Send to KindleOur interview today is with Josette Downey. Thank you for being here today Josette and for agreeing to do this interview.
Answer: I have been studying writing for many years, taken writing classes, reading books.
Everything I could to try and master the craft. I also read a lot. At least one book a week. When writing A Time to Say Goodbye, I did a lot of research on the abolitionist movement. A book that really helped was Hannah Crafts: A Bondwoman’s Narrative.
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’ve been married for 10 years and have one daughter. My daughter just got diagnosed with ADD, and the experience has made me wonder what it would be like for someone in the 1800s to be diagnosed with this problem. Story ideas are starting to circulate in my head.
Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?
Answer: I read and play on my WII. I’m a big Super Mario and Kirby fan and just love playing all the games.
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: I usually hire an editor to do a global critique and use Beta readers for the proof reading. Right now I’m sticking with premade covers to bring down cost of production.
Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.
Answer: This is the first novel I ever wrote. Cotton plantation daughter, May Lynn Whitley sees nothing wrong with owning others. After all how would they fend for themselves if it wasn’t for gracious people like her family? But a handsome young preacher’s probing words and mesmerizing blue eyes unlock a new sense of justice and lead her on a journey that will change her life and soul. But she is betrothed and May Lynn’s controlling fiance’ will do anything to make sure they wed. Anything including destroying all that she holds dear. Set in Antebellum America, May Lynn’s adventure spans the Eastern Seaboard as she joins a movement she once scorned.
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 novels tend to focus on women overcoming great obstacles in their lives and how God uses the obstacles to bring them closer to HIM.
Question: Tell us one place you want to visit, or person you want to meet, and why.
Answer: I really want to go to France. I have my whole life. I guess it’s because I think the french language is beautiful and the food is pretty good.
Question: What’s your next project? Tell us so we can’t wait for it to come out!
Answer: My next project is called The Secret Son. The main character, Bryan Morris, is the biggest secret in Washington D.C. and he believes he must remain his hidden statues even at the cost of true love.
Answer: Besides A Time to Say Goodbye, I have one more book out called Bonds of Tradition.
What girl wouldn’t want to marry a prince? Kat thought her life was over after her father dragged her to the backward Eastern European country of his birth. What would become of her dreams for her own business and a life of her own? But she has caught the country’s prince’s eye and Mikel is determined to marry her and and keep her by his side. Despite her growing attraction, Katerina does not want to let herself be caught.
Can love flower in a covered garden, can a dream bloom when faced with a harsh reality? Find out what happens when falling in love begins as an order and ends in passion.
Answer: I’m about 99 percent done with the first draft of A Time to Overcome the sequel to A Time to Say Goodbye. I have a book called Privileged in the editing works, which is a story about power abuse and why God demands Christians not to date non christians.
Question: What is your favorite book/character?
Answer: I don’t really have a favorite book, but I really like reading Karen Witmeyer books. I like how she makes her characters so funny. I do think my favorite character is Mr. Gold aka Rumpleskin from Once Upon a Time. I just love it when really bad characters get redeemed.
To learn more follow her at:
Facebook Page: J. M. Downey Southern Rose Press
and
Web Site: J. M. Downey Southern Rose Press
About the Author:
Author Bio:
Josette Downey is the christian romance author of A Time to Say Goodbye and Bonds of Tradition. She has master’s degree in English From East Carolina University, and currently works for a premier test scoring company. She is the mother of a precocious six-year-old girl, who enjoys bugs, snakes and superman. She enjoys southern cooking, reading and exploring emerging technology, but is best defined by her devotion to her faith and the empowerment of women in the modern world.