Monday, August 16, 2010

Giveaway and Author Interview: The Fence My Father Built

Welcome to Writing for Christ Linda Clare! Thank you for being with us today.


Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m a reformed public school art teacher turned writing instructor and novelist. I teach for a community college and for George Fox Evangelical Seminary in Portland. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, I graduated Arizona State University and moved to Oregon in the mid-1980s. I’m married to a cool Ex-Marine named Brad and we have 4 grown kids and 5 cats.

1: How long did you write before you were published?

I had to learn everything. While my friends all made the big time, I published articles, poems and booklets for years before Lost Boys and the Moms Who Love them (Waterbrook, 2001), released, and that was with Melody Carlson and Heather Harpham Kopp. Then I wrote two more nonfiction books with Kristen Johnson Ingram, including Making Peace with a Dangerous God (Revell, 2005). I wrote my debut novel The Fence My Father Built (Abingdon Press) fifteen years before it was published in 2009. I say that to encourage those who fear they’ll never be published. Not that I’m bitter, of course. But I longed to publish a book by myself.

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

Oprah, here I come! The next day, practically, she announced her retirement. Do you think I scared her off? Seriously, I almost fainted. To see only my name on the cover—no offense, coauthors—was a thrill.

3: What are you working on now?

So glad you asked! I’m finishing up an historical novel, From Where the Sun Now Stands, about Dinah Clark, a Kansas girl in the 1880s whose parents send her to an Idaho mission outpost to break up a relationship they don’t approve of. There she meets real-life characters Sue and Kate McBeth, missionaries to the Nez Perce Indians. But when she falls for another dangerous suitor, Dinah must come to grips with her beliefs and her faith.

4: Where can readers find out more about your books?

On my blog, Linda Clare’s Writer’s Tips, (http://godsonggrace.blogspot.com/ ) I give writing tips and also update readers on my writing. Facebook, Shoutlife and Twitter are other ways readers can stay in touch. The Fence My Father Built is available from brick and mortar bookstores, on Amazon, ChristianBook Distributors and Abingdonpress.com and Cokesbury.com sites.

5: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

God loves you! In my stories, my characters usually discover or rediscover a part of God they couldn’t see before, so God’s grace is a big theme for me. Redemption is what happens when you see what was there all along: God’s love—there for you.

6: What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?

The first thing I usually think of is that my left arm and hand are paralyzed from polio I contracted in infancy. I type one-handed and as long as I’m not transcribing someone else’s words, I type fairly fast. Another thing most people don’t know is that I had a brief career as a professional singer. Very brief, very long ago.

Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?

Since I teach and blog about writing, I’d like to encourage all readers who’d like to write but wonder if they have the time, talent or other properties necessary. There is a big secret to being a writer: you must write. You must write when there isn’t time. You must write a lot of awful, bad, no-good stuff (yes, even those writers called by God) in order to practice that 10,000 hours necessary. You must be willing to write no matter how ungifted you feel, no matter how many editors reject or cruel folks say you stink. Writing is a craft. You can learn a craft. If you feel God’s call to write, get busy and write at Absolute Top Speed.

Readers here is your chance to enter to win Linda's novel: The Fence My Father Built. Leave a comment with your email address. IF I DRAW YOUR NAME AND THERE IS NO EMAIL ADDRESS YOU WILL NOT WIN!

For extra entries:
~be a follower
~be an email subscriber
And a NEW one:
~Follow Linda's blog HERE

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items of said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter!
Contest ends on August 27th.

59 comments:

  1. It looks really good! Please enter me!

    God bless!

    ~Katie G.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am a GFC follower.


    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am an email subscriber.


    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am now a follower of Linda's blog. Thanks again!

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Please enter me!

    I am a follower.

    I now follow Linda's blog.

    Thanks!

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoy Linda's writing tips.

    Follow Linda's blog.

    And I follow yours.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to win this book! Thanks.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am a follower.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a follower of Linda's blog.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to read this book!

    I'm a follower.

    I'm a subscriber.

    I now follow Linda's blog.

    bluerosesheart(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Everyone here is SO friendly and sweet. I feel welcome and encouraged and I'm not even on the Operation Encourage an Author thing yet! Thanks to all my new friends and the ones who already follow my blog too. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  12. Book sounds really good. Thanks for giving away a copy.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please enter me. naburcaw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a follower. naburcaw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the cover art on The Fence My Father Built. I also love debut novels and would love to win a copy of this one. Thank you for the chance.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a GFC follower

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am an email subscriber.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Seeing the cover you just know it's going to be good and the interview helps too. Thanks for giving me the chance to win this book! ybutler@oppcatv.cp,

    ReplyDelete
  19. I now follow Linda's blog by Google Friend Connect. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I follow on Writing for Christ blog by Google Friend Connect. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I subscribe by e-mail. Thanks for all the extra entries. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. This book is on my "wish" list...so please enter me. Thanks!!
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  23. Please enter me!

    I'm a follower and subscriber.

    Doreen

    priviesandprims at yahoo .com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love Christian fiction and this sounds very good. I would love to win this book.

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm a GFC follower

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm an email subscriber

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow Linda's blog

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. This sounds like a great book.

    Amy S.
    artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'd love to win!
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sounds like a great book I would love to win it!

    I'm an email subscriber!

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have seen this book and it sounds interesting. Great cover!!

    Sheri

    hspruitt {at} juno {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm a follower via Google and Bloglines.

    Thanks! Sheri

    hspruitt {at} juno {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm an email subscriber too!

    Thanks

    Sheri

    hspruitt{at} juno {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I also am following Linda's blog via Bloglines.

    Thanks!

    Sheri

    hspruitt {at} juno {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  35. This sounds really good.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Please enter me in the drawing

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. The Fence My Father Built
    sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am an email subscriber.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Please enter me in this awesome giveaway!

    Blessings!
    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOt com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I subscribe to WforC!

    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I follow WforC!

    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow Linda's Blog!

    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love to win this book, thanks.

    sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi! Enter me please! I am a subscriber, follower and am now a follower of Linda's! Thanks!

    latawniakintz[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Yes, I would love to win this book. Am so blessed by those I have already read. Juanita W
    whisper97304@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm an email subscriber, a GFC follower, and now a follower of Linda's blog. I love first novels and would love to win a copy of The Fence My Father Built.
    Thanks!
    God Bless Writing for Christ commenters and writers.

    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  48. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am a follower of Linda's blog

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'd love a chance to read this book.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love this interview, especially the advice given on writing. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I subscribe via email. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I would love to read this book.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am an e-mail subscriber.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I follow this blog.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Please enter me.

    Wendy
    ebeandebe at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I really enjoyed your interview!

    The cover if :The Fence My Father Built" really grabs my attention and makes me want to start reading right away. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    Casey, I'm a follower of Writing for Christ and Operation Encourage an Author. I am also a subscriber to via email. I just signed up to follow Linda's blog.

    Hope it's okay I put all of this on one post instead of different ones.

    Blessings to you both ~
    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net
    bgrider2[at]cox[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  58. I would LOVE this book.

    mmgilley104 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I really enjoyed Linda's interview. Thanks for the info and chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)