If you want to enter the two drawings for the week, leave a comment with your email address or email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday night.
A.K. Arenz’s interview:
1. What made you start writing?
An overwhelming desire to tell stories.
2. How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was about 12 – that’s when I actually penned more than just short pieces. When did you sell your first book? July of 2007.
3. How do you handle rejections?
I’d like to be able to say that I just let them roll off my shoulders and continue on as though nothing adverse has happened, but that wouldn’t be true. I get down and wonder why I keep putting myself through all the disappointments. Then I’ll pray and ask for direction. I’m afraid I don’t always listen as closely as I should, though.
4. Why do you write?
Because not doing so just isn’t an option.
5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
Probably wasting my time playing Spider Solitaire!
6. What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on the second in The Bouncing Grandma Mysteries series – The Case of the Mystified M.D.
7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
As a rule, no. But in The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, Glory – the main character – shares more than a few character traits with me.
8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
The Case of the Bouncing Grandma finds fifty-two year old Glory Harper stuck in a wheelchair and bored out of her mind. As a result, she finds herself watching new neighbors move in at the end of her cul-de-sac – not a particularly kosher form of entertainment. When she spots a foot dangling from the back of a rolled-up carpet as it’s being carried into the neighbors’ house, it’s the start of an adventure of a totally unexpected kind.
9. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Study, study, study the craft – and if you truly feel called to write, DON’T GIVE UP!
10. How important is faith in your books?
As faith is the backbone of my life, it’s only normal for it to be the guiding light of my characters’ lives, too.
11. What themes do you like to write about?
Faith, hope, love, forgiveness
12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
This is a hard one. Grandma is totally different from anything I’ve done before and because it’s my first published novel, I’ll have to go with it.
13. What is your writing schedule like?
I need to BE on a schedule? Afternoons and evenings are usually my best writing times.
