Welcome back, Dawn. Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
I’ve
read a lot of Christian fiction, and one day it dawned on me: the market is
glutted with Amish, historical, sweet romance, and romantic suspense genres.
Not that I didn’t enjoy them. It’s just that there is a certain type of story
the traditional Christfic market seemed to lack: stories about the type of
people I encounter every day in my home city (Portland ). Stories dealing with issues unique
to the 21st century— stuff that was unthinkable twenty, thirty years ago. Like
same-sex marriage, social breakdown, new-age philosophies. Stories with those
elements—edgy fiction— seem to be a rarity in the Christian market. So I made
it my aim to write those “missing” stories. Thus, Hot Topic Fiction was born.
Besides when you came to know the Lord,
what is the happiest day in your life?
When
my oldest son was born 28 years ago. I fell so madly in love, and still haven’t
recovered J
How has being published changed your life?
It
actually hasn’t changed my life as much as I thought. Maybe if I were better
known, and sold more books, it might.
What are you reading right now?
Among
others, I’m reading June Foster’s book about a young Christian man battling
homosexual temptation – Ryan’s Father.
I chose it because, as mentioned above, very little Christian fiction covers
this topic, and I was curious to see how she handled it. I’m about one-quarter
through it.
What is your current work in progress?
Paint the Valley – sequel to Paint
the Storm. This one covers a school shooting – another all-too-frequent
occurrence this century. Not to give away too much, but Meg’s son gets caught
in the middle of a shooting spree in his college class and is seriously
injured. Turmoil ensues, and … well, you’ll just have to stay tuned!
What would be your dream vacation?
A
tour of Ireland !
I have a soft spot for the Irish culture and history.
How do you choose your settings for each
book?
I
choose a place that’s familiar enough to write about. My first book and trilogy
is set in Seattle ,
my second book and series is set in the San Francisco Bay Area (Golden State
Trilogy). I spent a few years in both places. My third series is going to take
place right here in Portland ,
and I’m going to call it Rose City Trilogy.
If you could spend an evening with one
person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
My
oldest son, because I rarely see him. J
What are your hobbies, besides writing and
reading?
Hiking!
I also am involved in various community activities involving singing and
dancing. Those were my two passions before I started writing. I still enjoy
singing and dancing, but writing has definitely captured my heart.
What is your most difficult writing
obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
My
full-time job really interferes with my writing and other author-related
activities like marketing and blogging. To overcome it, I try to get as much
done on weekends and evenings as I can, but many times I’m too drained. I also
take as many vacation days as I can. Alas, I’m not in a position to retire yet,
although that’s my wish and my prayer.
What advice would you give to a beginning
author?
Develop
a thick skin. Get objective feedback from other authors – join critique groups,
find beta-readers. Enter contests – the feedback is invaluable. I entered
contests almost as soon as I started writing seriously three years ago, and I
tell you, that feedback went a long way toward assuring me I had the talent to
keep going. In my first contest, they were like, You have the gift, now develop
the craft.
Tell us about the featured book.
A
conservative Christian mother wearies of her constant clashes with her
defiantly gay daughter. When she is challenged by her prayer group to love
Linzee as Christ would, she struggles to put it into practice. Then Linzee goes
missing, and Meg finds herself uniting with the unlikeliest of allies as she
searches for her daughter.
You
can read the full blurb on the Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Paint-Storm-Christian-Contemporary-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B01M0SQY8H/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Please give us the first page of the book.
Meg
swept ruby red acrylic across the canvas, forming a span over gray-blue water.
Streaks of raspberry pink infused the Golden Gate Bridge
Her
phone chimed just as she added a dab of silver-gray to the fog rolling over the
Bay.
Linzee’s
picture graced the screen.
“Hey,
you.”
“Hey,
Mom.”
Instead
of dull brown rock, vibrant kelly green formed the lookout spot at Point
Bonita, complete with blinding white lighthouse.
“What
time is Uncle Brad’s Fourth of July shindig?” Linzee said.
“Noonish.”
More ruby red stretched to the sky. Those famous towers, supporting the weight
of the structure on their graceful shoulders. Not everyone could paint and talk
on the phone at the same time. But, like most moms, she could multi-task with
the best of them.
“Good,”
said Linzee. “I’m going to bring Nena.”
Meg
paused, her red-tipped brush suspended above the canvas.
“You
and the family will finally get to meet my significant other.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Dawn, for sharing this book with us.
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