Here's another of my friends with her newest novel. Welcome, Sandra. Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
I think a little of me slips into most of my characters.
It’s a subconscious thing. Writing male characters is especially difficult
because I’m constantly reminding myself to think more like a man. For male
characters, I can always rely on my husband as a good role model and have even
asked him, “How would you handle this?” “What would be your reaction?”
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Chinese fire drill. Midnight. Three of us in the middle of Phoenix , Arizona
The singing? Yes. The
Chinese fire drill at midnight? No. When did you first discover that you were a
writer?
As a teen, I composed a book, scene by scene, in my head
every night. I guess that’s when I first realized my penchant for plotting, but
I was never one to write it down until much later. It took me a long time to
realize the value of *finishing* a book. I learned so much going in that
process, but just putting those two words “The End” down on paper--er, screen,
was immensely gratifying.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
A wide range, really. I enjoy research, so nonfiction books
abound in my house. I love mystery, good romantic suspense, some contemporary
(really, very few), and historical romance of almost any type and in most time
periods.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Never claimed to be sane. I have my moments, and most of
them wild fluctuations between running around like a woman a-fire, or lulls of
inactivity with no scheduled appointments when I can enjoy a book or get some
writing done.
More recently, I’ve found how annoying it is to receive
texts. My iMac chirps, my iPhone bleeps, and my iPad whistles, all at the same
time, so I have made hard and fast friends with Do Not Disturb.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Certain names are more common in one location than they are
another, so I look first to my setting, then pay attention to the last names of
the people from that time period. It’s a little easier with first names and I
generally just pick something I like.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Raising a daughter who loves the Lord and is learning,
daily, how to be more for Him.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A dog, specifically a little dog, because if it’s anything
like our little guy, it’s a fun life with nary a care in the world.
What is your favorite
food?
Chocolate. Dark chocolate. Yum!
I am so with you on
that. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and
how did you overcome it?
POV (point of view). I never could figure out what people
meant when they’d mark my manuscript and tell me I was out of POV. Then I had a
kind man explain it to me and the lightbulb flickered to a full glow.
Tell us about the
featured book.
A Heartbeat Away is the story of a young woman who rediscovers
her faith with the help of a secret message in a quilt her mother gifted her.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
September 14, 1862
Joe opened his eyes to darkness. A shadow moved against the
semi-blackness of a window and his senses screamed the warning. He jerked,
gasped at the jolt of pain, and fell back. His heart pounded with fear at his
weakness as his mind struggled to place where he was. Ben? Where was he? They
had stayed close to each other. Too close. Ben had blamed himself when Joe had
taken the minie ball in his shoulder. Joe heard his own voice as if from a
great distance; his explanation to ease Ben’s guilt; “We’re in a war, what do
you expect?”
He blinked
as a vision of Ben flashed through his pounding head. He massaged his forehead,
felt a hand on his shoulder and swung to his left, rolling to avoid the
contact. He fell into nothingness, slammed into the floor. Pain took his
breath.
“Joe!”
Through the
waves of nausea he realized one thing, the voice was soft. Feminine. When the
hands touched his shoulder, his face, he felt the softness in the fingertips,
reminding him of home and gentler times.
“You’re in
a springhouse on our farm,” the voice rushed to explain. “You were injured.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Depending on what you enjoy, you can find me:
Website: http://www.sdionnemoore.com
Google+: http://plus.google.com/sdionnemoore
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sdionnemoore
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sdionnemoore
Twitter: @sdionnemoore
Scoop.it: http://www.scoop.it/u/s-dionne-moore
The Borrowed Book: http://www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com
Cozy Mystery Magazine:
http://www.cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.comThank you, Sandra, for sharing a little of your life and your new book with us today.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Heartbeat Away: Quilts of Love Series
- paperbackA Heartbeat Away: Quilts of Love Series
- KindleLeave 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.)
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