Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from last week’s Author Spotlight with Amy Wallace is Johnda S.! Please email my assistant Christen with your mailing address. (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com)
This week Danielle Stammer is in the Spotlight! To win a copy of her book, Singing Over Me leave a comment on this post!
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
I am married with two kids, ages 4 and 2, with a third on the way. I stay at home and manage our house and write only during nap time or when my husband’s home to take over for me.
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…
I write when I have something to say: a lesson learned or experience that will be helpful to share with others. I want my writing to inspire and equip, so I tend to write non-fiction.
How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?
I did a lot of writing in school, and have consistently kept a journal since I was young. Both of these prepared me. I’ve been asked by others when I was going to write a book, but I always replied, “When I have something to say.” There are so many good books available that I didn’t feel the need to compete. After our family survived the EF-5 tornado in Joplin and came through the healing process, I knew I had something to say.
After you started writing seriously–how long was it before you were published?
Singing Over Me was in print 6 months after I started writing it.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
I just need a quiet space to think and no coffee! Water works better for me. I usually begin with a prayer because I want the Lord to guide my thoughts and help me process what I’m writing. I wrote Singing Over Me while sitting in my parents’ living room as my children napped, and in a friend’s back room while she watched them play, and in a hotel room when I had a chance to be alone. The place was secondary to the need for quiet.
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
First, my husband’s encouragement that what was coming together was worth sharing. Then, the confirmation of friends and family that I let read early drafts. I appreciated so much their feedback and insight and, of course, their encouragement.
Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be? (Explain your answer)
When I wrote Singing Over Me, it was because I needed to write it. It was a part of the healing process for me. I didn’t have expectations for the “writer’s life,” but so far, I love getting to speak and tell my story, because it’s a story worth sharing.
What are your biggest distractions?
The rest of life! I only have time to work on publicity when my children are asleep, and often, I’m tired too! It takes dedication to keep my website current and follow up on potential interviews.
What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst?
I’m still at the beginning of the journey, so I think time will tell!
What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?
I least like marketing! I love writing, and I love speaking, but trying to market myself or my work makes me uncomfortable. Plus, I’m not very good at it. That’s where the other people in my life step in and help me out. I don’t think I realized what versatile skills successful writers need.
What advice would you give to new writers?
Be true to yourself. I loved getting the honest advice of editors, but there were some things I refused to change because, in the end, the story is mine, and I’m the one that it reflects. Be open to advice; be humble, and in the end, put together something that makes you proud.
Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book.
Singing Over Me is a story of survival and loss, but it’s also a story of healing and renewal. It’s intense and inspiring and honest, giving hope to its readers.
What’s on the book horizon for you?
Not sure yet. It depends on if I have anything else to say! ☺
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
To schedule an interview or speaking appointment or to get a copy of Singing Over Me: A Joplin Tornado Survivor’s Journey, check out www.singingoverme.com
Thank you for sharing your writing life with my bleaders! (blog + readers = bleaders)
Your book sounds great. I’m glad that you find any time to write with small children. You seem a very dedicated mother. I like that. Raising kids well is exhausting work so I’m glad we as readers can benefit from your break and “me time.” Take care. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Sounds like a great inspiring story! Love to have a chance to read it!
Always looking for a new author’s books to read. Yours sounds like it’s something I would enjoy. My uncle’s home was destroyed by a tornado (EF-4) last year in Arkansas. He was not hurt. My mom, his sister, went through breast cancer surgery so last year was an interesting year for my family. I looked for blessings and found through each step God was in control and I’m still praising Him!
Pick me, pick me!! : )
Would love to read this!!
Sounds truly amazing and inspiring. Would love to have a chance to win her book.
Sounds like a wonderful book. Please accept my entry into the giveaway. Thank you.
I would love to read your inpsiring story. I find it amazing that you can write with young children!
I do like reading true stories more than fiction. Would like
to read your story.
What an awful experience to have but God is good and she is proof.
I would LOVE to read your latest book! My husband and I passed through the tornado area as we made our way back from a trip to Louisiana to visit my brother. It was so devastating! Would LOVE to see how God worked in the lives of some of these people. Thank you for sharing the message!
Singing Over Me sounds like a book where tissues will be needed. I would be delighted to win a copy. Danielle sounds like a very busy wife and mother. How wonderful to have a 4 and 2 year old and one on the way. What a lovely family. I enjoyed getting to know a little bit about the author through this interview. Seems like God is moving in a big way!
Blessings!
Judy
I’m grabbing this on Kindle right now. I appreciate the interview and the book tip.
I live less than 25 minutes from the towns devastated by the tornadoes this past year in Indiana. I’ve read so many stories about the Missouri disaster too. God bless these folks. Still feel the sadness that the storms left behind.
Victories too!
this book sound interesting to me as I had a lot of friends in Joplin Mo that lost there homes and are still trying to relocate back to the area. I want to get this book on the kindle.
I’m so glad you chose to share what you have to say! As a fellow Missourian, I can only imagine the horror and healing that had to take place after such devastation. I can’t wait to read it.
I loved her answer to the question: What advice would you give to new writers? “…..but there were some things I refused to change because, in the end, the story is mine, and I’m the one that it reflects.” She could not have been more honest.
I would love to read your experience. Kathleen ~*~ Willow Springs
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
I would love to read this book and would be thrilled
to be chosen. Thank you for the opportunity
for a chance to win a copy. Trish in Central Oregon.
I would love to read this book. It’s a true story and inspiring.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Thanks for an interesting interview. SINGING OVER ME sounds like a good story. Danielle sounds like a very busy woman about to get even busier. 🙂 Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks and God bless, Sherri christianbookreviewer at gmail dot com
Iwould enjoy winning a copy of this bok. Thankyou
Congratulations to Danielle for her publication and her third young one on the way. What an exciting time! I hope the book does well in its efforts to inspire. It’s has a wonderful cover, too. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds like a MUST read for me…. & SO excited about your little one in the making…enjoy them all….they grow so quickly. Look forward to more of your books!
would love to have the book
would love to win your book
Sounds like an interesting book. Would love to win it.
Would love to read what sounds like an inspiring story!
Sounds like a wonderful book! I look forward to reading it!
Thanks Suzanne for this interview. I would love to win Danielle’s book. That was a horrible tornado. Can’t imagine going through it. I had relatives that lived there years ago. Maxie (mac262@me.com)
I would love to win and read this book,sounds very interesting.Great interview.Thanks
The book sounds very interesting…I love meeting new authors and discovering new perspectives. God bless!
I would love to read this.
I really really really would love to win this book!
Singing Over Me sounds like a great read. I would love to read this and it’s now on my wish list.