I'm Thrilled to Have Dina Sleiman Here This Week

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

I would say by high school I knew I wanted to write novels, but at the time I figured writing was something I would do on the side. In college I discovered there were actual graduate programs in writing. I think that’s when I realize no other career path would cut if for me. As for a clear call, in 2006 after twelve years of primarily staying home and raising my kids, I did feel like God said it was time to get busy writing.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

My first novel is historical romantic women’s fiction set in the medieval period. But, I also have a series of contemporary romantic women’s fiction. And I’ve even written a work of narrative nonfiction. So I guess I write in all sorts of genres. But there are elements that are consistent throughout my writing. All my writing is geared towards women and focuses on intimacy with Christ and inner healing, and all of it has lyrical sort of voice. My tagline is “Dina Sleiman – Dance with Passion.” I think that embodies all I write.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I’m a loosy goosey sort of writer. I write in big spurts when the spirit hits, and then I might not write anything new for a few months. The most extreme example was when I wrote my narrative nonfiction book in six days. Not much eating, sleeping, or even showering occurred that week. However, I do take my writing seriously. During the school year I try to spend at least two or three hours each day either writing, editing, critiquing, blogging, or working on publicity. There’s a lot more that goes into being a writer than just writing. As to how long it takes me to write a novel, I would say in general about six months. But I prefer to have time to put it aside and let it brew so I can really turn it into something special instead of just cranking out words.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

Here is the official back cover copy for Dance of the Dandelion:

Love's quest leads her the world over.


Dandelion Dering was born a peasant in the English village of Arun, but her soul yearned for another life, another world. One filled with color and music, with adventure and passion  . . . with more. Haunted by childhood memories, Dandelion determines to find a better existence than the life every peasant in the village contents themselves with. Even if her sweetheart William’s predictions prove true, and her journey leads straight to heartache.


From her sleepy hamlet to the intrigue of castle life, from the heart of London to the adventurous seas, Dandelion flees from the mistakes of her past, always seeking that something, that someone who will satisfy her longings.


Will Dandelion ever find the rhythm to her life's dance . . . or did she leave her chance for true love at home in Arun village?

You can purchase the book at online distributors like amazon and Barnes and Noble. It’s also available for a variety of ereaders through direct download or at this link https://www.ebookit.com/books/0000000691/Dance-of-the-Dandelion.html

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

The primary theme of the book is finding the true meaning of love through intimacy with Christ. I hope that readers, both Christian and non-Christian, will all be drawn closer to God through Dandelion’s experiences. The book also deals with the freedom and healing available only through that deep relationship with Christ.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

I have moments of frustration and doubt, but at the end of the day I do have peace that this is where God wants me. I think the hardest period was when I was querying agents but wasn’t involved in any writer’s groups yet. Dealing with that rejection without a support system just about did me in. I really had to get on my face before God and search out his will. Did he really want me to be a published writer, or did I just write a book for my own growth and development. I felt that God confirmed both through speaking to me and through my husband that I was to keep going, and also that I desperately needed to connect with other writers. Since then I’ve had a the sense of peace I mentioned, even if the timing doesn’t always meet my expectations.

Who inspires you the most?

Well, from a writing perspective I’m most inspired by truly artistic writers. Lisa Samson is probably my favorite. When I read her books, I feel like, “Wow, I would have never thought of that.” But it makes me want to try even harder with my own writing. My critique partners, Christine Lindsay and Roseanna White, inspire me as well, and I’ve learned so much from them. They are actually two of my favorite authors.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

Well, my agent sent Dance of the Dandelion to all the big Christian publishing houses, and we received some very favorable feedback. But at the time the book was still being considered by these bigger houses, I heard about WhiteFire Publishing. I loved the vision of the company and really wanted to be involved. I had a strong feeling at that point that my book would eventually end up with WhiteFire, so I wasn’t disappointed when all the bigger publishers turned it down for marketing reasons. But in general, you don’t pick a publisher. You find an agent, your agent sends to everyone who might possibly be a pick, and then they pick you. You only get a choice if more than one offers a contract, which is unheard of for a first time author.

