This week I’m hosting Ronie Kendig with Dead Reckoning and Allie Pleiter with Easter Blessings. If you want to enter the drawing for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to
leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (Mar. 7th) evening.
Interview with Ronie Kendig:
1. What made you start writing?
In all honesty? I think what made me start writing was twofold: 1.) It was a form of escapism as a young girl, and in my storyworlds, I found a place nobody else could affect or touch—the stories could end happily. And 2.) I remember having a distinct revelation at the age of 9, shortly after we moved from Massachusetts to Texas, that I did not know what other people were doing or thinking. I also remember being quite put out with that realization. I’ve always been a people-watcher, always wanted to know why are people doing this or that. I believe that’s where my love of storycrafting started.
2. How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?
I’ve been writing since my early teens, but it wasn’t until 2002 that I stepped up to the plate and committed myself to getting published. I signed my first contract in 2007.
3. How do you handle rejections?
I still consider myself a newbie writer (in terms of being published) but I’ve really learned along the road that rejections just come with the territory. Really and truly, what I write doesn’t fit with every publisher. So, after a grande cinnamon dolce from Starbucks, maybe some pastry (I’m not really a chocolate gal, believe it or not), and a few tears, I just keep writing and plugging along. I am so grateful for my agent, Steve Laube, who has trained me to see things from a publishing perspective, rather than from a “What did I do wrong?” perspective. ☺
4. Why do you write?
I write because I can’t NOT write. For years I thought it was a joke when I said, “it’s my therapy.” But it truly is. I’m not a very nice person when I can’t write or don’t get to write. Beyond that, or should I say GREATER than that, is that I believe with all my heart, God has called me to this. I can’t step off the field now that the game’s in play.
5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
Probably bumming around the house, watching TV series (I don’t get to do that now because I write at night). Or I might be working on my master’s degree (maybe . . . if I was feeling especially sadistic).
6. What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m working DIGITALIS, Book #2 of the Discarded Heroes, 4-book series with Barbour Publishing. I’m also stepping into the copyedits for NIGHTSHADE, book #1 that releases in July, as well as launching my debut title, DEAD RECKONING.
7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
I suppose all authors do that in a way. Definitely the faith/theology in any story I write is mine, but other than that . . . I’m not so sure. Actually, I find it ironic that I thrive on writing action/adventure since I am so not a risk-taker, and I’m *not* confrontational, much like Shiloh Blake in Dead Reckoning. She’s an in-your-face type of gal, and I am avoid conflict like the plague.
8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
When underwater archeologist Shiloh Blake finds herself in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash during her first large-scale dig, she flees for her life. Is the man trailing her an enemy or a protector sent by her CIA father? Who is he and how is always one step ahead? The only way to prevent a nuclear meltdown means joining forces with this man. Will Shiloh violate her vow to never become involved in her father’s web of intrigue and mystery? Can she reconcile her past and with her father? Will Shiloh allow God to help her through this ordeal of mistrust, uncertainty, and lethal danger?
9. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep writing. Always write. Time won’t magically appear. Just like our quiet time with the Lord, we must always carve out the time to write. It requires commitment and dedication. I love what my agent says: the only people who fail at writing are those who quit. God’s gifted you to write. Use it to His glory and savor the pleasure of using the gift He gave!
10. How important is faith in your books?
Faith is central to my life and very existence, so it’s the same in my books. While I don’t saturate the story with my faith, it does arise and I will always point readers toward Christ’s redemptive and unconditional love.
11. What themes do you like to write about?
My passion is crafting stories that portray broken lives and the hope they find through the light of Christ. I believe my mission is to be a bridge between the hurting of the world (Christian and non-Christian) and Christ. If I can encourage just one person through my writing, my mission is accomplished.
12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
This almost feels like a trick question. 😀 I have loved every story I’ve written to date, but my favorite . . . well, it’s a story that doesn’t fit my trademark Action/Adventure. It’s a space opera called Brand & Bound. It has everything—action, romance, handsome hero, feisty heroine, other worlds but it is also wholly readable by those who don’t read in the speculative genre.
Why is it my favorite? Good question. I haven’t really examined “why?” before, but I think because the characters are so fascinating, the plot compelling, and well . . . it doesn’t have your traditional “happy” ending but it was the only ending that would work. I knew the hero so intimately, I knew no other ending would uphold his honor and character. Friends who read/critiqued it tell me that it’s still one of their favorites too.
13. What is your writing schedule like?
I am a night-owl writer. Since I homeschool my four kiddos, it’s not possible for me to write during the day. As a matter of fact, I’ve tried writing during the day, and well, let’s just say the result wasn’t pretty and I had to replace some decorations in the house. ☺ To the best of my ability, I write every day. I don’t write toward a word count goal. Instead, I decide whether I’m going to write a chapter or two or just a scene. Then, I stay up until that’s done.
