Welcome back, Donna. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
As a writer, I learned early on that I was not capable of
writing secular romances. My internal values and my Christian faith had to come
through in stories that I would share with readers, stories that would be appropriate
for ages 12 and up and would resonate with multiple generations (daughters,
mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers).
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
I was really elated to learn that the novel I wrote as a
cultural legacy to my hometown’s Erie Canal
history had been the subject of a proclamation by the village council. On March
12, 2013, the mayor and the four village trustees of Brockport, New York,
proclaimed April 2013 Bluebird of
Brockport month and encouraged all citizens of Brockport to read the book.
It’s a great honor to have my historical novel recognized by my hometown’s
village board.
That is wonderful. How
has being published changed your life?
Being published has given me recognition among readers, the
opportunity for sharing a moral message with thousands, and most important,
positive feedback that keeps me going.
What are you reading
right now?
I am reading Spirit of
the North by Tyler Tichelaar (Tyler is the editor of Saving Mossy Point), The
ESV Study Bible, James—Mercy Triumphs
by Beth Moore, How to Hear God’s Voice
by Mark and Patti Virkler, and God Heard
Their Cry by Ray Vander Laan. I just finished reading The Promise of Palm Grove, Book One in the Amish Brides of
Pinecraft series by Shelley Shepard Gray, a very good story.
Yes, it is. I
recently featured Shelley’s story on this blog. What is your current work in
progress?
My current work in progress is the revisions for the early
titles in my Great Lakes Romances© series. I am leaving the plots the same, but
improving the reader experience by eliminating head-hopping and deepening the
third person point-of-view. As each title is revised, I give it a new cover and
make it available as both a Kindle and a paperback.
What would be your
dream vacation?
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I choose settings that either I or my readers are interested
in. My series started with the setting most visited in Michigan :
Mackinac Island . The two titles that followed
included other Great Lakes ports or regions
that I thought readers would enjoy. By the fourth title, several readers had
asked for stories about lighthouses, so I wrote a mini-series set at
lighthouses for titles four, five, and six. Then a reader asked for a story set
in Traverse City , a great Northern
Michigan town, so I wrote that as a spin-off of the lighthouse
stories based on a one-sentence plot suggestion. In Saving Mossy Point—In the
Fifty-First State of Superior , I wanted to write
about the Upper Peninsula culture I have been experiencing for the last twelve
years without calling it the Upper Peninsula .
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
My husband, because he is the one I love above all others on
earth and the one whose company I enjoy most. This question begs for a more
diverse answer, but I really can’t name anyone else with whom I’d rather spend
time.
I understand. I love
spending time with my husband, too. What are your hobbies, besides writing and
reading?
Walking the dogs and taking motor home trips with my husband
and the canines.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Short-term memory loss as I age is making book-length
writing more and more challenging. I compensate for it by setting my work aside
for a period of time and then coming back to it and rereading it quickly to
find inconsistencies. Another tactic is to get others to read the draft for
errors.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Be persistent. Don’t give up. Join writer organizations.
Read extensively in the genre you are writing. Don’t expect to get rich. Honor
God with your choice of words.
Tell us about the
featured book.
When retired schoolteacher and widow Betty Hanson learns
that the 51st State of Superior is about to close Mossy Point State Park, she
expresses her concern to Ray Engstrom, the head of the General Land Office. But
Mr. Engstrom reveals a discouraging fact: Mossy Point State Park has never paid
its own way since it opened back in 1959. And according to him, it “has the
same chance of running in the black as a turtle has of flying.”
Determined to prove Mr. Engstrom wrong, Betty gathers help
from friends and neighbors. A plan emerges to open a folk school, a place where
students of all ages can come to learn a craft, and work begins to put Mossy Point
State Park on solid
fiscal ground. But not everyone is on board with the plan. At times, Betty
almost finds herself sidetracked by dealing with her estranged daughter and
grandson, who suddenly appear back in her life, and then there is her close
friend Lee, who seems to want more than friendship. The State itself seems to
have alternative plans for the park, and when an accident threatens to destroy
both Betty and the park’s finances, all of her plans could fall apart. What can
possibly turn their fortunes around and make a turtle fly?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“Mr. Engstrom, you can’t sell Mossy Point
State Park !” Betty Hanson
slid to the edge of her chair and stared straight into the pale blue eyes of
the head of the General Land Office in the recently formed State of Superior.
She’d sought this meeting with him at his office in Superior Bay ,
the new state capital, to warn him of the devastating effect a park closing
would have on the Village of Mossy Point. But convincing him wouldn’t be easy.
His gaze never seemed to meet hers for more than a nanosecond.
“Is that what you came here to tell me? You said you had
some urgent information on a serious threat to state land. I assumed it
concerned illegal activity, but selling a park? Come, now.”
“Selling the park is a serious threat.”
“Why not sell it? That park’s a real money pit.” As Mr.
Engstrom leaned his bulky torso back in his creaky leather chair, Betty
envisioned a button popping off his too-tight shirt and splashing in the coffee
mug on the edge of his desk. Her lips twitched into a smile that she instantly
suppressed.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Please stop by my website where all my social media links
are located in the footer:
http://www.greatlakesromances.com/Thank you, Donna, for sharing this book with us. I know my blog followers will want to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Saving Mossy Point: In the Fifty-First State of Superior (Great Lakes Romances) (Volume 17) - Paperback
Saving Mossy Point: In the Fifty-First State of Superior (Great Lakes Romances Book 17) - 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, 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
18 comments:
I live in VA and am thrilled at the chance to win this great sounding book.
happygrammaof3(at)Comcast(dot)net.
sounds like a great book! Shelia from Mississippi
This sounds interesting. I would enjoy reading it.
Deanne in Pennsylvania
Thanks, Lena, for sharing about my book with your followers.
Thanks Brenda, Shelia, and Deanne for entering the giveaway!
Donna Winters
This sounds like a great book to share with my 11 y.o. son. Thanks for having the interview with Donna, Lena. I would love to win.
Becky from Missouri.
A lovely interview thank you. This sounds like a great read.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
So many of us are not willing to stand up to the government and often let changes happen that we don't agree with. No one wants to make waves... I look forward to reading Betty's story.
Patty in SC
Rebecca, Mary, and Patty, thank you for stopping by to enter the giveaway!
Blessings!
Donna Winters
Enter me in your great giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
This book sounds great - I would love to read it! I grew up in the lower peninsula, still call Michigan home, even though it's been a long time since living there. A great interesting idea - the 51st state. Thank you for the chance to win! Phoenix, AZ
Sharon and Mama Cat, thank you for stopping by to enter the book drawing!
Donna Winters
I have read Donna's books and am looking forward to reading this one.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
oh, sounds like a wonderful book thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
The cover is so pretty! I'd enjoy this book.
Beth from IA
Janet, Apple Blossom, and Beth,
Thank you for stopping by with your wonderful compliments! Best wishes for great reading this summer!
Donna Winters
Deanna from Nebr. enjoyed the interview & this book sounds like one I'd enjoy reading!
I met Donna online away back but have never gotten one of her books. I would love to win this one. Thanks for a chance.
Maxie from Texas > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
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