I don’t really feel like I can sit back and relax now, although I’m not stressed or pressured either. I have three completed books and several partials finished. So I can kind of take a breath and enjoy this moment, but I also need to keep my career moving. My contemporary series is being considered by several companies now, and there is also some talk of future books with WhiteFire. It’s important that this book has good sales and reviews to set a strong base for both my career and for WhiteFire Publishing to continue growing.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I love the outdoors, especially the beach. I do a lot of biking and hiking. For the past 17 years I’ve been very involved in worship dance and drama, and I’ve led ministries at several churches. I’m also a published poet.

My husband is an international producer, and he’s originally from Lebanon, so I’ve already done a lot of traveling. I’d still like to make it to Italy, though, and maybe another trip to England, which I last visited 20 years ago.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

My website is http://dinasleiman.com/
You can also friend me on facebook or goodreads.
And I should mention that the ebook version of my book is a great deal, under $4 in any format.

Welcome, welcome, Christine! It's so Good to Have you Visit.
Christine's giving away an e-print copy of her book to one winner. Check out her book trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV3YX94ntSI

Don't forget your comments and addresses.
Now on to the interview . . .
It's good to have you, Christine. Tell us, how long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

Loved it all my life. From a kid I’d sit at my blackboard on the kitchen floor and draw and tell myself stories. But when I was 40 years old and was reunited with my birth-daughter---the child I had relinquished to adoption when she was 3 days old---I began to relive the original loss of her as a baby. As I was drowning in grief, my husband came to me with a brand new pen and journal, and said, “Write it.”

A while later I felt God nudge me to put the healing I’d received into fictional stories to encourage others.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I write Historical Romance. I love stores set in the past because it’s like a different world. At the same time though, the story-lines my characters live through are the same human dramas we experience today. So while the setting is historical, the emotions and drama are up-to-date.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

Because I have to work outside the home, generally a novel takes me a year. On my writing days, I plow through my mountain of emails, and then start writing. The amount of work varies on what I have to do that day. Editing is a different thing altogether from brain-storming and getting the first draft down. I try to give myself short goals of what I need to get done by such and such a date.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

Shadowed in Silk is about a woman who feels invisible to those who should love her. The spiritual message is about those who may feel like the Biblical Hagar when she ran away from Abraham and Sarah. She felt used and unloved. But as she ran out into the desert she realized that God heard her and saw her in her pain, and cared.

Shadowed in Silk is a gut-wrenching human drama. I find life tough at times, and I see a lot of my friends hurting from various things---illness, loneliness, stress. I think by reading a heart-wrenching story that’s filled with adventure, suspense, danger, they can take their eyes off their own sufferings for a while, and be entertained at the same time as their faith is encouraged.

Here's the back cover blurb:

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

After the Great War, Abby Fraser returns to India with her small son, where her husband is stationed with the British army. She has longed to go home to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but Nick has become a cruel stranger. It will take more than her American pluck to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. But his faith does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the Indian people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from the husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

Very often. I started the writing apprenticeship over 10 years ago, and am just now seeing my debut novel come to light. But each time I felt like giving up I asked the Lord to show me clearly what I should do. Each time thought, He would do something momentous to encourage me to persevere. Once when I was ready to pack it in, I won a scholarship to the ACFW conference. On another occasion I won the Genesis.

I won’t lie to you though. Writing is a hard road---a lot of work to learn the craft, be strong enough to learn from others through critiques, start the next novel after your first few books have been rejected. But if you have the desire to write, you must accept this long road. Perseverance does pay off, and you’ve got to rely on the Lord.

Who’s inspired you the most?

My greatest hero is Corrie Ten Boom. What she and her sister went through and others like them is truly amazing. People like them, who suffer greatly, and then go on to forgive and use their stories to encourage others.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just
go “inny, minny, miny, moe?”

Can you hear my giggle? I wish it were that easy. When I first started out I thought it was. Before you even get a publisher you often have to get an agent interested in you. And that takes learning how to craft a good query letter and book proposal as well as your novel. In most cases your agent will help you find the right publisher. But it always boils down to what publisher is interested in you.

If they like your book, and find it marketable then you’ll be blessed with publication . . . maybe. Because the competition is really something. The best advice I can give is keep learning the craft. Quite often we think our writing has reached the level of publication when it hasn’t. That’s where good critique partners come in. And then after you’ve written your book with all their advice and suggestions, get a good professional critique. There are no shortcuts in the writing business. And pay attention to the market.

Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve
experienced?

Again, I’m giggling. Since I got the email that WhiteFire would publish Shadowed in Silk, my work level increased to about double. Nowadays, I’m doggie paddling like crazy to keep up with marketing Shadowed in Silk, polishing the current book I have ready to shop out to publishers, and I’m brain-storming for the next book. All this of course by holding down a part-time job and caring for my home, and trying to be a good neighbor. Oh yes, I also speak occasionally at church functions.

Where would you like to travel if you could?

I’d go back to India in a flash. I was there for 10 days in 2010, and it was fascinating. So vastly different from North America even in their big cities. But in the country, it’s like a totally different world. The women’s clothing is stunningly beautiful.

You recently had a book published. How and where can readers buy your books?

Shadowed in Silk won the 2009 ACFW Gold Genesis for historical, and it can be purchased on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and a few other on-line places.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

To get a good idea of what Shadowed in Silk is about, view the book trailer here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV3YX94ntSI

Drop by my website and leave me a message on my email there. I’d love to hear back from you. http://www.christinelindsay.com/

And join in the ACFW Book Club, Shadowed in Silk is their January 2012 pic.

Thank you, Christine, for visiting my blog!
Readers, if you'd like a chance to win Christine's book, leave a comment and email address.
Blessings!

Please Welcome my Friend and Critique Partner, Roseanna White!

I'm thrilled to have Roseanna here on my blog again. Make sure to leave your comments and email addresses for a chance to win her book!

Tell us about your latest release. The cover looks fantastic!

Thanks, Carole! Very pleased with the cover myself, LOL. =) JEWEL OF PERSIA is a combination of the book of Esther and Herodotus's HISTORIES, the Greek account of the Greco-Persian war. I combine the accounts through my fictional heroine, Kasia, a passionate Jewish girl who is the true love of Xerxes, king of Persia and Media. But because of her choices to love her Lord more than her king, she ends up turning the court against her people . . . setting the stage for her childhood friend, Esther.

What was the hardest part to write?

The hardest parts were the historical accounts I really wished I could ignore, LOL. Xerxes was sometimes . . . well, a monster. He did things no CBA hero should ever do, so it was a challenge to write those into his character in a believable way, yet keep him a sympathetic character.

We all have choices of items that help us write. What’s yours? Can you give the readers a glimpse into your writing space? What’s your favorite writing reference tool?

Coffee!!! ;-) When we set up a schoolroom for my daughter this summer, I put my desk in there, right under a shelf that holds homeschool material and beside the window. I adore this space. It's bright and cheerful, and nowhere near a TV, LOL. I've taken to taping a calender of my story to the wall, maybe a character picture, and of course my Jane Austen action figure keeps watch over me. =) My favorite reference tool . . . hmm. Probably, boring as it sounds, the internet. I have a hard time writing when I can't tab over to do searches for simple questions.

If you had to choose one person to go with you for encouragement to a secluded cabin, who would that be?

My hubby, for sure. =) He brainstorms with me, he reads my books as I write them (which often keeps me writing fast, since he demands a new chapter every morning), and he can often give me insights into my characters I may have overlooked.

What are you working on now?

At the moment I'm polishing and trimming my next release, Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, which will be coming out this December from Summerside Press. It's set in Annapolis of 1783-4, for that brief 6 months when it was the nation's capital and peace with England was still uncertain. When I'm between edits on that, I have several other projects I'm eager to finish up.

What is one of the happiest moments of your life or an accomplishment that you’re especially proud of?

Hmm . . . going through natural childbirth twice, without the aide of drugs? ;-) Can't think of anything more impressive than that, LOL, and of course it came with an awesome reward at the end. =)

How do you choose names for your characters? Do you do a lot of research on them?

I do, yes. Since most of my stories are historical, my choices are limited by what names were actually around in my time period. With my more exotic settings, I'm often tongue-tied by some of the names, so I pick ones I can pronounce, LOL. I'll also choose by meaning, or whether they just sound like my characters. =)

Can you tell us some of your favorite books or characters that you cherish?

