Welcome, Delores. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters? I draw fairly heavily from life experiences—mine, those of my friends and students, plus extensive reading and research.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Probably chasing living porcupines with a soft sweatshirt or sweater to gently swat them and collect loose quills for making authentic Native American porcupine quill necklaces and earrings.
When did you first discover that you were a writer? In the third grade I started rattling off rhymed adventure stories to my classmates when the teacher left the room. Two of those stories expanded into two of my four illustrated children’s books. I also developed quite the pen name—Clarabell Butterslosh Hooknose Crabernacle the III, in person, otherwise known as sailor first class—the latter in deference to my US Navy-serving father. I don’t know where I got all those words, but my classmates enjoyed them.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. Suspense, adventure, classics, biographies, autobiographies, humor, non-fiction. I’m not a great fan girl of hot romance, science fiction, or speculative. When I read romance, it’s mostly when some of my close friends have written it.
I write romance novels, but there’re not hot romance, they’re sweet and clean. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I’m not sure I always keep my sanity, but I try. I’m a committed Christian, which is the source of much strength and peace. I’m addicted to the beauty, order, and peace found in nature and love spending intentional refueling time there.
How do you choose your characters’ names? I roll possibilities around in my head. Sometimes I’ll hear and remember resonating names or intriguing place names as I travel that I consider using for characters. Some may be close to or reminders of people I’ve known or of things they’ve done or of their quirky lovable characteristics. I have learned that the good protagonists need to have a few flaws and villains need to display a few good points.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Through my university teaching years, many foreign students have lived in my home and become extended family. Many insisted I come visit, so that led to foreign trips and mission trips, true learning and connections, and heartwarming lasting relationships of extended family.
My husband and I have
hosted four different exchange students from different European countries. That
enriched our lives and the lives of our children. If you were an animal, which
one would you be, and why? A deer on high forested mountain slopes in the
Pacific Northwest of Canada and the
My father was a game
warden in
Sounds delicious. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? I’m a college teacher with English/History double majors. Too much teacher-speak ends up in the dialogue and too many characters can sound alike. I work hard to make them stand out individually. Since I love history, I’m inclined to stuff in too many details = overkill. I’m working to overcome both roadblocks.
Tell us about the
featured book? Years ago, our community librarian in
Scrivenings Press did a great job creating this amazing video book trailer.
Anne Mettles has loved books from a young age. Raised during
the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, she adored her hard-working grandfather. When a tragedy
claimed his life, Anne refused to forgive herself. She relocates to the
Books Afloat is the first in a three-book series, Columbia River Undercurrents
Book 1: Books Afloat
Book 2: Strong Currents
Book 3: Flood Stage
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Tuesday, June 16, 1942
“Ted Vincent, I don’t need a chaperone to drive me to
During his break, he’s out front, rag in hand, dusting a gleaming fender. “If you won’t let me drive Henrietta, I’ll ride the bus.”
“That bus doesn’t run today, Annie.” He rubs away a water spot. “It’s just that she can be cranky, and I’ve never let anyone else drive her. Tell me again why this is important now? During wartime?”
I let out my breath with a whoosh. What’s with Ted? Since I
moved from
“You’ve heard me a hundred times. Having a library during the terrible Dust Bowl days gave us kids hope. Books taught us…
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website is deloroestopliff.com
Facebook: Delores Topliff Books
Twitter: @delorestopliff
Instagram – delorese.topliff
Pinterest - @delorestopliff
Thank you, Delores,
for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it, and I’m
sure my readers will be, too.
Readers,
here are links to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
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Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the
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pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
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10 comments:
Thank you for interviewing me. I enjoyed chatting with you.
Thank you for sharing Lena. Sounds very good. Blessings from WV.
I just recently saw about this book somewhere else and thought it looked really good! Added it to my TBR😉
Elly -Indiana-
jcservantslaveATicloudDOTcom
Elly, I'm glad to hear you want to read Books Afloat. I'd love to hear your thoughts when you do. You can find me on FaceBook at Delores Topliff Books to let me know :)
I look forward to reading your book, Delores. We’ve visited the Columbia River a couple of times. It’s so beautiful!
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
Sounds good!
-Melissa M. from TN
Thank you, Debbie. I'm working hard to stay on top of two full online classes, but am looking forward to reading your book, too!
I'm a retired librarian so books and libraries are my favorite topics. This sounds so good!
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I have worked at trying to get books to more people for quite a while now. I have volunteered at school and public libraries and was a children's and general librarian at the county library. I currently collect books for distribution to patients and volunteers at our local veterans hospital. We also had a program to bring books to shut-ins. I am also a RedCross Disaster Volunteer. When we respond to fires, etc, I always have a box of children's books in my car to give to the children affected. I hav also worked with programs with migrant worker preschool programs and am able to give bilingual boos to the children. I understand the desire to share the wonder of books with as many people as possible. Books Afloat sounds like a good book and the program would certainly be a good.
We currently live in Tennessee which along with a couple other states had a program of librarians on horseback to get books to those in the mountains who could not get to a library.
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