Readers, don't forget to follow the instructions at the end of the post to be included in the drawing for the free book. Today, I'm interviewing a debut author.
Welcome, Stephanie. Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
Too much. I sometimes find that in my first draft, I slip
into myself. It’s clear when I do a read-through what I’ve done. So I go back
to my character notes and get into my character’s head. Then I dive in,
changing her dialogue, thoughts, or actions into what she would say, think, and
do. That always serves to make her a more compelling character. I always want
my characters to be more interesting than I am!
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
When I was young and not as smart as I am now, I was
traveling in Spain with a
friend and we had this great idea to go to Morocco . It probably wasn’t the best
idea we’d ever had. We managed (just barely) to stay out of trouble, and we did
do some amazing things. We bought Morroccan carpets, ate goat meat kabobs, learned
to belly dance from the locals, and ended the trip by riding camels on a
deserted beach. My friend and I still look back on the weekend and laugh about
it, but have decided we’d never let our own daughters do something like that.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I think it dawned on my slowly over a period of years. I started
writing The Well about five years ago. Three years ago I finaled in the
ACFW Genesis contest and started to wonder if maybe I really could be a writer.
About six months later, I got a book contract. When The Well released just a
few weeks ago, I guess it really hit home for me and I finally believed that I
was a writer J
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Although my first choice in fiction is historical, I read a
wide range of genres—mostly thanks to my children. I read Terry Pratchett with
my oldest daughter, Walt Whitman poetry with my 17-year-old son, and zombie apocalypse
stories with my 14-year-old boy. My youngest daughter likes action and
adventure stories, which I think helps me keep my own plots fast paced. When I want
to relax, I read Jane Austen or a good Dean Koontz thriller.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I’m a very distracted person. Four kids, a husband,
housework, yard work, and writing — my daily to-do list is endless. But my
church has a small chapel that’s always open and always silent, with beautiful
stained glass windows. When I go there, I feel like I can leave everything else
behind and just be with Jesus, no distractions. Sometimes I pray for family and
friends, many times I just sit and breathe. I try to go every day and I really
miss it when I can’t be there.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
One of the reasons that I love to write Biblical fiction is
that the names are so beautiful and have compelling meanings. When I first
started thinking about writing the story of the daughter of the Samaritan woman
at the Well, her name came to me: Mara, which means bitter. I knew that Mara’s
story, a bittersweet story, was what I wanted to write. When I am developing a story,
I look at Biblical names and their meanings and it helps me develop the
character and his or her back story.
The first thing I
wrote after God told me to become a professional writer was a dramatic
monologue of the Woman at the Well. What is the accomplishment that you are
most proud of?
They are easy to name: Rachel, Andy, Joe, Anna, and 23 years
of marriage to Bruce. Writing a book or three is a wonderful accomplishment,
but my children and husband are my vocation and greatest joy.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
Probably a cat. I often envy my cats. Especially when they
are asleep on a sunny patch of carpet and I’m donning a parka and snow boots to
go shovel the driveway on a snowy Minnesota
morning.
My daddy grew up in Minnesota , and I have a
large number of relatives there, but I haven’t been there in winter. What is
your favorite food?
Cheese. Pretty much any kind of cheese, from Wisconsin cheddar to stinky French cheese. It’s my go-to
comfort food.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Time management. I get caught up in research and can spend a
whole morning tracking down differing viewpoints on some minor detail. It
really can cut down on your word count and wreak havoc with deadlines. I have
to find a place where I can reasonably say “enough research,” and get down to
writing the story.
Tell us about the
featured book.
For the women of the Samaritan village of Sychar ,
the well is a place of blessing—the place where they gather to draw their water
and share their lives—but not for Mara. Shunned for the many sins of her
mother, Nava, Mara struggles against the constant threats of starvation or
exile.
Mara and Nava’s lives are forever changed with the arrival of two men: Shem, a mysterious young man fromCaesarea , and Jesus,
a Jewish teacher. Nava is transformed by Jesus, but his teachings come too late,
and she is stoned by the unforgiving villagers. Desperate to save her dying
mother, Mara and Shem embark on a journey to seek Jesus’ help—a journey that
brings unexpected love and unimaginable heartbreak.
