Interview with David Bond - Author

Dave,  welcome to my blog. It's good to have you with us this week. I'm sure my readers would be interested in learning more about you and your new e-book published by Desert Breeze Publishing House. This may seem like a strange question, but why do you write? Do you prefer fiction or non?

I write for several reasons. First, but not necessarily the main reason, I write because it’s something I can do as a blind person. For years after losing my sight (1988) I sought some kind of traditional employment. When I finally realized I wasn’t meant to travel that particular road, several things happened to point me toward writing. But secondly, and maybe this is more important, I love to write. Plain and simple! I prefer fiction over non-fiction, probably because I read primarily fiction.

When did you begin to write?

I lost my sight in 1988, ended up back at college (Lancaster Bible College) in 1992, and graduated in 1995 with a BS in Bible. I was traditionally employed until 2000, until the ministry I worked for closed its doors. So, somewhere in the early 2000s, I discovered writing and while it was on and off for a few years, I mark the early 2000s as my beginning point for my writing career.

How did you get your first break as a writer?

Around this time (early 2000s), I submitted a short article for a publication and it was accepted. It wasn’t much--earning me a whopping $50—but it was the beginning. I belonged to various online writing lists and read a lot, and at some point, maybe 2007, or 2008, I began to take writing very seriously. I guess my “first break” happened last year, when in May of 2011, my proposal for a trilogy was accepted and I signed my first contract.

How much time to you spend in preparation? In actual writing? In editing?

Unlike many writers these days, I’m able to devote the greater part of most days to writing since I don’t have any other employment. My wife works, and for 9 months of the year, our son is in school. The house is a quiet haven for me during the day, which is my preference for writing. I don’t spend all that much time in preparation, although, as I think about this, I probably spend more time than I realize. Does lying in bed at night, unable to sleep, count as prep time? I’ll come up with a story idea and create a folder, which might have only one file in it. This is the first file to go in that folder, and it’s my “notes” file. This could be my preparation time for a future project. But when I’m ready to write, I write. Having said this, I stop and think in between bursts of writing. As I tell my wife who used to wonder what I was doing—sitting at my computer as if I were sleeping—I’m thinking! AS far as editing, well, this is my least favorite chore. I know it’s vital, and when I’m going through the critiques from my critique group, while I hate it in many ways, I also know how beneficial it is.

Who is your best critic?

Hmmm. No one person. My critique group forms what amounts to my critique force. My wife isn’t a reader, so she isn’t someone I run to for help with my writing. But my mother-in-law is, and I usually have her proof my final author copy.

What is your writing space like?

I’m set up in our living room, where I have a laptop with a USB keyboard attached. It’s parked on a small computer desk, and while I end up separated from my wife and son sometimes, when they’re in the family room watching TV, it does serve as my haven. It’s a good place, and since I require quietness to write, it really does the trick.

Time wise - do you write daily? Weekly?

Daily. I’m trying to force myself not to write on Sundays. The Bible instructs us Sunday is a day of rest. Well, the trouble is, I don’t see writing as work to be perfectly honest. And when I’m in the middle of something—a scene or approaching the end—it’s very hard to walk away from my writing for a day. I don’t necessarily spend 12 hours or whatever writing, as my diabetes requires a good bit of maintenance, and I’m also not a complete drop-out parent or husband!

Do you wait for inspiration?

I guess all of us have a unique definition of inspiration. I label myself as an “inspirational” writer, so it’s probably correct to use this to describe my writing process. But in the Biblical sense, no, I am not inspired. The Scriptures were inspired writings, so I try not to present my writing as something even remotely inspired in the same sense. I might say story ideas pop into my head, as a result of God directing my thoughts. AS I type this, I see I’m sort of talking in circles! Yes, God does direct my thoughts, or at least, He is able if I’m receptive, but no, my writing is not inspired in the same way the Scriptures were.

Okay, big one here. Do you start out with coffee?

