| If you've got questions, let's hear 'em! I've got answers. I think. I hope. |
From CBD (Christian Book Distributors):
Tell us a little about yourself.
If I'm not already, I'll soon be officially classified as an "old maid." In other words, I'm forty and still
single, but I totally love my life. I wouldn't trade it for a dime. Right now I'm sitting in my comfie
recliner, and every so often I need to stop typing to gaze out my living room window at the waves of
the Pacific as they crash over "my" rock. As soon as I'm done here, I'm gonna go down on the beach
and hunt for agates. Then catch the tail end of the sunset. Another gorgeous setting of the sun over the
Pacific Ocean as seen from the shores of Nelscott Beach in Lincoln City, Oregon. Ahh. Home.
What was your motivation behind Wounded Healer?
I wanted so much to write about the friendships between women, especially a pair of women who
just so happened to be soldiers in the U.S. Army and who met and forged their friendship in the
tension of an impending war. But I also wanted to show the way God uses friendship to bring people
to Him. I wanted to show the need for us to persevere in the lives of our friends to point them to
Christ. Obviously, it is the Holy Spirit who draws people unto Himself. But many times He relies on
the perseverance of a friend to get that person's attention. Some people, without that perseverance,
will remain oblivious to what He is trying to do in their lives. No, we can't drag someone kicking and
screaming to Jesus and make them be saved. But we can care enough to persist. We can care enough
to stand by our friends and be their light whatever they decide. Some people call it "Friendship
Evangelism" and debate its effectiveness. I simply call it love. To love others as Jesus Christ loves
them—to see in them what He sees—is to follow Him. Is to obey Him. Is to live as He lived.
What was your motivation behind Warrior's Heart?
This, the continuation of Chris and Erin's story, needed to show Chris's growth as a new believer
even as she struggled to live totally out of her element—in a city. It also needed to show Scott's
(Erin's husband) hesitancy to having Chris around, since he thinks Chris is dangerous to all he holds
dear. In a way, she is. Chris understands this. But she knows she needs to stay at Kimberley Square.
Somehow. Because it's home. And because it's the only place where she can find the help she needs
to grow in the new faith she cherishes.
What do you hope folks will gain from Wounded Healer?
I would love for readers to put the book down at the end and just bask in the wonder of Salvation.
When God's Spirit literally moves into a person's soul and sets up camp, it is, indeed, the very touch
of God Himself on our mortal bodies. It is real, more real than any experience the natural man can
know. To be alive in the redemption of Jesus Christ and to know God the Father truly as Father, is
life as it was created to be lived. The abundant life in Christ. If a reader puts the book down and
wonders if this life can be her own, I want her to know it can. And it will, the moment she leans into
Jesus and accepts who He is and all He has done for her.
What do you hope folks will gain from Warrior's Heart?
I hope readers will come away from the story with a new appreciation of the fight for faith most new
believers face. Salvation is real and dramatic and sometimes a bit overwhelming. But it's Truth, like
nothing else is truth. Chris knows she can't leave her new home because it's where God is. She needs
Him more than she needs the comforts of her old life. She learns to trust Jesus on her own, and to
savor His healing and forgiveness. Wounded Healer was not the end of Chris's journey of faith, but
the beginning. Now she must walk the path that leads her closer to her Lord. I hope, as readers share
this journey with her, they will appreciate their own journeys a bit more. It is in the journey where
God walks with us. He's not too concerned about telling us where the path ends. He wants us to walk
with Him in every present moment and trust Him to take us safely to our journey's end. How cool is
that? : )
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration, or favorite authors/artists?
There are three ministers I rely on to teach me about Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Gayle
Erwin teaches about the Nature of Jesus, about who He was when He walked this earth and who He
still is as Lord of Lords. Margaret Becker's artistry simply sustains me. Francine Rivers is my
example in this industry. When I need to remember what it's all about, I listen to Francine. Amen. It's
also been fun to meet many of my fellow novelists and to share a bit of their journeys of how the Lord
is using their availability to create great Truth-telling stories. I am awed and inspired and influenced
by all of them, and appreciate their willingness to share their adventures with me.
Anything else you'd like readers to know?
