Is it David? Is something wrong?”
Here
we go again. All the questions. The constant prying. Why does everyone think
they’re entitled to know my every thought and action? Annie took a deep
breath, willing herself to calm down. Fran wasn’t a beast. She meant well.
“Look Fran, I can’t be there. Can we just leave it at that?” She cringed at the
hypocritical tone of her own voice.
“Annie, what’s gotten into you?
You’ve been so irritable lately. And I don’t mind telling you, I’m not the only
one who thinks so.”
“Fine. I’m irritable. I’m crabby.
I’m obnoxious. So sue me.”
She snapped the phone off and
tossed it toward her purse in the passenger seat. Annie bit her lower lip to
dam the flood of tears, desperate to keep her appearance intact until she
walked through the door of Christine’s cabin in Colorado . Catching her reflection in the
rearview mirror, she was startled by the angry woman looking back at her. Tiny
red lines laced roadmaps across tired brown eyes, normally warm and smiling.
With her thick hair pulled back into a long pony tail, her face looked pale
despite an earlier dash of make-up, her lips pinched in an absurd scowl.
Disgusted, she muttered a growl and pressed her foot harder against the
accelerator as she flew through the ribbons of traffic approaching the airport
terminals.
Seated on the plane two hours
later, Annie reached into her purse to turn off her cell phone. The special
cell pocket was empty. She panicked, digging through the rest of her bag.
Nothing. Mentally back-tracking her morning, her shoulders sagged in disbelief
when she remembered tossing it toward her purse in the van, but apparently not into her purse. The tiny gadget was most
likely resting between the passenger seat and door.
Wow! I can't wait to get my copy. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Visit my website at www.dianemoody.net Thank you, Diane, for the interesting visit.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Kindle edition: The Runaway Pastor's Wife
Print edition: The Runaway Pastor's Wife
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
29 comments:
Diane, Sounds like you've hit a nerve with your book. As a parishioner, I know it's hard to remember sometimes that the pastor and family need some breathing room too. I think it's a great reminder for all of us.
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
This sounds like a book that every church goer should read. Pastors and their wives and families have lives and feelings also and I think that at times we tend to forget that they are people just like us.
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Diane, that's so funny about you and your husband being in the Christmas pageant and then getting married! This book sounds like a great read. Would love to read it.
from South MS
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Sounds like something we all need to read, being a pastor's wife is not something I think I would sign up for! But you never know what the Lord might have planned...
Patty in SC
This book sounds absolutely amazing. I would love to read this. Thank you so much for the chance to win this.
I am from Oklahoma.
I'm adding this one to my wishlist - It sounds like a must-read for sure!
Lindsey from OR
Wow, this book sounds good and very enlightening. I'd like to be entered to get a copy of this book.
I'm from NC.
nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com
This sounds like a fantastic and needed novel. My pastor's wife is chronically ill and I am one of three ladies who do a lot of the planning/coordinating events and teaching Bible studies because she is unable. I'm just stepping into a larger role at the moment and could probably use an inside look at some of what I may be facing, even as a step removed from actually being the pastor's wife.
Thanks!
Erin in MO
Diane's a wonderful writer, and just an all-around good egg! I'm thrilled with her success! w0000t!! *G*
Wow! How fun to read all your posts! Thanks so much for your responses. I recently spoke at a church librarian conference and those folks all wanted copies for their libraries. Even though it's fiction, I think it gives a rare peek behind the curtain of what so many ministers' families go through. It's a blessed calling but also tough . . . but then isn't the true for most callings?
LOVED this book! Fast-paced and spot-on when it comes to ministry and the family.
I used to be a pastor's wife; then he was an army chaplain. Kind of the same but different. There were times I felt like running away! I'd enjoy reading the rest of "The Runaway Pastor's Wife."
Thanks for introducing us to Diane and her book.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas
Wow I'd love to win this book. The title caught my attention because I am a Pastor's wife. enjoyed reading the first chapter you provided. thanks.
I live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I was so interested in this interview. It is great to get a glimpse of the author's life. I would love to win a copy of "The Runaway Pastor's Wife". Thanks so much for this giveaway and a chance to read the books of new authors. (To Me!)
Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana
Sounds great, thank you for hosting the giveaway.
This is a book I really want to read.It goes on my list now. It would be great to win it.
wilmamet6(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow!Diane this book will be a top seller.....can't wait to read it...since my daughter is a Pastor's wife, and I love Mexican food, cheesecake and carrot cake too....I just have to win this one :) Angie's Mom/OH
Sounds very interesting! I love reading and would love to win this book, Thanks and God bless!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
It looks and sounds interesting!
It looks Like a suspense book.
Please enter me in the drawing.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
Looks interesting. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks and God Bless!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.
You all have blessed my socks off! This story is so close to my heart and your interest means so much to me! Just so you know, if you don't win the free copy, the Kindle version is only 99 cents! The paperback costs a bit more but it's a beautiful book - thanks to my daughter's beautiful cover design! And yes, Sarah, there's a LOT of suspense in this story! Who knew a pastor's wife could find herself in such a situation . . .
sounds like a interesting book. I would like to read it sometime soon. enter me in the drawing.
God Bless
Joanna Richmond,
Blanch, NC.
Looks interesting.Would love to win.Please enter me in the drawing.
Nathanael Richmond
Blanch, NC.
What a great storyline!
Maggie C. (Northern Indiana)
This sounds like a book I would love to read. As a pastor's wife I know first hand how hard it is sometimes to just get away and have time to ourselves. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of The Runaway Pastor's Wife.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
from Indiana
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'd enjoy this book and would like to share it with our pastor's wife. I'm from Iowa.
Diane, I just read your post on Lena's blog. We were at Southwestern 1980-1983. I was a receptionist at the SWBTS Medical Seminary 1982-1983, so our paths probably crossed. Being a pastor's wife who has thought of running away a few times, I can't wait to read your book.
Hmm, never heard of this author or book before. But it looks good! :-) I love discovering new authors! Thanks for the chance to win.
Katie from Florida
I think that behavior standards for a pastor's wife are so high and not human and natural. I can see where she'd "crack" under pressure as it were. Sounds like a unique plot too. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
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