Send to KindleOur interview today is with Dave Stone. Thank you Dave for being here today and for agreeing to do this interview.
Question: What do you think prepared you or qualifies you to write in your chosen genre?
Answer: Dreams Die Hard, Truth Sets Free with a subtitle of: A Triumph Of The Human Spirit by Dave Stone is a memoir/biography of my wife. I am qualified to write it by a BA double major in philosophy and sociology with a minor in psychology and 20 years as her husband. I took her individual memories and old records and wrote of her triumphs over a number of severe disabilities and family problems.
Question: Tell us a little about your “real” (Non-writing) life — family, job, church life. Does it give you inspiration for your writing? Does it get in the way of your writing, or are there times when you get help, from people or circumstances?
Answer: I am 86 years old, raised by Christian parents, a believer from age 50. My first family of 4 is grown and I have 14 grandchildren. The above book is about my second wife. My major job area was personnel administration. More recently, I have been disabled by impaired balance and hearing from cancer in an inner ear, and limited hearing in the other ear. Christianity is the inspiration in and for my writing. I do get help.
Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?
Answer: Trying to follow the LORD’S leading is followed by interest in gardening, chess, tilt table I have designed, travel, natural scenery, and serious spiritual conversation.
Question: Tell us about working with any people who help you create your books — Do you use Beta readers? Hire an editor or proofreader? How do you get your covers?
Answer: My only book so far has had several beta readers, a partial edit of 1700 words and proofreader. The front and back cover pictures were taken by my wife and the words were entirely ours.
Question: Since you have several books out, tell us what you think works for promotion. What are your thoughts on ebooks versus print books and different ways to let people know about you and your books?
Answer: This is my first book, so I have been looking for ways to promote it. So far, the following seem to be some of them; media book reviews, (print & social), free samples, book readings, discussions on related subjects, finding the books natural audiences (churches, medical establishments, etc.), quid pro quo promotion with interested parties.
Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.
Answer: If you want to know how the multiple problems of severe chronic illnesses, frequent movement of military life, alcoholism, suicide, and molestation impact family members this will help. If you enjoy travel logs check here. If you like love stories and happy endings this qualifies. If you want examples of GOD’s power and love this is biography/memoir is for you.
Question: What is the “message” of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different books?)
Answer: My continuing message is encouragement, and the inspiration of GOD in you of Col: 1:27, Gal: 2:20, Eph: 2:8-10.
Question: Tell us one place you visited or person you met, that made a big impression on you, and why.
Answer: The Grand Canyon, for the great beauty of GOD’s workmanship as the clouds troop across the sky changing the colors on its magnificent walls in all their intricate shapes.
Question: Tell us one place you want to visit, or person you want to meet, and why.
Answer: Israel to see where Jesus walked and understand more clearly what the language of the Bible means.
Question: Share something that makes you laugh, with just plain humor, or happiness, or because it’s so stupid.
Answer: My statement in the Preface of the book, “darned if I know” to the question of how the book was published after my hunting and pecking on mysterious, stubborn computers.
Question: Share something that’s amazing, touching, or that makes you angry.
Answer: I am amazed and touched at the LORD’S movement in our lives to reveal HIS love and power to us, especially in my wife’s life.
Question: What’s your next project? Tell us so we can’t wait for it to come out!
Answer: I have a website and am intending to blog weekly. It will be a continuing story of GOD’s lighting up my and my wife’s lives with scripture. It will highlight other books which help show examples and/or clarify scripture. The blogs are intended to be the basis of another book roughly titled “You Light Up My Life a sequel To Dreams Die Hard, Truth Sets Free.”
Question: How many books do you have out?
Answer: Just one for now but will be writing two other books.
Question: What are your future projects?
Answer: You Light Up My Life….and a coffee table photography book of my wife’s pics.
Question: What is your favorite book/character?
Answer: Right now my favorite book is: Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard.
Contact Information:
Web Site: www.sdaveinspirationalbooks.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/dave.stone.58910049
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dreams_Die_Hard
eMail: sdave746@gmail.com
Book Review:
Gail Furford, Author/Writer/Friend Reviewed on March 27, 2014
I just finished your book and, I am awe-struck at the resilience of your wife’s life! Lives will be touched after reading this honest and straight-forward story of a young girl from childhood to adulthood in the face of epilepsy and other illnesses.
Though dealt with devastating seizures and other health problems throughout her younger years into adulthood, and her dreams of what she would like to do as she grew up kept dying, she learns to triumph in spirit!
In later years as truths of reality and disappointments present themselves, she learns of the wisdom of peace and contentment. Simple truths like knowing the details of illnesses, family dysfunctions, and even facing one’s own thoughts — all open life to face reality head on.
This book will touch anyone whose hearts and lives have been dealt with adversity — whether by illness, death, or just by learning of a truth from the past that was so different than what you knew it to be. Life is never what you expect it to be, but life can be triumphed over and lived in beauty and contentment.
An interesting thought that I got from reading your book which you would enjoy (I think) is for you to write a book on your travels with pictures. Because of all your wife has been through, she sees BEAUTY in ways others do not, and the story telling is wonderful! I can see you both in the telling of your travels. It was so enjoyable seeing the places through your eyes.
Gail Furford, Author/Writer/Friend
Phil March 23, 2014 at 10:47 pm
A wonderful testimony with a triumph ending!!!
Sung-Ja Rich March 20, 2014 at 11:39 pm
Definitely would recommend your book to everyone. Your life events will bless someone who needs encouragement and uplifting. God will bless you.
Reviews From WestBow Press
This is one of the most inspiring stories that I have read in a very long time. I would recommend this book to family, friends, church family, doctors and etc. Thank you for this book.
5 of 5 stars – Michelle
This book was written by her husband on his wife’s life. It is a book of encouragement and how she overcame her disabilities and is making her dreams come true in her later years in life. It is a book I highly recommend.
5 of 5 stars – Janice
Here is “reality” in the true sense, some pretty, some not so pretty. God can bring beauty in a life despite the ugliness of dysfunctional families, homelessness, epilepsy, death and other major issues.
5 of 5 stars – Rosalie
Reviews from Amazon.com
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, September 28, 2013
By Leslie – Dreams Die Hard, Truth Sets Free: A Triumph of the Human Spirit (Paperback)
Our family just received our book tonight and has completed reading it. This book provides great help and insight. I will be giving my book to my children’s school to help out with other children that have similar disabilities. They are very excited about receiving this book. Thank you for taking the time to write the book and help other folks out!
5.0 out of 5 stars Encouragement, September 23, 2013
By le0lady – Dreams Die Hard, Truth Sets Free: A Triumph of the Human Spirit (Paperback)
A sweet friend of mine and her husband wrote this book about her life story. It is a book of Encouragement and how she overcame her hidden disabilities and is making her dreams come true in her later years in life. God Bless you both and I hope your book become the the best book of all times! xoxo xoxo
Reviews from Barnes and Noble
Anonymous – Posted September 23, 2013
A beautiful story about overcoming life’s trials and tribulation motivating and touching!
Anonymous – Posted September 23, 2013
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Delivery service was great and book was not damaged. The title of the book, picture of front and back cover were suiting to the title and subjects that were discussed in the book.
Anonymous – Posted September 26, 2013
I just got home from work and received my new book. So thrilled with it and the titles of the chapters pertain to a lot of the disorders that are in my family. Thank you so much for an AWESOME book!!!