Bonnie S. Calhoun is an author with Abingdon Press, Owner/Director
of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance helping to promote Christian fiction
with blog tours, and owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online
Magazine devoted to readers and writers of Christian fiction.
As Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she was named "2011 Mentor of the Year." She is President of (CAN) Christian Authors Network, and also Appointment Coordinator for both the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference.
The following is a July 2013 interview with Bonnie.
As Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she was named "2011 Mentor of the Year." She is President of (CAN) Christian Authors Network, and also Appointment Coordinator for both the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference.
The following is a July 2013 interview with Bonnie.
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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW
Be in to win one of two copies of Pieces of the Heart. Contest open to entrants worldwide. Contest runs from July 16 - 31 NZDT |
Tell us a little about yourself.
I wear many hats but that’s because I’m a A-personality type and an extrovert, and I work extremely well under pressure!
What inspired you to become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I have always been a writer but I think that comes as normal to the Baby Boomer generation. We had a dear diary, Dear Abby, and Ann Landers to enjoy writing to, and our generation actually learned how to “write” cursive in school. I think the musical flow of the graceful script of writing words on paper spawned many a writer.
The original inspiration to write is so deep seated that I can’t remember ever NOT writing. The urge that propelled me to be a novelist was the Left Behind series.
What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
It’s clean fiction, and certain segments of it are inspirational.
How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?
I hope they want more! The Lord created me to be an entertainer, and I strive to bring about that kind of experience with my writing. All of my characters will have elements of self-discovery that I hope readers can use to identify situations for themselves.
I wear many hats but that’s because I’m a A-personality type and an extrovert, and I work extremely well under pressure!
What inspired you to become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I have always been a writer but I think that comes as normal to the Baby Boomer generation. We had a dear diary, Dear Abby, and Ann Landers to enjoy writing to, and our generation actually learned how to “write” cursive in school. I think the musical flow of the graceful script of writing words on paper spawned many a writer.
The original inspiration to write is so deep seated that I can’t remember ever NOT writing. The urge that propelled me to be a novelist was the Left Behind series.
What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
It’s clean fiction, and certain segments of it are inspirational.
How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?
I hope they want more! The Lord created me to be an entertainer, and I strive to bring about that kind of experience with my writing. All of my characters will have elements of self-discovery that I hope readers can use to identify situations for themselves.
What has been the most surprising aspect to becoming a published novelist?
Don’t know that I’ve found any surprises yet. I was blessed to get an agent right away, and he has been quite diligent at teaching me the ropes.
How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
I can’t say that it has. I’ve had, and do still have several other jobs including publishing a magazine, running a blog tour agency, being president of Christian Authors Network, and the Northeast Zone director for ACFW…and being a clothing designer and seamstress. Being a novelist is a job, just like my others. I do what is expected of me to the best of my ability. The Lord has blessed my abilities, but those jobs don’t impact my relationship with Him, He comes first in my life. If I were to make that as a statement, I’d say my relationship with Christ has impacted my jobs.
Other than being a novelist, what other goals do you have for your life?
LOL…to live to be 110…:-)
What do you like to do in your spare time?
ROFLOL…there is no such thing as spare time in my life. I could actually use about four more hours in a day!
What can you tell us about your debut novel?
My Debut novel was Cooking The Books. It was the story of Sloane Templeton, a third generation battered woman learning to come out of her circumstances. My second book is Pieces of the Heart. This is the story of Sloane Templeton’s grandmother and her coming of age during WWII.
Don’t know that I’ve found any surprises yet. I was blessed to get an agent right away, and he has been quite diligent at teaching me the ropes.
How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
I can’t say that it has. I’ve had, and do still have several other jobs including publishing a magazine, running a blog tour agency, being president of Christian Authors Network, and the Northeast Zone director for ACFW…and being a clothing designer and seamstress. Being a novelist is a job, just like my others. I do what is expected of me to the best of my ability. The Lord has blessed my abilities, but those jobs don’t impact my relationship with Him, He comes first in my life. If I were to make that as a statement, I’d say my relationship with Christ has impacted my jobs.
Other than being a novelist, what other goals do you have for your life?
LOL…to live to be 110…:-)
What do you like to do in your spare time?
ROFLOL…there is no such thing as spare time in my life. I could actually use about four more hours in a day!
What can you tell us about your debut novel?
My Debut novel was Cooking The Books. It was the story of Sloane Templeton, a third generation battered woman learning to come out of her circumstances. My second book is Pieces of the Heart. This is the story of Sloane Templeton’s grandmother and her coming of age during WWII.
Pieces of the Heart
Cordelia Grace watched Bernard Howard, the love of her young life, go off to fight for our country in WWII. And she has spent the last three years creating the Pine Cone quilt that will grace their marriage bed when he comes home. Each row of triangles signifies a layer in her life, sets of memories, hopes, dreams, and prayers for her future, enough spoken words to cover them forever. Her image of their “happy-ever-after” grows proportionally as the quilt expands.
But is the man that returns from the war, the same man that she remembered? Are the dark shades of color that she had to use for the outside edges of the beloved quilt prophetic of her life to come? Can love and faith overcome all?
Cordelia Grace watched Bernard Howard, the love of her young life, go off to fight for our country in WWII. And she has spent the last three years creating the Pine Cone quilt that will grace their marriage bed when he comes home. Each row of triangles signifies a layer in her life, sets of memories, hopes, dreams, and prayers for her future, enough spoken words to cover them forever. Her image of their “happy-ever-after” grows proportionally as the quilt expands.
But is the man that returns from the war, the same man that she remembered? Are the dark shades of color that she had to use for the outside edges of the beloved quilt prophetic of her life to come? Can love and faith overcome all?
Cooking the Books (Sloane Templeton Mysteries #1)
[Purchase: Amazon.com | Amazon Kindle | The Book Depository]
Pieces of the Heart (A Quilts of Love Novel)
[Purchase: Amazon.com | Amazon Kindle | The Book Depository]
What stories can your fans expect from you in the days ahead?
I’m working on a dystopia that takes place after the beginning of the Millennial reign of Christ in what is left of the United States.
There will also be additional stories for Sloane Templeton as she learns to become a private investigator.
What would you like to say to your upcoming fans in New Zealand and around the world?
I actually know several people in New Zealand, and I say a big hello and welcome to the party!
Do you have any parting words?
Always be true to the leadings of the Holy Spirit in all things!
I’m working on a dystopia that takes place after the beginning of the Millennial reign of Christ in what is left of the United States.
There will also be additional stories for Sloane Templeton as she learns to become a private investigator.
What would you like to say to your upcoming fans in New Zealand and around the world?
I actually know several people in New Zealand, and I say a big hello and welcome to the party!
Do you have any parting words?
Always be true to the leadings of the Holy Spirit in all things!
Buy Bonnie's Books at The Book Depository
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
Be in to win one of two copies of Pieces of the Heart.
Contest open to USA residents only.
Contest runs from July 16-31 NZDT
Contest open to USA residents only.
Contest runs from July 16-31 NZDT
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