Dear Readers, Derinda is another author with the agency I'm with. I'm thrilled to introduce her to you.
Welcome, Derinda. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
The characters in my novels and short stories exhibit many
of my personality traits, preferences, experiences, and understanding. In Dodging
Destiny, the main character, Lexie Logan, struggles with control
issues. She also questions if she is really good enough. In many areas of my life, control that comes from
extensive planning equals comfort, safety, and security. Like Lexie, God has
had to push me out of my comfort zone in order to show me that I really have
very little control over most things. I think at different times in our lives,
we all question why God wants to use us. Our perceptions tend to be that
someone else is smarter, more talented or skilled, or better able to do what
God has told us to do.
In many of my upcoming novels, the reader may notice that
someone learns to read, or improves basic reading skills. For twenty-five
years, I was an English Acquisitions/English as a Second Language teacher. My
life revolved around teaching students to listen, speak, read, write, and think
in English, and because this has played such an important role in my life,
writing about characters who improve the lives of others by teaching them to
read seems like a natural extension of who I am. Because of this experience,
readers may also note that interactions with others who are not of the main character's cultural or linguistic
heritage are common.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Like Lexie, I don't like the thought of germs being on everything
I touch. Before I sit down at a computer others have used, I wipe the area and
seat back, the mouse, the keyboard, and the outside edge of the monitor with a
sanitizing wipe or colloidal silver I keep in my purse. I put the silver on my
hands and up my nose. In twenty-five years of working with germ-y students, I
seldom got sick, so I continue the practice.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
For many years, I wrote stories just for me. They were
handwritten or produced on a manual or electric typewriter. I didn't consider
myself to be a writer then, just a storyteller, but when others wanted to read
what I'd written, I realized writing might be a possibility in some hazy future
after my life as a mom and teacher. When I had time, I tuned up one of my
favorite manuscripts and pitched it to Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency
at the ACFW conference in St. Louis five or six years ago. She contracted me, and this is when I
considered myself to be a writer.
I also just
considered myself as a storyteller, before God told me He wanted me to write
stories for Him. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
For most of my adult life, I read nonfiction texts. They
were a part of my everyday life as a teacher or student. These books were very
helpful if I wanted to learn new information,
develop skills, or solve specific kinds of problems. They continue to be helpful
for historical research. When I had time to read fiction, I preferred mostly historical
novels – books like Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series, or her famous
women of the Bible series. I began reading limited amounts of fantasy only
because I discovered Robin McKinley's Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the
Beast. I liked her writing style so much, I read many more of her books. R. J.
Larson and her Books of the Infinite and Realms of the Infinite series are also
favorites. Kathleen Y'Barbo became a favorite historical romance author after I
read Flora's Wish and Millie's Treasure. Lena 's
book, Catherine's Pursuit is also a
favorite. Because there are now so many excellent Christian books in all
genres, I seldom read fiction outside of the Christian market.
I’m glad you liked my
book. That one was a pleasure to write. You should try Lynne Gentry’s time
travel novels. You’ll love them. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run,
run world?
Simple – I don't run anymore. Since I've retired from
teaching, I don't have so many demands on my time or energy. I live in the
country and have a garden and animals to care for, which is stress-relieving. I
continue to learn, which is mentally stimulating. I've enrolled at a local
community college to take classes I want to take, instead of classes I have to
take to keep a teaching license.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I look on the Internet, in name books, and within the circle
of my family and friends to see which names work best for the personality of my
character. On one occasion, a student wanted to be named in a story. I asked,
“Do you want your name to be associated with the hero/heroine or the villain?”
She answered, “It doesn't matter.” Her name regularly appears in Dodging
Destiny.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
One of the most important accomplishments is to know that my
children, as adults, love, respect, and talk to each other and to my husband
and me. We are friends. We enjoy being with each other. Lately, I've noticed
this trait seems to be disappearing in the lives of many of the next
generation, and my heart is saddened. The burdens of life are heavy enough
without the added weight of unloving, unkind, and disrespectful loved ones.
James and I are
blessed that way, too. Our family all live fairly near us, and we love getting
together. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I'd be a border collie/Australian shepherd cross like my
dog, Bella. I'd have one white eye and one brown, and I'd be able to run faster
than a speeding bullet and jump tall obstacles in a single bound. I've never
been able to run very fast, jump very high, or move with as much grace and body
control as Bella.
What is your favorite
food?
I don't have one particular favorite, though anything with
green chili as a main ingredient will be a dish of choice. My favorite meats,
in order of preference, are: antelope, wild duck and geese, dove, lamb, elk,
deer, chicken, turkey. I like a variety of vegetables and fruits, especially if
they are garden-fresh and still retain the kiss of the sun.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
For many years I wrote in the educational setting, so when I
began to write fiction for the Christian market, I had to “unlearn” certain rules.
