Lillian Duncan interview

Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?
I started writing 19 years ago when I was 40. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing but I loved doing it! So, I kept writing and learning and writing some more.
I was a speech-language pathologist for 34 years, most of those years were in a large urban setting—Cleveland. Then I retired and worked part-time for several years in the rural community I grew up in. Also I owned a dog kennel and grooming shop for some of those years as well.

Q: Do you write in only one genre and if so which one and why? If not, which ones and why?
A: I write mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense. To me they are all the same genre, but I know they have slightly different characteristics. I’ve also written one horror novel that may get published one of these days.

I’d say the genre picked me and not the other way around. I’ve always loved reading all sorts of books, but my favorite were mysteries and suspense. So when I started writing, they just turned out to be mystery/suspense stories.

Q: How does your faith play into your writing?
A. My books are written from a Christian worldview, so sometimes the faith element is strong and other times not as strong. I usually have one or more Christian characters in my stories who are at different points on their spiritual journey. My main character is usually a Christian or becomes one during the story.

Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?
A. Most of my books start out in Ohio where I’m from. But since my characters are usually chasing someone or running from someone, they end up in all sorts of places. West Virginia, San Francisco, the Tetons, Florida, and the Bahamas to name a few. I’ve traveled a lot so that helps when I pick a place for them to run to.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?
A: They are totally made up! Or as I like to say—it’s fiction! But in reality, some of the characters may resemble people I’ve met at one time or another in my life. But please don’t tell them!

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Deadly Communications?
A: This is the first in a new mystery novella series featuring Maven Morris—a crime-fighting speech-language pathologist. Talk about basing a character on someone you know!

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?
A: Three things happened within a few days of each other to inspire DEADLY COMMUNICATIONS.
First, my brother asked why I didn’t write a story featuring a speech-language pathologist. To which my answer was that it would be difficult to come up with a suspense story and an SLP.

Second, a few days later I was talking with someone whose daughter had been involved in an accident and was now experiencing communication difficulties.

Thirdly, as writers are prone to do, I was sitting daydreaming and had a vision of a young woman running through the woods and into ongoing traffic.

That’s all it took! My writer mind took over and DEADLY COMMUNICATIONS was born.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: Maven has experienced a series of life-changing catastrophic events that have led to depression. It would be so easy for her to give up, but she doesn’t.

It’s not easy when life throws us a curve ball or two. I know because I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors two years ago. It’s been quite a struggle, and it’s not over yet. But Maven and I have both learned that trusting God isn’t something we do only during the good times. No matter the circumstances we have to keep going and keep trusting in God.

Q: Tell us what you like about the main characters of this book.
A: I like the fact that she’s me—oops, that’s not right. Though Maven certainly has a lot more of me in her than most of my characters. I love the fact that she’s a speech pathologist who loves children—oh, wait that’s still about me.

Okay, seriously I like the fact that she doesn’t give up in the face of some very serious life-changing events in her life and that because of them she’s developed a much stronger and more intimate relationship with God. (still me!)

Mmm…I’m beginning to wonder if I don’t have too close of a relationship with Maven.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I have another book coming out in September—REDEMPTION, that is the third in my Sisters By Choice series. I have two more novellas in the Deadly Communication series that need a little polishing.

Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?
A. I always answer this question the same way—I’d like to go to Antarctica and the South Pole and then walk around the world in twenty-four steps. But I’m not going to say that this time. Instead, my answer is Alaska and Hawaii. I’ve been to 48 states and would like to get the other two in.

Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?
A. To think that I could become a writer!

Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?
 
A. Become a writer!

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?
A. My website is www.lillianduncan.net and I have a devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com. My personal blog is TIARAS & TENNIS SHOES at www.lillian-duncan.com. I’m also on Twitter as @LillianDuncan and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lillian.k.duncan

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. Thank you so much for having me as a guest.