Welcome Lila. Tell us
how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I write very autobiographically. The main character Morgan
is based on myself. Or at least on myself about ten years ago. I also have a
specific person in mind from my real life for almost every character—though I
change names and exaggerate traits to keep it fiction.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
When I was a teenager, I used to eat leftover brown gravy
cold, right from the gravy dish in the fridge. Don't ask me why.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I've always enjoyed writing since English journals in second
grade. But when I finally called myself a writer wasn't until I finished my
first novel, which was the first story I had ever finished outside of school
assignments. It took me a lot of nudging from God to realize that He had given
me a gift and that I could use my gift of writing for Him.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I most prefer contemporary Christian Romance, historical
Christian Romance, especially Old West and Mail Order Bride sub-genres, with a
smattering of historical fiction and science-fiction/fantasy. I will not read
suspense, horror, or anything too steamy.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I guard my time. I say “no” to a lot of extra stuff. I work
at home, I homeschool my boys, and we only have one working car, so I don't go
out very often. I only go to church on Sundays and Wednesdays, grocery shopping
and family time on Fridays. I plan a girls' night or attend a women's activity
every two or three months. Another thing that's been very helpful is to set
aside specific times every day for spending time with my loved ones. I check my
emails first thing in the morning, then I make breakfast, get my boys started
with their schoolwork, do any housework (I have a specific task for each day of
the week, such as laundry on Tuesdays and bathrooms on Thursdays), and then my
afternoons are for writing and working. Then after supper, I spend time with my
kids and after they go to bed with my husband.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I use several different processes. Sometimes I ask my
readers on my FB author page on in my FB group to help name my inconsequential
supporting characters. But my main characters I spend a lot of time trying to
find the right name. It usually ends up being a name that I like and has some
meaning to me, but I also have to make sure that it's not a name of a real
person in the area.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
This is a hard question for me as I don't like focusing on
my achievements because pride is so insidious. I guess I would say that I'm
satisfied with my determination. I'm happy I figured out all the components on
my own and self-published all three books without paying anyone to do any part
of it for me. It was difficult and frustrating at times, but I pushed through
it.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A unicorn, because they're graceful and pretty—two things I
am not. :)
What is your favorite
food?
Flash-fried sushi with eel sauce. Yum! And that's funny,
because I was afraid to try sushi for so many years! But my husband finally
talked me into trying a starter roll, a Philly roll, and I was hooked.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My mindset. One of my creative writing teachers made me feel
incompetent and I listened to that. I also never had a clear idea of where I
wanted a story to go. I began many ideas and would write a chapter or two, but
I would always quit, because I couldn't write it chronologically. The reason I
finished Love is Not Arrogant or Rude,
the first story I ever finished outside of short-story assignments in school,
was because I tried a different method. I plotted out the major events in the
story visually. I made a ladder, and each rung up the ladder was a chapter that
increased the tension. The climax was the top, and the resolution was the quick
slide down. This helped me see where I was going. But every day I only wrote a
scene that I could see in my mind pretty clearly, meaning I jumped around from
chapter to chapter and did not write chronologically. It was the most freeing
thing I could have done for how my brain works. This method was the first one
that really worked for me. And once I saw that I had the ability to do it, I
gained confidence and clarity.
Tell us about the
featured book.
This third in the “Love is...” series is an inspiring,
first-person, Christian romance about a tempted couple's battle to overcome
their desire for physical intimacy and remain pure.
Will there be a
wedding after all?
In Love is Patient, Morgan wonders if
she can survive making the 1,001 wedding decisions in spite of her family's
conflicting advice and opinions. Add work tensions and waiting to consummate
their love, and Morgan's patience wears thin.
In order to show true agape love to their families, to each other, and
to their God, they must conquer their selfish and lustful desires with true
love, remaining patient, submissive, and pure.
Will they learn to wait on the Lord? Or will they rush into
an impure relationship and sully their love with guilt?
Based on the Bible’s definition of true agape love in 1
Corinthians 13, Love is Patient is the third installment of the “Love is…”
series, a contemporary Christian Romance continuing Morgan’s saga.
If you like a quick and easy read, with character
development and a Biblical approach, then you’ll love Lila Diller’s book. Buy Love
is Patient to see if Morgan and Jason conquer annoyance, stress, and
lust, as they discover true patience.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Chapter 1: Dreaming
I
flipped through the pages of the bridal magazine yet again, from one dog-eared
page to the next, dreaming and desiring. I imagined myself in the long, white,
heavily embroidered, strapless wedding dress, complete with flowing train and
fluffy veil.
I
saw myself sauntering down the aisle, two flower girls in front, strewing pink
and purple rose petals for my high-heeled pumps to tread, adding two girls
behind me to hold my magnificent train.
I glanced again at the price, and that vision broke into a
million disappointed pieces.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Thank you, Lilla, for
sharing this new book with me and my blog readers.
Readers, here is a link to the book.
Love is Patient (Love is... series Book 3)
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
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to removal by blog owner.)
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pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
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will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz,
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15 comments:
"LOVE IS PATIENT by Lila Diller sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.Have a good week.
Left over brown gravy cold? Can't even fathom that :-) Book looks good would love to win.
Lourdes in Long Island, New York
Yep, I know I'm weird. Cold gravy. I don't even remember why. :D I ate raw oatmeal out of my hands like a horse, too. But that's not quite as weird, right?? ;)
I love the fiirst page and your descriptive style! I’m from Utah :)
Thank you! I know not everybody is going to like my style, but it's encouraging when someone does. I've been to Utah many times. :) The Lagoon near Salt Lake City used to be one of our family's favorite vacation spots when I was young.
I would enjoy reading this book. Melanie Backus, TX
Sounds interesting! Shelia from Mississippi!
I enjoyed getting to know Lila! I homeschooled my 6 children, and I remember days of having to be super organized. I haven't read any of Lila's books yet, but I am really looking forward to them! Becky from KC, MO
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
I would enjoy reading about the struggle these young people have. Vivian Furbay of CO
Brown gravy is one of my favorites but I usually have it very hot. LOL. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your first page.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
sounds great! Shelia from Mississippi
SanAntonio, Texas
Hey, guys! Lena said I could pop back over here and let you know that Love is Patient is now finally available in paperback, also!! Because August is Romance Awareness Month, it will be On Sale for only $9.99 until September 1st. Thanks again for letting me stop by, y'all! (I'm practicing my transplant-Southern-want-to-be dialect.) ;)
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