Debra, welcome back. Why do you write the kind of books you do?To be honest, at first it was to take the place of a bad habit in my life. Then it became about the money. And now, it’s to glorify the Lord. To lift Him up. I want my stories to minister to those who are hurting. To those who need to hear the good news of the gospel. Many times, I picked up a Christian romance novel so that I could be transported from the harsh realities of life. And many times, God took the beautiful messages in them and set me free in an area I’d been struggling with. Knowing how they transformed my life, and knowing that most people won’t pick up a "how-to" book, but they will pick up a romance novel, the hunger to help others like I was helped burned inside of me. So, I write stories to give people hope. To lead them to the only One who can give them that hope. The only One who can transform their lives. That’s why I write the books I do.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
My wedding day. I got to marry the man who exceeded all of my dreams and all of my expectations. He truly is my real life hero. Even after thirty-four years of marriage. I know you only asked for one, but my next happiest day was when my daughter was born, and the next time after that was when I held my first published book, The Bride Wore Coverall, in my hands.
How has being published changed your life?
This is going to be a strange answer, but it is the truth. I truly thought once I got published that I would feel better about myself. That I would now be worthy. That I would have some value as a human being. After all, I was a published author now. You see, I’d always looked up to people whose books I’d read for years, and I envied their abilities to write such beautiful stories. Well, now that I’m published, I’ve learned that being published doesn’t validate me as a person. Only God can do that. And He has. He has used writing to draw me closer to Him. I pray more. I trust Him more. And I only want what He wants for me. I’m no longer looking to the money, to the "feel good about me thing," or the worthiness thing. I’m only looking to take the steps that He is asking me to take, when He asks me to take them. And I now know that I’m worthy because of Who He is and what He’s done. Not in who I am and what I do.
What are you reading right now?
A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman. The series is so romantic and totally excellent.
What is your current work in progress?
What is your current work in progress?
I’ve got several projects going. I’m working on, Powder Puff Bride; the sequel to, Déjà vu Bride. I’m editing, You Ordered What, my first historical. And I’m reworking the first few chapters of my romantic suspense, Forewarned.
What would be your dream vacation?
What would be your dream vacation?
I’m fascinated with the underwater sea life and the various species of brilliant colored fish. So my dream vacation would be just me and my husband on a tropical, private island someplace where the water is crystal clear. I would spend hours with him watching the sea life, swimming, boating, water skiing, basking on the beach together in the hot sun, listening to the water lapping against the shore. We’d take our time hiking through the lush green foliage, stopping long enough to enjoy the menagerie of bright, intricately made flowers, and tropical birds. Hopefully we’d end up at a waterfall where we would take a long, leisurely swim. No rush, no people, only us and God.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
How do you choose your settings for each book?
Most of the time my settings are places I’d love to visit; like the south. I tend to set a lot of my stories there. For me, writing about them and doing the research is like going there without actually leaving my home. Some of the settings are places where I’ve lived or lived near. But most of the time, they’re places I’d love to visit.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Staci Stallings. She’s an amazingly gifted writer who has taught me more about trusting the Holy Spirit and His guidance than any other person. She doesn’t just talk it either, she lives it. She truly loves Jesus and it shows through her actions, words, and deeds.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Wow, the list is long. Going to classic car auto shows, collecting classic car and monster truck models, hot rod and mud-bog racing, drawing western art, visiting museums, watching Jane Austen movies, (every version ever made), PBS documentaries like: 1900’s House, Manor House, and Frontier House, and watching and feeding wild birds.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Being told that my stories are unbelievable. I’ve overcome this by finally realizing that just because it might be unbelievable to someone who has never experienced it, doesn’t mean it’s unbelievable to everyone. In fact, a lot of things that I’ve written are things I’ve gone through, or something similar to what I’ve gone through, or I’ve witnessed personally. I had one person tell me that there was no way the plane crash scene in, Déjà vu Bride, could ever happen. Well, it did. I just changed the names and the setting. I’m learning to write my stories the way God is asking me to write them. I now take the advice I’m given and ask God if there is any truth in what they’re saying and go from there. Plus, I try to put myself in the reader’s shoes. Just because "I" think or know it happened, I want to write something that will justify or convince my reader that it did indeed happened. Being told it was unbelievable made me stop and look at how someone else views it. It makes me ask myself, what can I do to convince the reader that it can actually happen?
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
To follow your heart and write the stories that God lays on your heart. So many times we’re told we can’t write this and can’t write that, only to see that same thing that we were told not to write about in another book. I truly believe that God has a plan for each one of our lives. So therefore, write the stories that God is asking YOU to write. Take the steps that He’s asking YOU to take, and leave the results in His hands. Ask God to send you someone who understands your unique writing voice and style and who doesn’t try to change it or you. Also, take what people say to you to the Lord and weigh their advice out prayerfully. Step back and look at the advice objectively. At first we tend to be crushed, but when you ask God and yourself if there is any truth in what they’re saying, it gives you a whole new perspective on things.
Tell us about the featured book.
Déjà vu Bride is the sequel to, The Bride Wore Coveralls. It’s a story that shows just how deeply God loves each and everyone of us and the measures He takes to sweep us up into his loving and protective arms. Olivia Roseman is a young woman who’s suffered much tragedy, including the loss of several loved ones. She feels abandoned by God and even questions His very existence. When she lands the job of her dreams, airbrush painting monster trucks, Olivia leaves her old life behind in hopes of making a clean break and a fresh new start. One without God; and one without love.
Only problem is, she ends up working for the handsome Erik Cole, whose kindness and compassion makes not falling in love a challenge. Restlessness, and God’s prompting led Erik Cole to move from Swamper City, Alabama, to Charity, West Virginia. Missing his family, he questions the sanity of his moving. That is, until he hires the beautiful airbrush designer and painter, Olivia Roseman, who he’s immediately drawn to.
When Erik senses she’s a gal who’s down on her luck, he decides he’s going to do everything within his power to change that. Only problem is, the little beauty creates more challenges than one; especially with her animosity toward God. Things change, however, when Erik puts his life in danger to protect Olivia.
Déjà vu Bride is one example of what the enemy meant for evil against Olivia, God turned it into something good. Just like in the story of Joseph, (Genesis 50: 20) God took what the enemy meant for evil against Joseph and turned it into something good.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me at http://www.debraullrick.com/, www.christianromancewriter.blogspot.com/,
or they can email me at christianromancewriter@gmail.com
Thank you, Debra, for spending this time with us.
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