I once worked in a fish plant on an Aleutian Island in Alaska. And I once pumped gas. For two
weeks. (In Oregon we still don't have self-serve.) I've worked at a convenience store. And as a motel
housekeeper. I once searched for spotted owls. I once hauled almost everything that had anything to
do with my four years of writing novels to the fire ring at a local state park and watched it all go up in
flames. Sometimes one needs to do that. To simply step away and ask the Lord, "Okay, what’s next?"
If you do that, be prepared. He just may be biding His time (and yours) until that perfect moment. He
has that way about Him. So, until your perfect moment, whatever and whenever that may be, keep
trusting Him. And don't be afraid. He is a big God, and His love is complete. If you have no idea why
I'm bringing this up, I invite you to check out my blog, especially the Entire Adventure posts. God is
very big, and He also has a terrific sense of humor. It's the journey He savors in us, not the outcome.
Right now, I pray your journey with Him is sweet. And when we're finally able to rest in Christ's
presence and to hear each other's stories … I can't wait to hear yours.
Tell us a little about yourself.
If I'm not already, I'll soon be officially classified as an "old maid." In other words, I'm forty and still
single, but I totally love my life. I wouldn't trade it for a dime. Right now I'm sitting in my comfie
recliner, and every so often I need to stop typing to gaze out my living room window at the waves of
the Pacific as they crash over "my" rock. As soon as I'm done here, I'm gonna go down on the beach
and hunt for agates. Then catch the tail end of the sunset. Another gorgeous setting of the sun over the
Pacific Ocean as seen from the shores of Nelscott Beach in Lincoln City, Oregon. Ahh. Home.
What was your motivation behind Wounded Healer?
I wanted so much to write about the friendships between women, especially a pair of women who
just so happened to be soldiers in the U.S. Army and who met and forged their friendship in the
tension of an impending war. But I also wanted to show the way God uses friendship to bring people
to Him. I wanted to show the need for us to persevere in the lives of our friends to point them to
Christ. Obviously, it is the Holy Spirit who draws people unto Himself. But many times He relies on
the perseverance of a friend to get that person's attention. Some people, without that perseverance,
will remain oblivious to what He is trying to do in their lives. No, we can't drag someone kicking and
screaming to Jesus and make them be saved. But we can care enough to persist. We can care enough
to stand by our friends and be their light whatever they decide. Some people call it "Friendship
Evangelism" and debate its effectiveness. I simply call it love. To love others as Jesus Christ loves
them—to see in them what He sees—is to follow Him. Is to obey Him. Is to live as He lived.
What was your motivation behind Warrior's Heart?
This, the continuation of Chris and Erin's story, needed to show Chris's growth as a new believer
even as she struggled to live totally out of her element—in a city. It also needed to show Scott's
(Erin's husband) hesitancy to having Chris around, since he thinks Chris is dangerous to all he holds
dear. In a way, she is. Chris understands this. But she knows she needs to stay at Kimberley Square.
Somehow. Because it's home. And because it's the only place where she can find the help she needs
to grow in the new faith she cherishes.
What do you hope folks will gain from Wounded Healer?
I would love for readers to put the book down at the end and just bask in the wonder of Salvation.
When God's Spirit literally moves into a person's soul and sets up camp, it is, indeed, the very touch
of God Himself on our mortal bodies. It is real, more real than any experience the natural man can
know. To be alive in the redemption of Jesus Christ and to know God the Father truly as Father, is
life as it was created to be lived. The abundant life in Christ. If a reader puts the book down and
wonders if this life can be her own, I want her to know it can. And it will, the moment she leans into
Jesus and accepts who He is and all He has done for her.
What do you hope folks will gain from Warrior's Heart?
I hope readers will come away from the story with a new appreciation of the fight for faith most new
believers face. Salvation is real and dramatic and sometimes a bit overwhelming. But it's Truth, like
nothing else is truth. Chris knows she can't leave her new home because it's where God is. She needs
Him more than she needs the comforts of her old life. She learns to trust Jesus on her own, and to
savor His healing and forgiveness. Wounded Healer was not the end of Chris's journey of faith, but
the beginning. Now she must walk the path that leads her closer to her Lord. I hope, as readers share
this journey with her, they will appreciate their own journeys a bit more. It is in the journey where
God walks with us. He's not too concerned about telling us where the path ends. He wants us to walk
with Him in every present moment and trust Him to take us safely to our journey's end. How cool is
that? : )
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration, or favorite authors/artists?
