Thanks for visiting, MaryAnn. Please tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books
What an interesting question! My favorite book as a child was actually a series of books about a set of twins called The Bobbsey Twins. I loved those books because I could relate to the main characters and their adventures. I read every single one in the series and, to this day, still can recall the joy and excitement I felt reading them.
My favorite book of fiction as an adult is Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love. Her beautiful rendering of Christ’s love for His wayward bride brought tears to my eyes as I saw, once again, God’s faithfulness in the midst of our sinfulness. I also greatly admire Ms. Rivers’ writing, particularly her outstanding characterization. Her books have inspired my own.
I, too, loved the Bobbsey Twins as a child and Redeeming Love as an adult. No wonder we are kindred spirits! What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
My favorite Scripture verse by far is John 8:32: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This verse has been a guiding light for me as I have sought and continue to seek to renew my mind according to God’s Word. Knowing the truth and applying it to our lives is what will free us from the lies of the enemy.
Amen! If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
Another great question! :) Without question, I would go to the Holy Land. For a long time, I have had a deep love for the Jewish people and for things Jewish. Having learned recently that I am of Jewish descent, I now know the reason. :) Since the Holy Land is the birthplace of our Messiah, I am continually drawn to it.
If we don’t make it there in this lifetime, perhaps we can visit there together on the New Earth! I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don’t like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?
Well, I’m old enough to know that I would write the old-fashioned way because I did! LOL! I learned to type on my father’s old Royal typewriter. It is now an antique. I also wrote my first manuscripts on an electric typewriter. But I love the new technology despite its periodic glitches that can cause frustration. For example, I recently needed to transfer large files from one computer to another, and I was able to do so with a simple email. It was wonderful! So, in short, technology as a whole has greatly enhanced my writing despite the frustrations caused by computer problems. I would not want to go back to the old way of doing things.
As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
Interestingly, my launch into writing came as the result of stretching out of my comfort zone. I attended a writers’ conference where the only workshop opening was on writing light or humorous verse. Since I am not funny by nature—or, at least, not deliberately funny—I did not want to take this workshop. But since I had traveled two hours to the conference, I decided to stay and, perhaps, learn something. The workshop was interesting, but I left thinking that I would never write anything funny. Well, a week later, my two children had a horrendous fight. In the middle of it, I realized that the topic of their argument would make a great topic for a funny poem. So, I wrote the poem and, neophyte that I was, I submitted it to The Saturday Evening Post. For you non-writers out there, getting accepted by The Saturday Evening Post is like having a first-time ice-skater being accepted to the Olympic team. But, God moved on that magazine to accept my poem, thereby confirming and launching my writing ministry. I will be forever grateful to Him.
What an affirmation from God! What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
Don’t spend so much time learning how to write fiction before you actually write it. Just write your story and learn as you go.
Great advice! Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?
Yes, thank you, Rose. A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING is available on Amazon or directly from my publisher, the Pelican Book Group. Both links follow below. My book is now on sale for only $0.99 and makes a wonderful Christmas gift.
Thank you so much for doing this, Rose. :)
