I've really looked forward to the day when I could post this interview. Lind and I have walked together on much of the journey. Welcome, Linda. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I probably put a lot of myself into my characters more so
subconsciously than consciously. For example…Samantha Knowles is an attorney
who was abused as a child. I am not an attorney nor have I experienced physical
abuse first hand. However, my work as a social worker has given me insight into
the lives of attorneys and the affects of child abuse. Sam is a perfectionist,
driven to achieve excellence and frustrated when it does not happen. That is probably
one of my downfalls.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
It is difficult to pick one out of several hundred. My
husband says he wants to stamp it on his palm that he married a blonde and to
remember to expect the unexpected from me. Probably the bravest thing I’ve done
is my recent move to Jacksonville ,
Florida . I packed up what I could
from my home in Northern New York into my little Ford Focus and headed
south…the only sure thing was that I’d eventually wind up at my brother’s home
in Jacksonville .
Where I’d live and if I’d make Jacksonville
my home were all in God’s hands. Step by step, like Abraham, my new life
unfolded…an apartment then a house, a job…then a book contract…and I’m looking
forward to when my husband retires and can join me here.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Many writers say they were born with a pencil in their hand.
I do know I’ve always loved telling stories and writing them down. In grade
school, I won several writing contests. I always wanted to be a writer and did
so as a hobby. Life responsibilities pushed me into other careers until June
21, 2000 when God revealed His plan that now was the time for me to pursue this
gift as a profession.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
As in music and movies, I enjoy any work that is done well.
My reading over the course of year will vary from historical and romance to
contemporary and science fiction. I want to read a story about people, about
their overcoming obstacles and their spiritual growth. In that regard, I prefer
character driven stories.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
Pray, pray, and pray. Regardless of how crowded my day may
be, I have discovered that planning time for God first thing in the
morning…before breakfast… is critical. I set my alarm early to allow for that
special time with Father God…even if that means I miss some other critical
element in my day. In this life, God is more concerned about our being than our
doing. And our doing is vanity, as Solomon says, unless it is rooted in our
relationship with God.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
I choose names according to their meaning and according to
the character type personality. I also factor in geographical factors,
historical factors and family probabilities. For example, Zack Bordeaux is a
teacher, a product of his geographical location. French names are prevalent in
the Adirondack region due to its proximity to Canada
and migrations from Quebec .
Zack is a popular name for the age of my character. He is athletic and the name
seemed to fit him. Jonathan Gladstone is an artist and the heir to an English
Earl. I needed an English name that had an aristocratic sound.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I am first and foremost proud of my three children and my
nine grandchildren. To me, family, next to my relationship with God, is the
highest priority. My children are great parents and that thrills me. My sons both
served in the military, and my daughter is an exemplary mom and wife. Career
wise, I think I take greatest joy in winning writer of the year for the Blue
Ridge Mountains Christian Writers conference. That year God affirmed His call
for me to write.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d like to be a lion. I roar a lot and I like to prowl. I
wouldn’t want to be a man-eating lion, though.
What is your favorite food?
Pot roast. I love tender beef and vegetables cooked in the
broth. Next to that, I’d say spaghetti. Third favorite is hot fudge sundae. Now
if I could only combine them in one meal, but I’m afraid the blended flavors
would not set well in the stomach. As in many areas of my life, my tastes seem
to be varied.
I would like to eat with you. Tell us a little about your journey to publication.
It has been a wild ride filled with highs and lows. God
yanked me from complacency on June 21, 2000, in a vivid call to move my life
toward professional writing. I don’t advocate quitting the day job, but in my
case, God insisted. He promised to meet our needs, and He has done so beyond
any expectation. Though I published short stories, essays, poetry, and
devotional articles, as well as a newspaper column, obtaining a book contract
was a challenge beyond all others, even with an agent. I questioned if I’d
heard God right. I thought of going back to work full-time and keep writing
short pieces. God reminded me that quitting now would be akin to the Children
of Israel re-crossing the Jordan .
Then, on June 21, 2011, God affirmed His plan for me through my first book
contract, eleven years to the day.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I fell into the trap of thinking God needed me. I made
writing my primary focus in life, even before my devotional time. I fooled
myself into thinking that this was okay since I was doing God’s work. God had
to chisel my pride. He didn’t need me to do anything. God is sufficient in
Himself. What He offered was a privilege to work together with Him. Then I asked
God to take away the desire to write. He told me that was foolishness to ask
Him to take away His gift to me. He had to show me the importance of being,
living and breathing each day in sync with what He wanted to show me for that
day. He taught me that my call to purpose is not what I do but who I am in Him.
The rest will fall into place. “But seek ye first
the kingdom of God , and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33 KJV).
What advice would you give to others who are trying to get
their first book published?
Don’t quit. If you believe God has called you or even if you
are writing for your own pleasure, don’t give up. Rejection is not failure but
rather an opportunity to try again.
Tell us about the featured book.