There are three ministers I rely on to teach me about Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Gayle
Erwin teaches about the Nature of Jesus, about who He was when He walked this earth and who He
still is as Lord of Lords. Margaret Becker's artistry simply sustains me. Francine Rivers is my
example in this industry. When I need to remember what it's all about, I listen to Francine. Amen. It's
also been fun to meet many of my fellow novelists and to share a bit of their journeys of how the Lord
is using their availability to create great Truth-telling stories. I am awed and inspired and influenced
by all of them, and appreciate their willingness to share their adventures with me.
Anything else you'd like readers to know?
I once worked in a fish plant on an Aleutian Island in Alaska. And I once pumped gas. For two
weeks. (In Oregon we still don't have self-serve.) I've worked at a convenience store. And as a motel
housekeeper. I once searched for spotted owls. I once hauled almost everything that had anything to
do with my four years of writing novels to the fire ring at a local state park and watched it all go up in
flames. Sometimes one needs to do that. To simply step away and ask the Lord, "Okay, what’s next?"
If you do that, be prepared. He just may be biding His time (and yours) until that perfect moment. He
has that way about Him. So, until your perfect moment, whatever and whenever that may be, keep
trusting Him. And don't be afraid. He is a big God, and His love is complete. If you have no idea why
I'm bringing this up, I invite you to check out my blog, especially the Entire Adventure posts. God is
very big, and He also has a terrific sense of humor. It's the journey He savors in us, not the outcome.
Right now, I pray your journey with Him is sweet. And when we're finally able to rest in Christ's
presence and to hear each other's stories … I can't wait to hear yours.
| Read the entire interview here: CBD Author Interview |
From Jean in South Carolina:
How long did it take you to write your first-to-be-published book?
Wounded Healer was originally written as Tender Heart of a Warrior. For three months, in my spare
time after work, I handwrote Tender Heart on college-ruled notebook paper. It took about two weeks
to type it into my brother's computer, then about three years to realize it wasn't gonna sell. I had been
editing and re-working it some in that time, but it wasn't until after my "retirement" that I completely
rewrote it into more of the form it is in today. I even changed the title to A Good Day to Die. That was
from October 2003 to February 2004. God knew it needed to be completely rewritten. His timing
proved perfect, as it always does. In September 2004, the title became Wounded Healer. In July
2005, it ended up on bookstore shelves literally around the world. I'm still amazed by it all. : )
Did you have to do a lot of research—or did your background in the military give you enough to
go on?
My military background consisted of a cushy Air Force job and a year or so in the Air National
Guard. When I first began considering a military career, the Air Force was my only option. The Air
Force had the easiest basic training (or boot camp). That, and the fact my dad was an Air Force
veteran and my brother was at the time on active duty in the Air Force. But when Chris and Erin
showed up on my doorstep, they were definitely former soldiers—members of a Huey helicopter
medevac unit that was part of the 101st Airborne Division. They were Army. Which called for quite a
bit of research. The feeling of "belonging," of being a part of a huge and special team, came from my
own experience. Everything else was studied and formulated to suit Chris and Erin's needs.
But it wasn't until the rewrite that the military details became more clear and accurate. I was able to
find some awesome books specifically about the Army's movements during Desert Storm. These were
from God. And changed the entire play of the war scenes.
I'm sure there are still places where I blew it, but I am also sure, for the most part, the details are
accurate. At least 94.7% accurate. Or so. : )
Are you still holding down a job and writing in your spare time?
Well, no. Thanks to the contract, the advance, and the Lord, I became a full-time novelist on August
1st, 2004. I like to say I quit my day job only to pick up a day/night/and everything in between job. It's
been pretty much 14/7 every day since. Which leaves me about 10 hours a day to sleep and eat. Not
bad, I guess.
Is there a "significant other" in your life?
Well, no. But thanks for asking. : ) I've been single all my life, never really dated (though I did date
a handsome sweetheart in high school), never really longed for a husband or kids, and never really
wondered why. I feel positively fortunate to be single. Though I'm completely open to wherever God
leads (and provides the grace for). I understand I'm weird. It's not a life most can live. But I like it.
Don't you wish you hadn't said we could ask questions?
Actually, no! I'm so glad you took the time to write. I enjoyed reading your Work In Progress very
much. Keep at it! And may the Lord bless you! : )
How long did it take you to write your first-to-be-published book?
