Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Interview with Varina Denman and GIVEAWAY!!!


Varina will giveaway one autographed copy of Justified.  To enter, answer the question below and leave contact information!  USA only. 


Varina Denman, Justified

How has being published changed your life?

Well, I’m WAY busier now. Before I was published, writing was a hobby—a hobby that I spend a lot of time on—but I could set it aside whenever my family needed me. Now, things are different. I have deadlines and interviews and articles that must be completed in a timely manner. All good things, but it’s taking me a while to adjust to my new schedule. Fortunately, my family has been patient.

I’m also WAY out of my comfort zone now. I’m the girl who slips into Bible class, hoping nobody will talk to me. I don’t mind hanging around afterward, but I usually just stand around and listen to other people’s conversations. And I’m very happy with that. Now? My friends (and a few strangers) are greeting me and commenting about my book. Again, all good things, but it’s a tad overwhelming for this introvert. Don’t even get me started on author interviews. I might throw up just thinking about them.

What are you reading right now?

Wow, that’s a tough one. And sort of embarrassing. Usually I read between 50 and 60 books a year, but so far in 2015, I have yet to finish ONE. Those deadlines I mentioned are eating my lunch. When I finally have time to relax … I sleep, not read. However, I’ve been thumbing through Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook, by June Hunt. It’s been very helpful for a marriage mentoring project I help with at my church.

What three things about you would surprise readers?

1. I love antiques. My parents were antique dealers, so I have tons of their cast-offs in my home.

2. I don’t have a college degree. Even though I graduated from high school as valedictorian of my class and went on to attend college for five years, I never completed my bachelor’s. As soon as I met my would-be husband, I settled down and started living my dream.

3. I have several dietary limitations, including caffeine, sugar, gluten, and milk. Translation: I eat nothing I want to eat.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Distraction! I have an extremely hard time focusing on my work. Social media is a huge pull, but when I’m down and gritty, I unplug the router so I can’t get to it easily, and I leave my cell phone downstairs. I also wear earplugs to drown out the noise in my house (I still have two teenagers at home). In spite of all that, sometimes I still accidentally clean my office instead of writing.

If someone else were sitting at your desk right now, what would they see?

An old-fashioned box computer monitor hooked up to a laptop. A plastic Coca Cola lamp. Bottles of vitamins next to a Kleenex box. Candles. A small chalk board where my kids leave me sweet messages. And out the window, a beautiful blue sky filled with wispy clouds, and a view of … the neighbor’s roof.


Tell us about Justified.

In a small Texas town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes others are justified in condemning her untimely pregnancy. Stifled by guilt, she yearns for the grace she has never been willing to bestow on others. Hope begins to stir when the local football coach offers gentle strength to help Fawn reawaken her heart and redeem her past.

Justified perfectly captures the rhythm and romance of life in a small town, chronicling the life of a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a community torn between judgment and love. It is the unforgettable story of broken dreams, second chances, and relentless hope.

Is there one particular message or “moral of the story” you hope readers walk away with?

Yes, the story tells of Fawn’s inability to forgive herself when she falls short of her own expectations. I hope readers can walk away with the understanding that only God is big enough to forgive our sins, and since He is ready and willing to do that, we shouldn’t give ourselves a hard time when we’re less than perfect. God’s grace is there for us, we just have to accept it.

What one question would you like us to ask your readers?

For a chance to win an autographed copy of Justified, leave a comment, answering this question: Which is more difficult? Apologizing to someone else, or forgiving them when they’ve wronged you?

Will we know what happens to Fawn Blaylock after the end of the book?

I’m a firm believer in tying up the loose ends. In Justified, Fawn’s love story is complete, but I do leave the reader wondering about a couple of the other characters. Hence the third book in the Mended Hearts series, Jilted, which concludes the saga of the Trapp residents, telling the love story between Lynda Turner and Clyde Felton.


Where can readers find you online?


Blog: varinadenman.com
Goodreads: goodreads.com/varinadenman
Facebook: facebook.com/varina.denman
Twitter: @varinadenman
Pinterest: pinterest.com/varinadenman
Instagram: @varinadenman

Varina Denman writes stories about the unique struggles women face. She has five children, teaches creative writing and literature, and boasts sixteen years as a home educator. She resides with her family in North Texas. Her first novel, Jaded, won the 2013 ACFW Genesis Award.


  




9 comments:

HeidiDruKortman said...

For me, it can depend on the severity of the wrong that was done.

lollipops said...

'I can apologize easily. Sometimes, forgiving from the heart takes a little longer.'



Carolyn Hill

Unknown said...

For me, apologizing is usually the harder of the two.

Deana said...

For me it is hard to forgive someone. We all tend to want to be justified and holding on to unforgiveness seems to be a way to say we think we are right . All we are really doing is saying is we choose not to forgive because our pride gets in the way. It's never easy to forget the hurt and pain someone caused you but we all need to learn how to walk in forgiveness and not let bitterness enter into our hears.

Deana

Unknown said...

I would say it's harder to forgive. I want to hold on to my bitterness, and then I just get deeper and deeper in it.

Unknown said...

So much harder to forgive!

Anne Payne said...

You don't mess around on this question, do you? The only way I can do either one is through much prayer.
homesteading(at)charter(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I have a harder time apologizing. I can forgive someone though still may find it hard to forget.
Thereadmaster@me.com
This book looks really good.

lollipops said...

Heidi wins a copy of this book

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