The Other Side of Darkness, (working copy title Dawn’s Hope)
came to me as I drove through the Adirondack
area in which the story is set. Its history has always intrigued me. The
question occurred to me what if someone from the city became stranded in one of
its small towns. During the initial formation of the novel, I took a trip to Whitehall , the birthplace
of the American Navy, and toured the quaint town. I became intrigued by Skene Manor
(http://www.skenemanor.org/),
the home a former Supreme Court Judge and originally built by the town’s
founder. It overlooked the village like a sentinel. The town of Haven was born in my mind
and the estate, Dawn’s Hope. The early version of the story was a finalist in
the 2008 Genesis contest, a story about a New York attorney who becomes stranded in a
small town after a moose accident. On my way to the airport for the Minneapolis
ACFW conference, my husband nearly hit a moose that wandered on to the road.
Then ACFW president Cynthia Ruchti said, “God is smiling on this manuscript.”
And the rest is history.
Please give us the first page of the book.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea
were hushed…and He guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm
107:29-30
Spaghetti legs, Daddy called
them, spindly appendages that kinked when stressed—like now.
Samantha Knowles leaned
against the table for support as Bailiff Don Hunter came to the front of the
courtroom. “All rise.” Judge Normandy
entered, his limp necessitating a much longer plod from his chamber to the
bench. Soon, the wait would end—three years of sleepless nights, endless days
of preparation, postponements, and courtroom theatrics by defense attorneys.
After three interminable years, Justice would now show its face.
As the judge took his bench,
the crowd silenced to await his summation. Sam glanced at the defendant’s table
where a calm Harlan Styles sat, a wart on the cheek of humanity, an insulated
icicle against the rising heat, tried and convicted—the rest up to Normandy ’s guillotine.
She fingered her notes, though
she didn’t need to see them—the image of Kiley’s tiny, battered body tattooed
on Sam’s brain, a brazen scar, indelibly etched on her heart.
Judge Normandy spewed his rhetoric—penal codes entwined
with case facts, cold, distanced from the victim, yet succulent to Sam’s ears.
In spite of their dry, unflavored essence, she feasted on his words—each
pursuant finding heaped upon the other and topped with the last morsel, “The
court can find no other just rendering than life imprisonment.”
Victory should taste better,
like syrup over pancakes—not this metallic aftertaste.
A woman’s scream silenced the
murmurings, and Sam turned with the rest of the throng toward the source.
Kiley’s mother, Brenda Smith, had leaned over the rail and grabbed Styles’s
sleeve while Don Hunter ordered her to step back.
Brenda was weak—just like Mama
was weak. Brenda Smith deserved the same fate as Styles. Too bad stupidity
wasn’t a felony.
The DA stood in the back of the
courtroom. Without a word, Abe Hilderman, her boss and second chair, abandoned
Sam to shake the DA’s hand. A simple, “Good job, Counselor,” would have been
nice, even a slap on the back. Nice, but not necessary. Abe often said that
Justice was its own reward.
Emboldened, Sam stepped closer
as the deputy handcuffed Styles. He saw her, pulled free, put his shackled
hands on the prosecutor’s table and leaned into Sam’s face, his cologne lethal…
a designer blend—suede, water, and moss—like Daddy’s. Sam fixed her stare into
steel-gray eyes, magnets that drew her headlong toward a spinning saw—Styles’s
demeanor, a calloused calm…except for his lips… parched, purple–tinged lips
that formed his threat. “Keep your light on, Miss Knowles.”
Her spaghetti legs wobbled. Three years of lamp-lit nights
had failed to chase away the recurring dreams—dreams Sam kept secreted from
everyone, especially Justine, Sam’s
best friend. How, then, did Styles know she kept a light on all night?
How can the readers find you on the Internet?
Webiste: http://www.lindarondeau.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/lwrondeau
Blogs
This Daily Grind (God often teaches us life’s greatest
lessons through the mundane) http://lindarondeau.blogspot.com/
Back in the Daze
(because life never ceases to be amazing)
My on-line writing community: Pentalk Community
Pentalk Community Blog: http://pentalkcommunity.blogspot.com/
To purchase book:
http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/the-other-side-of-darkness-softcoverThank you, Linda, for sharing all of this with us.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You can choose whether you want a print copy or an ebook. 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
39 comments:
I would enjoy a print copy of this book. Thanks!
Beth from Iowa
A big city girl stranded in a small town... fish out of water stories are always interesting. Sounds like there is some good depth here. Look forward to reading this!
Patty in SC
Thank you Beth and Patty for stopping by. Samantha is indeed a fish out of water not merely geographically! Thanks for your support.
i would choose a print copy of this book. it sounds great. we have moose in this country, and know the damage they can do! They say the reason there are so many accidents with moose is that their eyes don't reflect light (like deer and elk) so at night you don't get the warning.
Thanks for the giveaway, Lena and Linda
marianne[dot]wanham[at]gmail[dot]com
I love small towns, but know not everyone does.
