Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
In some ways my characters are all me, in others, they’re
nothing like me. Most often the
lessons the characters are learning are things God is trying to get through my
thick head, but the circumstances my characters find themselves in are usually very
different from my own. I’ve never been a single mom, or widowed, or divorced,
or been an archaeologist, but I have felt like a failure as a mom and grew up
in a divorced family. I’ve know what it’s like to try and control things when
life feels out of control. I know how helplessness and hopelessness feels, and
I’ve been learning what it means to truly surrender and rely on God.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Oh, dare I even bring it up. Not sure it was the quirkiest,
but it was more like “WHAT were you thinking?” A couple of years ago at my children’s
school event I entered the Karaoke “Most Embarrassing Mom Performance” and won.
In my defense, I thought the prize was going to be way better than it actually
was. Thankfully, I waited until the very end of the evening when they were
putting up the table and chairs. Only a handful of people were there, though I
did see one teen videotaping! Hopefully, it’s long gone and will never surface!
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
When I discovered I could express myself through the written
word, better than the spoken word, I knew I was a writer. I was probably nine
or ten, and I started journaling my feelings, dabbled in poetry and stories. In
school, I’d be the student who always went way over page count. I guess still
can be wordy. But when the words flow, there’s no stopping them.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I don’t care about genre, though I’d probably stay away from
horror and erotica! LOL! It’s the story and the characters that grab me. I’m
partial to women’s fiction, mystery and suspense, and I’ve been known to enjoy
a historical romance and even Sci-Fi or Fantasy. I think that’s why I like to
write in different genres. Though I’m only published in mystery/romance at the
moment, I have suspense, YA, and women’s fiction collecting dust in my
computer.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
You think I’m sane? Ha, fooled you! All I do is run, run,
run…and dance! Actually, dancing is how I keep my sanity. After writing,
marketing, keeping up the house, and carting kids to and fro, I carve out ME
time at least 2-3 times a week for an hour or more to dance. I started ballroom
dance lessons almost two years ago, and have never looked back. Dancing is not
only a hobby, it’s a passion with instant gratification, unlike writing which
is a passion, but more of a calling and career for me. Writing took years
before I saw any real fruit of my labor.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Sometimes I choose them by their personality or meaning.
Other times a name just pops into my head and I know that’s their name.
Sometimes a name doesn’t fit and they go through a name change. It’s different
with every character.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I hope I don’t sound egotistical or self-centered, but the
accomplishment I’m most proud of is me. Through my life I’ve see God work and
try and teach me things, but for some reason, I didn’t understand the lesson.
I’ve been through rough times in my life and came out stronger. I’ve had a goal
or dream, and despite opposition and fear of failure, pushed ahead and fought
through oppositions to have some success. And I’m starting to get the lessons
God is teaching me. THAT is a huge accomplishment and I hope that these things,
truths in my life, will come out in the stories I write so I can share what
I’ve learned and help others grow. THAT would be an accomplishment I’m most
proud of.
What is your favorite
food?
I honestly don’t have a favorite food. I love food in
general. I used to be partial to Italian, but don’t eat it as much as I used
to. Too many carbs which I’ve learned are not good for my body. I love trying
foods from different countries. I enjoy sushi and lamb vindaloo (Indian,) but
give me a good old fashion cheeseburger or sausage omelet with cheese. For my
sweet tooth nothing is better than Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream, or
Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheese Cake, but I don’t indulge in those very often.
I even like health food and crave a yummy avocado, Greek yogurt with fruit, or
a heap of hummus with chips. It’s amazing how my diet has changed for the
better over the years.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Excuses … I never seem to have time to write, but I don’t
think that is the entire truth. Yes, I’m busy, but I find time to dance … I
think I’m afraid of tapping into the emotions needed to write a book. Not
because I’m afraid to go there, but it involves a process and can actually
drain me of emotionally energy. And with a husband, four kids and a dog, I rarely
have any kind of energy at the end of the day. Once I go to that emotional
writing place I need to go with my characters, I like to stay there for a
while. Sometimes I just don’t have the amount of time needed to stay and really
accomplish what I need to, so I guess I just make the excuse not to “go there.”
