Category Archives: Interview

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I began writing down prayers for various intentions and circumstances in my life when I was a sophomore in high school. Over time, as I realized my attraction to academia, I began writing in different ways – researched pieces, literature reviews, things like that – but ever continuing to write prayers and spiritual meditations and essays. I suppose you could say, then, that my inspiration has always been found in the various circumstances in my life at the time or in retrospectively looking-back.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

 Four, which include the titles “Faith-Filled Fragments,” “Sport & the Spiritual Life,” “Beyond I Am,” and my newest, “Worth Holding On To.” I can’t quite choose one favorite from the four because they are all generally different. “Sport & the Spiritual Life” is one of my two favorites because it combines two of my greatest loves in life: both my spiritual relationship with God and my affection for sports and athletics. Now, “Worth Holding On To,” I also like, but for different reasons. That one was a novella based entirely on the most significant romantic relationship I’ve ever experienced and though the relationship has long since been over, there are good things about the young woman with whom I shared the relationship that I never want to forget… and that’s partly why I wrote it… So the memories are always there, in print.

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 Some people are impossible to forget! Remember someone you still love and re-discover yourself in the process. 🙂

The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?

I don’t have plans for any series novels or series books. My interests drift around too often for that. Haha.

When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?

 “I think I would want my cast to consist of rising stars with little recognition thus far. I say that for two reasons:

1) Whether we realize it or not, as human persons, we always subconsciously compare actors and actresses with whom we are familiar to their previous roles and performances and my experiences were so unique, I would be very opposed to having them trivialized to mere comparisons.

2) Why not give someone else with real talent, though little known they may be, a chance to rise to prominence in their acting careers? ”

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Absolutely. Whether its primarily a more scholarly or researched book (like Sport & the Spiritual Life) or something entirely narrative (like Worth Holding On To) or even devotional in nature (like Beyond I Am and Faith-Filled Fragments), I always try and convey and present the truth of eternity rather than a temporary and fleeting experience or a sort of impermanence. Sure, our athletic abilities, our love for certain persons, our finances, even our health and memories may fade over time, but there is an eternal life ahead of us where all of these things will be not only restored, but made indestructible. And that is a beautiful thing.

Do you have a new book coming out soon?

Possibly. Right now, I am focusing on academic pieces as I pursue another degree so there might be a lull in my book roll-outs for a moment, but you really never know… There’s always a chance. 🙂

Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?

I really enjoy works by Walker Percy because not only was he also a great Southern writer of recent memory, but he often weaved positive, uplifting, often religious and spiritual undertones into his works. I think that is so important in our increasingly secular world.

List your favorite quotation or words you live by.

“I have two favorite quotes; one is by the British play writer, John Galsworthy, who said:

“”Love has no age, no limit, and no death.””

and the other is from St. Teresa of Avila who said:

“”God withholds Himself from no one who perseveres.””

I also like to live my life focusing on one simple line from the end of The Apostle’s Creed:

“”I believe in the Resurrection of the body, and the life of the world to come.”””

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I feel like I say a great deal to them in my writings, but I think it is important for every person, whether they read my works, like them or not, to know quite simply and quite honestly that “You are loved!” And that is either by your friends, your family, your significant other, or by God Himself. And that love is more than enough reason to keep living, and to stay hopeful.

You can purchase “Worth Holding On To” and all of Anthony’s books through our bookstore and connect with Anthony on social media and read his biography on his author page.

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I have always loved books and writing stories. From the time I was able to, I would write down the tales that were in my head. I loved writing classes and took as many as I could in school. As an English teacher, I included books and writing in everything the classes did. I also worked as a freelance writer for over a decade. Moving into publishing and writing books was just the next natural step.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have published five books, but I have also “written” a few others that I hope will see the light of day as published books in the next few years. Picking a favorite would be like choosing a favorite child. I love each of them for different reasons, but I love them all and am proud they are out in the world. “At the Corner of Magnetic and Main” is the most recent, so it tends to get the most love and attention these days.

