I believe this is the first time I have interviewed Georgiana Daniels. My questions are in bold and her answers are in regular type. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?
First, thanks so much for hosting me today, Rose! I look forward to the opportunity to get to know you better. That’s what interviews are all about–getting to know someone better!
There are so many books I loved as a child that it’s hard to pick one, especially since I loved different books every year. Probably the one I remember most is Are You My Mother? Do you remember that one? The little bird was in search of someone who was already there and watching over him, even though he couldn’t immediately see. I never thought of it before, but that’s kind of like humanity with God. Great analogy, Georgiana!
Now I’m wading into the deep end….As for an adult favorite, there are just too many to choose from! I like to consider myself a power reader, even though I don’t come close to some people who read 150+ books a year. I’m working on it!
What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
Love this question because there are so many Scriptures that give me a boost! One that doesn’t have anything to do with writing but I love anyway is Psalm 91. You see, I have some fear and anxiety issues, along with an unhealthy dose of hypochondria, so when I internalize, “A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand,” it just fills me with such a powerful peace, if that makes sense.
As for writing, I hadn’t really considered which Scriptures applied to that aspect per se, but probably Galatians 6:9—let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. So much packed into that verse! First, am I “doing good” with my writing? The context of this verse is not specifically about this, of course, but I can still apply the principle. As to the rest of the verse, if what I am doing is a good work, then there will be a “proper time” of reaping….if I don’t give up. Two key phrases!
I love to just soak in Scripture! Me too, my favorite time(s) of my day!
If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
Because I’m a giant fan of travel shows, I have a mile-long list of places I’d like to visit! As for where I’d like to visit to research and set a book, I’d love to go back to Alaska. I’ve been there several times, and even lived above the Arctic Circle for a summer, but I haven’t yet had a contracted book set there. There are more Alaska stories brewing in my heart!
I’ve been to Alaska twice, and set a book there once, but it hasn’t been contracted yet either! 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?
I’ll let you in on a little secret—I adore writing by hand. In fact, if I’m stuck on a scene, I’ll pull out my journal and put ink to paper to jumpstart my creativity. There’s something about that connection that makes me light up inside, maybe because it reminds me of writing as a child when I wrote just for the love of it. It also might have something to do with my long-standing love affair with office supplies.
As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
Well, for one thing…I don’t have a comfort zone. LOL! I’ve been writing seriously for almost 13 years and I still don’t have a groove. I’ve tried almost every genre and every method of writing, and I still find myself making giant adjustments to every aspect.
And that’s okay. It works for me. Keeps me fresh…I can tell–you are a very refreshing person to interview, Georgiana Daniels!
What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
There’s so much—practical, spiritual, emotional. But one thing you MUST have on your journey is the right people. Your people include family, writing partners, agents, etc. I learned the hard way that being with the wrong posse can set you further back than almost anything else.
Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to link to Shadows of Hope! My prayer is that this story will encourage people to follow God through their own darkest hour.
Thank you so much for welcoming me to your blog today, Rose! I really enjoyed our chat.