Dear Readers, I’m
featuring a novel from one of my Canadian writing friends today.
Welcome, R A. Tell us
how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I use a lot of my likes and dislikes for at least one of my
characters, like my favourite colour, foods, hobbies, and such. However her
personality is not at all like me. She may be very quiet, reserved, while I’m a
talker and social butterfly.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I can’t think of anything other than this: Years ago, I went
to Africa for short-term mission. First time
travelling that far all alone. After landing in London , I took the shuttle to the other
terminal, got off, and walked away from my three suitcases to get a trolley. I
didn’t go very far, but when I turned back, the shuttle driver had put my
suitcases back into the storage compartment and driven off. He thought the
owner of those three pieces was still on the bus. I have no sense of direction
and had no idea where to go. Imagine the fun I had trying get them back.
I can imagine. We had
a somewhat similar experience when we flew into Mexico
Just a few years ago. Writing became a hobby when I won our
grade two class composition contest. Writing poems became a big thing when I
was in my teens, and they often found their way as “fillers” between articles
and columns in the local newspaper where my mother worked as a reporter. Later,
married life happened, and it was still a hobby. I’d never called myself a
writer until I published my first novel in November 2012.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read almost everything providing it’s clean. My favourite
genre is suspense, followed by historical, Amish, western, fantasy/paranormal.
Sci-fi is the one thing that I’m not really into. This said, the fact that I
don’t care for TV sci-fi programs doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy anything in
that genre. I just never read any.
I’ve read a few
Christian sci-fi novels that were awesome. How do you keep your sanity in our
run, run, run world?
With great difficulty. :D Like many writers out there, I
work full-time outside the home so balancing family and home with work and
writing is a never-ending task. God is good, though, and faithful. He’s always
made sure I had all I needed to make this work. I’m allowed to write at work
during down time, so that’s a big advantage. With MS Word on my iPhone (yes
it’s quite small but hey, where there’s a will, there’s a way), I’m able to
write/edit/etc.
It amazes me how you
and some others I know do that. I have a fairly large HD flat-screen monitor
with my desktop. My stories are written using that, and sometimes a laptop for
some editing. How do you choose your characters’ names?
Many different ways. For first names, I have a Baby Name
book, but sometimes it’s just names I hear in a conversation, on TV, or even
read in a magazine. For last names, I go through the phone book, saying those
names out loud with the first name I picked, until I find the perfect
combination.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
First and foremost, my family. God’s blessed me with an
amazing husband, two wonderful sons, and one beautiful grandson. Writing my
first novel would be next. I love writing.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A big old grizzly bear. I have no idea what it is about the
grizzly, other than that big round face. In my opinion, it is the most amazing
and beautiful animal in all creation.
What is your favorite
food?
Cheese. I eat it with just about everything. I cut small
cubes into my salad, shred some on my omelet, or sprinkle grated parmesan on my
chili or spaghetti, and even garlic bread. A day without cheese is … well not a
good day at all. :D
I love cheese, too.
My husband things everything is better with some cheese in it. What is the
problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome
it?
My biggest challenge was trying to understand Point Of View.
Until I did, all I did was head-hop. No matter how people explained it to me, I
couldn’t grasp it. One day the lightbulb finally went on and I GOT IT.
It took me until at
least my third novel to understand POV. Tell us about the featured book.
Emma’s Prayer is about a teen mom who puts her son up for
adoption, but soon regrets her decision and sets out to get him back. Is it too
late?
Across town, Cynthia Manning and her husband Logan long to
have a family and after several miscarriages, they turn to adoption. They’re
delighted when a baby boy is placed into their home. Is heartbreak inevitable?
Sounds very
interesting. Please give us the first page of the book.
April 2
“Push!” Nurse Jackson barked.
The pain ripped through Emi’s abdomen, all the way to the
tip of her toes. How much longer could she put up with it? “I’m too tired. I
can’t do this anymore,” Emi cried.
“Girl, you should have thought twice before you got
pregnant.”
A contraction stole Emi’s breath away. She grimaced, grabbed
the handrail, and fixed her eyes on the overhead mirror. Her lips taut, she
tensed every muscle in her body. Holding her breath, she pushed.
“Come on.” Nurse Jackson met Emi’s eyes. “The baby’s almost
here.”
The contraction passed. Emi blew out a long ragged breath,
and dropped onto the pillow like a rag doll. She eyed the husky nurse who had
dark skin, short curly hair, and spoke like a drill sergeant. Emi didn’t care.
She wanted it to be over. Another pain tore through her thoughts, scattering
them like fallen leaves in a high wind.
“Come on, child. Push!”
The baby’s head appeared in the mirror above. Emi’s mouth
fell open. In vain, she fought against the physical pain. Her heart fought
harder against the mixed emotions swirling within. Was it a boy or a girl? The
way he’d kicked the past few months, he had to be the next football star
or professional boxer. The ultrasound technician had offered to tell her the
sex. She’d declined. Why bother? She wasn’t keeping him. Or her.
“Okay,” the nurse urged. “One more push. It’ll be over.”
Emi had barely spoken a word since they’d wheeled her into
the room the night before but enough was enough. “I don’t have one more,”
she snapped. “You’ve been at me for hours like I could drop this baby with no
effort.” Her voice resonated in the room. Sobs racked her body as the
next contraction hit. Her face scrunched, she clenched her jaw, and she pushed
with all her might. As the first rays of sunlight shone through the window
seeking Emi’s blurred vision, tearing agony struck. The room spun. Noises
faded. Total darkness. Silence.
Wow! I’m eager for my
book to arrive. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ragiggie
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ragiggie
My blog: http://reneeanngiggie.com
Thank you, R A, for sharing this new book with us. I know my blog readers are as eager as I am to read this story.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Emma's Prayer
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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
12 comments:
My family and I had an adoption attempt go sour. It's too painful to really talk or think about. We haven't been allowed to see our baby since her one year old birthday, over three months ago. The worst part is that she is in an unsafe environment, but since it was a family adoption CPS isn't involved and there's nothing to be done but to pray that our baby is returned to us safely.
J. C. -Indiana-
My sister gave her baby up for adoption n the 60s when it was the way things were done. I hope he grew up well. He would now be 50. I wonder what he is like. I wish I knew him.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Thank you for your comments, ladies. To say I 'understand' how either of you feel would be a lie because I've never personally dealt with adoption.
It was very difficult for me to write this because I've never been through it. I had a lot of research to do and fortunately, I had help from the local adoption agency to make sure my facts we straight. I'm in Canada, and while laws differ from one country to another, they differ even from province to province. The setting for my book is New Brunswick, Canada and I wrote the story as things would happen here.
Good luck with the draw. Lena will pick a random winner next Saturday.
Sounds like a heart-wrenching but riveting read.
Melissa M. in TN
Melissa, it is a very emotional story. So far, I've had great and positive feedback from those who have read it. :D
This does sound like a story I want to read.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Good luck in the draw, Mary. <><
Sounds like a good read. north platte nebraska.
This first page is very intense and it leaves me wondering what happens next. Thanks for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for your comments, Kim and Connie.
I hope it keeps you wondering throughout. I try not to be predictable. Blessings. <><
Sounds like a book that will be hard to put down until it's finished. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in VA
Thanks for the comment,, Brenda. Good luck in the giveaway. :D
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