Oh my—I am such a book lover! I love the classics, but I'm also a sucker for romances. Some of my favorites include all things Francine Rivers, Julie Klassen's The Silent Governness, Trish Perry's The Guy I'm Not Dating, Orson Scott Card's Enchantment and Pathfinder, Laurie Alice Eakes' Lady in the Mist . . . I could go on. And on. And on. =)

Any fun things about yourself that the readers might enjoy knowing?

Deep dark confession time—though my grandparents own a produce farm, I hate all but a handful of vegetables. And then I wonder why I can't get my kids to eat them, LOL.

Is there one piece of advice that’s been especially valuable to you?

Well, to paraphrase a lot of advice and put it through a recently polished lens, “Give it all to God—hopes as well as fears.” I always try to seek His will, of course, and when I'm afraid of something I give it to him regularly. But recently I realized I also have to entrust him with my hopes, not just my fears.

Please share information where readers can check out and buy your books:

A Stray Drop of Blood and Jewel of Persia are both available from most online retailers and can be ordered through your local stores as well, though they're not likely stocked. (Well, JoP's paperback won't release until June, but . . .) Digitals are available through Kindle for both, and Jewel of Persia is also available through all the other digital retailers. Plus if you want signed copies, you can order (or pre-order as the case may be) through my family's online store, http://www.crosspurposesbooks.com/

You can find links on my website (http://www.roseannamwhite.com/) and my blog (http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com/)

It's been such fun to have talented Roseanna here this week! You'll not regret reading any of her books. She's that good!

Comments and email addresses, my friends.

Blessings!

My Wonderful Critique Partner . . .

Roseanna White!

What fun to have Roseanna with me today! She is just the super-est person in the world. And her giveaways? Right on the mark!

Roseanna's Giveaway:

• A signed copy of A Stray Drop of Blood
• A Companion Guide on the topics and texts referenced in the nove
• A bookmark
• A box of chamomile tea (the favorite drink of the heroine's mistress-calms the nerves, you know!)
• Recipe cards for "A Taste from the Land of Milk and Honey
• Some beeswax lip balm (this brand might be relatively new, but beeswax balms have been around for thousands of years)

What to do? Comment!

Roseanna, How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear "call?" Or have you just loved writing all your life?

I've always been a writer. I finished my first novel at 13, my second at 16, and twelve more during college. For me, it wasn't a question of if I'd write, but rather of how to find my way in the writing world, since I had no choice but to put novel to paper (or computer screen).

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I write in several, but A Stray Drop of Blood is historical fiction—Biblical fiction, more specifically. This is defined as a story that takes place in the time during which the Bible was written and may or may not contain characters that appear in the Bible or other historical documents. In my story, I have peeks at historical personages—and my heroine is at the crucifixion of Jesus—but the main characters are completely fictional. (Okay, mostly. They play some historical roles too. ;-)

Where do you get ideas? Character names? Do you find your characters similar to you in any way?

Oh, my. Ideas spring out of nowhere for me nearly every day. When I'm watching TV, reading, doing dishes, talking to my husband . . . last week he told me some tidbit and then asked me what I thought about it. My reply? "I'm wondering if I can use it in a book." Then I realized he wanted a response to the fact. Oooohhhhh. Right. Terrible. Really, truly terrible. =)

Occasionally, ideas will spring from my own life. Not usually an event so much as an emotion. It seems like everything with me gets funneled back into story ideas—kinda like the fight with my best friend when I was fifteen, which inspired some bittersweet thought on a Good Friday and resulted in the idea for A Stray Drop of Blood.

Character names depend largely on the story. For historicals, I have to make sure they're appropriate for the time period, so I check other books from the era or online resources that list them. The Hebrew characters in Stray Drop all came straight from the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, but the Roman characters came from sources of the day, like Tacitus's Annals (for those who look at that title and scratch their heads, it's a Roman history detailing the time period that happens to span the life of Christ, though focusing totally on Roman politics and military movements). A little FYI—one of my characters is Caius Asinius. I took him straight from history—he really was a former consul, but one who held office in a time when nothing happened, so his mention in history is literally one line. I took that and ran with it, creating a character totally fictional based on that single mention that gave me only a name. (Let it be noted that there's nothing in the Annals to make me think he was really the lecherous jerk I make him out to be—though plenty of his cohorts were, so it seemed a safe assumption. ;-)

