THIN PLACES - Mary DeMuth - Free Book

Readers, you know that I feature many more novels than non-fiction books. And I haven't always read the non-fiction title when I run the interview. I do scan the books to make sure they're okay to have on the blog, but not read them in depth until a later date. I've read Thin Places this week. I believe it's a memoir that every Christian should read, and even give it to hurting friends who can gain freedom because of Mary's transparency in the book.

Welcome, Mary, you are writing nonfiction. Do you also write fiction?

Yes, I’ve written 3 parenting books and four novels, with a few more on the way via Zondervan.

Your novels are powerful, too, Mary. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

Because Thin Places: A Memoir is such a personal book, I’ve worried about negative reviews. In some ways that’s good because it will force me to find my security and love from the One who made me, rather than the opinions of others. I’ve received some great endorsements, but also some harsh reviews. And those are the ones that knife me! Because the book’s about me!

I worry that I’ll be misunderstood. Or that telling the truth will hurt others. I’ve made a point to disguise nearly everyone and everything in the book, but of course the potential for hurt feelings is high.

I fear opposition by the father of lies. Since this is a truth-filled book, displaying authentic struggle, I have a feeling he won’t like it. I’m thankful for a specific, targeted prayer team around me to pray for protection regarding the release of this book. It’s humbling, actually, to see how God brought those pray-ers together.

What wonderful support He sent you. Now tell us about your family.

I have three amazing children (17, 14, 11) who daily light my life. I have a dashing and supportive husband. We have a dog that smells like fish and a cat who thinks she’s all that.

Have you written other nonfiction books?

Yes, three parenting books: Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God (Harvest House), Building the Christian Family You Never Had (Waterbrook), and Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (Harvest House).

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I have a standalone novel in the works and am working on a young adult novel and another memoir.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

Cooking (check out: http://adailyrecipe.blogspot.com/ ), gardening, singing, creating small-scale art projects, running, reading.

Why did you write Thin Places?

I felt sufficiently healed from my past, which had been a long, long journey. And in that healing, I knew I had the perspective I needed to be able to communicate my story with hope. In the past, I’d vomit my story of sexual abuse and neglect on any poor soul who’d listen, not with the intention to help her grow through my story, but to gain empathy.

But now I marvel at the path God’s brought me on, how gently He’s led me to this place of wholeness. From that abundance, I share my story. Why? Because I believe sharing the truth about our stories helps others see their own stories.

While I recorded the audio book for Thin Places, the producer asked me why I’d splay my life out this way.

“Because I don’t want folks to feel alone,” I told him.

“You’ve given a gift,” he said.

I sure hope so.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I hope they see hope.

I hope they realize how profound and surprising and radical God’s redemption is.

I hope they’ll see the irresistibility of Jesus.

I believe they will, Mary. Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

http://www.marydemuth.com/
http://blog.myfamilysecrets.org/  (Share a family secret anonymously)
http://www.thewritingspa.com/  (mentoring writers)
http://www.relevantblog.blogspot.com/  (personal blog)
http://www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com/  (help for those wanting to be published)
http://www.twitter.com/MaryDeMuth
http://www.facebook.com/mary.demuth

Mary, thank you for writing this poignant, powerful book. And thank you for sharing your time with us.

Readers, here's a link where you can order Thin Places. By using this link when you order, you'll help support this blog.

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Author Mary DeMuth - DAISY CHAIN - Free Books

I am really glad God has allowed me to know Mary DeMuth personally. Welcome back to the blog, Mary. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

I hope I see that I get to continue this dream, writing for the sheer joy of it, and also receiving compensation. I also pray that if things take off, I’ll keep my head on straight and constantly strive to point to the truly Famous One, Jesus.

That's a desire of my heart, too. To tell His stories and bring honor to Him Tell us a little about your family.

