Judy DuCharme Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I grew up in a small town, Harrisville, Michigan, on Lake Huron, the youngest of four. After graduating from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Communication Arts, I worked as a radio announcer for a Christian radio station until I married. We lived in a suburb of Detroit, had two children, and then moved to Wisconsin to beautiful Door County, the peninsula the extends north from Green Bay. I soon became a Green Bay Packer fan. I also returned to school, obtaining my teacher certification, and and then taught 5th grade for 22 years.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I felt a desire to write in my teenage years. I wrote poetry and short stories. My language teacher in 10th grade really encouraged me in creative writing.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. My career in writing started around 2007-2009. My first novel came to me in snatches and I had no idea that it would be a novel. I was asking God how to proceed while at a prayer time with friends. I heard “Jeremiah 30:2” within me. It said “Write in a book all that I have spoken to you.” Also about that time I was watching a Christian program about achieving the destiny God has for us. He instructed those listening to close their eyes and ask God where their face would be in 5 years. I did so, and saw my face on the back of a book. It was exactly 5 ½ years later my first book was published. I finished that novel and had no idea what to do. A well-known author in our area told me to get to Christian Writers Conference. That was where my publishing journey began. Even though I was pitching my novel, I ate a meal with the folks of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. At that time, their main focus was devotionals. We were talking football and Eddie turned to me as said, “You should write the Cheesehead Devotional.” I laughed, but a month later I realized the publisher had suggested that. I got to work and two years later The Cheesehead Devotional, Kickoff Edition was published. It received Best New Writer 2013 at the Write-to-Publish Conference. It also has an audio version.

Since then, my novel, Society of the L.A.M.B., futuristic and allegorical about young people learning to stand strong in a culture of persecution was published by Prism/Pelican BookGroup. Its audio version is about to be released. My novella, Run With the Wind, a historical romance about the Cracker Cowboys in Florida was published by Prism/Pelican as well. Christmas Ivy, a short story about an unusual visitation from grandparents and a mysterious provision was published by Prism/Pelican and was a National Indie Excellence Award Winner. LPC then published a second The Cheesehead Devotional, Hall of Fame Edition. It received a Second Place Non-fiction Award from Serious Writer and was a National Indie Excellence Award Finalist. Blood Moon Redemption has won a Selah Award, Third Place Mystery/Suspense as well as being awarded two National Indie Excellence Awards: Finalist, Religious Fiction and Finalist Book Cover Design Fiction.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Blood Moon Redemption?
A: Blood Moon Redemption launched October 31, 2018. It is a gripping and suspenseful story full of political and Biblical intrigue. Historically it is based on the premise, of which there is a great deal of evidence, that Columbus was at least part Jewish. He sailed 3 days after the Jews were forced out of Spain in 1492. He opened up a whole new world for them. In the book, only a tassel from a Rabbi’s prayer shawl is saved in the eviction and it becomes a relic. In present day, an up and coming young Jewish lawyer gets caught up in a terrorist plot. Her name is Tassel, named after the relic. She hates it and goes by Tassie. She considers the relic a legend only, but her mother and others keep bringing up evidence connecting the relic to the history of the blood moons, the sets of four total lunar eclipses occurring on Jewish feast days that happened in 1493, 1948, 1967, and a few years ago. Her journey will keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Blood Moon Redemption?
A: My husband and I love Israel and were intrigued by the prophecies and history that surrounded the blood moons. We read the nonfiction books about the subject. My husband suggested I write a book about the blood moons with a relic that was handed down through time in a family. He also suggested the strange little man that shows up throughout the story, making one wonder if he is an angel.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: I know not everyone will read the nonfiction about the blood moons or about Israel (there is so much misinformation about Israel). My goal is that through this story a love of Israel forms, a search for information concerning prophecy and blood moons occurs, and an awareness of God’s pursuit of every person penetrates the reader’s being. And, of course, that they totally enjoy the read and tell others about it.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. Oh gosh, just about everything. Ideas constantly go through my mind. I wish I was more disciplined to spend more time writing so many great ideas. But ultimately, I believe God has called me to write so I seek Him for direction and a furthering of ideas.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I live on a peninsula that has several islands occupied by lighthouses. The history of the lighthouses and shipwrecks is popular in this area. This story is a historical one about a young girl raised in those lighthouses.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. Spend time with my new grandson, soon to be a year old. He is truly a delight. I also love to hike and jetski. We are very involved with our church. We have an organization called Bridges that is an effort by several local churches providing activities for the International students that work here in the summer tourist season. I also work with our town’s service club. I teach Bible studies and have one that I put together on my website entitled Blood Covenant, Israel, and the End-times.