Welcome to my little bit of cyber-space. It is my prayer that all who enter here may be richly blessed by the God of all grace. All praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Spotlight on April Gardner

Until a few weeks ago, April was a cyber-friend of mine whom I had met through the John316marketing network. But when I travelled to Georgia for a booksigning tour early this month, we were able to attend church with her and eat lunch with her and her family, then she spent the afternoon with me at the Books a Million signing, (which she had first told me about) and we became fast friends, so I am very pleased to introduce her to my readers today. I asked her to answer some questions so you can get to know her better.

1. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?

What an intriguing thought! Okay, let me think… “Black Beauty” was my favorite book as a child and today, my favorite book is “Behold the Dawn” by K.M.Weiland. “Behold the Dawn” is set in medieval times. The hero is a knight that fights in tourneys. A key element of the book is the horses. They’re living, breathing characters. The reader smells their musty flesh, sees the froth as it flies from their mouths, feels their muscles bunch and stretch beneath the rider’s legs. It’s safe to say that yes, there’s a connection between the two books—the horses! I adore horses.

2. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
This is always a tough question! The answer changes regularly. This week God spoke to me through the following passage:
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3:13-14 KJV

The phrase that stood out to me was “this one thing I do.” Pressing toward God’s high calling for me should be my main focus.

3. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
Guernsey Island! Two years ago, I lived a short plane ride away but never managed to make it work. This week, my children’s book “Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang” became available in e-book format, and I find myself wondering if I’ll ever have another chance to visit Guernsey.

4. I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing?
I’ll share a little secret with you. If I had to write long-hand, I wouldn’t do it. I’m dyslexic and while I overcame my reading difficulties, good handwriting and spelling continue to elude me. I tear up a keyboard, but looking at my own handwriting is very disturbing for me. So technology definitely enhances my writing. LOL. Without it, I simply wouldn’t write.

5. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
Being a writer has forced confidence into me. I’m naturally filled with self-doubt, but with each passing year that I’m a writer, I find myself being forced to write things I never would have thought I could. It constantly pushes me beyond my limits. It’s never comfortable, but it’s always helpful.

6. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
Be flexible. With your writing and with the timeline you feel should exist between now and publication. God’s plan rarely equals our own. It’s better! So keep your knees bent and be ready to jump from prayer to action. We never know what wonderful things He has in store!

7. Do you want to add anything about your book such as how to order it?Wounded Spirits Kindle edition is on sale today for $1.99. http://tinyurl.com/3klg52c But I’ll warn you that as soon as you’re done reading it, you’re going to need the sequel. The good news is that it’s now available! You can purchase your copy here: http://tinyurl.com/c5ebhlg

1 comment:

April Gardner said...

Hi Rose!! My book signing buddy. The interview was fun. Great questions! Thanks a bunch for having me today!!