“Sell” your latest book in 120 characters – Tweet style

A good dish of ice cream solves more than this life’s problems, but is there a flavor out there magical enough to help Penny into The Light? #magneticandmain

The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?

“At the Corner of Magnetic and Main” is not part of a series. Penny’s story is done for me, though adventures still lie ahead for her. My Cats in the Mirror series is going strong with three books and a companion dog book available, and there are still at least three books to publish in that line. Book 4 comes out in the spring. I also have another middle-grade book I am working on now that may well develop into a series.

When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?

My husband loves to play that game, but I try to avoid putting a face into the reader’s mind. I’d rather have them imagine Penny however they choose. But I will admit that I had a young Ian Somerhalder in mind when I wrote about Jake. When I have my Facebook party to celebrate the end of the blog tour in December, that is one of the games we will play. It will be interesting to see who readers would cast. My husband thinks Jennifer Lawrence should play Penny, but I totally disagree. Things like that are why I hate to define it too much. He can imagine Penny however he wants.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

The core of Penny’s story for me is about being stuck and holding on to a false sense of responsibility for everyone and everything around you. For her, it is as a ghost and it is part of what is holding her here, but it is just as easy to get stuck in the living world. I’ve been there many times. Several reviewers have totally gotten it, and that makes me very happy.

Do you have a new book coming out soon?

“The next book coming out will be a kid’s book about actor and philanthropist Betty White. It will be with Pen-L Publishing, so that final package is up to them, but it will be along the lines of what you would find in a school library. Lots of facts and photos and fun information that you might not know about her. We don’t have a set date for release yet, but it will be this winter.

“”Slinky Steps Out,”” Book 4 in the Cats in the Mirror series, will be out in April of 2016. I self-publish that series.”

Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?

It’s hard to limit that to just a few authors because I read a lot and always have. My bookshelf is covered with books by Anne McCaffrey, but I also read lots of middle-grade books and ones that were of that style from when I was young–Beverly Cleary, E.B. White, the Little House books, and the whole Oz series. I think part of finding your own voice as a writer is melding all of that and making it unique to you.

List your favorite quotation or words you live by.

One I often use when asked is:
“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing.
She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself. ” Maya Angelou

I think that’s the best I can do to stay happy and sane in this world.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I’m always thrilled when someone enjoys my books, and even more so when the story touches on something that moves them. I guess I would just say “thank you!” Thanks for reading and appreciating and getting it.

You can purchase At the Corner of Magnetic and Main and the Cats in the Mirror series through our bookstore and connect with Meg on social media and read her biography on her author page.

Interview With Meg Welch Dendler

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

As a girl raised on an isolated farm, I learned to like reading for enjoyment in grade school. Because I read a lot, I tried writing also. My first stories were written at that time. I admired my eighth grade school friend’s horse stories but that was not my niche. My writings just did not seem as good as hers.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

As an adult, I wrote non-fiction. After writing many letters-to-the editor, having newspaper editorials published, and putting together brochures and small books, I wrote a 265 page book on education, Deception Not Excellence In Education copyright under a pen name Mary Williams. . At that time 1990, a self-published book was much more difficult to promote.
In 2007, before a friend’s death, I put together his home-spun poems with Biblical verses and did some writing for him in a 116 page self-published book God’s Laws Your Blessings with the copyright under his name Lon Mefford. The two long poems Lon and I wrote together.
I designed the cover for the book by taking a picture of Lon’s hand, stuck his hand out from beneath a fluffy white cloud and attaching on his finger tips drawings to look like two tables of the Ten Commandments being handed down from above. An appropriate cover for God’s Laws, Your Blessings. I have written a few poems such as In the Shadow of His Wings found in my book Forever Faithful.

“Sell” your latest book in 120 characters – Tweet style

Forever Faithful, is a historical romance fiction of WWII. Experience with the characters the hardships and heartaches of the trying times.

The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?

At my age, I might not write another lengthy book or even a sequel to Forever Faithful.

When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?

