Friday, March 14, 2014

Interview with Donita Paul and #Giveaway for Book and Necklace!!

Today I have an interview with Donita K Paul. Some of you I am sure remember the features I have done with her in the past but today she is here with a new book, One Realm Beyond. This is in the fantasy genre but I am quite sure it will be good judging the previous books I have read. And Donita has graciously offered to host a giveaway of her book and a necklace!! This will be to one winner in the US.

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

I wrote stories as a kid, but I don’t really remember. Relying on my mother’s memory for that. At thirteen, our little clique of girlfriends wrote all week, then had a sleepover on Friday night where we read each others work. I loved it, but I didn’t want Kay Telford to show up. If she came, her story was always the best. If she didn’t come, mine was the best. Or at least, I thought so. 

Can you tell me a little bit about your latest book? 

The first in a trilogy called Realm Walkers, One Realm Beyond is about two young people embarking on their careers as realm walkers. Walkers are like the Knights of the Round Table. They have very high standards, believe in defending and helping the weak, and being personally dedicated to the virtues. However, the world is corrupt, and they soon discover that some of the good guys are actually the villains. What makes the stories fun is the fantasy aspect.  There are shapeshifting dragons. One of the dragons has a pet cat. Our heroine wears outrageous outfits and crowns. Her crowns enhance her natural abilities. Check out her Pinterest board. http://www.pinterest.com/donitakpaul/bixby-styling/

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?
This is a question I refuse to answer. As a Christian author, it’s kind of expected that I have some great, important doctrinal truth to impart. I don’t. I just write stories I’d like to read. Now,  I’ve been a Christian a long time, so of course, my beliefs about the Christian walk sneak in there. But anytime I deliberately set out to prove a point, my writing becomes stilted and didactic. So I avoid that. I often see something that God has impressed on me after I write a scene, but still it’s better not to say anything. My readers email me to say they learned such and such from a certain chapter. I marvel at what the Holy Spirit does. Because I sure didn’t plant that lesson in there.

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

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
My two grown kids. And that happens once in a while.
If you could be an extra in a TV show, which would you choose?
Dr. Who, and honestly I’ve wanted to be on Sesame Street for 30 years, but the old SS not the new politically correct version.

Do you have a favorite movie?
Stardust, Enchanted, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Nanny McPhee, Ella Enchanted. Are you seeing a trend here?

What are your favorite types of books?
Picture books! I have two giant bookcases of picture books. I remember reluctantly giving up picture books when I was old enough for chapter books. But the collection testifies that I never really gave them up.
As an adult I read widely: cozy mysteries, westerns, romance, historicals, contemporaries, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and women’s fiction. I do not read drama as in everybody is sad and gets sadder and the world is gloomy and gets gloomier. If a book is humorous as well as a good story, I like it even more. I have given myself the freedom to put a book down without finishing. I used to make myself finish and only stopped in the middle if I ran into explicit sex, profanity, or vulgarity. I can handle mass murder as long as it isn’t graphic. 

When you invite guests for dinner, what is your favorite meal to serve?
Texas chili with sweet cornbread. I served this so often when my kids were young that if I started making chili, they’d ask who was coming to dinner. I learned how to make cornbread from Norma, a maid who came to help my mother when we lived in the south. It is the best cornbread ever! And she was a sweet, sweet lady.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
I’m a third generation teacher. My family tends to be teachers or engineers. My son is the fourth generation teacher, and my daughter married and engineer, which counts in our family.

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer? Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Never stop learning the craft. Exercise your skills to sharpen them.

Any last thoughts for your readers?
I have a friend who is a cognitive learning specialist. That means she really knows more about how your brain works than anyone has the right to know. She pushes reading. Reading books, e-readers, whatever. But read. It is amazing what goes on in your brain when you read. Read from a variety of media in order to maximize the potential health of your brain.
So, to you people who already read, read some more!

