Life and A Dad for Christmas according to Wendy Davy (Giveaway!)

Christmas Arrives Early on the Diamond Mine

with Wendy Davy!

Please welcome award-winning author Wendy Davy to the Diamond Mine. She's celebrating the new release of her Christmas romance A Dad for Christmas and we want to celebrate with her! This book promised to be a diamond among the gems of Christian Fiction! I can't wait to get to know this writer. What about you?

Oh, by the way, she's giving away TWO (2) e-books of A Dad for Christmas after the interview! Make sure you check out the details below!

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Let's get started! This week's featured author is Wendy Davy, award-winning inspirational romance writer who enjoys outdoor activities and small town charm. As you read her books, you will visit special places close to her heart. No matter where her characters come from or where they take you, it will always be an exciting journey, page after page. Ms. Davy enjoys traveling and searching for new places to include in her stories.

RENEE: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Wendy! I'm excited you could join us.

WENDY: Thank you for having me on your BLOG. I’m glad to be here!

RENEE: I love your picture. It reminds me of some lakes around my home. I like to hang out at the water too. Do you have a special place or cherished spot as well?

WENDY: My happy place is sitting on the dock at Smith Mountain Lake, VA while reading a book. I grew up spending much of my summers there and am fortunate to be able to still spend time there. My mom used to love it too and I have very fond memories of seeing her sit in her happy place and relax with a book.

RENEE: What a great memory. I have to say, nature is such an awesome place to relax and get in touch with the Lord...and regroup. I recommend it to everyone who feels overwhelmed with the rigors of life. That includes releasing a new book! Your books are fantastic, by the way. What is your biggest challenge as an author?

WENDY: My biggest challenge is staying focused. Life has a way of interrupting at the most inconvenient times. Like when I’m in the middle of writing an action scene and a neighbor rings the doorbell to bring back my dog who happens to love breaking through the backyard fence to go visit the neighbors hoping for a treat. (She’s escaped so many times I’ve nicknamed her Houdini.)

RENEE: LOL I can relate to that. I have a hard time focusing on my writing for other reasons. You seem to compensate well though! Congratulations on your latest book, A Dad for Christmas. What makes this book unique? How did you pick your setting for this one?

WENDY: The setting for my new story is in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful place that I’ve visited many times. I love nature and I enjoy using beautiful settings for my books.

RENEE: Oh, how gorgeous. I want to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains someday. I've heard they are wonderful. And your characters? How do you make them three-dimensional, realistic?

WENDY: I have a general idea of who my characters are when I begin writing a story. As I write I get to know them more and they come to life in my mind. They have strengths and weaknesses, fears and goals and I am sure to keep these traits in mind when writing about them.

RENEE: What do you have planned for our readers with A Dad for Christmas? I know I'm excited.

WENDY: I'm giving two e-books away! The first book goes to the first person who comments on this blog. The second book will be awarded by random draw from the rest of the people who comment thereafter! I will send the books out on December 1st when they become available. 

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A Dad for Christmas

GIVEAWAY

The first book goes to the first person who comments on this blog. The second book will be awarded by random draw from the rest of the people who comment thereafter! Wendy will send the books out on December 1st when they become available. 

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RENEE: Woohoo, what an awesome giveaway! Did you here that, folks? A great book, no, two great books, up for grabs! Sorry, back to the interview... I've had to face a serious question recently, and I'm curious. What would you do if you couldn't write anymore?

WENDY: I would read and review tons of books for other authors. I appreciate support from others and have learned how vital reviews are for helping people decide which books to read.

RENEE: Readers and writers, they tend to go hand in hand, don't they? Okay, I have one last question for you then you can go back to writing your awesome books. What's your life goal?

WENDY: Well, that’s an easy question to answer and here I thought it would be a tough one... to have my books made into movies!

RENEE: That's a great one. I think that's my new goal too. :) It's movie time or should I say giveaway time?

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Comment on the interview and you may win an ebook!

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About the Book:

Tis the season for unexpected gifts.

