Bloggers interview Donna Marie Lanheady...

This month, I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by several book blogs, all of whom I want to thank for hosting me on their sites and promoting Whoever You Are.

Following are highlights from each of the interviews including links so you can visit their blogs!

I Am A Reader Not A Writer: (click link for full interview)

What inspired you to want to become a writer?
Being a reader is what inspired me, and it still does. I love reading a variety of genres, experiencing different worlds, getting to know different characters. To say I am passionate about books doesn’t really do it justice. Books are like air and water to me. I cannot live without them.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
You could say there are elements of me in every character I write. Sometimes it’s closely related to me such as a similar experience or a similar emotional reaction. Sometimes it’s more distant such as a conversation I overheard or an event I happened to witness. Bottom line, every character springs from a seed in my imagination, but every seed materializes from my life experience.

Favorite places to travel?
I love to go to the beach or to the mountains. Walking in the surf and hiking in the woods are two of my favorite activities partly because Simon, my golden retriever mix, accompanies me on both.

Print or Ebook?
Now that’s a tough one. I have a bookcase full of collectible books, most are leather bound, and quite a few are signed. It took me years to accumulate them. I love every single one of those books! On the other hand, I’m not sure how I’d live without my kindle, which contains hundreds of books in one lightweight, convenient package. How cool is that? Besides, once I slapped a leather cover on it, it fit right in!

Mrs. Mommy Booknerd: (click link for full interview)
What is your favorite thing about being an author? 

The best part is hearing from readers that the story resonated with them, that the characters made them laugh or cry, or that the premise made them ponder something in their own lives. It’s thrilling to learn my imagination created a story that came to life for them.

What is the toughest part of being an author?
The actual writing itself can be excruciatingly difficult. I read a quote recently from Ernest Hemingway where he said: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Leave it to Hemingway to depict it so succinctly.

Which character from ANY book are you most like?
Every time I read a book, I imagine myself experiencing what the characters go through but from their perspective. For me, part of the fun of reading is to try on different personas and see what life is like for them, so I’m more inclined to enjoy my differences with a character than my similarities. That’s the long way of me saying I don’t have an answer!

What inspired your book covers?
I chose covers that illustrated locales that were pertinent to each story. Both novels take place in and near Boulder, Colorado. The cover for Where Secrets Lie is derived from a photo of Boulder Creek, and the cover for Whoever You Are is derived from a photo of The Flatirons.

Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf: (click link for full interview)
Can you tell me a little bit about your current book & what inspired it?
Whoever You Are explores the various ways people define themselves and what can happen when something you think defines you changes. It’s a topic that intrigues me. People often don’t think of themselves the same way you see them, and I think that’s interesting. It got me wondering why we choose to define ourselves the way we do and whether/how those choices actually affect who we are.

What do you hope that readers take away with them after reading your book?
For me, the goal of writing is to create an experience that feels real with characters who come to life and to do it in a way that’s both entertaining and thought provoking.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

I don’t recall any tough criticism. Maybe I have a selective memory? I can remember compliments clearly! The best compliment was from a reader who told me one of my characters represented her own life dilemmas so well she thought she was reading about herself. She thanked me for giving a voice to her story. That was awesome!

And now for a little bit of fun... This or That?
 
Coffee or Tea?

Neither, but I do love cherry coke!

Sweet or Salty?
Either one makes me crave the other, so I go back and forth until I eat so much I get a stomach ache! 

Beach or Lake?
Both! I find it peaceful to be near any body of water.

Winter or Summer?
Summer because I really hate to be cold! 

Cats or Dogs?
Dogs in general, golden retrievers in particular. 

Zombies or Vampires?
Vampires… zombies freak me out!

Country or City?
Depends on my mood. I live within sight of D.C. (it’s a fabulous city) but I’m only a thirty minute drive away from woods where I can walk/hike for hours. I think that’s cool!

Comedy or Drama? 
I definitely need both.

My new novel: WHOEVER YOU ARE

Here’s a description and excerpt from my new novel, Whoever You Are. Kindle and Paperback editions are both available at Amazon!

Book Description:
What defines you…

Are you defined by your family, your career, your accomplishments? What happens when something you think defines you changes?