Absolutely. I’m the first one downstairs in the morning, and nothing happens until I’ve had coffee! No breakfast, no shower, no writing. One sugar cube, and a healthy dose of French vanilla creamer! I’ll do one more cup when I get ready to start my writing day, which is usually taking care of emails and not actually writing yet.

Dave, what is your goal -  long term?

For the moment, it’s to finish out my 6-book contract! I’m trying to focus on getting this task accomplished, and not just accomplished, but done well. Book 6 will be released November, 2013, with the manuscript due 4 months earlier—July, 2013. So for the moment, my goal is to this end. After that, well, I do have a notes file I’ve started for another trilogy, and which way I go with this remains to be seen. I have plenty of time to figure it out.  6-book contract?

Whoa. That is a challenge.

Any advise to wanna-be's?

Just go for it! Write in an area you are familiar with, but also write about a topic or topics you might happen to have some experience. My debut, The Attaché, has a main character who loses his eye sight. I was able to input a lot of my own experiences into this character, which helps the character, and the story, to be more authentic, but is also a little easier in many ways.


Now please tell us about your new book.

Zack Brenner is blinded after a mortar attack by insurgents in Iraq. The penetrating gaze of a woman he saw in an email before he lost his sight is seared into his memory. A failing family business back home in Pennsylvania awaits his return, and he must learn to live independently as a blind person.  Incredibly, he can’t help fall in love with the woman from the email.

Jessie Weaver narrowly escaped the North Tower on 9/11 after a brief encounter with a handsome visitor who left an attaché behind. She is determined to find him again, and her only hope is to work for the man’s family business, now owned and managed by his blinded brother Zach. Jessie faces a test of loyalty as she questions her devotion to a wandering stranger, versus her growing compassion for Zach.

Seeking to accomplish something, Zach is determined to climb his beloved mountain. A long buried family secret emerges, and a madman threatens the lives of Zack and Jessie. The Attaché is a story about overcoming obstacles, acceptance, and trust.

Is there truth in the words found in Scripture? “With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”

It sounds very interesting and you have agreed to offer a free e-book copy to someone selected from those who leave comments. We will select the recipient next Saturday - so please, dear readers, leave Dave a comment here and maybe you'll be the lucky person to receive a copy of his new book. Best wishes, Dave, and thanks for joining me this week.

Book Review for THE LANDLORD

Received a 4-cup (same as 4-star) rating today from a reviewer of Coffee Time Romance Blog. Thought I'd share it with you.

THE LANDLORD JUNE BRYAN BELFIE ISBN- 978-1-61252-121-3 December, 2011 Desert Breeze Publishing http://www.DesertBreezePublishing.com E-book $ 5.99 118 Pages Inspirational/Christian Romance Rating: 4 Cups Kristen has been struggling with finding a job; she has been barely surviving, but is determined to do it on her own. Things soon start to look up with a job teaching art, but her love life is in shambles. Dave happens upon the scene as the new landlord for Kristen’s apartment building. He is engaged, but is unsure of his relationship with his fiancé and finds he has more in common with Kirsten. Even though they got off on the wrong foot, Kristen and Dave seem to form a friendship. Kirsten has feelings that she hopes Dave will reciprocate. Has God drawn them together, or is this just a growing period for them both? What a wonderful sweet romance. I could so connect to Dave and Kristen as I could vividly see the background they lived in because I actually live just a stone’s throw away from where the story is set. How is that for romance in your own backyard! I love the faith in God that the characters have and that they are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs. This was a fun, fast, feel good read with characters you will enjoy reading about. Matilda Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Thanks for visiting my blog. Here is a trailer for "Moving On," an e-book available at your favorite bookstore.

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

Inspirational sermons

Our pastor, Erik Miller, has been preaching spirit-filled sermons that should be shared. Please take the time to watch his videos found at www.bloomsburgchristianchurch.org. Praise the Lord for this Godly man.

The Landlord - A romantic Christian novel in e-book form