#AuthorInterview: “I Have A Story” by Colleen L Donnelly

Today, we have Colleen L Donnelly in the hot seat. Thank you for visiting, Colleen. Let’s get started on the Q&A.

What kind of research did you do for I Have a Story? Did you travel, use the Internet, speak with experts on a topic, etc?

I had a dream. I realize that is not Bonafide research, but when I entertained the idea that my fiction-writing days might be over, I was gifted with the most amazing, colorful, intriguing, and happy dream imaginable. My research from that point? I recorded the dream in a journal, bounced it off of a couple of friends, then finally in faith put it to the test by sitting down at my laptop and letting it tell itself.

That’s awesome. I love it when dreams are so vivid you gotta make a book out of it. That’s happened to me a few times as well. We all need a little inspiration in our lives. What’s your favorite quote and why?

“It has ever been since time began, 

And ever will be, till time lose breath,

That love is a mood – no more – to a man,

And love to a woman is life or death.”

• Ella Wheeler Wilcox

To me, this is the crux of romantic interactions and stories…there are those who live and breathe their passion and those who don’t. This makes for terrific stories, but horrible life experiences.

That’s a pretty cynical viewpoint, but true for so many people. Any advice for the aspiring authors out there? Particularly those who are feeling a little discouraged?

There is a saying that you have to write five novels before you produce one good enough to be picked up by a traditional publishing house. That is exactly how it happened for me. The number five isn’t an exact science, but the truth behind it is this—keep writing, listen to advice but avoid criticism, keep writing, cling to your inspiration, and keep writing.

Interesting. I haven’t heard of that saying before. What is your favorite book? Favorite author?

My favorite book is “The Monk” by Matthew Lewis, although my favorite author is Louise Penny. Lewis wrote “The Monk” when extremely young during the gothic era of tales. His book is the most incredible clash of right vs wrong within the human soul, a true inner war between good and evil. I credit Louise Penny for combining mystery with poetry, her clashes of dark souls against the purer in heart are true literary accomplishments. 

New books for me to check out! Besides writing and reading, what are some of your hobbies?

For years I collected various things—old play books, very old paint by number sets, particular dolls, etc. Then I discovered that though I love what I collected, the true passion was in the hunting. Now I deem myself a “treasure” hunter, each garage sale, flea market, walk through the woods, etc. has become an expectant search for that special find.

Wonderful. Treasure hunting is so much fun! Thanks again for stopping by.

Readers, Colleen also wants to share a mini “book creation” post, so keep reading!

Why I Wrote “I Have a Story”:

This book is radically different from my earlier historical romance/fiction novels. Its creation can be compared to the appearance of an unplanned child—one untimely born, unexpected, and an utter surprise because you thought your childbearing years were over. That is how I was looking at my writing days, when this story came to me in a dream. I woke up refreshed, utterly happy, swimming in vibrant colors, and surprised at the springing up of a love story in circumstances where no love could possibly survive. I had been handed a beautiful fabric, a lighthearted antidote for the challenges my family and I had endured the past few years. All I needed to add was a crime, an antagonist, and an elderly grandfather who showed his grandson what true heroes were made of. This tale became the escape and lift I needed, so I suspect it is meant to be the same for anyone else ready to step slightly outside the practical and suspend the expected for the unexpected.

Book Blurb:

Jim Turner writes crime but doesn’t live it. He respects his grandfather’s tales of heroes but doesn’t believe them. When his failing grandfather sends him to a remote peninsula to write the end of his own heroic love story, Jim includes a war criminal interview to maintain his edge.

Chastity is an anomaly, a misfit in pre-WWII culture as well as in Jim’s life. Her spritely charm and endearing features turn Jim’s world upside down, especially when she reveals his grandfather’s peninsula as the site of her upcoming wedding.

Do good journalists flee when their interviewee is murdered? Do heroes write fiancés out of another’s story and themselves in? “The End” become the hardest words for Jim to write.

Tag Line: Heroes aren’t heroes because they are clever or brave, but because they love someone or something deeply.

Excerpt

“So,” Chastity said. “Tell me more about the grandfather who impacted you so much.”

I felt him in the room. Or maybe it was in Grove. Mountain Grove. Or because we had been on his beloved peninsula, she with her yellowish hair. It was as if he joined Chastity and me, and she sensed it too. His hands and heart were in this decrepit building with us, his presence and hers making it feel like a castle instead.

“If it wasn’t for him, who knows where you might be now instead of here helping me.” She squeezed my hand.

How did she know? Because of Grandpa I came to Grove and searched for a peninsula that brought me to Chastity…who actually brought me to it. “My grandfather is a wonderful man… But before we discuss him, there are things you should know about.” I had to be honest. “Tasks you can’t help me with.” Like crime and violence, dangerous interviews, and the way I felt about her.

A face unlike any I had ever seen…and never would again…should send my heroic heart to the ladder where I would gather a million splinters in my hands by sliding to the ground, risking pain and infection to keep her safe by leaving.

Her features looked watery as I gazed at her. Tears? I never cried. Her pastel throw rugs turned into colorful puddles blurred by an emotion I had never experienced before.

“You are supposed to be here, Jim. And I am supposed to help you.”

For a moment, something ominous crept into my thoughts. Something of the old crime writer in me, who with several clicks of a typewriter’s keys could turn any story the direction I wanted. I welcomed him back, then set him aside. Because in the blue of her eyes, I saw something stronger—my promise.

If friendship was defined by a long period of time and a large number of interactions, Chastity didn’t qualify. And maybe my initial carnal fascination which became a pitter-patter my heart couldn’t beat without didn’t meet the definition of love. But she was at least partially right. For three days we were supposed to be together and help each other. For three days we had an eternity.

Buy Links: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lq6qGO

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4jHc6Lj

BookBub: https://bit.ly/4ivgQls

Author Bio:

Colleen L Donnelly put her science education to use for years and then put it behind her to pursue other passions. Her first love is writing and her second is hunting—hunting for that next good story, hunting for shed antlers or mushrooms in the woods, hunting for the next good author to read. An avid believer in work hard/play hard, Colleen splits her time between indoors and out, always busy at something.

Social Media Links:

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/colleen-l-donnelly

Website: http://www.colleenldonnelly.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleen.donnelly.568/

Goodreads: http://www.Goodreads.com/colleenldonnelly 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/colleenldonnelly/ 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/37vcnO4

Twitter:   https://x.com/ColleenLDonnell/