Shirley, describe yourself for our visitors.
In my spare time, when I am not moving my fingers across the keyboard making words and phrases into stories, I am usually working up some sort of needlework project for a friend. It keeps me creative. Either that or I’m playing my piano or finger picking something on my guitar. I think it is difficult for me to stop working my brain. I love every kind of music, especially Irish music, or Christian worship songs that come right from the scriptures. My husband pastored for years which involved me in the leading of women’s ministries. I have never stopped doing that. I still teach women’s Bible Studies and enjoy organizing retreats. I speak at those when I have the time. Growing women in the faith is a passion of my heart. It is part of the reason I write.
How do you find time to connect with God?
The first thing my husband and I do in the morning before we start the day is connect with God together. It keeps us together and helps us make sure our priorities stay right. I figure if God isn’t with me when I write then what’s the purpose?
Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?
Wow, it develops the more I read. I have a number of favorites. I love Francine Rivers and am continuously inspired by her. When I was younger I was inspired by the poetic creativity of a worldly writer, who is gone now, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I had to skip a lot of her pages when I read her books but it was her writing style I was inspired by to encourage me to begin writing myself. I wanted to have books I could pass on to my daughter and other young women. I made up my mind I could do that but not with all that carnality. There are many more authors out there who are excellent. Redeeming Love is a favorite of mine. I still appreciate the old Victoria Holt books when I’m in the mood. I love Lynn Austin. There are too many more to name.
Tell us about your journey to publication.
Started in the 80s. Reading the historical romances but wishing there was something inspirational. I could find nothing but Grace Livingston Hill. I began to practice then. (I’ve never been good at grammar, however and often got discouraged.) I took a writer’s correspondence course in the early 90′s to hone my writing but still didn’t get very far. Finally in 2000 I launched a women’s ministry website and that is really how I began publishing small nonfiction articles little by little then a small novel in 2005. I do both fiction and nonfiction. Once my ministry website got off the ground, I think that was it. I choose not to look back. I absolutely love writing. It is the joy of my life.
Tell us about your current book?
FLAME FROM WITHIN begins in the year 1864. The place is Vicksburg , Mississippi in the midst of upheaval and devastation on a land that was at one time, glorious to look upon where bitterness runs deep for a proud Southern woman, who loses everything and was raised in an abused home (by her sister). In the story, it begins with young and enchanting plantation-bred Amethyst Rose Lebrún who is about to wed but finds her plans suddenly change when hours before taking her arranged wedding vows she discovers her betrothed is strangely missing-in-action. She soon finds herself occupying space in a filthy underground cave, hiding from the aggressive assaults of the Union Army.
When her fleeing family prepares to join her, a Yankee-induced fire destroys them and her home, and now this devastated Vicksburg darling must decide whether life is even worth going on. Her only choice left is to move in with her elder and controlling sister who abused her as a child, and who now runs a bordello in The French Quarter of New Orleans. This only guarantees to destroy not only her personal respect, but tarnish her family name. With her bitter hatred towards all men dressed in the Yankee blue plunged into high gear, let alone her fear of her sister, nothing seems to matter anymore until, on a riverboat, she finds herself absorbed by the presence of not one, but two Union officers anxious to tug at the heart and soul of this woman lost. But only one true warrior can win the heart of her heart. The question is, will she open her heart up and let him?
How did you come up with the idea for your current book?
The idea for FLAME FROM WITHIN came together years ago when I was sharing books back and forth with a close friend. We were very young Christians then. I think the book we were sharing at the time had something to do with New Orleans. I knew I could do something better someday, so I vowed in my heart I would. I’ve always believed in that scripture from Luke 1:37 …”For with God nothing shall be impossible” Luke 1:37.. In fact it is my motto today!
What’s next for you?
I just completed a manuscript that I am preparing to send out (working title is “A Forever Thing”). It is actually a sequel to Flame From Within, and I am very excited about it. This one takes place just a few years after the the War between the States and picks up where the other leaves off. Once the reader reads the first she will look forward to what happens next I’m sure.
I also have three devotionals coming out soon: I See God in the Simple Things, I See God in the Thorns -n- Thistles, I See God on That Narrow Road.
Where can visitors find you online?
Thank you so much for having me. Anyone can come visit me anytime at http://shirleykoinonia.tripod.com/
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