As for whether my characters are like me . . . ? Yikes. Bits and pieces, yes, all of them (or most of them, anyway, LOL. Let's hope I don't have a super-villain lurking anywhere inside but my imagination). But I have no desire to write a character who's totally me. Not only would it bore the socks off my readers, but then I'd take it as a personal insult if anyone didn't like said character. I've tried making sub-characters like me on occasion, and those are always the ones that earn comments like, "I found her reaction unbelievable." Roseanna is left blubbering, "B-b-b-buuuuttt, that's m-m-meeee. That's what I'd do!" So I've sworn off writing myself into books. That way I don't have to get offended by my friends' and critique partners' opinions on my characters. ;-)

Tell us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

Hmm . . . love coffee. Hate cleaning. I have distant memories of a concept called "free time," in which I would do things like sketch and paint, bake extravagant cakes and pies and tarts, read books. I still do some of those things, but not nearly as often. Now, most of my time is consumed by my kids (aged 2 and 4) and writing. Luckily, I have a husband who doesn't mind the dust bunnies who have taken up permanent residence under our couch . . . though he wishes they'd pay rent. ;-)

If I could travel—wow. This time of year, I inevitably name someplace warm and tropical. Our most recent "Oh, look at that place!" is Bora Bora. Sooo gorgeous. But when summer is upon us and I don't just long to escape the cold, my travel wishes broaden out. I'd love, love, love to visit Italy, where my mother-in-law's family hails from. And the British Isles, where I apparently have a plethora of family in the great-great uncle category. Especially the Cotswolds of England, and some of the coastal Irish towns—and a castle in Scotland. That's a must. Are you going to foot the bill for this, Carole? (Caroline: hmm, no! LOL)Because I could come up with a few more, if so. =)

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

A Stray Drop of Blood is about Abigail, who at eight years old, was sold into slavery to Cleopas Visibullis, the prefect of the Tenth Legion. Raised as more a daughter than a servant, Abigail blooms into a beautiful, well-spoken young woman, and she adores her Roman master as well as his Hebrew wife, her mistress. But then their son, Jason, returns to Jerusalem as a centurion—and her world shifts on its axis.

Jason is in the mindset of the Romans, so he sees her as nothing but a slave, to be taken and discarded at will. His parents disapprove, but he is determined not to sacrifice a future career in Rome over their demands concerning a mere slave. Yet the more he knows of Abigail, the more he begins to see that she cannot be defined so simply.

An uprising led by Barabbas tears about the Visibullis household. Torn by bitterness and hatred, Abigail ventures to the trial . . . only to see that instead of the criminal, they're trying the teacher Cleopas and Jason had begun to take interest in. Though she cries out against it, she is swallowed up by the crowd and propelled with the masses to Golgotha. She's standing on the road when a stray drop of Jesus's blood lands on her when he's dragged by . . . and her soul is seared by the power of forgiveness—a force that changes her forever.

And that's only half the book. =)

• Readers can buy it at CrossPurposes at: http://www.crosspurposesbooks.com/index.php?module=viewitem&item=705523


• And use coupon code BLOGGER for 20% off,
  
• Then shoot me an email at Roseanna [at] RoseannaWhite [dot] com to get it personalized. Or from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976544466/ref=s9_simi_gw_s8_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0B0A98N2FYG6QSKVW4RN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846

You can also get it from bookstores like Borders and B&N, though it would probably have to be ordered.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who’s inspired you the most?

I've never seriously considered giving up—writing is my sanity-keeper, so to stop doing it just isn't an option. I've stopped submitting for sweeps of time, when I'm tired of rejections (lol), though that ceased to be an option once I'd signed with an agent. There are many, many times when I just stop whatever I'm doing and go, "When, Lord? When?" But I've found that whenever I'm at my lowest, that's when He sends encouragement, whether it be a glowing review, a request from an editor, or just a note from a reader that buoys me up.

This is the path God put me on. I can wonder how many twists there'll be before I reach the next gorgeous vista, but I can never wonder if maybe I should jump onto that other road over there. I love the journey—even if I could do without some of the potholes. ;-)

Would you explain how you "chose" (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go "inny, minny, miny, moe?" Grin. Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

Unlike a lot of people, I actually did choose WhiteFire. It's my husband's company, and he wanted to launch it with one of my titles. I fought him tooth and nail on that idea, having no desire to resign one of my babies to the doldrums of a small press. But after praying about it, I knew that this was the way I needed to go with A Stray Drop of Blood. So we produced it in hardback in 2005, and over the last four years we've figured out all the ways we messed up on it (ha ha), so did a complete rewrite and re-release in December of 2009.