High school teacher Reed Mason wants a family to call his own. When his prayers seem to remain unanswered, he expects to spend Christmas alone working on home improvement projects. But plans change when a chance encounter with a child's letter to God touches his heart. Inspired to help someone in need, Reed sets his sights on assisting his beautiful new neighbor. Independent-minded widow and single mom Emma Richards wants a fresh start. When she moves to Shenandoah Valley with her son, she expects to handle life's challenges on her own. But plans change when her handsome neighbor takes a sudden interest in her well-being. As Reed maneuvers his way into her heart, Emma sets out to discover his true intentions.

About the Author:

Wendy Davy is an award-winning inspirational romance writer who enjoys outdoor activities and small town charm. As you read her books, you will visit special places close to her heart. No matter where her characters come from or where they take you, it will always be an exciting journey, page after page. Ms. Davy enjoys traveling and searching for new places to include in her stories.

Website: www.wendydavy.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.davy.90

About the Miner:

Best-selling author Renee Blare has hung her hat in several states but only calls home to one...Wyoming. A bookworm by nature, she began her writing journey late in life, but her first publication, Beast of Stratton was a semi-finalist in the 2015 ACFW Genesis Contest and a best-seller on Amazon. Her second and third publication joined the ranks as well. 

A pharmacist for over twenty years, she served the veterans, the Native Americans as well as those who lived around her everyday. A warrior of CRPS, she relaxes by fishing, hunting . . . well, if and when she can . . . and picks away on her classical guitar.

Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Wyoming Black Hills, she pens her stories about every day folks facing good and bad times as they travel along the paths of their lives. She loves to interact with readers and invites you check her out on her website, blogs, and social media.

Website: https://reneeblarebooks.com/

Interview and giveaway with author Michelle Weidenbenner!!

Today I welcome Michelle Weidenbenner to The Diamond Mine!As well as the author of many books, she's a lecturer and a coach, and an encourager! Today, the focus will be on her book, Fractured Not Broken. It's  described as a true story of loss, faith, and a rare love that only happens in nonfiction. Leave a comment after the interview for a chance to win a free copy of this fine book.

Hello Michelle and welcome! You’re a speaker, coach, and encourager as well as a writer. Do you have a favorite among those roles?

The most favorite part of who I am is an encourager, because that’s something I can share in my writing, speaking and coaching.

I used to think that encouraging others was no big deal, but in helping others find their giftedness, I’ve discovered that God gave me the ability to know how to encourage others. Sometimes our most undervalued ‘magic’ has the biggest impact on other people.

Think of the last time someone complimented you or encouraged you to do something. Didn’t you think of that comment more than once afterward? Maybe it motivated you to do something.

That's so true! As believers, we're told to encourage and edify each other, so it's a very important action to encourage another! And you've made it a practice to do that for others. Good for you!

This is my first time interviewing someone who has written a non-fiction book.  Fractured Not Broken is touching everyone who reads it. It must be very gratifying to Kelly Schaefer to have you present her story so that others can be inspired. What has writing her story meant to you?

In 2004, a literary agent told me not to waste my time writing Kelly’s story. He said it would never sell, and to write it as an article. I thought he was wrong, but at the time, I didn’t know how to self-publish a book. I hadn’t published a book yet, and I didn’t know where to start, so I surrounded myself with successful self-published authors who were winning awards.

I learned the craft and went on to self-publish six books. They became best-sellers and award-winning.

I went back to Kelly and said, “We don’t need anyone now. Let’s go write and publish that book.”

Wow! What determination you showed. That's pretty awesome!

What was the part of Kelly’s story that you most wanted to be sure to tell thoroughly?

Kelly wanted to show that with faith, anything was possible.

When she signs her books she includes this Bible Verse: Phillipians 4:13.

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

That verse is a big one for me, too. A great help and comfort.What do you and Kelly think about all the positive reaction from readers?

We find encouragement when we read reviews. Sometimes I cry because of the positive way the book has impacted lives and given people hope.

However, sometimes Kelly feels like readers are wrong. They think she’s so strong, but there are many days that she doesn’t feel the strength she needs. She feels weak. When readers compliment her on her faith, she wants to say, “It’s not easy. I have dark days too.”