Wounded Healer was originally written as Tender Heart of a Warrior. For three months, in my spare
time after work, I handwrote Tender Heart on college-ruled notebook paper. It took about two weeks
to type it into my brother's computer, then about three years to realize it wasn't gonna sell. I had been
editing and re-working it some in that time, but it wasn't until after my "retirement" that I completely
rewrote it into more of the form it is in today. I even changed the title to A Good Day to Die. That was
from October 2003 to February 2004. God knew it needed to be completely rewritten. His timing
proved perfect, as it always does. In September 2004, the title became Wounded Healer. In July
2005, it ended up on bookstore shelves literally around the world. I'm still amazed by it all. : )
Did you have to do a lot of research—or did your background in the military give you enough to
go on?
My military background consisted of a cushy Air Force job and a year or so in the Air National
Guard. When I first began considering a military career, the Air Force was my only option. The Air
Force had the easiest basic training (or boot camp). That, and the fact my dad was an Air Force
veteran and my brother was at the time on active duty in the Air Force. But when Chris and Erin
showed up on my doorstep, they were definitely former soldiers—members of a Huey helicopter
medevac unit that was part of the 101st Airborne Division. They were Army. Which called for quite a
bit of research. The feeling of "belonging," of being a part of a huge and special team, came from my
own experience. Everything else was studied and formulated to suit Chris and Erin's needs.
But it wasn't until the rewrite that the military details became more clear and accurate. I was able to
find some awesome books specifically about the Army's movements during Desert Storm. These were
from God. And changed the entire play of the war scenes.
I'm sure there are still places where I blew it, but I am also sure, for the most part, the details are
accurate. At least 94.7% accurate. Or so. : )
Are you still holding down a job and writing in your spare time?
Well, no. Thanks to the contract, the advance, and the Lord, I became a full-time novelist on August
1st, 2004. I like to say I quit my day job only to pick up a day/night/and everything in between job. It's
been pretty much 14/7 every day since. Which leaves me about 10 hours a day to sleep and eat. Not
bad, I guess.
Is there a "significant other" in your life?
Well, no. But thanks for asking. : ) I've been single all my life, never really dated (though I did date
a handsome sweetheart in high school), never really longed for a husband or kids, and never really
wondered why. I feel positively fortunate to be single. Though I'm completely open to wherever God
leads (and provides the grace for). I understand I'm weird. It's not a life most can live. But I like it.
Don't you wish you hadn't said we could ask questions?
Actually, no! I'm so glad you took the time to write. I enjoyed reading your Work In Progress very
much. Keep at it! And may the Lord bless you! : )
From Narelle in Australia:
How do you feel when you complete a book and it is off to be printed—-relief or anxiety over
how it will fare at the hands of readers?
It's always a relief when I hit the button to send away whatever I'm working on before deadline. I
finished Book Three the same morning I hit send. : ) But I know it comes back to me at least four
more times over the course of the editing, so it's not too much of a relief.
I haven't been at this writing game long, but the two times I've sent my work off for the last time to be
printed, the main thing I felt was schwhew. That's relief and exhaustion mixed together. By that last
proofreading edit, I'm ready for the process to be done.
Was thinking the other day about you saying you have pitched a few more books for the
series—would they all focus on Christina or move on to other secondary characters?
Well, my plan was to focus stories on Chris and Erin for as long as possible. I knew going in that
seven books in the series would be next to impossible, but I gave them four more story ideas anyway.
I was very confident they would go with two more, to have five total in the series. I thought the next
contract would be for those two. But nope. They threw a monkey wrench into my best laid plans!! : )
I heard from my agent that Zondervan wants to sign me to another three-book contract, but they only
want ONE of those to be in the Homeland Heroes Series. I was so jazzed at first, then totally
bummed. I really feel Chris and Erin have so many more stories to tell, but they only get one more,
and that's it. The next two stories Zondervan wants me to write must be in a new series with entirely
new characters. So, at this point, I'm miffed. I don't understand their reasoning behind their decision,
but I'll accept it, sign the contract, and write three more books! Well, at least that's what I'm planning
to do. If the Lord directs me otherwise, I may just tell them no and go back to work at a real job
somewhere. : ) But we'll see.
