DiAne,
Thanks for letting me interview you about the release
of Twisted. I think the questions I’ll ask are the those that readers would if
they had the chance.
WHERE DID THE ROPED AND TWISTED STORIES
BEGIN?
Like everyone’s story—people I met, places I’d been,
things I’d seen. Life. Everyone has a story, Paula. And for every story told or
written lives change and hearts are touched. And I’d like to ask your readers, what
story percolates in them, begging to be told? When are they going to write
their story? After all, none of us are getting any younger.
And that’s why I write, speak, and teach. To encourage
people to tell their story. To share their experiences. To let people know what
you’ve learned. You may never know this side of heaven whose life will be touched
and changed by reading what God taught you. And you can be sure God allowed the
circumstances of your story to occur, not just for you, but for those He puts
in your path who long to hear about how you made it through that difficult journey
to the other side.
HOW
CAN I BEGIN A STORY?
Story telling is like planting a seed. Just a speck
that springs to life in your mind, develops roots, sprouts to the surface, and
blooms. Every one of us needs to ask God to clarify the events He’s taken us
through. Asking our self what’s your take
away? Asking others what they learn from our story—just give them the high
points. Don’t bore them with the tiny details. Then begin recording what God
lays on your heart. Your first draft will be rough; but it’s thrilling to sit
in front of your screen and pour out words that originate in your heart. And if
seeing the words come to life makes you cry, so much the better! Every writer
must bleed on the page.
MUST
I SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER?
The majority of writing time is spent thinking. You
can do that anywhere—washing dishes, ironing clothes, weeding the flower bed. Even taking a bath. Writers don’t come
equipped with off and on buttons. I keep a pencil and paper with me at all
times. I’ve even been known to jot a note or two during my windshield time. And
I’ve waked from a sound sleep with a phrase, twist in plot, or idea to make my
work in progress sing. But my best thinking time is in the bathtub. One of my
writer friends had her husband install a white board beside her bathtub. Isn’t
that a grand idea?
CONSIDER
THE ULTIMATE STORY TELLER
Jesus was the ultimate story teller. He used
illustrations the people he talked to would understand. So why shouldn’t we
communicate to our children, friends, and those God puts in our path the same
way as our Lord? With a story—your story—my story. His story in your life.
SO,
I’VE WRITTEN MY STORY…NOW WHAT?
Once you’ve written a few pages, search for other
writers to share your words. Or you can spend endless hours plowing through a
whole book—like I did in Roped. Took years. Oh well, that decision gave me the
opportunity to rewrite the whole manuscript—a bunch-a-times. The most
profitable thing God led me to do (besides talking to Him about my writing) was
joining a group of six other serious writers. We allowed ourselves to be
vulnerable. To listen to the others’ suggestions and accept their advice.
BUT
YOU NEED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Decide in your heart and mind to never, never, never
give-up! Seek God’s direction and walk through the doors He opens. And someday
you’ll hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant—”
Now what are you waiting for? No time like the present
to write! To ge this book click: https://goo.gl/HCQxA5
5-Stars! "A
Big Thumbs Up for this Amazing Read!"
"On April 20, 2016, I hosted talented author DiAne Gates on my blog where she answered my questions and at my request shared a review for her fiction "Roped". The fact that I'd spent a great summer riding and taking care of the horse, I was given named Apricot made her story one I knew I wanted to read. But time, my own writing and the busyness of life caused me to push that thought aside until DiAne offered to gift me her book when she discovered that I'd been sick for many months.
As I imaged from the opening sentence to the last one I was in cowgirl heaven. I know that sounds odd because I'm a city gal - acrylic nails and all - but even if you've never been in the saddle, 'Roped' will put a lariat around your heart and you’ll be tethed to Crissy Crosby who while chasing her dream to continue her parents’ rodeo legacy discovers that with God all things even the taming of her... Since I don't want to spoil the story, you'll have to read this emotionally charged story for yourself to find out what happens! And I strongly suggest that you give yourself this pleasure now!" To get this book click: https://goo.gl/PzqFmo
DiANE N. GATES: BIOGRAPHY
Texas writer, DiAne Gates, illustrates and writes fiction for children and YA, and serious non-fiction for the folks. Her passion is calling the Church’s attention to how far we’ve catapulted from God’s order and walking in obedience to Him as evidenced by her blog Moving the Ancient Boundaries.
DiAne worked as a photographer and writer for the East Texas Youth Rodeo Association magazine, and had the opportunity to be in the rodeo arena, feel the sting of Texas turf in her face and across her camera lens, giving birth to her western rodeo adventure series, released by Prism Book Group in August of 2015, ROPED. This first book of the series placed #5 on Top Ten Christian Reads for Teens and Tweens, 2016, as well as being a finalist in the 2015 Grace Awards, and a finalist in The Christian Literary Henri Awards for 2016.
Book Two in the ROPED SERIES—TWISTED, will be released by Pelican Book Group July 14, 2017, and can be found on Amazon.com/books/Twisted.DiAneGates And the third book, UNTIED, her current WIP, continues the adventure of two Texas teens and their families. DiAne writes a monthly article for Crosswalk, an online Christian magazine.
She also leads LifeSavers, an adult edit group for North Texas Christian Writers. And has a new blog THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF FLAVOR, where she shares family recipes and many tricks to cutting calories while retaining a massive injection of southern and southwest flavor into each tasty bite. DiAne facilitates GriefShare, an international support ministry for those who’ve lost loved ones.
Wife, mother, and Mimi, her passion is to share those hard life lessons God allows in our lives. Lessons she hopes will leap from the page into your heart and play out in loving family relationships.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/DiAne-Gates/375473495831603