I think most readers probably know that she must have dark days. That doesn't make her story any less inspiring, though. I hope she knows that. :)

Writing someone else’s story must be an interesting experience. What was the most difficult aspect of it for you?

First of all, Kelly and I live five hours apart, so we had to communicate via texts and emails.

Even more challenging was the fact that Kelly is a quadriplegic, so she types with a mouth stick. It’s a slow process, so she would speak to text. Sometimes her answers didn’t make sense, and we’d laugh at what the audio interpreted.

Finally, Kelly keeps her emotions in check. I had to ask her bizarre questions like, “Describe a memory of a popsicle,” in order to find the story. For instance, asking that question opened up a powerful scene in the book that I wouldn’t have known had I not asked that question.

Kelly had to trust my opinion on where to start the story, too. She wanted to start the story at the beginning of her life. Instead, I arranged her story like it was fiction – with a hook, in the middle of the action, and shortly aftward inserted the inciting incident and obstacles that kept her from reaching her goal.

Sounds like a true collaborative effort for both of you! And it's worked out so well!

I'm curious, when did you first decide to become a writer, and why?

In 1997, after we adopted our daughter, Olivia, from a Russian orphanage, I decided not to go back to work. I wanted to stay home with her to tighten our bond.

My parents had often told me that I was a great writer, so I began my journey to write for magazines. I thought, “How hard could that be?”

Hahaha! It’s super tough to break into magazines. I’m a competive person with a fierce desire to grow and learn every day, so I studied the craft of writing and became hooked on achieving writing success in fiction and nonfiction.

You certainly have a lot of drive and perseverance! Well done!

So, of all the fiction books you’ve written, do you have a favorite?

Yes. The first book I wrote (but not the first book I published) was Scattered Links. (Originally the title was Love is Just a Word, but someone told me that sounded like a romance novel, so I changed the title after it was complete.)

I wrote this in first person, present tense, which might be my favorite. I felt closer to the emotion.

This book is about a teen orphan who has RAD – reactive attachment disorder. Many foster children and post-institutionalized children have this disorder. I wanted to bring awareness to this problem by showing a fictionalized story of a girl.

That sounds like a really interesting book. And I think your reason for writing it is admirable.

Do you prefer writing fiction or non-fiction?

Writing fiction is more fun, but nonfiction has it’s place, too. It’s a different kind of challenge, and can motivate readers in a different way.

I’m a John Maxwell Team member and love to read leadership books. I have a nonfiction book called, “Develop the Leader Within Your Child,” mapped out in my mind that I hope I live long enough to write.

To build my marketing bank, I started writing book descriptions for writers. I’ve found that many authors can’t hone their stories in a way that ‘sells’ their message to readers, so I write them. I find writing these descriptions challenging and rewarding!

Oh my, I wish I had that skill! I'm awful at writing short descriptions, but I've gotten better over time. Maybe someday I'll even like it! 

Since you have other jobs you do, how much of your time is spent writing?

Not enough!

I want to learn how to write a screen play, too. I’d like to write my thriller as a screen play.

I also have many books in my Scrivener files that are started. I need to finish them.

I just bought a new MAC. I hope it has a better microphone than my old one. I want to use the speak to type function. If I ‘write’ my next book by audio-speaking, it will be faster to get the first draft written. But editing might be a little tougher. Time will tell.

Writing a book that way would certainly be a new experience. Sounds like you've always got something new going on!What are you working on now?

I’m working on a marketing plan to launch Glow Girl, a YA supernatural novel about a girl who denies her giftedness to heal, so she fits in. 

You're certainly full of ideas and projects! I look forward to seeing all that you accomplish. Thanks so much for the interview, Michelle!
Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Fractured Not Broken!

Here are links to Michelle's social pages so you can learn more about her!

Twitter: MWeidenbenner1

https://m.facebook.com/mweidenbenner

Amazon author page:

https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Weidenbenner/e/B00E21RMNG

Website

http://michelleweidenbenner.com/

Blog:  http://randomwritingrants.com/

Michelle also has a special offer for writers who want a free copy of the FAST DRAFT - how to write 50K words in 30 days – just go here:

http://www.MichelleWeidenbenner.com/fastdraft/