The Lord gave me a download about writing and marketing that I need to write out to fully grasp. My spirit understands and agrees with the Lord, but it is a struggle for the soul. The mind needs to have it laid out logically/sequentially to comprehend. So far I have been distracted with many things and been unable to have the writing time. So, today I would like to introduce Lynn Dove, a fellow author and I will try to sneak away and write!

To celebrate the completion of the final book in Lynn's "Wounded Trilogy" she is celebrating with a special promotion! You can find her celebration promotion here: http://awe.sm/gYYO June 24th through June 27th.

Woo hoo! Congratulations Lynn. I am praising God with you \o/\o/ that His words are now able to reach the ones He knows will read these novels.

When I asked Lynn how she would describe herself she had this to say:  "I am a Christfollower, a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a teacher and a writer (in that order).  I wear so many different “hats” that I find prioritizing them tends to focus me better.  I have been married to my best friend, Charles for over 33 years and we have three wonderful children: daughter, Laurelle (husband, Matt) grandbaby, Jaxon, and we have two live-at-home teenagers, Brett and Carmen.   I have been a teacher most of my adult life, and I still substitute from time to time at the private Christian school my youngest daughter attends.  I love volunteering and working closely with the youth in our church.  I love to blog, camp and read."

In a nutshell, tell us about your “Wounded Trilogy.”

"Shoot the Wounded, the first book of the Wounded Trilogy, is written for youth and young adults. It addresses how lies and gossip destroy a person's spirit and speaks to the heart of relevant themes such as bullying, teen pregnancy and family violence.  The story points the characters, and ultimately the reader, to hope in Jesus Christ.  STW was a finalist in the 2010 Readers Favorite Book Awards.

"Heal the Wounded, is the sequel to STW and the second book of the Wounded Trilogy.  HTW won a Bronze Medal in the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards in the Young Adult- Coming of Age category.  HTW delves even deeper into the real world of teenagers trying to live out their faith in the midst of upset and struggle.   Heal the Wounded, continues to follow the characters, Jake, Leigh, Mike (Jake's best friend), and Tim (Ronnie's brother) each of them dealing with the aftermath of their friend’s death in the first book. Jake is especially dealing with a variety of disappointments (“Job” experiences I call them) that cause him to question why God allows bad things to happen to good people. A new character is introduced into the story, Cassidy, a young cancer patient whose unquenchable spirit and faith impacts Jake, Leigh, Mike and Tim in a way that allows them all to experience God's grace and the power of His healing in each one of their lives."

"Love the Wounded is the final and dramatic conclusion to the Wounded Trilogy series that has followed the lives of teenagers Jake, Leigh, Mike, Dylan and Tim as they come to terms with a series of tragedies and events that have made each of them question why God allows “bad things to happen to good people”.  Released May 30, 2012, the book has already received a five star review from Readers Favorite."     

"My books deal with a variety of social issues: family violence, bullying, teen pregnancy, gossip and are listed as resources on the largest anti-bullying website in the world: www.bullying.org"

This whole "peer pressure" thing is so hard for young people to deal with--well, maybe for all of us! I taught my girls that "just because everyone else jumps off a cliff doesn't mean you have to!" They would roll their eyes and say it with me when I would start it--but they heard me and the lesson landed. They could not always resist but it was a solid truth they could stand on sometimes.

If you don't mind Lynn, I'd like to pick your brain about writing! (insert smiley face)

Why did you become a writer?

"I know this is a cliché answer, but I have always wanted to write.  I have written poetry and short stories since I was in elementary school.  I was always writing.  In fact my biology teacher in high school signed my Gr. 12 year book: “To the only literary biologist I know”.  My teachers could always count on me to give a lengthy treatise on any subject.  I did not have aspirations to be a novelist.  My debut novel, Shoot the Wounded, actually started out as a short story but 100 pages later, I realized I couldn’t call it a “short story” any longer.  Then it sat for ten years taking up valuable computer memory space until one day as I was deleting files I came across the story again.  It was my husband who encouraged me to finish it and then get it published."

I've often wondered how it would feel to have always wanted to be a writer. Becoming one was a surprise for me. On the other hand, I always "knew" I'd be a teacher...so I guess I do know how it feels!

Do you tend to base your characters on real people?

"I have three children and because two of them are teenagers and I write novels for teenagers, I have been very purposeful not basing my characters on any one of them.  It would mortify them!  Instead I try to draw on my experience with working with teenagers in general as a high school teacher and as a youth leader, so I kind of create characters that have a smattering of many individuals I know personally all rolled up into one cohesive characterization.  My kids still say that they see themselves in the characters.  I suppose that’s to be expected, but I pray that when they recognize themselves they see the character as positively portrayed and not otherwise."

Do you have any new book or writing projects now that the Wounded Trilogy is done?

"I am working on a more autobiographical account of my journey with breast cancer in 2001 called “Life Lived”.  I have a few projects I am working on, a devotional for one, as well as a few more articles set to be published in compilation book works. "

Do you have any advice for beginning writers (authors)?

"I am asked this question a lot and my advice is always:  WRITE!  If you feel called by God to write, just write.  Decide in advance what your goals are for writing.  Is it for pure enjoyment that you write?  Is it something you do that is private or is it something you want to share?  Decide to whom you are writing.  Knowing your audience will also determine how you will write and what your focus will be when you write.  Also determine your “success” goals before you embark on the publishing journey.  Do you want to have a small, intimate audience or a world-wide audience?  That will help you set realistic expectations when it comes to selling and promoting your work." 

"I had no idea when I embarked on this writing adventure that there would be so much work involved in promoting yourself and your work.  As a Christian we revere humbleness, however for you to be noticed in the industry and to get your books into the hands of readers, you have to create a “buzz” about your work.  It takes a lot of time and it takes a lot of effort and purposeful networking.  I spend a lot of time building online relationships with hundreds of authors and industry professionals.  I read and review books and I have blogs that showcase new and “seasoned” authors.  I have learned so much for those who have been in the industry a long time, and I have been blessed with incredible mentors along the way."

Who are your greatest encouragers?

"I have a hugely supportive family, extended family and friends.  My biggest fan is my husband, Charles.  He has been the one who encouraged me to publish in the first place (and he had never even read the book at that time).  My church family hosts my book launches and prays for me on a regular basis.  They realize that this is a ministry for me, and they have bought my books and sent them all around the world!  I am more than blessed!" 

I would have to concurr! Husband and family are vitally important encouragers--or discouragers! I cannot imagine being able to write at all in anything but a positive environment. I wonder if the writing takes up so much emotional energy that we really need those closest to us to be for us.

Lynn’s books are available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, on Lynn’s website.

Readers may also connect with Lynn on Twitter, Facebook,  on her blogs: “Journey Thoughts”, “Word Salt” and on her website: www.shootthewounded.org

So once again, here is the landing page for Lynn's celebration: http://awe.sm/gYYO  I would encourage you to visit, join in her celebration and find some good reading! I will be back here with the latest download as soon as I can!

Blessings, Carol