Wednesday, May 12, 2010

An Interview with Deborah Raney and Giveaway of Almost Forever

Readers, today I have a wonderful author with us! She has written many books and she has offered one of my blog readers the chance to win, Almost Forever. Her newest release!! Please read through the interview because you will have to answer a question at the end to enter the giveaway:)

What a blessing to have you with us today, Deborah!
How long have you known you wanted to be an author?
Thanks so much, Charity. It's great to get to spend time with your blog readers! I've known I wanted to write a book since the summer I was 11 and read all the Little House on the Prairie books. I think that was the first time I really connected that books had authors...that it was an occupation you could aspire to! That was an exciting discovery for me!

You have some very interesting plots. Where do you get the ideas for your books?
Ideas are EVERYWHERE! Many of my plots have sprung from real life stories (though, of course, I change every possible detail to make the story my own). I might read a newspaper article that makes me ask "what if?" questions, and from there, my mind is off and running. Other times, I create a scenario around a social issue or a moral question that I want to explore. Leading my characters through a difficult situation (or letting them lead me, is probably more accurate!) is a great way to explore an issue, and discover what I think about it, or more importantly, what GOD thinks about it.

Are you a pretty regimented writer?
Um...I am when I have to be. I am the world's worst procrastinator (just ask my husband!) especially in the early stages of writing a book, but once I get down to the wire––usually about 4 months before a first draft is due––then I know I must get serious in order to make my deadline. I've only been late on a couple of books, and then with my editor's blessing––or at least permission. : )

Is there someone you would love to meet? Or would loved to have met?
I would have loved to have met two of my favorite authors from my teenage and young adult years, Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price. Their books gave me so much enjoyment, and even mentored me in my formative years as a writer. I wish I'd had the chance to thank them while they were still here. Of course, I think I'll get that chance in heaven.

Do you have a place you would love to visit? Maybe a vacation spot, overseas or a certain monument, etc?
I've wanted to travel through Europe for as long as I can remember. I really love traveling and hope to do more of it now that we're empty nesters. Our oldest son just moved to Berlin last month, so we're excited about visiting him some day, and grateful that we'll have a tour guide and a free place to stay when we go! Another favorite place is the city of my birth, San Antonio, Texas. My parents moved away from there when I was five months old, and I had never returned until about twelve years ago. It was in February, the weather was glorious, and we stayed in a charming B&B right on the Riverwalk! I'd love to repeat that trip again some winter!

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?
It would have been incredible to be present at that stable in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born, or at the tomb the first Easter Sunday morning when the stone was rolled away.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
My closest friends all know this, but it would probably be news (boring news, but still new information LOL!) to my readers: I love to rearrange my furniture. I always figure if I have to move it to vacuum under it anyway, I may as well try a new arrangement as long as I'm scooting heavy stuff around. And there's something about changing things around in my house that makes me always feel like I have a brand new home, brand new furniture and decor. I think it helps me be more content with the possessions I have, and I even think the changes spark my creativity as a writer, helping me view things from a little different perspective.

Can you tell me a little bit about the next books in this series?
The Hanover Falls Novels series all focus on the survivors of five fallen firefighters who band together to deal with their grief and loss after a tragic fire in the town's homeless shelter. Book 2, Forever After, features Jenna Morgan whose husband died in the fire, and Lucas Vermontez, a firefighter whose injuries have stolen his ability to return to the force, and with it, his will to live. The heroine of Book 3, After All, is Susan Marlowe, another widow of a fallen firefighter and the director of the homeless shelter. I'm working on rewrites of Forever After, before returning to the first draft of After All...and falling in love with Hanover Falls and its people (all figments of my imagination!) all over again.

And any last thoughts for your readers?
I just want to say thank you to my readers and remind you that you are the fuel that runs my creative engine! I appreciate each reader more than I can ever express. Thank you for your loyalty and for sharing news of my books with your friends.

And where can they contact you?

I love hearing from my readers and do my best to answer every email or letter. Readers can contact me through my website: http://www.deborahraney.com on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=548613938&ref=profile or via snail mail through the address of my publisher in the back of each of my books.

Thanks again for being with us today!!
Thank YOU, Charity! It was my pleasure.

READERS!! To enter the giveaway, answer this question. What 2 people did Deborah want to meet? Leave your answer in a comment:) Please do not just leave a comment saying enter me. I hate to not count somebody when I go to pick the winner, but you have to follow directions.

Extra entries- 1. Follow my blog. If you already follow, leave a comment stating you are:)
2.Tweet about this giveaway. You can tweet every day so that gives you at least 7 entries if you tweet every day. Just come back and leave your link in a comment:)
3.Blog about this giveaway. Then come leave a comment with the link.
4.Go to Deborah's site and look around. She gives the link up top:DThen come back and tell me another title you would love to read:)

This giveaway will end 5/19. Winner chosen by random.org.

46 comments:

misskallie2000 said...

Deborah, I loved your interview. I enjoy finding out why an author chose that subject for their book. To dream about it is really amazing. Thanks for stopping by to chat today.

I agree that Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price would be wonderful authors to be able to sit down and talk with. I enjoyed reading both.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I am a blog follower


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Follow via twitter(@misskallie2000)

tweet 5-12-10
misskallie2000 "Giveaway Lady: An Interview with Deborah Raney and Giveaway of Almost Forever"
less than 5 seconds ago via web

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I would love to read Remember to Forget.

