A Visit with June Foster - Writer

This week I'd like to introduce a fellow writer who recently published an e-book with Desert Breeze Publishing House. Her name is June Foster (we share the same first name!)
She's been gracious enough to answer a few questions about her writing. Please leave comments.

June, thanks for joining me today. Your book looks so interesting. It's a beautiful cover. Please share a little about the book itself.

          Jess Colton can earn a PHD in computer science but can’t manage his own life.

            Raised by a doting mother and controlling father, Jess battles against his addictive nature. When Jesus comes into his life, he trades one addiction for another— alcohol for food. His doctor warns him of his poor health as his weight soared past 300 pounds. Jess is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison comes into his life and declares her affection for him. What could she possibly see in him?

            Holly Harrison has a past. But it catches up with her when she loses her leg and her unborn baby in one night as a result of a motorcycle accident. At this low point in her life, she finds strength through God and a relationship with Jesus Christ while she works as a dental hygienist.  But now, no Christian man would want her so she avoids serious relationships. She doesn’t plan on falling in love with Jess Colton. She sees past his rolls of fat to the godly, tender man inside. When Jess drives a wedge between them, she loses all hope of having a future together.

            Can Holly overcome her handicap? Does Jess find control over his eating and his life? Only God can provide the answers they need.

That really sounds like an interesting book, June. It is a problem many people face today. Addiction of any kind seems more prevalent than in the past, though maybe we're just more aware of it. People often ask me why I write, so I'll ask you the same. Why do you write? Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?

I love to tell the story about why I write. I had never written other than academically in college. After I retired from teaching, I found a story lurking around in my head. I could even see the characters and what they were doing. I happen to tell my daughter the story, and she asked me why I didn't write it. That was the spark I needed. I write fiction because I want to tell a story about characters who deal with real life issues and overcome them by the grace of God.

 When did you begin to write?

              In January 2010 I got my Toshiba laptop, took off with my husband in our RV, and started writing.

How did you get your first break as a writer?

Last September, Gail Delaney offered contracts on my Bellewood Series. I started screaming after I read her email, and my husband thought something was wrong with me. (smile)

I know the feeling. It's very exciting. How much time do you spend in preparation? In actual writing? In editing?

           Plotting a book doesn't take up the time like writing and editing. I think I spend the most time editing. In all, it takes me about 4 months to write a book.

Who is your best critic?

I'd have to say my critique groups through ACFW. They are wonderful and so helpful.

People often ask me where I do my writing. What is your writing space like?

Don't laugh. Since we live in our RV full time, my husband took out the couch and brought in a metal table and two file cabinets. It's tiny but I'm doing okay here.

You must be very organized. I know I need a neat space - doesn't have to be large, just orderly. Time wise - do you write daily? Weekly?

Definitely daily. About 10 to 12 hours per day except on Sunday then it's about five or six hours. Since I started so late in my life, I've got a lot of catching up to do and so many stories to tell.

 Do you wait for inspiration?

Most of the time, I feel the Lord inspiring me. But on occasion, I have to use a little self discipline on myself. It's not that I'm not inspired, but sometimes it just feels like hard work.

 Okay, big one coming up. Do you start with coffee?

Definitely. The first thing I do every morning is have a cup of coffee and read my Bible. Then after a short prayer time, I'm ready to go on my computer.

 Sounds like a good plan. What is your goal -  long term?

Since I began writing at an older age, my goal is to write as many books as the Lord would have for me to do and get the ones He wants published in print.

 Any advise to wanna-be's?

Yes, keep writing. All the time. Read "The Art of War For Writers" by James Scoot Bell and never give up. I'm telling myself that for my unpublished book – Ryan's Father.

Thanks so much for joining me this week, June. I pray God will bring many readers to your books and the messages you've been inspired to write will help others.

To visit June Foster's website click here:   http://junefoster.blogspot.com