I met Dhyana at my local writer's group. We had an instant connection. Over the course of the next few weeks, we started emailing each other about writing and my novel. She lives about an hour away, but she's driven my direction for coffee (twice) and I've driven her direction once. She’s one of my chief encouragers and my horse expert (which comes in very handy since I’m writing fantasy). She’s the only person I know who made up her own name.
You can find Dhyana at Circle S Australian Shepherds.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
DLS: When I was in the 6th grade. My teacher enjoyed my stories and encouraged me.
MG: How long have you been writing?
DLS: I have called myself a ‘writer’ for 16 years since I started a short story that became the seed for 5 books (none of which were ever really finished).
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
DLS: When I am writing (I’m an unpublished, part-time writer), I prefer to write everyday (about 2-3 hours at a time). A routine works best but it doesn’t have to be a routine time as much as a routine ‘approach’ to my writing project (putting all else aside and giving myself to it, like devoting time to a friend).
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
DLS: About characters finding ‘connection’ with the will of God for their lives (or not doing that and struggling). About the ‘connections’ God makes with us through the people He brings into our lives, often creating a ‘family’ where one didn’t exist before. About realizing God’s plan and purpose for our lives is not only ‘good’ but also seldom as complicated and ‘hard’ as we make our lives out to be (on our own).
My stories often have characters who need a ‘fresh start’ and sometimes find it in the most unlikely way. There are LOTS of animals in my stories as well as outdoor leisurely activities. I also like stories that read like fables but my writing in the vein needs a lot of help. I wish I could tell fantasy stories (I love to read them).
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
DLS: Yes, and that may be why I don’t have time to write more. I have Australian Shepherd dogs (lots of them) and we train them in various dog sports. I wish I had dozens of horses (my life’s dream), but I manage to keep one or two.
You can find Dhyana at Circle S Australian Shepherds.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
DLS: When I was in the 6th grade. My teacher enjoyed my stories and encouraged me.
MG: How long have you been writing?
DLS: I have called myself a ‘writer’ for 16 years since I started a short story that became the seed for 5 books (none of which were ever really finished).
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
DLS: When I am writing (I’m an unpublished, part-time writer), I prefer to write everyday (about 2-3 hours at a time). A routine works best but it doesn’t have to be a routine time as much as a routine ‘approach’ to my writing project (putting all else aside and giving myself to it, like devoting time to a friend).
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
DLS: About characters finding ‘connection’ with the will of God for their lives (or not doing that and struggling). About the ‘connections’ God makes with us through the people He brings into our lives, often creating a ‘family’ where one didn’t exist before. About realizing God’s plan and purpose for our lives is not only ‘good’ but also seldom as complicated and ‘hard’ as we make our lives out to be (on our own).
My stories often have characters who need a ‘fresh start’ and sometimes find it in the most unlikely way. There are LOTS of animals in my stories as well as outdoor leisurely activities. I also like stories that read like fables but my writing in the vein needs a lot of help. I wish I could tell fantasy stories (I love to read them).
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
DLS: Yes, and that may be why I don’t have time to write more. I have Australian Shepherd dogs (lots of them) and we train them in various dog sports. I wish I had dozens of horses (my life’s dream), but I manage to keep one or two.
I teach pre-Kindergarten and love the eagerness children that have to learn and begin their education so I spend a good bit of time preparing my lessons during the school term. I have rural property and we own mountain property so there’s always something outside drawing me to maintain or enjoy the beauty of where and how I live.
I love to take long drives through interesting small towns and beautiful countryside. I have about a half dozen wonderful (gal) friends near and far and enjoy doing ‘girl adventures’ (when we can afford them) or sharing my life with them by email. And (most importantly), I have 2 grand-girls under the age of 5 and a daughter that I’m close to but the road between our houses couldn’t be longer. This is why I have to ‘get away’ to have time to just write.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and/or genre that you read?
DLS: I would be unkind to the dozens of authors I enjoy to list only one but I’ll mention a few: Jan Karon, Jennifer Chaiverini, Sharon Hinck, Judy Baer, Mary Alice Monroe (not a Christian writer), Penelope J Stokes, Michelle Gregory (oops, I said only a few... sorry)
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
DLS: By ‘writing books’ I guess you mean books about writing and not books in general. I think it would be Plot and Structure (James Scott Bell) – he has great ‘exercises’ at the end of his very readable chapters. And Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, only because she’s about as opposite as you can get from my first book – in case I just can’t stand ‘structure’ someday. But I really need to READ the other 10 writing books I have to be fair in my choice (I am rather under read in this category, my promise is to get caught up in the next year).
MG: I love both of those books as well. Anne Lamott always makes me laugh. If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
DLS: My Book Therapy Writer’s Blog (Susan, Rachel, Sarah) for help both free and for a reasonable fee. Michelle Gregory’s blog – so I can find out how the sequel is going.
MG: Why would you consider pursuing publishing?
DLS: The reason I would pursue publishing is use the guidelines taught to people who want to publish in order to finish one of my projects. If publishing was an option after that, it would probably be no greater effort than finishing what I start.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
DLS: Finishing the book? (just kidding) I was told it was enduring rejection after rejection after rejection… I hope I remember the encouragements I’ve heard for enduring these trials if I ever get that far.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
DLS: In the beginning (like where I am), find other writers and hang out with them, make a friend or two if possible and let them be an encouragement to you. As you continue (as I hope I will), get professional help with your writing – books, workshops, retreats, mentors, editors, whatever you can afford and all that you can stand. I want to write more but I know that I need to write better as well.
MG: Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate your participation in my project.
DLS: Welcome. So, how’s the sequel coming?
MG: Slowly. And thank you for the compliment of mentioning my book and my blog.
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