Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?
I have oodles of wonderful childhood memories. Two of my favorites are spending ALL day at the swimming pool three or four days a week with my best friend, Kim. We would walk to the pool and them my dad would pick us up on his way home from work. The other was being chosen to be a guest of the Governor and First Lady and to participate in several historical events including our state’s 150th birthday celebration (MO) and serving as a tour guide for the Freedom Train when the American Bicentennial Freedom Train spent two days in our town. It was quite an honor for a fifteen-year-old girl.
What developed your passing from writing from a young age?
If you mean what developed my passion for writing, it wasn’t a ‘what’, but a ‘who’—my school librarian, Amanda Hughes. She was such a sweet lady and really invested herself in me. She figured out early-on that I prefer nonfiction or fiction that is more than just fluff. She encouraged me to read what I enjoyed most, and to write about it. She always read my stories and submitted them to the local and school papers. Some of them got published.
The other people were teachers, too. My seventh grade English teacher, Mrs. Truesdale submitted my work to a national anthology. It was my first nationally published work. My nineth grade English teacher, Roger Hatfield, pushed me to write what I knew and to do it well. He went above and beyond to develop my writing skills and drive to succeed. He and his wife, who was also one of my teachers, are still dear friends all these years later (over 40).
What was your biggest dream as a child? Did it ever come true?
I had two goals—to take over my family’s farm and to be an author. I’ve achieved both goals and couldn’t feel more blessed.
Do you remember the first book you ever read? What was it about?
I remember a couple of picture books my dad read to me over and over and over again (at my insistence, of course). One was about a girl that got a puppy for her birthday. The other was about a tailor that used scraps to make a special costume for a little boy so he could be in a parade. As far as chapter books, I LOVED my Nancy Drew books. I still have them and still read them. They are one of the few fiction things I read. They never get old to me.
How is writing nonfiction different from writing fiction?
I write what I know—from my heart. I am also known for being a great storyteller. But I never tell a story merely for the sake of telling a story. They always have a purpose—a lesson to be learned. Fiction, unless it is historical fiction or has a strong take-away, is a waste of time to me. Sorry, not sorry.
What inspired you to write the book, "Through the Eyes of a Shepherd"?
“Through the Eyes of a Shepherd” is my heart and soul. We raised sheep for many years—over 400 ewes (mommas) as well as the lambs they had every year. This book is my way of sharing what God taught me using the very animal he wants us to emulate. This book will change the way you see both God and the way you see yourself—both for the better.
Of all the books you've written, which one was the hardest to write, and why?
The most difficult book to write has been “All my love, George…Letters from a WWII hero”. But not for reasons you might think. The book is a collection of letters written by George Burks, an army medic during WWII. The letters, written to his parents and little brother, begin in boot camp and end one week before he died in the Battle of Luzon in the South Pacific. In addition to the letters, over sixty years later, the little brother shares his thoughts and memories of being a Gold Star family, of growing up during the war, and of George.
The reason it was so difficult was because George was my uncle—an uncle I never met. The little brother was my dad. He was never willing to talk about George’s death, so this book opened up some long-buried memories for him. It wasn’t easy for him, but in the end, it ended up being very therapeutic and healing for him.
What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
I was speaking to a group of senior citizens; doing a reading from “All my love, George….” A woman came up to me afterwards who had actually grown up in the same small town as George and my dad and knew George; remembered him well. It was surreal. And incredibly special.
The other most rewarding experience was a random email I got from a reader of “Through the Eyes of a Shepherd” that said the book literally saved his life.
How much did you research while writing the book, Faith Is Like Chocolate?
Quite honestly, not much. The book is a compilation of lessons and devotions I wrote over the years I spent as a youth director at our church.
When are you most satisfied with a book or piece of writing? Do you often edit things OUT of your books?
Yes, I edit things out sometimes. I don’t know how to answer this other than to say I just know.
What common writing advice do you disagree with?
To have a team of people to critique your work.
When you write nonfiction, how does it feel to be freed from the conventions of fiction?
I don’t do pretend. I don’t even play pretend stuff with my grandkids. It’s just not me. The market is flooded with books that have the same plot—only the names and scenes have been changed.
If you could write about one topic for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sharing the love of God and the message of the Gospel. To help others know who Jesus is and want to know him personally.
Writing about the joy and value of family is a very close second.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
I’m working on another devotional geared around my other passion—gardening.
What do you like the most about AllAuthor? Do you have any suggestions for the website?
AllAuthor is the most consistent and dedicated book promotional resource I’ve found. I can’t say enough good about you guys. Question: how often should I submit new Tweet suggestions?