And how can they connect with you?
www.donitakpaul.com
http://www.pinterest.com/donitakpaul/
https://www.facebook.com/don.k.p

Thanks so much for being a guest here today!

So, anyone interested yet? One winner will receive the book, One Realm Beyond, and a necklace. Giveaway is US only and will end 3/29. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.


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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

24 comments:

TahiriVeila said...

I love Mrs. Paul's books! DKC is my favorite series by her so far (I haven't gotten hold of her other series yet, hopefully will soon). My favorite genre (if it counts) is Christian fiction (which covers fantasy, sci-fi, historical, contemporary, and more). :)

McClelan said...

I love reading interviews with Mrs. Paul. Her writing is fantastic and she's such a wonderful and sweet lady. I've read many of her books and not one disappointed me. I can't wait to read more!

Brandi M said...

Love this interview! And Texas chili, haha. Thanks for the giveaway :)

Linda B said...

It's been fun reading various interviews with Mrs. Paul and learning new things every time. She is such an encouragement to young writers and even not-so-young writers!

Angie Quantrell said...

I am a diehard fan of the DragonSpell series written by Donita K. Paul. She has done it again with One Realm Beyond - love it! So glad that she is working one the second one in the series. That means I can read more that much quicker! Fun characters and good versus evil. :) I recommend it!

Melody said...

I'm excited to read your new book!

Ann Summerville said...

What a lovely interview. The best authors are the ones who write what they would want to read not what they think others might enjoy.
Can't wait to read the book.
Ann

Anonymous said...

I'm reading Dragonspell right now and I love it so far. It's amazing. One of my favorite genres of books to read is fantasy.

Donna said...

Definitely fantasy. And the Dragon Keeper Chronicles is one of my favorites.

Ladywillowgrey Ancalimon said...

I have always loved Mrs Paul's books. I have many fond memories of sitting in bed with my sister reading aloud the Dragon Keeper Chronicles (I would do the voices and everything). :D

Cheryl Secomb said...

Thank you for your advice to writers and readers, Mrs. Paul. I really enjoyed One Realm Beyond. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!

Anonymous said...

My favorite genres of books to read are suspense, adventure, horror, and fantasy which mostly are Christian books. I really love fantasy books with dragons in them! The best books that I have ever read with dragons in them are Donita K. Paul’s book series the “Dragon Keeper Chronicles” and the “Chiril Chronicles.”

Donita K. Paul said...

I shall give away the secret of Texas chili. It is a tablespoon of cocoa powder. not hot cocoa mix. the old fashioned powder in a can.
You all have been very kind with your comments. they make me want to write faster.

Sherrylinn said...

Definitely suspense! They keep me on my toes. I stick to Christian genre for the most part, started out because I was sick of the language and explicit sex in "non-christian". Now because it helps me in my walk with God. It's amazing (or maybe not...) how the Lord works in us.

Aaron said...

I'd love to see you on Doctor Who, Mrs. Paul! Or something from one of your stories, shapeshifting dragons would fit right in. ;) Great interview! Can't wait for the next book in the Realm Walkers series. :D

Nancy said...

I love to read mysteries.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

I entered the Home at Last giveaway.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

I entered the Dial giveaway.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

I entered the Glory of the Heart giveaway.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Gala said...

I like sci-fi and fantasy books

Evelyn said...

Dragons are a favorite of mine.

Coolestmommy said...

I love historical romance (especially Scottish) and fantasy/sci-fi. I appreciate Donita Paul's books because I want a fantasy story that can be inspirational or have a Christian bent. I enjoy her books so much and am happy that my kids can read them, too.

Bamabooklover said...

I've never read any of your books but would love to give them a try. And yes, you need to visit Hawaii and Alaska; I've been to Hawaii (my favorite vacation ever) and still dreaming of Alaska.

Anonymous said...

I received the necklace and book I won this weekend. Thank you so much. I am going to share with my granddaughter as both are right up her alley...Thank you again!
Bamabooklover

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