My book adapted to film….now that is a real dream.
But if it were to happen, I would want the cast to be down to earth ordinary people like the characters in the book. Of course, they should have some acting ability.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Actually there are several messages which include:

• The cultural changes after WWI, The Great Depression and World War II involving economics, society, morals, industry, farm life, church life, government, technology and family life.
• The importance of the family unit, the basic unit of government.
• The meaning of God’s Covenant and relationship to marriage.

Do you have a new book coming out soon?

August 18, is the formal release of my just published book, Forever Faithful. It is available now from my publisher (link below)

Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?

One of the best books that I read as young girl was Song of Years by Bess Streeter Aldrich copyrighted 1939. I recently reread Song of Years and I enjoyed it just as much as I did as a teenager. The setting for the book is a fertile farm community in Eastern Iowa during early settlement of the land.

I enjoyed Jannette Oke’s Love Comes Softly Series as well as her other series of book. Also appreciated her Song of Acadia books written with T.Davis Bunn.

As a young person, I read many books by Grace Livingston Hill and am happy to see her books being reprinted and available again. After reading Amish books by Beverly Lewis, Wanda E. Brunstetter, Cindy Woodsmall and other Amish writers, I thought I lived like the Amish when I was a girl. We did not have electricity, indoor plumbing and we farmed with horses. That is how my story for Forever Faithful started taking shape.

I also like to read poems by Helen Steiner Rice.

List your favorite quotation or words you live by.

I live above my troubles….they are down there, …I am up here above them.

Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Maybe, that is why I find so much pleasure in reading, I am searching for the wisdom of others and to get understanding.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I volunteer in a library and am happy to see readers checking out books. But it seems for many people today, reading is not a priority as it is too easy to drop into an easy chair and watch whatever is on TV. At least in reading, a person can choose what he/she wants to read.

I realize writing and reading built civilization to what it is, so I want those skills to never becomes a lost treasure for the common man.

You can purchase “Forever Faithful” from Tate Publishing and beginning August 18th at additional retailers. You can learn more about Marilyn on her author page.

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

What a great question! Writing is something I have always done. It’s a part of my existence. I don’t know when it began nor do I know what inspired it.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Phoenix Rising is my third book on Amazon, along with two short stories from The Fortune Series. It’s difficult to name a favorite because they are all favorites for many reasons. September Ends was written as I assisted in end of life care for my mom, so there are many emotions captured in that book and it’s follow-up story, September Again. The Fortune Series are fun, imaginative short stories about the fictional country musician Dallas Fortune. Phoenix Rising is my first venture into my own favorite reading topic, history and historical fiction.

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PHOENIX RISING “Compelling, captivating, moving” Claire Ridgway. @AnneBoleynFiles

The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?

I love short reads, and believe other readers do, too. The September Stories and The Fortune Series are ongoing, but Phoenix Rising is a stand-alone novella.

When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?

Please use your imagination.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Each story has a different meaning. Often stories have many meanings, but I don’t have a ‘message’ that I attempt to promote except love. Love is always the right thing to do.

Do you have a new book coming out soon?

Phoenix Rising launched May 19, 2015.

Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?

There are so many incredible authors, I can’t narrow it done for one interview. This is a topic for a book, isn’t it?

List your favorite quotation or words you live by.

“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you very much for featuring me today. Many thanks to readers. Your support means everything!
You can purchase “Phoenix Rising : A Novel of Anne Boleyn” and Hunter’s other books through our bookstore and connect with her on social media through her author page.

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
I’ve been writing all my life but just recently decided to start doing it seriously when I was asked to write a short story for my cousin for his business as a promotional item.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
People have always told me that I was a writer, but I had just never pursued it until now.

What inspired you to write your first book?
What I published, and everything that I’ve written prior to that are separate things and there have been many things over the years and many events that have inspired me to write different things. Experiences at work, death of loved ones, and the love of mysteries as well as songs and music.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
Being new to the process of publishing an e-book, mainly just finding out how to do that, get my book edited, and then formatted for Amazon/Kindle.