That’s one thing I want to work on this year. And I’ve actually created a
writing schedule for working on my fiction.
Tell us about the
featured book.
“Gina Conroy has written a smart, fast-paced mystery in
which vulnerable characters rise to the occasion. Single-mom Mari’s life is
anything but mundane. Scars from her past mingle with the danger of her present
while romance and a journey of faith impatiently wait their turn for a walk in
her five-inch leather boots.” Tanya Dennis, writer, blogger, editor
Summary:
Archaeology Professor Mari Duggins is adjusting to life
as a single mom and trying to balance a television career, but gets caught
between the pull of her former flame, a field archaeologist, and her ex-husband
who is wanted by the FBI on an antiquities crime. Then her colleague is
murdered, and she gets in over her head as she searches for truth in a desert
of lies. Mari Duggins’ life caves in as she tries to excavate the truth,
but realizes only God can dig her out of the hole she’s created. Will Mari
sort through her muddled feelings and put her trust in someone else before her
world caves in? Or will the truth bury her alive?
Sound intriguing. Please
give us the first page of the book.
CHAPTER ONE
Monday, 7:42 a.m.
Texas , Lyndon University
Basement
When I stepped out of my
dressing room into the dim hallway, I should have heard death’s gentle
taunting. I should have seen it hovering in the glow of the flickering lights.
I should have felt it drawing me closer to the abyss. Instead, I rushed through
the hall toward the campus television studio, my heels clicking on the tile
like a ticking time bomb.
I dug in my red Coach bag,
found my compact mirror, and held it on top of my latte while I dabbed my shiny
forehead. It would have to do. I couldn’t be late for the biggest show of my career.
The intoxicating aroma of
fat-laden pastries wafted my way, tantalizing my taste buds. Mental note: Find
the Einstein who put the breakfast buffet between my dressing room and the
green room and have him lobotomized. At thirty-two, I had a hard enough time
maintaining my weight to please that mother-in-law of a camera. An impossible
feat for anyone over a size two, I know. But my stubborn Sicilian heritage kept
me in denial.
I dropped the mirror in my
leather bag and slowed enough to take a clumsy sip of nonfat, sugar-free
caramel latte, then gulped the creamy liquid, trying to appease my appetite.
It didn’t work.
The allure of the
forbidden fat grams assaulted my senses, my stomach growling with Eden temptation. I glanced
at my watch. 7:43. My heart lurched, then sprinted along with the rest of me. Seventeen
minutes to D-Day.
I like it!! How can
readers find you on the Internet?
If you can’t find me than you haven’t looked! LOL! Just try
Googling me!
Or connect with me on:
Twitter: @GinaConroy
Pinterest: Author
Gina Conroy
Thank you, Gina, for spending this time with us.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Digging Up Death (A Mari Duggins Mystery)
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
15 comments:
Wow first commenter?! :) I would love to read this book. I love mysteries and Christian Mysteries are perfect! :)
Amada Chavez, NM
would love to win! angel from KY
Sounds awesome! :-)
Sapphire from WY
Hi Gina,
Thank you for a chance to win your book. So your characters are like you. You said you don't hardly have time to write with a husband, and four children! Your book is fast-paced mystery! I love mystery. God bless you and Lena for the work you both do.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio
I love mysteries and this sounds like a really good one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
Thanks for reading and entering, everyone!
What a fabulous read this is going to be.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Am loving this book would love to win a copy.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx
The book sounds great and enjoyed the interview with Gina as well.
Doris, Indiana and Ontario
Thanks, everyone! Hope you ALL win!;) And if you can't wait for the drawing to read it, hope on over to amazon. It's only $2.99, cheaper than a cup of coffee nowadays! Oh, and there will be other chances to win the ebook, just sign up for my newsletter and I'll let you know!
thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Looks like a great book! I would love to win.
Hannah P
CA
Thank you would love to win this book.
Lourdes in Long Island,NY
After 5 years, I'm excited that I got the rights back to this book and will be republishing soon! Follow me on amazon to know when it releases, hopefully before the new year!
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