with Debby Mayne

Thanks so much for being here, Debby! Tell us a little about yourself.
My dad was in the military, and I moved every couple of years during my childhood. Books became my best friends when I didn’t know anyone. I’ve lived in Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Japan, and Florida.

I started writing articles and short stories when my children were babies. After they were old enough to fix their own peanut butter sandwiches, I started trying to write books. It took me five years to sell my first one, and I’ve been steadily published ever since.

What prompted you to start writing?
I started out writing articles for regional parenting publications shortly after my first daughter was born. When I learned a new parenting skill, I wrote an article about it because it was fun, interesting, and a great way to generate a little income while I stayed home with my babies. Since I was such an avid fiction reader, my husband challenged me to write novels.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing articles for 26 years and novels for 15 years.

Were there any turning points in your writing career?
My writing career has had so many turning points I’m dizzy. I wasn’t one of those people who knew from an early age that I wanted to be a writer. The career evolved from a love of reading great stories. Shortly after I thought about writing novels, I decided to focus on Christian fiction because I never wanted to compromise my faith.

The Love Finds You series is wonderful! What made you choose to set a book in Treasure Island, Florida?
I had a story that I’d initially titled Bicycle Built for Two set in a beach town. When the Summerside Press editors asked me to find a town that worked with the theme of the story I proposed to them, Treasure Island was a perfect fit.


Which character in your novel most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Harold is a very smart man who just happens to have Alzheimer’s. Everyone around him thinks he’s a grouch, but he’s simply frustrated because he’s aware of the changes he’s experiencing. My heart goes out to him for having to deal with something he has no control over.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?  Why?
I like all of my books—especially the ones I’ve written over the past couple of years. In addition to Harold from Love Finds You in Treasure Island, I love Carol Scheirer in “Silver Bells,” a novella in my upcoming Christmas Homecoming anthology that will be out in September. She’s the grandmother of the other three heroines in the collection. After being widowed for several years, she has a chance at love again.

Are there certain foods or snacks that keep the words flowing for you?
Anything spicy, coffee flavored, or covered in chocolate will keep me going for days.

What would be your dream vacation?
I love the beach, New York City, and visiting my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in North Carolina.

What is your strangest habit?
Checking e-mail incessantly.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Unconditional love, forgiveness, and mercy.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
Patience. I’ve always been one to watch the pot of water, waiting for it to boil. I’ve learned that it takes time to make anything worthwhile happen.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I have several books coming out this year, including Christmas Homecoming in September, Noah’s Ark in October, and Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry in November.

Christmas Homecoming is an anthology I wrote with Paige Winship Dooly, Elizabeth Goddard, and Elizabeth Ludwig. As I mentioned earlier, my heroine is the grandmother of the other three heroines in the book. When she calls her family home to share a special day, her granddaughters don’t hesitate, and they’re there by Christmas.

Noah’s Ark is the first of three contemporary books for Heartsong Presents set in West Virginia. My hero Noah is a veterinarian who serves others to the point of neglecting his own personal life.

Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry is a devotional for busy women. Andrea Boeshaar came up with the concept then invited Sandie Bricker, Loree Lough, and me to join her in writing it. We’ve started a blog leading up to the release date, so please stop by http://bestilldevos.blogspot.com for a sample of what you’ll see in the book.

You can purchase Treasure Island from Amazon and CBD.
To learn more about Debby, visit her website at: http://debbymayne.com or at her blog.

If you missed Debby's book trailer for Treasure Island, be sure to scroll down to yesterday's post and watch it. It's wonderful! And she's giving away a book this week, so be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the book drawing.

Thanks so much for being with us, Debby!

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