Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Interview With Kay Strom and Giveaway!!


Hey everyone. I apologize for not posting this week. We are on vacation and have been really busy. But today I have an interview with Kay Strom.

Thank you for being with us today, Kay!

How long have you known you wanted to be an author?

I’ve always enjoyed writing. The first story I remember was putting down on paper was Tommy the Turtle. I was eight years old. I got endless encouragement from my teachers, especially Mrs. Eckert in 7th and 8th grades. When I was 14, she encouraged me to enter a contest run by the San Francisco News, and I won. That was my first published writing, and I was hooked. Thank God for great teachers!

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?

Grace Winslow, main character of the trilogy, has one foot in each of two worlds but she belongs in either. Is she black or white? Slave or slaver? She must decide. Then she must live with the consequences of her decisions. I would like for readers to see the power and strength that comes from taking a stand, despite the consequences. One great stand just might be to become a 21st century abolitionist!


Can you tell me a little bit about your book?

The Voyage of Promise is book 2 of the Grace in Africa trilogy. In 1792, slavers burst into Grace Winslow’s life in Africa and, with guns blazing, tear her family apart forever. She watches in anguish as her husband is led in chains aboard a tightly packed slave ship bound for America . An old enemy has a more sinister plan for Grace, and prepares her for a different kind of servitude in London . But Grace will not be enslaved. And she will not give up on the man she loves. In her determination to be reunited with her husband, she finds God reaching out to her.


Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?

I am so fortunate that I get to do so much global travel in conjunction with my books. At last count, I’ve been to 48 countries. Also, I do some speaking for cruise lines in exchange for cruises for my husband and me. How cool is that? Still, I would love to take a personal writing retreat of a month or so in some place like Tuscany or Santorini.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

Well, one would be John Grisham. I’d love to pepper him with questions about research, motivation—so many things. Maybe the other would be Geraldine Brooks. She does such great historical fiction. Oh, the things I would learn! Could you set that up for me?


What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?

The homecoming of the Sudanese refugees. I have written so much about the plight of the people in South Sudan . When I was last there, all they talked about was going home. I asked them what they needed most: Houses? Food? Gardening equipment? They said, “What we need most, is someone to teach us to forgive.” I’d love to be there with a group of Rwandan survivors, and see history happen.


Do you have a favorite hobby?

Travel. Not surprising, is it? I love seeing new places, meeting new people, and learning new things.


Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?

Several years ago, while I was in a remote location in India , I contracted malaria. Despite my raging fever and wild hallucinations, I managed to diagnose my situation and patch together a plan of action based on what the character Nate did in John Grisham’s The Testament. Thank you, John, for doing such thorough research!
Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?
Learn your craft, for writing is a craft. Then write. Write and write and write some more. Everyone gets better and better. No one gets worse and worse.

Any last thoughts for your readers?

I love the idea of fiction with a purpose. My prayer is that when they finish The Voyage of Promise—when they finish the complete Grace in Africa trilogy—they will long to see slavery wiped from the earth. And that they will want to help accomplish that goal.


Readers, Kay has offered a book for giveaway, her newest The Voyage of Promise. To enter, please leave a comment letting me know whether you have read her first book in the series. I am going to do just one entry on this one. Thanks everyone!!

This giveaway will end 9/15. Winner will be chosen through Random.org.

19 comments:

Mystica said...

I have'nt read the first book ! (would like to read both!!!!

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Kaystrom said...

Should you win, Mystica, you can choose which book you prefer me to send. Same goes for everyone else. You might rather start with book 1.
~Kay Marshall Strom

Julia M. Reffner said...

I would love to read this series!

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

karenk said...

no, i haven't read her first book...yet

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read her first book. I had not yet heard of her writing but anything relating to Africa interests me.

Sharla

oursevenblessings(at)gmail(dot)com

Ariel Wilson said...

I have not read the first book, but would like to!

pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

Pink Panther said...

I haven't read, but would certainly love to. :) Thanks for the lovely interview, Kay! You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

Ausjenny said...

I read the first one and cant wait to read the second one. The first was a riveting story and gives alot of insight into the slave trade
ausjenny at gmail dot com

apple blossom said...

I have the first book and need to move it to the top of my TBR pile. I'd love to win Book 2. thanks,

I have however read some of her Once Blind book

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Carole said...

I was intrigued by The Call of Zulina when it was released and managed to read it quickly. What a change from the light fiction I usually read! Kay, you created a chilling and haunting look at slavery in a challenging and inspirational book. I was fascinated by Grace's two worlds and can't wait to see how you resolve all the storylines in this series. Grace's parents still haunt me.

I greatly appreciate the chance to win Voyage of Promise.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Anonymous said...

Now I want to read both books, hadn't heard of them before.


CarolNWong(at)aol.com

Wendy said...

Great Interview! :)
I would love to win and read this book.
Thank you for the chance,
Wendy
wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Kay, I'm afraid I have not read any of your books but am adding you as a new author and both books on my wish list. I enjoyed your reveiw and like the story line of Voyage of Promise. Thanks for stopping by to chat with us.
Should I win, I would like to start with book 1, and then read book 2.

Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Wendy said...

I have not read the first book in this series yet.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Tori said...

I have not read it yet
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Ann Lee Miller said...

I didn't read the first book in her series.
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Gale said...

The Testament is the first book I read by John Grisham! Loved it...what a great story about how that helped Kay. She has a heart for some of the same issues I do...I would love to see slavery wiped off the earth too. So sad that it still exists!

ecarian at yahoo dot com

Jo said...

I haven't read the first book either and would love to read it.

Blessings,
Jo
ladij040(at)aol(dot)com

Katie Marie said...

I already put up a comment...but when I came back to check today, I couldn't fine mine! :-( I dont know if its too late...but thought it might be worth a try!

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

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