How much research, if any, did you have to do for this book?
Not much. I reread all four Gospel versions to see if I missed anything. I just used the Scriptures for this series. I have to admit that with the second book, just a bit more research was required.


What new doors has your writing opened up for you? Were there any opportunities that you had never considered before?
The first year of writing was a struggle. The second year I found myself actually hired out to write. The third year, this last year, has been the most amazing. I have found actual people following my work. I have people who send me fan mail. I have been asked to review books. I have been asked to write pieces for other people’s sites. I have even been asked for advice. One of the biggest opportunities has been meeting other writers. Just as you are interviewing me, I have begun interviewing the author of books I have reviewed. It is so cool. I’ve interviewed a Holocaust survivor. I have talked with professors and journalists. I have even been interviewed by a journalist who is researching a book of her own. I was so honored by that. Who would ever have thought that I would be interviewed for my life experiences? I’m a nobody. This last year has been a fun ride. I can’t wait to see what next year holds.


Do you ever become bored with what you are writing? If you do, how do you get past that point?
Sometimes. It is mainly when I’m writing for hire that it can get boring. I have to write on what they want in the style they want. Though it is me, it is a limited me. I have to pull back, take a deep breath, and remind myself that it is only temporary and it brings in the money. If that doesn’t work, I go write something fun for awhile and fix that.


How do you manage to balance your time between family, friends, and writing?
If you saw my house, you would say I don’t. By working from home, I can be very flexible. I take every opportunity I have and use it where it needs to be used the most. When the kids have a ballgame, I take my work with me to work on while they are warming up or during downtimes. There are always times when I get stuck waiting. So I use that to work. Home alone all day helps, though the dogs can be demanding sometimes. With the way the world is, I can work from anywhere and at any time. I love it. I can take my work with me on vacation and write when inspired. Sitting in the stands of a basketball game has inspired a story. I jot it down on a piece of paper to work with later. I guess you could say that they all work together. My family actually helps with my writing sometimes. My oldest daughter is helping me with another book. She enjoys helping me through a difficult scene.


If you could spend one hour with just one person, whom would you choose?
My goodness. One person? That’s like choosing one type of pizza or ice cream. I think my grandfather. He died when I was 10 years old. I wasn’t old enough to think of asking him about his life. He was a coal miner in eastern Kentucky. He risked his life to bring the unions in. He saw so much that we call history now. I would love to hear his side of it. His parents were from Ireland. I would love to know about them and what it was like to be raised by Irish immigrants. I missed out on so much with him.


Do you have any advice for writers who are striving to be published?
Ignore everyone! Ok, kidding, sort of. There are way too many naysayers in this world. If someone says you can’t do it, ignore them. You might not be a Pulitzer Prize winner, but if it makes you happy, you have to follow that dream. Write. Become friends with other writers. Work with others on your work. Never consider yourself too good to learn anything new. Be open to constructive criticism. Keep trying until you achieve your dream. Remember that everyone else has struggled to get where they are. And do a happy dance each time you achieve a step toward that dream. I do one every chance I get.

Thank you, Rebecca, for such a wonderful interview.

Since I am the one who edited this story, I received a free copy of the book from the author. If you would like your own copy of A Gift for a Mouse, it is available on Amazon through the link I have provided a link below.