Walnut Springs Press March Madness Sweet 16 Question--Dave Johnston

From the West comes the industrious  Dave Johnston

If you could be a character from any book, who would you be and why?

That's a tough question because so many great characters have to endure some very difficult things before they achieve success ... there's a lesson to be learned there, I suppose.  Maybe Atticus Finch.  A good dad and a great example of someone who stands up against evil when others won't. 

If you could co-write a book with any author who would you co-write it with?

I'd love to co-write a book with Sister Jo some day . . . maybe a travel guide!

How many hours do you spend on writing a day?

On average, I write 2-3 hours a day.

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?

Write a little bit every day, and write for yourself in words you like to hear, using good grammar of course.

How long did it take you to publish your first book after you started trying?

It took six months, but I think that's rare.

Is there a movie (gasp) that you prefer over the book version?

Yes.  A few, actually.   One of them is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I know the music is corny, but Gene Wilder 's performance is amazing.

Do you write in your PJ's?

Not very often.  I find that my best writing comes when I'm wearing a shirt and tie . . . perhaps it's just that I'm more focused when I'm dressed up.  (That's my advice for taking tests, by the way:  dress up; it makes a difference.)

Do you use a laptop or a desktop for writing?

Laptop.

What is your favorite cereal?

Quaker Oat Squares.

Do you prefer summer or winter?

Winter; I look forward to Christmas for 364 days. 

If you were a crayon what color would you be?

I'd be an orange crayon.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year?

Finish two more books!

The world would be a better place if . . .?

The world would be a better place if people took the troubles of others more seriously and their own troubles less seriously.

What is something you've always wanted to try?

Stunt driving :  pursuit and evasive escape manageress.  And I'd be good, too!

The Johnston family in the Christmas spirit.

The Johnston Family at Disneyland

Walnut Springs March Madness Sweet Sixteen Questions--Theresa Sneed

From the Eastern bracket, comes the sensitive Theresa Sneed.

If you could be a character from any book, who would you be and why?

The wise and beautiful Galadriel from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, because she faced absolute dominion over all and chose to shrink into the background and allow others to make their own choices.  

If you could co-write a book with any author who would you co-write it with?

You didn't say if they were living or not, so if I could chose any co-author, it would be JRR Tolkien, but if it was limited to someone still living, I'd chose Steven King. 

The funny thing is that I'm not a horror writer or even a horror reader. I just think Steven King has a genius level of writing and would love to learn from him, plus he's a fellow-Mainer!

How many hours do you spend on writing a day? 

When I'm in the zone, which is more times than not, I spend between 8-10 hours of writing a day.

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?

If someone looks down on you as a writer, don't let them influence you. Later in life, they may turn out to be one of your greatest fans! My advice would be to never give up and to glean all you can from books, conferences, classes and other authors about the writing process. 

How have your personal experiences affected your writing? 

My writing tends to be highly influenced by my personal experiences. I write about angels, because I've had some pretty interesting experiences with the spirit world. Check them out at http://theresatalks.blogspot.com

How long did it take you to publish your first book after you started trying?

I haven't published the first book I wrote, Together At Last and Forever, but maybe someday I'll take it out and look it over. As I remember, it was pretty sappy. It's buried in a filing cabinet. I haven't published my second or third book either, but have revamped the second book, Sons of Elderberry and hope to have it published soon. No Angel is the fourth book that I've written. After writing it, it took about a year for me to find a publisher and to have it published. Earthbound is my second published book. It's the second in the No Angel series with a third book in the series coming out in May!

Is there a movie (gasp) that you prefer over the book version?

No - never.

Do you write in your PJ's?

No. Because, if I put my PJ's on that will make me way too comfortable to stay alert.

Do you use a laptop or a desktop for writing? 

Laptop - but I need a new one!

What is your favorite quotation? 

As man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

What is your favorite cereal? 

Raisin Bran. 

If you were a crayon what color would you be? 

Light Yellow - the color of the sun.

Do you prefer summer or winter? 

SUMMER!

What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year? 

I want to publish multiple books!

The world would be a better place if . . .?

Christ ruled the world.

What is something you've always wanted to try? 

Parasailing ~ I think.

Speaking at a Greenfield Ward book club

Theresa with some of her favorite writing friends: Betsy Love, Aimee Morgan, Kari Pike

Theresa with Jenni James and Betsy Love

Signing with Betsy Love

Signing with Joan Sowards

At the Grand Canyon with friends

Elder Issac Sneed

Four generations of Sneeds

Announcing our Spring EBook Sale

We're thrilled beyond measure that spring is here and we want to celebrate! 

For a limited time, until April 15th, the following ebooks will be on sale at Amazon.com. 

We know you want to get one, or two, or three . . .