I’ve been married 18 years to Patrick, and we have three kids: Sophie, Aidan and Julia. Sophie’s learning to drive—and what’s interesting is that I’m not worried about it. She’s a careful driver. We also have an overly needy dog and a fat & fuzzy cat.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I am ruined when I read now. Since I have so many “rules” in my head, if a book violates them time and time again, I set it down. I’m sure there are many great books I’ve neglected because of this.

What are you working on right now?

I’m completing the third book of the Defiance, TX series, tentatively titled Defiance. It’s not an easy book to write, as I’m in the head of a battered wife. This is so foreign to me, but I’m learning more and more about my character as I write her.

What outside interests do you have?

I love to cook and garden and sew and decorate. I’m really quite a homebody. I also keep in shape by training for small triathlons.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

So far I’ve only set my books in Texas. It’s convenient since I live here!

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Jesus, of course. I hope I’d be like Mary (hmmmm) sitting at his feet, but I fear I’d be Martha, buzzing about.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

How painful and grinding the process can be. And that God often chooses the writing of the novels and the editing process to point out issues of spiritual and personal growth in me. As I start a new novel, I wonder what the Lord will dredge up in me that needs to see His light.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

To learn how to embrace subtlety. I’m a loud, in your face, writer. I’m learning to create nuance. This, of course, translates into my everyday life too.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

1. Write as much as you possibly can.

2. Understand the cost before you jump into this industry.

3. Trust in God’s sovereignty.

Tell us about the featured book?

It’s a coming of age story set in Defiance, Texas, in the seventies about a boy who has to grapple with his own family secrets when his best friend Daisy goes missing.

Please give us the first page of the book.

It had been thirty roller-coaster years since Daisy Marie Chance forced fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper to fall in love with her. He’d obliged her, dizzied at the thought ever since. It had been that long before Jed could walk through the ruins of Crooked Creek Church, a butterfly flitting a prophecy he never could believe, even today. It was Daisy’s singsong words that gave the butterfly its bewitching manner, those same words that strangled him with newfound love. For years, he wished he’d had an Instamatic camera to capture the moment he fell for Daisy, but then entropy would’ve had its way, fading and creasing Daisy’s face until she’d have looked like an overloved newspaper recipe, wrinkled and unreadable.

Thing was, he could always read Daisy's face. Even then. She’d looked at him square in the eyes that day in 1977, in the exact same spot he stood now, and declared, “Your family ain’t normal, Jed.” And because lies came easy to him, he’d thought, of course my family’s normal. Anyone with eyes could see that. Daisy said a lot of words, being a thirteen-year-old girl and all, but these didn’t make much sense.

Thirty years later they did. They screamed the truth through the empty field where the church used to creak in the wind.

For a hesitant moment, enshrined in the ruins of his childhood, Jed was fourteen again. Filled to the brim with testosterone and pestered by an orange and black tormenter and Daisy's oh-so-true words.

"Your family ain't normal, Jed."

He watched the butterfly loop above the organ, never landing, like it had a thing against church music. Or maybe dust.

He sat on a rickety pew.

“Jed?”

He clasped his hands around his ears, hoping Daisy’s words would run away. He hummed "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

She put her nose right in front of his. He felt her breathing, smelled her Juicy Fruit breath. “You in there?”

He swatted the air between them, hoping she’d disappear. “Yeah. Quit bothering me.” He looked at his watch. Six fifteen. Time to go.

“But your face.” Daisy sat down a Bible’s throw away.

Jed touched his swollen eye. “Yeah? So? What about it?”

“It looks like it hurts.” Daisy scooted closer. She reached her arm his direction.

He inched away.

Wow, Mary. Your writing always moves me. I can hardly wait to read this new book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: http://www.marydemuth.com/
Writing Spa (where I mentor writers) http://www.thewritingspa.com/
Writing blog: http://www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com/
Family Secrets site (tied to Daisy Chain, where folks share their family secrets anonymously) http://www.blog.myfamilysecrets.org/

Personal blog: http://www.relevantblog.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Mary, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link where you can order Daisy Chain if you can't find it in your local bookstore:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.