Talk about your most recent book. How did you come up with the title?
Help! My Dog Has Diabetes! I do have a dog, Pokey, that has diabetes and he is just the sweetest thing. I felt like he has gone through so much in his life that he deserved to have a book written about him and also I thought it might help someone else who has a pet with any illness not to give up on them but to research the illness and do your best to help them to have a normal life.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
That even if everyone does not share the same experiences that you did with your pet, you can still share the same bond and still benefit from hearing of someone else’s struggles and victories no matter what they might be.

Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?
There are so many I have loved over the years. I first started out reading all of the Patricia Cornwell novels. In the last few years, my favorite mysteries are all of the Alphabet Murders by Sue Grafton. Victoria Houston is another one of my favorites, and I love the C.J. Box novels. All of these writers have unique styles and different ways of writing and I love how no matter which style it is, you get sucked into the story just like you were there.

What is the best advice you could give an aspiring author?
If you enjoy writing, then with digital publishing, there is no reason you can’t be an author. It just takes your imagination, determination, and finding out how to put it out there.

What is the best advice you’ve received from other authors or anyone else?
It’s not necessarily advice, but what has motivated me the most are the reviews I’ve gotten for me to write more. If people have enjoyed my book, then I’ve accomplished my goal.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Sue Grafton. I love the detail she puts into her books and how she makes her characters so real and so likeable. I love how she can tell a mystery and make everything come together perfectly and her use of humor in her books makes me laugh out loud while reading it.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for making something that was a dream a reality. I’m simply elated that you love my book.

You can purchase “Help! My Dog Has Diabetes!” and Tamra’s other book through our bookstore  and connect with her on social media on her author page.

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I started writing in 3rd grade, majored in Journalism and English at Baylor University but didn’t actually write full time until I was almost 30. I think the inspiration for my career can be traced back to two things. The first was that my grandparents were Arkansas storytellers and the second was my love of reading.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have written over 80 books and my favorite always tends to be the one I am working on at the moment. I just finished a novel that comes out later in 2015, The Fruitcake Murders, and it was so much fun to write. But, I guess if you look at my entire career The Color of Justice or Reich of Passage will be two that will remain at or near the top of my list.

“Sell” your latest book in 120 characters – Tweet style

#TheColorofJustice is a courtroom drama that challenges American history and the progress in terms of racial relationships.

The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?

I have a series of novels that comes out in episodes under the umbrella of “In The President’s Service.” The story thread is set in World War II and I hope to carry the yarns through entire war, right now we are 1942. The other three books I have coming out in 2015 are all stand alone novels though I would enjoy writing sequels if the editor orders them. I love to fully develop lead characters and get deeper into the stories of secondary characters.

When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?

I get asked this question a lot. In truth, the characters in my novels are so real to me that I have problems picturing other people playing them. If I could go back in time I would love to have Jean Harlow, Cary Grant and Clark Gable play the leads in The Fruitcake Murders.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

My lead characters are always searching for a calling. When they find it they are almost always reluctant to pursue that calling because of the challenges it requires. In other words they are scared to do the right thing. The bottom line is my leads don’t come equipped to meet a challenge they have to take a step on faith and grow into the job.

Do you have a new book coming out soon?

The episodes from “In The President’s Service” come out all the time. In April my 1936 mystery Hollywood Lost will be released. The Fruitcake Murders, a comedy whodunit set in Chicago in 1946, comes out in October.

Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?

The first two that come to my mind are Mark Twain and Clive Cussler. I think the classic mystery writer Raymond Chandler has made a substantial impact on me as well. But my writing style might be most influenced by the men and women who wrote 1930s-1950s radio scripts. I listen to classic radio in order to develop pacing, new methods of description and unique ways of storytelling.

List your favorite quotation or words you live by.

The scripts we write for our lives are rarely lived. The very best moments are mostly improvised.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Writing is a team project, and while my name is on the book readers need to realize that what makes the final product solid is the work of the editors, the marketers, the publicists, the agent and artists. The actual MVPs of my team are the readers. They buy the books, so in a very real way I work for them. They are my bosses. I never forget that and the feedback I get from my readers I treasure more than anything else.

You can purchase The Color of Justice and more through our bookstore and connect with Ace Collins on social media and read his biography on his author page.