$2.99 Fiction Titles
Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
Cold River by Liz Adair
Dearly Departed by Tristi Pinkston
Earthbound by Theresa Sneed
Easterfield by Anna Jones Buttimore
Emmalee by Tristi Pinkston
Hang 'Em High by Tristi Pinkston
Heart of a Hero by Marie Higgins
Hearts through Time by Marie Higgins
Just Shy of Paradise by Carole Thayne Warburton
The Keeper's Calling by Kelly Nelson
Northanger Alibi by Jenni James
No Escape by Anna Jones Buttimore
Redemption by Susan Dayley
Secrets after Dark by Marie Higgins
The Star Prophecy by Joan Sowards
Targets in Ties by Tristi Pinkston
Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Turning Pages by Tristi Pinkston
Under a Lakota Moon by Deborah L. Weikel
Wild Irish Rose by Deborah L. Weikel
Winning Mr. Wrong by Marie Higgins

$2.99 Non-Fiction Titles
Alone, but Not Lonely by Paul Brandt
Bro. Jo's Guide to Casual Group Dating by Dave Johnson
Make It Happen by Kylee Shields
Messages from the Scriptures by Jeff Baker
Women of Strength by Tristi Pinkston

$4.99 Fiction Titles
A Night on Moon Hill by Tanya Parker Mills
Chocolate Roses by Joan Sowards
Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena
Defenders of the Covenant by Angie Lofthouse
Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
Emergence by C. Michelle Jefferies
Finding Rose by Stephanie Humphreys
Haunts Haven by Joan Sowards
Identity by Betsy Love
Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena
In God is Our Trust by L.C. Lewis
The Keeper's Quest by Kelly Nelson
Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
No Angel by Theresa Sneed
Oh, Say Can You See? by L.C. Lewis
Persuaded by Jenni James
Pride & Prejudice by Jenni James
Poaching Daisies by Carole Thayne Warburton
Soulfire by Betsy Love
Sun Tunnels and Secrets by Carole Thayne Warburton

Walnut Springs Press March Madness Sweet 16 Questions--Susan Dayley

From the Southern bracket, comes the skilled Susan Dayley

If you could be a character from any book, who would you be and why?

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." I’m going to assume that most women would choose Elizabeth—and for good reasons. 

But not me. I choose Heidi—mountains, sky, cheese, flowers, yep, I’m part hippi at heart. Though Robin Hood has his appeal—maybe Marian?

If you could co-write a book with any author who would you co-write it with? 

J.R.R Tolkien, Neal A. Maxwell, Mark Twain. I guess I have a thing for creative, intelligent and clever dead guys. 

How many hours do you spend on writing a day? 

2-5—but that includes blogging at susandayley.wordpress.com (shameless plug).

What advice would you give an aspiring writer? 

Never stop learning your craft, but never stop enjoying it either. And get a cat—he’ll pull you back to reality occasionally.

How have your personal experiences affected your writing?  

As in my next book is set in my home-town, on the street I grew up on, and one scene is in the cemetery I played night games in? I guess a little. But also, having cried over a teenager, yearned for clean energy sources, and suffered a broken heart—yep, that all comes through too.

How long did it take you to publish your first book after you started trying? 

I think a year—but I’m not sure. Now days, it takes just short of forever.

Is there a movie (gasp) that you prefer over the book version? 

Sound of Music. The book falls short of the scene where the Austrians join in singing Edelweiss. I bawl every time. However, it still bothers me that just when the captain is about to kiss Maria, in a very romantic setting, she stops him while she sings about her wicked childhood. Really?

Do you write in your PJ's? 

Sometimes. But I don’t go to the door so you’ll never see.

Do you use a laptop or a desktop for writing?

Lap top until two weeks ago when my DH got me the most romantic valentine gift ever for a writer—a new computer. Now I just have to move all my files over and learn to use the latest Word. Wow, big changes in the last seven years.

What is your favorite quotation?

“Climb every mountain, ford every stream. . .”  I’m sorry I’ve got a former question stuck in my head. How about: “To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken—all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives to us—because He loves us. These learning experiences must not be misread as divine indifference. Instead, such tutorials are a part of the divine unfolding,” (Neal A. Maxwell). Or else, “Travelling through hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, boy,” (Hans Solo). (But next week there will be others.)

What is your favorite cereal? 

Green Smoothie with frozen peaches. . . .What? 

If you were a crayon what color would you be? 

Hot Pink

Do you prefer summer or winter? 

October. What do you mean somebody is not cooperating?

What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year?

Write 2-3 books, get good grades in my school classes, teach in a classroom, and heck, while I’m at it I ought to learn to fly. Seriously, the first three, I mean one.

The world would be a better place if . . .? 

We all read /studied Atlas Shrugged, were vegans, and planted bulbs.

What is something you've always wanted to try? 

Hang gliding. But lately I’ve changed it to: sky-walking through a rain forest canopy, like this one: 

Hiking the Narrow in Zion with her family

Hiking Timp with her Daughter

Sassy Susan

Susan's adorable granddaughter.