Now, instead of using the Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological
Association (APA) style manuals, I use the Chicago Manuel of Style (CMS) or a
specific publisher's style sheet. Sometimes the rules aren't black-and-white, which
causes me frustration. In addition, some of the “no-no's” of writing appear to
apply only to new writers, but not to those who are famous, multi-published
authors. I've had to grit my teeth and remind myself that when I made a career
change, I moved from the top of the totem pole to the bottom, and that I should
expect to have to work hard to get over the hurdles that come my way. I've had
to ax my pride and humble myself before the Lord,
not once, but several times.
Another writing problem that consistently surprises me is
how many times a manuscript can be examined for errors by multiple sets of
skilled eyes, yet some silly little
errors always slip by. When I notice these escapees in my own work, I feel sick
to my stomach, but they serve to remind me that I haven't arrived. I still need
to strive for perfection. When I notice them in the works of other well-known
authors, I breathe a sigh of relief to know I'm not alone.
You’re right. They
just happen … and to everyone. Tell us about the featured book.
Dodging Destiny is the first book in the Destiny trilogy. The
story is a loose parallel of the Prophet Jonah's experience. Lexie Logan knows
what God wants her to do, but she decides to flee His command. As a results, she
faces a life-storm of epic proportions. God removes her from the twenty-first
century and sends her to 1857 Kansas
territory to learn some lessons. The American Civil War is four years away, Kansas isn't a state,
women don't have the vote, and slavery divides the nation. Lexie learns that
there is no place in time or space she can go to run from God, and that nothing
can separate her from His love.
I can hardly wait
until my copy arrives. I’m eager to read this story. Please give us the first
page of the book.
Oh,
Lance. Why did it have to end this way?
Lexie
tightened the knob on the stationary bike and pedaled with all her might. Her
deep pink cotton workout tee and black Spandex shorts stuck to her lean body
and sweat dripped from her face. She pushed away the tendrils of long,
golden-brown hair that escaped from the ponytail and stuck to her temples and
the back of her neck. She ignored the metallic clang of weights, the rhythmic
whirring of the treadmills, steppers, and rowing machines, the television news
reports, and the conversations of her fellow exercisers.
As
she focused on the rapidly spinning wheel, she hoped the wetness drenching her
face would hide the tears that flooded her brown eyes, coursed down her face,
and pooled onto the gym floor with the drops of perspiration. For the past two
hours and with fierce determination she had tried, with exercise, to release
the emotional pain that squeezed her heart, but to no avail. Pumping iron
hadn’t done it, running laps hadn’t done it, and spinning wasn’t doing it. She
knew laps in the pool wouldn’t help either, so she stopped pedaling abruptly,
grabbed the antibacterial spray and cloth, and wiped the handles of the bike and
the floor around it.
Lexie
made no eye contact with people as she left the gym lest they speak and she
would be required, for the sake of civility, to answer. She unlocked the door
of her dark blue hybrid, snapped the seat belt into the lock, and started the
motor. She didn’t push the button that would start the chords to the music of
her practice CD, as she usually did, but looked into the rearview mirror into
the reflection of her own brown eyes.
She
couldn’t stand to see the pain there, so she looked around, engaged the motor
and backed out of the parking space. At home, she pulled into the garage and
noted that her mom’s car was gone. She shut off the car’s engine and stared
into space, her hands still on the wheel.
“Oh,
Lance!” she whispered again. “Why did it have to end this way?”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
www.pinterest.com/derindababcock Thank you, Derinda, for sharing this new book with us. As I said, I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Dodging Destiny - paperback
Dodging Destiny - 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
13 comments:
Yes! Can't wait to read this! I love westerns and I love time-travel books so this is exciting!
J.C. -Indiana-
Sign me up, Please!!!
Melanie Backus, TX
This sounds like quite a fascinating book!
-Melissa M. in TN
Lena it's funny you mentioned about Lynne Gentry's Carthage Chronicles! I just read all three of them and enjoyed them immensely. It was my first time-slip novels, wasn't sure if I would like them. But after that first book, she had me hooked all the way through!
Derinda, your book sounds good too! I really enjoyed your interview here and getting to know a new-to-me author. It's interesting how many varieties of "wild" meat you eat. I've only tried elk and deer but enjoy a lot of turkey and chicken. We don't eat a lot of red meat here and do also enjoy a variety of fruits & veggies! Garden fresh would be wonderful, but as I am no gardener, I opt for farmer's markets and things.
From your book excerpt, you drew me into the story. I would be interested in reading the rest of it! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of "Dodging Destiny"
Trixi in OR
I think this would be such an enjoyable book. Thank you for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at)gmail (dot)com
I'm looking forward to reading this trilogy.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Looks interesting! Please enter me.
Blanch NC
Thanks for the giveaway! Looks and sounds like a good read!
God bless,
Raechel in MN
Dodging Destiny sounds like a great read I would enjoy. Hope I win the giveaway. Enjoyed the interview.
Brenda in VA
It seems my wife would enjoy reading this book. If she doesn't win, I hope I win it for her.
Edward A in VA
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
sounds like a book I'd love to read
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I enjoyed the excerpt. My son's name is Lance so that got my attention!
Beth from IA
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