Emily McGinn, a recurring character from Where Secrets Lie, believes she knows exactly who she is and where she belongs in the world, until she receives an inheritance from an unknown benefactor. Uncovering the source of the inheritance leads Emily to discover buried truths undermining what she thought was a straightforward life. As the truths alter Emily’s perception of the people closest to her, her perception of herself shifts as well.

Set in the unique foothills community of Boulder, Colorado and its environs, Whoever You Are questions not only how we define ourselves, but also how we define family and whether we bear any responsibility for the actions of those who came before us.

Excerpt:

Chapter 1 – A Few Regrets

“Forgive me for saying this, Grace, but I’m concerned about Sterling’s reaction.” James removed his reading glasses and laid them atop the papers on his desk.

Grace shifted her gaze away from him.

“Yes, I understand, Jimmy. I just can’t deny this child any longer.”

Grace was the only person who called him that anymore. Coming from anyone else, it would make him cringe. However, the reality embodied in Grace’s appearance dimmed his smile.

Despite the weariness Grace’s illness etched upon her face, her sitting posture remained erect. Her silver hair was styled in a classic bob, her makeup sparse and tasteful. The tailored suit she wore held its lines even on her thinning frame.

Word was, Grace had a heart condition that could not be cured in spite of having the financial means to pursue any treatment. Given her labored breathing and her skin’s bluish hue, the doctors must be running out of options. Given these changes to her will, Grace must be running out of time.

“Would you like to include a personal letter to explain?” James asked.

“No, I’ll tell Sterling about the changes myself.”

“Actually, I was thinking about the girl. This will likely be quite a shock for her.”

To say the least. James had been their lawyer and friend back then too, back when Hunter insisted they renounce the child for the sake of decorum. It was clear to James then, doing so broke Grace’s heart. It was clear to him now, her heart never mended.

“I considered it,” Grace said, “but how can I possibly condense a lifetime into a letter?” And the choices. How in the world would she ever justify the choices?

James fiddled with his fountain pen, which Grace had given him last year for his birthday. Every year it was the same gift just a different model, a different color or design, and each year he looked forward to seeing what she chose. Odds were, the pen in his hand would be the last.

“No,” Grace said, “it’s better not to try. A letter like that would just muddy the waters. I don’t want to burden her with empty explanations or pleas for forgiveness. What’s done is done.”

It was too late to give this child anything but a token and an opportunity to discover who she was. It’d be up to the child to seize the opportunity or not.

“If she asks you any questions, Jimmy, just point her in the right direction and let her find her own way. If she’s anything like her mother, she’ll do just fine.”

“All right, Grace, whatever you say.”

A longer sample is available at Amazon!

Readinista interviews Donna Marie Lanheady...

READINISTA is a wonderful blog for book lovers, and she recently interviewed me about my novel!

Can you tell us a little more about Where Secrets Lie? What was your inspiration for this story about family secrets?

Secrets intrigue me! Not necessarily the secrets themselves but their dynamics, the reasoning behind them, and the havoc they inevitably cause in peoples lives.

When I first began to develop the story, I started with one woman and her secret. As I delved into her character, other characters emerged who were impacted by her secret. From there the interplay of a family became the focus of the novel.

The main characters in your book are Sara, Katie, and Lee. Please tell us more about their characters. Among the three, do you have any favorites?

Sara’s secret was the seed that started it all. Why would a woman do what she did? How would she handle the consequences? Would people find her choices understandable or deplorable? The questions go on and on for me! I was completely enthralled by her dilemma.

In my mind, Lee is the central character in the novel because she is the central character in this family. The story is all about her husbands, her children, her choices. The events in her life and the decisions she makes have a ripple effect on her family.

Katie is by far my favorite! Even I can’t put my finger on exactly why. There’s just something about her I really like. She makes me smile, and I would love to be able to hang out with her, chat over a drink, go for a hike. I really like that girl!

When writing Where Secrets Lie, did you find yourself pulling from real life experiences?

People often ask if the novel is autobiographical. My answer is an emphatic NO! I am way too private to write anything that’s true. That being said, I do abide by the rule to write what you know.

