image: header
image: gownflare

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Spotlight on Mary DeMuth and Daisy Chain

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARY DEMUTH is an author of six books who helps parents to turn their trials into triumphs. Mary has spoken at several national writers conferences and has had the privilege of teaching in the US, Europe, and Africa for various churches and church planting ministries. She's appeared on national TV in Canada, and WFAA's Good Morning Texas. Mary and her husband, Patrick, reside in Rockwall, Texas with their three children. They recently returned from breaking new spiritual ground in Southern France, where they planted a church.

Visit her other web sites: http://blog.myfamilysecrets.org/ and http://www.thewritingspa.com/.

DAISY CHAIN
by Mary DeMuth
Published by Zondervan

ABOUT THE BOOK

The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. Fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers in this gritty and compelling story of love and sorrow, revealing God's hand of redemption in impossible situations. Lyrical fiction from a bright new literary talent.

Buy Your Copy of Daisy Chain today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I had several long conversations with a friend who had a father who seemed to be the upstanding Christian citizen of his community, only to punish his family behind closed doors. It bothered me so much, that the kernel of this story formed.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Everything influences my writing. But I must say I am no prophet like Hixon, and no saint like Bald Muriel. And I certainly can't relate to Jed as a fourteen year old boy. All the characters are part of me, and yet they have their own personalities. Thankfully, this is true. It would be boring to keep reading ME in every book!

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Jed would be Neopolitan since that was a common flavor in the 70s, and he is multi-dimensional, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes guilt-ridden, sometimes afraid.

4. Are there any themes in Daisy Chain that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

That keeping secrets doesn't protect. Hiders never prosper. And authenticity, the importance of it, weaves its way through the book. It's something I'm passionate about, and you'll see it in several of my books in smaller ways.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I don't like to write about missing children. It's hard and painful and awful. My favorite is fleshing out secondary redemptive characters who add life and light to the story.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

The second book of the trilogy is called A Slow Burn and it releases in October. My memoir, Thin Places, releases in January. And the final Defiance book comes out Spring 2010.

* * * * *

Thank you, Mary, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Daisy Chain.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

8 comments:

Carole said...

The character-driven drama is my favorite genre, and I can tell from Mary's description that I'd very much like to read her book. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Linda said...

It would be hard to write about a missing child. We still have one from 1989, Jacob Wetterling. It is so heart-breaking. Don't know how the parents keep going. We now have the Jacob Wetterling Foundation that formed out of it. So it has redeeming ramifications. Thanks for writing. It will give hope to parents with missing children.

desertrose5173[at]gmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I would appreciate being entered in your drawing for this book.
Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I recently hread this author speak at The Christian Book Expo. I'd love to read a book of hers!

Pamela J said...

Please don't enter me in your drawing but I just HAD to come comment on the FANTASTIC book Mary wrote. We had the opportunity to read together, my husband drove while I read aloud, while traveling to North Carolina and back. (it didn't take the whole trip, we read over two books while clicking the miles away). I have to say WOW to this book. At times I couldn't hardly breathe I was so choked up with emotions. There are many people with secrets that would just blow us away to know.
I have to agree that keeping a secret does not make it go away or protect anyone but the one, for awhile, it is about. That one is the main one that shouldn't be protected.
I'm certainly looking forward to the next one Mary!

Mary DeMuth said...

Thanks so much for hosting me here! And a HUGE congrats on delivering. Hooray for baby!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'd love a chance to win this. The reviews make it sound like a must read!

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

LINDA

Congratulations! I have emailed you for your mailing information so Mary can send out your book.

As always, thanks to everyone for your continued support.