Welcome, Helen. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
A little of me probably comes out in all my characters. The
historical ones are patterned more after my parents.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I really had no idea. I asked my husband if he knew, and he
said, “Yeah, you married me.” And he’s probably right. He was my pastor, and he
changed me from Helen Brown to Helen Gray.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
It was around the time my last child started school. Always
an avid reader, a friend and I made a practice of exchanging books and
discussing them. Eventually we decided that we could write a book and
challenged one another to do so. I completed ten books—and have since completed
more. She never finished a single chapter.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read contemporary and historical romance and mysteries for
pleasure. I read craft books for writing and a hodge-podge for research.
Unfortunately, the more I write, the less time I can spend reading. Also, like
other authors, I have trouble turning off the internal editor.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I quit running.
Good answer. How do
you choose your characters' names?
I usually determine my setting and basic storyline first.
Then I try to recall names from my family background for historicals. Sometimes
they just come to me, or the characters may just appear in my mind.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
That my three grown children are committed Christians—and
the fact that May 31 will mark 50 years of marriage.
Congratulations. James
and I will celebrate 50 years later this year. If you were an animal, which one
would you be, and why?
I've always told my family that if I believed in
reincarnation I would see myself coming back as a lizard—so I could just lie
around in the sun and watch the world.
What is your favorite
food?
It’s grilled chicken, accompanied by a baked potato and
garden salad.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I hate conflict in real life, so creating conflict for my
characters can be tough. Sometimes I read stories from my "think"
file of newspaper clippings and adapt scenarios from them.
I also hated to be
mean to my characters, but I had to overcome that. Then my books became more
powerful. Tell us about your featured book.
In my early years of scribbling, my mother read all my
books. Then, after a time when I had been grilling her about her experiences
growing up in the Great Depression, she typed up some notes for me. Back then
most guidelines defined historical books as those set before the turn of the
century, so those notes went into a file. Six years ago I lost my mother.
Several months later I pulled out those notes—and decided the time had come to
use them.
I wrote a historical set in the Great Depression,
fictionalizing the small town of my girlhood and characterizing a heroine with
the help of my mother's notes. The sale of the series seemed almost prophetic
in timing. The message saying the series had been given a YES arrived on my
hubby's birthday. The contract arrived on the anniversary of Mom's death. The
book is dedicated to her.
Here is the back cover blurb.
CALLIE BLAKE CAN'T AFFORD TO FALL IN LOVE
She’s too busy helping her family survive the Depression.
When she returns home to their Missouri
farm, she sees her childhood crush, Trace Gentry, and it stirs up old dreams
she tries hard to ignore. Trace is kind, handsome and wealthy. He'd never be
interested in a poor girl like her—would he?
Successful businessman Trace is crazy about Callie, and he
knows she thinks she's not good enough for him. But he's clueless how to woo
her. Until he devises a plan that will prove his love to Callie and make all
her dreams come true.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Callie Blake picked up a couple more sticks of firewood from
the slab pile and added them to her load. Arms full, she rounded the sawdust
pile near the family sawmill and headed for the house. She twisted her head,
wishing she had a free hand to wipe the sweat that trickled from beneath her bonnet
and dampened the collar of her blue cotton dress. The smell of fresh sawdust permeated the
still, parched air.
The family dog lay panting in the sweltering shade of a huge
oak tree, his tongue hanging out. The calendar said today was the third of September,
but the heat of August persisted in the Missouri Ozarks.
The sound of a motor drew her attention to the road. A 1927
Chevrolet truck slowed and pulled into the strip of ground between the road and
the yard.
Callie paused as the visitor got out of the truck and came
closer. Then she got her first look at his face.
Trace Gentry.
The sight of him sent her tumbling back in time. He was as
tall as she remembered, six foot or a little more, and as good looking as ever.
His dark brown hair held just a hint of curl, and deep set blue eyes made
hearts flutter—including Callie’s, once upon a time. Which had been pointless
then—still was now. Time and trials had changed him from a “cute” boy to a
lean, muscular man. A heart-stoppingly handsome man.
He carried himself with assurance and always seemed at ease
with everyone. Nobody else had ever fascinated Callie the way he did, or sent
her stomach into somersaults at the mere thought of him. Or been so far from
her world.
Time stood still as he came closer. Suddenly his eyes
collided with hers in recognition. She struggled for control and forced the
shock from her expression.
“Callie?” Surprise colored the word.
She nodded, held mute at his sudden appearance.
“Are you just visiting, or have you moved back here?” His
voice was deep and smooth.
“I came home six months ago.” She had to force the words
past numb lips.
I’ve stayed close to the house. Our paths would seldom have
crossed anyhow.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Readers can find me on the Internet at http://www.helenbrowngray.com
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Ozark Sweetheart - Christianbook.com
Ozark Sweetheart (Heartsong Presents) - Amazon
Ozark Sweetheart (Heartsong Presents) - 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
16 comments:
Ozark Sweetheart sounds like a wonderful book. I can't wait to see what Trace comes up with to win his love. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Melanie Backus, TX
Hi Melanie,
I had a good time writing this book. It's my memorial to my mother.
Helen
would love to win. Angela from KY
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
Thank you, Lena, for the day.
Happy reading, everyone.
What an amazing story this will be. It's been a while since I read a book set during the great depression.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Helen, my Mom doesn't like talking about her years growing up during the depression, either. And she has no interest in what we call antiques (unless it's a car!!!) life might hVe been good with lots of memories, but those always include people. Thanks for a chance to win!
Marianne
Arizona
I enjoy a good love story, especially about two people who don't seem to go together. Love to win your book. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love opposites attract stories!
Donna, TX
This sounds like a great story! Plus, I live in the AR Ozarks, so I'm totally interested in any story set in our region. I'd love to win!
Courtney C. from AR
Sounds like a great book!
Sydney Harries GA
I would love to win this book.
Lourdes Long Island
love heartsong books thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I enjoyed Helen's delightful interview and would love to win a copy of OZARK SWEETHEART! Thank you for the opportunity!
Britney Adams, TX
Sounds like a great book to read!
Susan in NC
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
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