Welcome, Terry. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
With a little analysis I realize I often write much of
myself into certain characters and situations, but this is pretty much a
subconscious thing. In other words, my conscious thoughts are not nearly as
much in control as I presume.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
During basic training in the U.S. Army I volunteered to
undergo hypnosis on stage. I ended up shadow boxing around a room with hundreds
of soldiers in attendance for the hypnotist’s hilarious performance at my
expense. Afterward, I denied having done any of that and more.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
As a senior in high school I copied verbatim my one-year
previously graduated girlfriend’s English paper. This was for the same teacher
who had given my girlfriend a grade of A. She gave me a D. Her comment, written
in red ink read “This grade is better than you deserve, but you have the talent
to write if you weren’t so lazy.” Three years later I married my girlfriend.
Tell us the range of
the kind of books you enjoy reading.
In the sixth grade I read every science-fiction book in my
small Midwestern town’s public library. As an adult I enjoy reading
biographies, non-horror thrillers, mysteries, and Christian Bible studies.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I don’t run in the fast lane. Most days I don’t turn on my
flip phone. I certainly don’t text, and unless I recognize the area code I
don’t answer my land line. I am a poor listener, but I fancy myself a keen
observer.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
My main characters name themselves. Even the minor ones have
something to say about how they are called.
What is the
accomplishment of which you are most proud?
At the age of fifty-eight I accepted the concept of
salvation by grace and justification by faith.
It’s never too late.
Praise the Lord. If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why?
Recently, in an idle, fleeting moment I thought a songbird,
but realization quickly crept in that any creation other than what God has made
me to be would lead to a sorry end.
What is your favorite
food?
Most things sweet. To be more precise, my most recent book (Fired with Enthusiasm) is an eclectic
compilation of short stories, humorous comic illustrations, and pictorial
recipes of my five favorite sweet treats, each accompanied by a relevant
anecdote.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I have never had my writing road fully blocked, but anytime
I hit a bump in the road I put myself into the shoes and mindset of my
characters. They always take me down the path they would go.
Tell us about the
featured book.
My protagonist, having divorced his way out of a miserably
failed marriage, suddenly finds himself at odds with life in general. His
ex-wife has moved away with their young son, his business is falling to pieces,
and he has no spiritual relationship to which to turn for comfort. In
desperation, he deceptively manages to meet a woman through a Christian dating
service. She steals his heart on their first date, but refuses to see him
again. In an effort to understand her description of him as a name-only
Christian versus someone “walking with the Lord,” he enlists a remarkable
counselor with an unlikely resource. In the midst of progress sudden tragedy
compounds his burdens, dramatically testing both his original objective and his
newly found faith.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“Sign here and the contract is sealed,” the attorney said
with a rueful note to his voice. Peter Wysong and his soon-to-be ex-wife were
sharing the same divorce attorney, but she was not present.
“I will,” Pete said, nodding his head as he took pen in
hand. To that he added, “I hope this is the last time I ever say those two
words.” His divorce from a marriage of seven difficult years had thus
officially concluded. He was now thirty-four years old and had just yielded
custody of his six-year old son. He and his wife had been separated for a full
year, and still he had absolutely no clue as to how they had failed so
miserably in their marriage.
It was ironic, he thought, that although he now equated his
failed marriage with a significant failure in life, why had he not made more of
an effort to avoid that defeat? He still believed the blame was largely hers.
So what could he have done about that? It was the eighteenth of December and he
would have plenty of time alone over the coming weeks to think about the how
and why of his unhappiness.
“You know, Pete, the attorney volunteered, “if you ever do
say those two words again in a matrimonial sense you would be wise to first say
it to your Maker.”
“Oh? Is that my gift from the man whose Christmas I have
just financed? I share the same view I once overheard a
friend say to someone about Christian faith: ‘I don’t care what you believe.
Just don’t try to ram it down my throat.’”
“I’m sorry. Let me try putting it more palatably. You’re
discouraged, you’re wrung out, and at this moment you also claim to have no
direction for the rest of your life. But whether or not you realize it you have
been greatly blessed in life. Take it from me and a lot of other guys who have
found themselves at the bottom of life’s barrel at one time or another. There is
a way up and out of your funk.”
“And exactly what would that road look like?”
“The cross of Christ.”
“I figured that’s what you were going to say. And that would
solve all my problems? Gosh, I didn’t realize it would be so easy. Look, we
took that route. We were married in a church, but that didn’t keep our marriage
together. Dannie was never anything but a nag; first it was about money, then
about her parents, then about my business travel, and finally about how to
raise our son. You know something? I think I’m better off with Manianity than
Christianity.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My Web site is terrygdoddbooks.com. My books can be seen and
are described there. They can be purchased directly from their various publishers,
but the easiest route is Barnes & Noble or Amazon. For example, plug in
“Books-The Seeker by Terry Dodd, Books-Fired with Enthusiasm by Terry Dodd, or
similarly use the name of any of my twelve titles. My email address is dodd@bellsouth.net.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you
order, you help support this blog.
THE SEEKER
Thank you, Terry, for
sharing this book with me and my blog readers.
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 or country if outside North America . (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
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10 comments:
I am intrigued by The Seeker and would love to read it. Thank you, Terry and Lena.
Melanie Backus, TX
Sounds good. north platte nebraska.
Thank you for the comment and your trouble to post it, Kim. If you don't win the freebie I recommend you go on line with Barnes & Noble for the more complete range of my titles, including The Seeker.
Blessings,
Terry Dodd
This sounds like the kind of emotional book I love reading! Thanks for the fun author interview :-)
Trixi in OR
Trixi, thank you for your comments and for taking your time to post them. If you don't win the freebie, I recommend you go on line to Barnes & Noble for the most complete description of my titles, including The Seeker.
Blessings,
Terry Dodd
I enjoyed the interview and the book sounds interesting. I would love to win it.
Edward A in VA
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the synopsis of The Seeker. Love the title. We all have been or continue to be Seekers!
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Connie, thanks for taking the time to comment on my featured title, The Seeker, on Lena's BlogSpot. You are correct in your observation that believers do well to continue seeking a closer relationship with our Maker.
Terry Dodd
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
Well said with only two words, Sharon! Thank you for your interest.
Terry dodd
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