Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back June Foster
Linda: Welcome back! It’s been a while since your last visit, but you’ve been quite busy. Congratulations on your recent release Ryan’s Father. The story addresses series issues. Where did you get the inspiration for this story?
June: In my novels, I write about Christian characters who encounter the challenges of living in today's world. I've written stories where my heroes deal with obesity, anger, drug use, and much more. The Lord placed on my heart a story about a Christian man who fights against same sex attraction.
Linda: You are a retired school teacher, and the main character is a teacher. Did you draw from your own experiences to write this story?
June: Yes, in some ways. I always taught the lower grades so I'm well acquainted with teaching reading. In the novel, the hero is a first-grade teacher, and I wrote several scenes where Ryan led his youngsters in learning to read.
LM: What do you do you do to prepare yourself for writing? Do you have a set schedule?
June: I generally write earlier in the day when I'm not tired or distracted. When I work on first drafts, I feel like my writing is terrible, but when I go back to edit, it doesn't seem quite as bad. (smile)
LM: How do you deal with writer’s block?
June: For some reason, I'm not bothered by writer's block, but on occasion I don't know what's going to happen to my characters next, so I try a method I picked up in James Scott Bell's class. He suggested getting a thesaurus and open to a random page and point to a word. Then do it again. Allow the words to spark an idea. For example, I glanced at "diamond" then "parade." I would now include those two elements in a scene if I needed an idea.
LM: Here are some quickies:
Lake or ocean? I'd rather visit the ocean but only to look at it, not to swim in it.
Walk, drive, or bicycle? I prefer to walk to get much needed exercise.
Cat or dog? I'm completely in love with dogs.
LM: You have visited many areas of the U.S. What is your favorite place and why?
June: We were so blessed to travel all over the US in our RV. However, my most favorite place was Hawaii. The air, the ocean and sand, the flowers, I can't tell you how glorious the islands are.
LM: What is your next project?
June: I'm writing a romantic suspense that will be published in December. In The Inn at Cranberry Cove, a young woman inherits her aunt's B&B in Washington state but encounters frightening midnight visitors. The handsome gardener whom her aunt hired before she died lives with a secret he can't reveal to the heroine.
Linda: Where can folks connect with you?
June:
Website: http://www.junefoster.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vjifoster
About Ryan's Father:
Ryan Reid is a first-grade teacher and a Christian with a heart for neglected kids, but a chance encounter during an earthquake with Sandy Arrington, a beautiful young nurse, rocks Ryan’s carefully guarded world and unearths the secret he has held deep in his heart: he's gay. Though Sandy falls in love with him, Ryan’s forbidden affections lie elsewhere, and he must depend on the Lord to see him through a battle he always hoped he’d never have to face.
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B085S37ZDC
Hey Linda, thanks so much for having me on your blog. yesterday was a crazy day. I said good-by as she flew back home to Texas after a week's visit. I wish our family lived closer, but I'm grateful for the rare visits we get.
ReplyDeleteI hope your readers will enjoy Ryan's story. Take care and stay safe.
Wow, June, that is risk-taking. But these are issues that have to be explored, right? Best wishes with your new release.
ReplyDeleteKathy Bailey