I live in a rural, small town--in PA.
Linda, what an awesome-sounding book—I'd love to win it. You are truly an inspiration to me, especially in your walk wit the Lord. Thank you, Lena, for this lovely interview!
elainemariecooper(at)yahoo(dot)com
Linda and Lena,
Enjoyed this post very much. Linda, thanks to you for all you do for fellow writers with Pentalk. Your journey struck cords with me and your moment of light is the same story my writer daughter just announced. Oh faith, come quickly! Your excerpt created interest. In Indiana.
jude urbanski
Great interview, Lena and Linda! I love your attitude, Linda, especially about rejection. lol.I hope your hubby can join you soon! Congrats on the release of THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS.
Dora Hiers
From beautiful NC
Hmm, looks like I flunked the comment formatting so here goes again: Linda and Lena, great job on the interview. Linda, you know I love your wring and am so very proud of your book. I know you worked hard on it. Yes, I would LOVE to win a free copy. Lena, you asked where readers are from. I live in Malone, N.Y. Linda can show it to you on a map!
Connie Jenkins
@ Marianne
As mentioned, I saw a moose close up and personal...don't care to get any closer than I did. But, they are magnificent animals just the same.
@ Annette
My former home of Malone, New York is a small town. I now live in a city of nearly 1 million...quite an adjustment. Talk about a fish out of water!
@ Elaine
Thanks for the encouragement. God bless.
@ Jude
Thanks for stopping by and the words of encouragement.
Donna...thanks for the well wishes and kind comments. Yes...there will be rejoicing in heaven when my husband Steve rejoins me.
Connie...hope I'll get to see you when I do a book tour up north in the spring.
OHHH, this sounds like such a good book. I would love to have a print copy of it. I live in Florida.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I would love to win a print copy of this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I don't want to win a book as I will buy one. I want Linda to get all the royalties she can.
Linda is one of the sweetest women I've ever known. She gives to others, remembers the needs of others and has been a faithful friend for many years.
One of the sad days of my life was the day she moved.
One of the happy days was when she got her contract.
Linda ROCKS!
I haven't read any of Linda's books yet and would love to read this. I would love a print copy. I live in S. CA.
What a chilling way to end the excerpt! I love it. :)
Congratulations on the release and on a wonderful interview.
@whren....thanks so much for stopping by.
@Linda K...I've always wanted to visit California.
@Carol...thanks faithful friend
@Bakersdozen...thank you...this is my first published book.
@E.A...this book is intended to be suspenseful...hope it lives up to expectations.
Linda, it's great getting to know you even better!! I loved the post, and wish you all the best with the release of The Other Side of Darkness - sounds like a great read!! God bless, and much continued success!
@ Marianne Evans
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Would like to read this one, too.
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
This sounds really interesting - would love to read it! Blessings to you!
@Robyn and Mama Cat
I do hope you'll read the book and that it blesses you. Thanks for stopping by today.
This sounds intriguing, as I like old manors and things like that.
misshoneybee(at)gmail(dot)com
I don't understand why you would pack up and move miles away from your husband but what a brave thing to do. I hope his retirement comes soon..it isn't good to be away from each other too long! :)
I can't wait to read this book. If I happen to win a copy of "The Other Side Of Darkness" I would like it in print form.
Blessings and thanks for this giveaway. Enjoyed the interview too!
Judy B from Indiana
Linda, I love your words to describe weak legs: spaghetti legs. Lena, thanks for having Linda on and letting us learn about her book.
Jo
johudd[at]bellsouth[dot[com
This is the first time I've heard of The Other Side of Darkness. But it looks like something I would wanna read. Count me in for the giveaway!
Katie from Florida
Thanks for the great Interview, loved it, like reading about the Authors, Linda your book sounds great and would love to be in the Contest.
Blessings to you and Lena.
I live in S.Illinois
ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm from Nebraska and am most comfortable in small towns. Wonderful interview, ladies. I so enjoy reading about how a story is born. Oh, this sounds like such a good story, one to hold in print.
Linda, on a lot of counts, we have come to the same conclusions.
Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks and God bless!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
I read the blurb of this book and it sounds like an interesting read. So, please enter me in this giveaway!
I live in New York
This sounds like a thrilling story, and especially appeals to me because we recently drove through the Adirondacks and I wondered what it would be like to live there.
Suzanne :O)
shartmann5(@)yahoo(.)com
Please enter me in your drawing.
God Bless You!
Dennie Richmond
Blanch, NC
Oh, I forgot to say I'm from TX.
LInda's book sounds wonderful. I love hearing how an author got the ideas for their stories. Thanks for sharing. Would love to win a copy.
I'm from Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Matthew 6:33--with three little ones, I have finally decided that I need to be more intentional about this and purposefully get up before they do to have alone time with the Lord! It has been about a month since I started this practice and some days it is still hard, but I know it is what God wants.
Megan from PA
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