But relax? No way. Small press publication means tons of footwork, promotions, networking, and the usual blood-sweat-and-tears. Not to mention that my other manuscripts are making the rounds at major publishers, so I'm in pretty constant prayer over those too.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

http://www.RoseannaMWhite.com
http://RoseannaMWhite.blogspot.com

My Cover Story

When my husband and I decided to re-release A Stray Drop of Blood, it was largely him saying, "Yes, okay. I'll dedicate some revenue to that" and me saying, "I want to do this. And that. And take out this. And add this over here." Topping the list was a new cover. I'd designed the first one myself, and while I liked its symbolism—a field of black with a red drop of blood that left a pure white streak behind it—I wanted something different this time.

One of my writer friends recently had a book release from Abingdon that has a gorgeous oil painting for a cover—literally, a local artist painted it. So I thought, "Ha! We can do that!" Both my sister and brother-in-law are art teachers, so I figured it would be a breeze. I gave them some ideas . . . and then school started. Which means their spare time went out the window. Still, my sister promised to squeeze out some time.

A few weeks later I headed to Denver for the 2009 ACFW conference. In the airport I noticed a young woman across from me with her laptop, waiting at the same gate. I thought, "I wonder if she's . . . nah. What are the chances of another ACFWer sitting there?" So silly me said nothing. Got on the plane. Got off the plane. Ran to the SuperShuttle with two seconds to spare, drove to the hotel.

It wasn't until I stepped out at the Marriott that I saw this same young woman again. We looked at each other and went, "Hey!" It only took a few minutes to realize that we also had the same flight back to Baltimore on Sunday, so we deemed ourselves Airplane Buddies and promised to sit together.

On the return flight, Ashley and I chatted about our conference, our stories, our projects, and she shared that her husband's a graphics designer. My internal radar started going, "This is important! This is important!" so I got their business cards.

Upon getting home, my sister said, "Hire the digital guy. I can't do this." So I sent an email to Tekeme Studios, the company owned by Ashley's husband.

Having never had a hand in a professional book design, I had no clue what to expect. But I filled out the survey they sent with gusto, answering the questions about my story and my characters. Tekeme's owner and designer extraordinaire, George, called me the next week to talk about it and spoke words that sent a shiver down my spine. "When I read your description, I got an instant image. Abigail in the foreground, the mob behind, hazy. Sepia tones. Some ancient architecture in the background."

This was exactly what I wanted, so I was thrilled. Still, I was nervous. I wanted a "Wow!" when people looked at the cover. I wanted a punch to the gut. I wanted something to really capture the dynamics, the power. I liked knowing I had veto power, but I also knew that my hubby/publisher was footing the bill, so I didn't want to demand a whole new design if this one flopped. So I prayed. A lot.

We ran into a snag with a model. Namely, hiring one would cost more money that we didn't have. George asked if I knew anyone who could do it, and I replied, "Uh . . . Ashley?" (Read the silent "Please, please, please???")

Thankfully, Ashley agreed. Photos were taken on a Friday by a professional who's a good friend of George and Ashley, and that mob in the background? That's Ashley, George, David the Photographer, and even Ashley and George's toddler, somewhere. On Monday, I got the cover back, pretty much as you see it. We changed some text, but the design needed nothing. It was a punch, it was a "Wow!" It was perfect.

I love the detail, the texture, the fact that the back is as gorgeous as the front. And I love that people have said things like, "Every time I see that cover, I get excited all over again." That, if you ask me, is the marker of a good design. So from here on out, WhiteFire and I are singing the praises of Tekeme Studios at the top of our lungs. Thanks, George and Ashley! (www.Tekeme.com)

(I also keep getting question of "Is the model really pregnant?" Funny answer: "Yes, actually. But she was only about 8 weeks when the photo was taken, so that's padding.")

Thank you so much, Roseanna, for this wonderful interview. I've loved having you here. Folks, run and get your copy--that is, if YOU don't win that copy. Whether you win it or buy it, you'll love the book!

Blessings!