Welcome, Yvonne. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Though I don’t know
if I succeed very well, I try to separate myself from my characters because I
don’t want a bunch of little clones running across the pages. But some things,
particularly the faith of the protagonist, are very much mine.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Writing a science
fiction series though I was never a sci fi fan.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
Fourth grade. Once
when we were supposed to write a sentence using each of the week’s spelling
words, I made the sentences tell a story. The other kids got mad at me because
they thought I was showing off, but I was just having fun. I couldn’t figure
out why everyone else wasn’t doing it too.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I like books with
depth, that make me think, that raise interesting questions (even when I don’t
agree with their premise) or that teach me something I never knew before. I
don’t like formulas, I do like surprises. I like subtlety. I like humor. I like stories that resonate in my mind long
after I’ve put them down.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I keep my life as
simple as possible. I learned long ago to say “no” and make an effort not to
over-extend myself. And I start each morning in prayer and Bible study. Martin
Luther is quoted as saying, “I have so many things to do today, I must spend at
least the first three hours of it in prayer.” I’m sorry to say I’ve never spent
that long at it, but I do take it seriously.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
Depends on the
characters. Native Gannahans all have Hebrew names, so I look in the Bible for
those. I try to make meaning of the name suit the personality of the character.
The characters from the other planets have made-up names that came from my
imagination. As far as Earthish characters, I don’t have any particular way of choosing
names. I just try to find something that fits.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
After my first child
was born, I was certain that, although women had admittedly been having babies
for millennia, no one had ever done it as well as I did. I mean, I was
completely convinced of that, and was enormously proud of it. I eventually came
to see how foolish that is, and I can’t say I’ve ever been proud of any other
accomplishment. Instead, I’m immensely thankful for the opportunities the Lord
as graciously granted me.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d probably be a
cat, because I’m self-sufficient and don’t require a lot of attention. But
certainly not because I’m graceful! Let’s say I’m a clutzy cat.
What is your favorite food?
I love good food and
couldn’t pin down a favorite to save my soul. Thankfully, the salvation of my
soul doesn’t depend on that.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Time. Finding it,
organizing it, prioritizing it. Still working on that.
Tell us about the featured book?
The Story in the Stars is a
space fantasy. The first in a series called Gateway
to Gannah, it was inspired by a nonfiction book called The Gospel in the Stars, which presents the theory that the
constellations proclaim the gospel to the world (Psalm 19:1-3). I thought it
might be interesting to write a story based on that concept, but things quickly
got out of hand. The Story in the Stars
imbeds the message of Christ’s redemption in a sweeping tale of adventure
involving old racial animosities and cultural misunderstandings, an attack by
space pirates, a treasure hunt, and some teasing romantic tension. Though the
truth of the gospel is treated seriously, the surrounding events are fun, and
there’s a bit of humor scattered throughout.
Please give us the first page of the book.
Dassa trudged through the Ayin
Forest across a crusted snow, her weary steps fueled by the nearness of her
goal. Soon, she told herself. Soon this will all be over.
On much of the planet Gannah, winter was drab as an old faded photo,
but the foliage in Ayin boasted the colors of a prism and the trees kept their
leaves until spring, when the new growth pushed them aside. The frosty forest
pulsed with color as Dassa quickened her pace despite her exhaustion and the
steepness of the slope.
Labored breath billowing like smoke from a puffing firedrake, she
crested the ridge and cast her gaze into the valley below.
A warm rush of delight coursed through her weary body. There it was.
Home, the comforting outlines of the domed green roof barely discernable
through the trees. Revived by the sight, she hastened down the hill across the
sun-spangled snow.
She smiled as the round, two-storied house came into view. It was no
mansion, like her childhood home. It couldn’t compare to any of the seven
provincial palaces from which her father, the toqeph, reigned as the ruler of
all Gannah. But she could think of nowhere she'd rather live than in this
yellow stone cottage at the edge of the forest with her husband, Rosh, and
their two boys.
Nor could she imagine a more perfect
late-winter's day. Gannah's volatile temper was unusually mild that afternoon,
with the sun smiling down from an azure sky and breezes caressing with a
mother's gentleness. And today, this most beautiful of days, she, Atarah
Hadassah Hagah Natsach, would finish her quest and be made Nasi.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
My blog is at http://www.YsWords.com. I’m also a regular contributor to http://www.NovelJourney.blogspot.com.
Thank you, Yvonne, for stopping by to visit with us.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
The Story in the Stars
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 Feedblitz, Facebook, 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