Everyone at one time has wished for this chance to start over.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

This book sounds so good! I really like the cover too! Please enter me! :)

I am a blog follower already! :)

I visited Deborah Raney's site and I definitely want to read "A Prairie Christmas Collection" when it comes out in the fall!

Thanks and God bless!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Jo said...

I really enjoyed your interview.

I loved to read Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price when I was younger. Always thought that they were awesome writers. Please enter me.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Wendy said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price.
I like both of those authors too. I keep going back to some of Catherine Marshalls books.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

runner10 said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price. Would definitely be interesting to meet them.
csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

I am a follower.

Jan Marie said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Prica are both authors that many readers would share Deborah's desire to meet.

I am a follower of your blog and I also visited Deborah Raney's web site. I have read many of her books but the one that I noticed on her site that I haven't read and would like to read is "Remember to Forget."

Thanks for making books available and for your interesting interviews.

janmarien(at)embarqmail(dot)com

Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith said...

Great interview. Really fun. Thanks,

Bill ;-)

billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-giveaway-dead-or-alive.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/

Julia M. Reffner said...

I would love to meet Eugenia Price and Catherine Marshall, too. Both are extraordinary in the fields of both fiction and nonfiction.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Ronie Kendig said...

It totally makes sense that Deb wants to meet Catherine Marshall or Eugenia Price. She's got the same beautiful spirit. Totally I can't resist registering to win. I love the concept of this book. Also, Deb's writing is amazing, and she's a beautiful person-she has so many writerly tips available on her site. How can you NOT want this book?

Thanks so much for this interview--and I'm glad to finally "meet" you this way. :-D I'll be emailing you back.

Deborah Raney said...

Charity, thanks so much for the great interview. FUN questions! And great to hear all your comments, and to see some great friends here (waving at Ronie!)

Best wishes to all!
Deb~

Nora said...

Good interview. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Deborah's new book. It really looks good. I enjoyed getting to know Deborah better and that she'd like to meet Eugenia Price and Catherine Marshall very interesting and powerful women.

Thanks for putting my name in the hat.

Nora
Finding Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Karen Lange said...

The interview was good; thanks for sharing it! It's always fun to learn more about our favorite writers. I'd love to be entered and I am a follower.
Thanks and blessings,
Karen
klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com

Deborah Vogts said...

Please enter me. I'm a big fan of Deb's. ;)

I twittered:

Book drawing Almost Forever by Deborah Raney - http://giveawaygal.blogspot.com/2010/05/interview-with-deborah-raney-and.html
less than 5 seconds ago via web

Jaedyn said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price. :) Both good choices!

I would love to be entered to win - I absolutely love Deb Raney's books!

Lindsey
kindredspiritreviews at gmail dot com

Jaedyn said...

I follow your blog!

Jaedyn said...

I tweeted this giveaway, too:

http://twitter.com/kindred_spirit/statuses/13887596598

Nanbon44 said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price would be Deborah's people she would love to meet. I need to become a follower as I too just love Biographies and I don't want to miss out on a possible giveaway for them, Most other books end up walking out the door with my daughter, she always has her nose in a book and her daughter is following in her mother's footsteps as well.

sustahl said...

She would have liked to have met Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price.

rsmstahley @ adelphia dot net

sustahl said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/rsmstahley/status/13894042607

Johnny said...

GFC Follower
johnnystruckwash at gmail dot com

Mark said...

I'd like to enter
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mark said...

I am a follower
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mark said...

I tweeted about it
http://twitter.com/buzzie1969/status/13914995469

marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

sustahl said...

Daily tweet

http://twitter.com/rsmstahley/status/13941209514

rsmstahley @ adelphia dot net

cozymysterygirl said...

Thanks Deborah for a wonderful interview. i look forward to reading your books.What a treat it will be for you when in heaven you will get to meet
Catherine Marshall,as well as Eugenia Price.Please enter me into the giveaway thanks
God bless Kellie

Sheri ~ Tx said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price they are both great authors! I am a follower too! I have been wanting to read this book so thanks for the opportunity to win it!

rse at valornet.com

Edna said...

I follow your blog


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I tweeted@mrsred49


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

Deborah would like to meet , Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I would like to read Deborah's book "Beneath A Southern Sky" I am from SC and love to read about the south.

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Jackie S. said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price! I agree.
Please enter me. Thanks!!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Jackie S. said...

I follow your blog!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Jackie S. said...

In visiting her site, I have read ALL of her books.....and loved them all!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Ashley said...

answer; Catherine Marshall and Eugina Price.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Ashley said...

I'm a follower.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

Hey Charity,

Please enter me for the drawings.

What 2 people did Deborah want to meet?
Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price.

Thanx

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

And I am already a google follower.

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

I would love to read all Deborah's books but I will go with Yesterday's Embers first.

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

Have tweeted the giveaway today...

http://twitter.com/estherym

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Elise said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price
caliblue7 at yahoo dot com

Elise said...

GFC Follower
caliblue7 at gmail dot com

Johnny said...

Oops I forgot to answer question when I posted a few days ago. Here is the answer. Deborah wanted to meet Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price.
johnnystruckwash at gmail dot com

Mom vs. the boys said...

Catherine Marshall and Eugenia Price.

momvstheboys at gmail dot com

great interview!

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