Have you heard Dee Henderson's new book The Witness is coming out in Feb, '06? There must
be a bit of pressure on her to produce a good book after the lengthy delay so I hope all goes
well for her.
You and me both, Narelle! We're cheering for you, Dee! I just received her newsletter and it was
wonderful to hear she is back in action again. The thing about Dee is that, even in the chaos of the
delay, I know she was still writing. Tyndale will treat her right, and now that the green light is
flashing, they will be cranking out her books quickly again. At least, I hope so! She's a fast writer, so
I'd bet she has at least three already finished and ready to go. But don't quote me. : ) It's just that I
don't think she sat around and did nothing all those years. : )
How's the beach?
Ahh, one of my favorite questions. We have had gorgeous weather all summer. Not too hot, lots of
sunshine . . . I can't stand hot weather, so even when it gets around 75 degrees F around here, I'm
starting to think it's too warm. But the breeze always blows and the temps always seem to stay within
my comfort zone. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Even though I live in a Tsunami Zone. : )
We are experiencing cold and wet weather which is a bit dreary but we are pretty desperate
for water so can't complain.
I know the feeling. That's pretty much our winter around here. But I love the cold and rain—don't
think it's dreary, though I know everyone else around me does. It's fun to kid them, "Why do you live
here if you don't like wind and rain?" : )
Thanks for your e-mails, Narelle!
How do you feel when you complete a book and it is off to be printed—-relief or anxiety over
how it will fare at the hands of readers?
It's always a relief when I hit the button to send away whatever I'm working on before deadline. I
finished Book Three the same morning I hit send. : ) But I know it comes back to me at least four
more times over the course of the editing, so it's not too much of a relief.
I haven't been at this writing game long, but the two times I've sent my work off for the last time to be
printed, the main thing I felt was schwhew. That's relief and exhaustion mixed together. By that last
proofreading edit, I'm ready for the process to be done.
Was thinking the other day about you saying you have pitched a few more books for the
series—would they all focus on Christina or move on to other secondary characters?
Well, my plan was to focus stories on Chris and Erin for as long as possible. I knew going in that
seven books in the series would be next to impossible, but I gave them four more story ideas anyway.
I was very confident they would go with two more, to have five total in the series. I thought the next
contract would be for those two. But nope. They threw a monkey wrench into my best laid plans!! : )
I heard from my agent that Zondervan wants to sign me to another three-book contract, but they only
want ONE of those to be in the Homeland Heroes Series. I was so jazzed at first, then totally
bummed. I really feel Chris and Erin have so many more stories to tell, but they only get one more,
and that's it. The next two stories Zondervan wants me to write must be in a new series with entirely
new characters. So, at this point, I'm miffed. I don't understand their reasoning behind their decision,
but I'll accept it, sign the contract, and write three more books! Well, at least that's what I'm planning
to do. If the Lord directs me otherwise, I may just tell them no and go back to work at a real job
somewhere. : ) But we'll see.
Have you heard Dee Henderson's new book The Witness is coming out in Feb, '06? There must
be a bit of pressure on her to produce a good book after the lengthy delay so I hope all goes
well for her.
You and me both, Narelle! We're cheering for you, Dee! I just received her newsletter and it was
wonderful to hear she is back in action again. The thing about Dee is that, even in the chaos of the
delay, I know she was still writing. Tyndale will treat her right, and now that the green light is
flashing, they will be cranking out her books quickly again. At least, I hope so! She's a fast writer, so
I'd bet she has at least three already finished and ready to go. But don't quote me. : ) It's just that I
don't think she sat around and did nothing all those years. : )
How's the beach?
Ahh, one of my favorite questions. We have had gorgeous weather all summer. Not too hot, lots of
sunshine . . . I can't stand hot weather, so even when it gets around 75 degrees F around here, I'm
starting to think it's too warm. But the breeze always blows and the temps always seem to stay within
my comfort zone. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Even though I live in a Tsunami Zone. : )
We are experiencing cold and wet weather which is a bit dreary but we are pretty desperate
for water so can't complain.
I know the feeling. That's pretty much our winter around here. But I love the cold and rain—don't
think it's dreary, though I know everyone else around me does. It's fun to kid them, "Why do you live
here if you don't like wind and rain?" : )
Thanks for your e-mails, Narelle!
your questions for me
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