Mara and Nava’s lives are forever changed with the arrival of two men: Shem, a mysterious young man from
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Dread coiled like an asp in Mara’s belly as the watery light
of dawn seeped through the chinks in the roof of the clay house.
Only a short span of
dirt floor stretched between her mother’s corner of their one-room house to
where Mara and her little brother lay pressed against its farthest wall. Mara’s
worn cloak, pulled over their heads like a shield, had failed to block out the
carnal whispers that had drifted through the confines of the dark room during
the long night. Shame and fear had twined with tormented dreams until she
prayed for dawn.
Now, as the murky beams of weak light puddled on the floor,
Mara raised her head and strained to see through the gloom. Is Alexandros still
here?
Relief trickled through her stiff limbs. Her mother slept
alone in the corner. When had Alexandros left? And where did he go? How could
Mama be so foolish? Please, Lord, let no one find out about him.
Mara’s bare arms, prickly with cold, were wrapped around
Asher’s small warm body.
She slipped from under her cloak and eased herself away from
her little brother. As she kissed his smooth cheek and tucked the tattered wool
around his shoulders, he opened his sleep-clouded eyes.
“Shh, my sweet, go back to your dreams,” she whispered,
rubbing his back. Asher garbled a few words, wedged his thumb in his mouth, and
closed his eyes again. Mara stroked his back until his mouth went slack and his
breath buzzed in a steady rhythm.
Silently, she crept past her sleeping mother. Nava lay
crumpled in the corner like a pile of dirty rags. She would not stir until
mid-morning. Then she would act as if nothing had happened, as if she’d done
nothing wrong.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I love to hear from readers. And if they like Biblical
fiction, they’ll enjoy the tidbits of Biblical history research that I post
weekly on my blog. They can find me at:
Or on these social media sites:
http://pinterest.com/slandsem/Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your life and new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Well - Christianbook.com
The Well: A Novel - Amazon.com
The Well: A Novel - Kindle
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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, 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
26 comments:
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN. ANGELA FROM KY
Most people don't write about passags from the Bible, and they usually avoid certain storys. But I love any and all that are fictional accounts taken from the Bible!!
- Leauphaun from BC
I would love to read this book as I imagine the woman at the well to have an intriguing story.
Monica, Ontario
Sounds like a fascinating read.
Amy C
VA
There wasn't much information to go on, Monica, which made it all the more fun to imagine what she and her family must have experienced.
Best of luck to all of you in the drawing!
I would like to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!
-Melissa M. from TX
I would love to read this.
Deborah D, FL
I lived many years in Minnesota, but I have to say that I hope I never have to go back in the winter. I'm quite spoiled after living for many years in a more moderate climate. I would enjoy reading The Well. Thank you for offering a copy.
I live in Tennessee.
I've heard this is really good! I'm in MN.
THE WELL is a story that I know my Mother will enjoy as well - no pun intended.
(PS - you can keep your stinky cheese.)
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
thanks for the chance to read 'the well.'
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
...from pa...
thanks for the chance to win this book
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks, Amy, Melissa and Deb. Kay and Veronica - I grew up in the more moderate climate of the Pacific Northwest but I love Minnesota, even on the snowy days.
"Well" said, Mary :) I love to have mothers and daughters read The Well together and talk about it.
You are welcome, Karen and apple blossom. Good luck to you.
Thank you for interview & the introduction to Stephanie's books - looking forward to reading "The Well".
Elaine from Iowa
Enter me!
Sarah Richmond
N.C.
Sounds great!
Anna W. from GA
I would like to win and read THE WELL, because I like to read about the culture of Biblical characters and what may have been their 'back story'. sharon, CA
This book sounds like a must read by for me. The Well is a book I would enjoy.
Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana
would love to win Angela from KY
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I would really enjoy this book. Bibical fiction is great to read. Thanks!
Beth from Iowa
I would like to win this book for my church library.
Thanks for the opportunity to do so.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN, thanks
jcisforme@aol.com
I love biblical fiction and can't wait to read the well! Would love to win a copy!
Liz R in Al
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