Today I'm tickled to bring you a new friend . . . Lillian Duncan! Here's a little about her:
My journey as a writer began long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Okay, maybe it wasn’t in a galaxy that far away, but it was long, long ago.
I remember learning to read the Dick and Jane books and from that time on books grabbed hold of my imagination and transported me around the world. Where ever I went my book went.
I went on to wander about Africa, thanks to Curious George and then there was Pippi Longstocking. And Heidi and the Swiss Alps. Anyway, you get the idea.
So, loving books and loving to read were the first steps in me becoming a writer. For me, I always had stories in my head. Most little girls play house with dolls and rock them and put them to bed....but my dolls didn’t have it quite that easy. They had extensive story plots to act out.
I’m old enough to remember when Mr. Potato Head was just plastic parts that you put on a real potato. And then there was his wife, Mrs. Potato Head and a bevy of children. Well, in Potato World, I was the queen and I would make up all kinds of problems for the Potatoes and their friends. And that was just the beginning of my stories.
I can’t remember not having stories in my head. Unfortunately, that’s where the characters and stories stayed—in my head.
Fast forward a few years and now, I’m 40, restless and unhappy. And a couple different things happened at around the same time. First, I was watching a TV show, probably Oprah. And a guest suggested you write you own obituary to give you guidance as to what you want to do in your life.
I felt silly but I did it. One of the things in my obituary was that I was the author of numerous bestselling novels. But how could that be? I hadn’t ever written anything except some poetry.
And then another Oprah suggestion—I was reading this little pink book called Simple Abundance. And a major theme of the book was finding your creativity and using it.
And that’s when the light bulb went off.
These stories in my head were the stories I was supposed to be writing down for everyone to enjoy—not just something for me to pass the time with while I was driving back and forth to work.
So, I started writing that day and I haven’t stopped yet.
And we are so glad you haven't! Welcome, Lillian! Thank you for coming on our blog and letting us all get to know you better. Now, time for a little Q & A.
We kind of already know the answer to this, but when did you first discover that you were a writer?
I was a late bloomer. I was 40 when I realized all those stories rumbling around in my head were the stories I was supposed to be writing down for others to enjoy.
What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?
I have 3 other books published. They are SHATTERED, SERENITY SPRINGS, OHIO, and IN A CORNER OF HER HEART.
Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?
That’s a hard one. I love Gone With The Wind, but who doesn’t? I prefer mystery and suspense with a little romance thrown in.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I walk! I’m a low key type of person and when I feel I’m getting out of balance it’s easy for me to just take a few steps back and relax.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Hard question. I hate to brag but certainly working and retiring from a large metropolitan school district is right up there at the top.
What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?
ME! I am my own worst critic. I often feel like I’m not good enough, smart enough to do this thing called writing. But God gifted me with a spirit of tenacity so I keep writing.
What advice would you give to an author just starting out?
READ! READ! READ! Not just in your genre but in all genres. Classic and contemporary. WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! Until you start writing, you don’t know whether you can do it or not. The more you write the better you’ll get.
BLURB: Reggie Meyers has spent her life pursing the American Dream, but now she’s the one being pursued— by an unknown killer. Putting her trust in Dylan Monroe, a man she barely knows, will either be the best decision she ever made or the last.
Reggie’s a big city lawyer and Dylan’s a country farmer. In the normal course of events, their lives would never intersect but some accidents just aren't meant to be avoided. When Reggie crashes into Dylan, it makes a bad day even worse or so she thinks. Dylan, on the other hand, is intrigued by the feisty lady lawyer and wrangles a way to spend a bit more time with her by offering to drive her home after the accident. And so the journey that will change both their lives begins…
WHAT THIS STORY MEANS TO ME? PURSUED is a story near and dear to my heart. I wanted to write a story that showed some of the differences between "big-city" and "small-town" living, but in the end those differences are only superficial. The important thing is a person’s character not where they live or what they do for a job.
Check out her trailer! It's awesome!
How can readers find the book and where can they find you on the Internet?
It’s at all the major online bookstores along with being at http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/
Bonus question: Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.
I was a group home mother many years ago for a Jewish organization. One of the things we had to do was run a Kosher house. It was a very interesting experience, especially keeping the dairy and the meat separated.
Wow! That IS interesting! Thank you again for stopping by, Lillian! If you, my friends, have questions or comments for Lillian, please leave them here and I'll make sure she gets them! Blessings to all!
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