Although I live on the east coast now, I was born in a suburb of Denver, moved near Boulder as a teenager, and lived in the Boulder area for much of my adult life. Growing up I went to camps every summer. I love Boulder creek! I’ve always been an avid reader. I am scared to death of snakes! You see where I’m going, right? There are bits and pieces of me strewn throughout the novel without any of it actually being about me.

On the emotional side, I often tap into my own emotions to help me relate to what the character is feeling. For instance, I know how it feels to fall in love, to be terrified to tell my mother something, to be told my husband has passed away. Although my characters don’t feel the exact same way, at its core the emotion is similar enough to help me imagine their feelings and in that way, bring them to life.

Are there any authors and/or books that inspired you to become an author?

The list is way too long! I fell in love with books at a very young age. All those years and all those books inspired me to write. The journeys the books took me on captivated me. Their ability to make something imaginary seem real is what spoke to me, got into my blood, and wouldn’t let me rest. I had to write!

Do you have any funny habits, quirks, or pet peeves related to writing or organizing your writing?

Of course not! Perhaps those close to me would disagree though, so let’s not ask them. I prefer to imagine I’m not eccentric.

Is there anything else you want to say to readers and fans?

It is wonderful to hear from readers and listen to their perspectives on my novel. It fascinates me how people can look at the same thing and see it in so many different ways. It’s a special thrill to learn that my characters resonate with readers and make them laugh and cry. So if anyone ever wants to tell me what they think or just wants learn more about me, find me on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

Also, for those of you who enjoy the characters in WHERE SECRETS LIE, my next novel, WHOEVER YOU ARE, is a stand alone story, but it features the main characters from WHERE SECRETS LIE and provides insights into how their lives progress.

I’m not sure yet when it will be completed. I’m writing as fast as I can!

Tebow and the Broncos are a match made in heaven!!!

I’ve been alive as long as the Broncos have been in existence.

No, that doesn’t mean I’m old! It just means I can say from personal experience Bronco fans have a history of believing, Mile High stadiums have always possessed a certain magic, and miracles are nothing new to the Bronco faithful. Trust me, I was there.

Ok, maybe I am kinda old.

The fact is, I’m the same age as John Elway, but long before he came to Denver I was a Bronco fan. I was born in a Denver suburb (Englewood) and grew up watching the Broncos, which basically means I bleed orange and blue.

During the years I was in elementary school, the Broncos chalked up one losing season after another, yet Mile High Stadium still sold out. They expanded the stadium to 50,000 seats and a few years later to 75,000 seats. In between expansions, the Broncos began one of the longest home sell out streaks (unbroken to this day) in NFL history, while they were losing!

You see, we loved our Broncos even when they lost because we believed with all our hearts their day would come. We just had no idea how long it was going to take!

Our first glimpse of hope arrived in the late sixties when running back Floyd Little became the first number one draft pick to sign with the Broncos. My God, that man was a joy to watch! The experts said he wasn’t big enough to succeed in the NFL, but during his Hall of Fame career with the Broncos, Floyd defied the odds and racked up blistering rushing numbers.

Still the Broncos lost.

It was thirteen years (1973) before the Broncos managed a winning season.

When I was in high school our defense blossomed into The Orange Crush, which lead us into the Miracle Season of 1977 where the Broncos stunned the NFL by turning their very first playoff berth into a trip to the Superbowl!

Of course, everyone knows about the history of the Broncos once Elway arrived in Denver. Whenever he was on the field, I watched in awe. During his tenure, miracles became commonplace, and Mile High Magic was the norm. Although it wasn’t the first time I’d witnessed either, it was the first time I’d witnessed them with such regularity!

I loved watching every moment John played. I cried the night he lifted the Lombardi Trophy above his head. I cried even harder the day I watched him announce his retirement.

However, Broncomania didn’t begin with Elway. His presence just brought it to the attention of the nation. Now Tebow has brought national attention back again. The naysayers are out in full force, but we've heard naysayers before. In response, the Bronco faithful shake the stadium with their stomping feet, chant Tebow’s name, and believe because that’s what we do.

That’s what we’ve always done.

GO BRONCOS!!!

Donna Marie Lanheady

P.S. My novel, Where Secrets Lie, is currently on sale at Amazon for $0.99. When the sale ends, I’m thinking I’ll price it at $3.16!