Today on the Brave Blog, we have an interview with Donna Joe Stone, author of When the Wildflowers Bloom Again. Welcome, Donna Joe! Let’s jump in.
Sarah: What subject are you most passionate about? When did that passion start? How has it grown or changed?
Donna Joe: I’m very passionate about the value of people, all people.
Growing up in church, I came to understand at an early age that Jesus loves all of us individually, and we are to care for each other. The understanding was planted in me, and I’ve been blessed to be challenged by other believers to continue believing in this truth. Human beings are created by a loving God in His image. He tells us in his word that every human has worth.
We have a limited, human perception and understanding of those around us and oftentimes, a limited understanding of their worth, but God looks on the heart—a thought both comforting and sobering.
I think this comes out in my writing, influencing the choices I make for topics and characters.
Sarah: That’s an important value, and one that many “brave authors” share. What makes a great story?
Great characters and an immersive story world. Characters I can relate to, who make me feel emotion deeply, and who have a story to tell. One of my favorite characters of all time is Anne Shirley. She’s vulnerable, funny, tragic, warm, imaginative, always trying and failing, and oh-so-human. I can’t help but love her and revisit the book series often. The cast of Steel Magnolias is full of wonderful characters that remind me of people I know in real life. I read widely and enjoy all genres, and get attached to characters in series such as Ivy Malone, Sherlock, and others. Give me a fascinating character and they are sure to have a fascinating story!
Sarah: Well said. What is your favorite part of being a writer?
Donna Joe: I love story and wordplay, and the emotional connection story provides, how it reveals truth. Stories can be a tremendous vehicle to touch lives and give readers a peek into another person’s life or situation. It helps us see things clearer by taking us into another person’s world.
I like digging into emotions and motivations, exploring inner lives, which often helps me to clarify (and challenge!) my own thoughts and feelings about a topic.
Writing fiction gives me an excuse to research and gather factual tidbits, and I’ve always enjoyed learning about different settings and times in history.
Sarah: I love that. What is your least favorite part of being a writer?
Donna Joe: For me, the most difficult part is physical limitations, and I get frustrated when I’m tired but still want to write the story.
Beyond that, I would say I much prefer the creative side of telling a story and research to marketing and business details. I always feel a bit uncomfortable marketing, except for the part that involves meeting new booklovers. Book fairs and the like are wonderful.
As far as the business side of publishing goes, math has never been my strong suit, and I never won any prizes for selling fundraiser candy. Deciphering spreadsheets, thinking about ROI, and sales figures discussions make my eyes glaze over.
Talking to people about fictional characters or scribbling stories in a notebook are more up my alley.
Sarah: I feel like many authors can relate to that. How long does it take you to write a book?
Donna Joe: When the Wildflowers Bloom Again took over a decade to write. I wrote The Key Collector’s Promise in less than seven months.
For most books, six months to a year has been my average, but as you may have guessed, that can vary widely depending on many factors! Right now, my goal is to write two or three a year.
Sarah: That’s a challenging goal, but a great one. What is the best feedback you’ve received from a reader?
Donna Joe: I’ll never forget the first time a reader recited a quote from a (pre-published) book I’d written back to me. That was an amazing feeling. This reader also wanted to share the book with her daughter. Her enthusiasm encouraged me to continue working.
Sarah: Praise the Lord for those encouraging words. How much research do you do for your books? What does your research process look like?
Donna Joe: Details add so much to the setting and authenticity of a story, and research is great fun. I’m always up for a learning adventure, whether in a book, online, or visiting settings. I find the world endlessly interesting and could spend months happily gathering notes.
When I first start researching, I try to get an overall picture of the setting, then move on to collecting all sorts of information about what was going on in the news, popular fads of the time, clothing styles, setting details, you name it. I organize these into a Google doc and organize into sections.
After all that, I still often find myself digging for facts as I am writing, probably more than is strictly necessary. I strive for accuracy, although I am sure I occasionally miss the mark.
Sarah: That sounds fun. Now, please Share the first line (or your favorite line) from your latest/featured book.
Donna Joe: First line from When the Wildflowers Bloom Again, in the voice of fourteen-year-old Marigold (Mary) Parker.
“Sometimes I wished my momma understood me more, but sometimes I was glad she didn’t.”
Sarah: Interesting! What books did you grow up reading?
Donna Joe: I think my book addiction came early and was fostered by my mother and my grandmother. My siblings and I often received books as gifts, and we were regular visitors to the library.
A few of my favorites are The Secret Garden, fairy tales, Nancy Drew, The Little House books, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Pippi Longstocking, and more. I thought myself quite the proper bookworm when I climbed a tree with my book and an apple and settled in the branches to read. (I’m sure I read somewhere this was the correct way to peruse fiction on a sunny summer day.)
Sarah: Reading in a tree sounds idealic! What are you working on now?
Donna Joe: Right now, I’m working on a Christian novel set on a farm in a fictional town on The Sunflower Trail in North Louisiana. The story spans from the 1960s to the late 70s and is about a long-term friendship, loss, and healing. There’s a bit of romance in the mix with this southern Christian women’s fiction.
I’m also planning a book launch for my young adult contemporary novel, Promise Me Tomorrow, scheduled for release in early summer. It’s a story about the grief a teen, Nina, and her family, experience before the death of a loved one. Nina has difficulties processing the emotions and expressing herself, along with a mixed bag of learning differences, and she has a twin on the autism spectrum. There’s a lot on her plate, but three things seem to consume her thoughts: earning the privilege to paint the school mural, untangling her emotions about a certain boy, and finding a miracle cure for her mom’s terminal cancer. It’s a novel I hope can encourage those going through a loss.
Sarah: That sounds amazing. Thanks so much for sharing more about yourself today on the Brave Blog. Many blessings on all your endeavors!
Award-winning author Donna Jo Stone writes southern-flavored fiction for the inspirational and general market. Her stories are often about people facing tough times. She strives to write novels that leave the reader with a sense of hope. When she’s not writing, reading, or spending time with her family and friends, Donna Jo spends her time poking around in book shops and fabric stores.
You can learn more about her books by visiting https://donnajostone.com.
