It's a great pleasure to welcome my friend Deborah Raney back to the blog. Since you’re being
published regularly, what new avenues will your future books take?
I’ve been writing women’s fiction with a strong romantic
thread since the very beginning of my career almost 20 years ago. I’ve added
some mild suspense and mystery elements to a few of my books, but I think my
stories will always key on relationships. It’s what I find most fascinating in
life.
What conferences will
you be attending this year? Will you be a speaker at any of them?
I teach at five or six writers conferences every year, and I
love it! This year I’ll be teaching at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian
Writers Conference, American Christian Fiction Writers Conference, Oklahoma
City Writers Conference, Dallas/Fort Worth Ready Writers, Oregon Christian
Writers Winter Conference, and then next spring I’ll be teaching again at Mount
Hermon Christian Writers Conference near San
Jose , CA
If you were in charge
of planning the panel discussion at a writing conference, what topic would the
panel cover, and who would you ask to be on the panel, and why?
The panel topic would be “Secrets to Being a Great Writer”
and the panelists would be Athol Dickson, Robert Elmer, Liz Curtis Higgs, Angela
Hunt, Susan Meissner, Randy Singer, and Ann Tatlock.
How important is it
to you to be active in writing organizations?
Because I’m such an extrovert, I find involvement in writers
organizations to be a huge boon. Not only do I learn so much about the craft of
writing and the publishing industry, as well as finding encouragement and
inspiration from the other writers involved, my hunger for friendship and
conversation is fed, so that I can bear the lonely hours with only my laptop
and my characters for company.
I know what you mean.
Where in the community or your church do you volunteer?
We just moved to the “big” city from a small town, and are
still in the process of finding a new church, but at our former church, I
co-led a book club called Novel Chicks, volunteered at the homeless shelter,
and took part in a marriage mentoring program. In fact, my husband and I
enjoyed that connection so much that we are still mentoring a young married
couple from our former church. We’ve led the youth group and taught Sunday School
classes in the past as well.
Who are the five
people who have made the most impact on your life, and how?
1. My mom, who passed on her love of reading and words to
me, and is a wonderful mentor to me in my Christian walk.
2. My husband, who has been the most wonderful support and
cheerleader in my career that I could ever have hoped for (and a great father
to our children).
3. My dad, who has been such a wonderful example of what a
Christian father, husband, and grandfather should be.
4. My mother-in-law who is an amazing, strong, selfless
woman. I admire her so much.
5. My sisters and brother who have been dear friends since
childhood, and continue to love and support and encourage me every step of the
way.
6. Sorry, but I couldn’t end this list without mentioning my
kids, who in truth, have probably had the biggest impact on my life of any
people I know! Being a mom was my dream job, and I would not be who I am today
were it not for our four amazing kids.
If you could write
the inscription on your tombstone, what would it be?
The same as the inscription on my sister’s gravestone (Kim
was killed in a car accident in 1979 as a newlywed of only 3 months.) “Precious
in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Tell us about the featured
book.
When Mitchell's wife, Jill, kisses him goodbye, he has no
idea that he may never see her again. When she doesn't return and the police
can't find her, Mitch asks his neighbor, Shelley, for help. As weeks turn into
months, Mitch and Shelley grow closer and Mitch wonders how can he honor his
vows to a woman who may never come home.
Please share the
first page with us.
Friday, September 3
Mitchell Brannon fastened his seatbelt and navigated his
Saturn through the Sylvia
High School
Too bad the weather had taken a turn that felt more like
Christmas than Labor Day. He flipped on the wipers and waited for them to whisk
away the dusting of frost that had collected on the windshield. At least the
roads didn't seem slick.
He hoped Jill hadn't hit any weather on her way home from Kansas City today. But as
much as his wife hated driving on icy roads, from their phone call last night
he knew she was ready to be home. He stopped at the entrance to the street, dug
his cell phone from his pocket, and punched in her number.
It went straight to voice mail. She was probably in that
dead zone around Oak Ridge .
That or she forgot to charge her phone. "Hey, you," he said, when the
beep sounded. "Just wondering where you are. Give me a call so I know when
to start the steaks."
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook! {5/30}
- A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
- The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney
So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!
Thank you, Deb, for sharing your life and this book with us today.
Readers, here is a link to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Face of the Earth: A Novel
Leave 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.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
