Author Behind the Story Blog Series - Donna Mumma

Almost three weeks of vacation this close to retirement is quite the self-imposed form of torture. You get a taste of what retirement can be, but alas, it's over. The sweet taste of lazy mornings and the ability to go see whatever you want when you want turns to ash. Three and a half years seems like a long time to wait. Yet, I know it will be here before I can say, "Snap out of it, old man." Life tends to fly by that way. We long for what's ahead, missing what's passing by at that very moment. And will we ever really get to that "dream-like" existence? I know of many who had dreams. They made their plans. They saved their fortunes or spent them, depending on the dreams they had, only to never truly see the full realization because of a life cut short. A tragic end that wasn't in the plans. Was never part of any dream.

It makes you realize how fortunate we are to be here. Period. At this very moment. Breathing in and out. Beggars on the verge of life in the spiritual realm tend to think that way (cf. Matthew 5:3). "Rich" people, not so much. That's why I sit here, torn between the life of a beggar and a life that can only made possible if God wills it, learning how to savor the ash and understand that the taste is of your own making. It doesn't have to be that way. The lazy mornings and the ability to jump in a car and see some of God's handiwork were gifts. Ones we will treasure for good. They were glorious because of "who" we were with, not just what we saw. Had my wife not been with me, I would not have even trekked to the mountains. Neither would she have. But together, the trip will be one we talk about for the rest of our lives. And this is where the "ash" turns to honey. Even sweeter than honey, straight from the comb.

Okay, enough with the devotional. :-)

We're here to introduce new authors (or at least ones who may be new to our readers). this next guest is brand new! Her debut novel just released, but she's been a friend for years. Cheering me on when I had writing successes, and now, I get to return the favor.

Please welcome to the Florida Front Porch no stranger to Florida, Donna Mumma!

Donna, it's so cool having you as part of this blog series. For our readers out there who don't know you, we have a tradition here at ABTS that always kicks off our interviews. Give us a quick bio. Fifty words or less. Who is Donna Mumma? 

I am a native Floridian and a former farm kid. I grew up in the country and now live in a large, metropolitan area on Florida’s west coast. Even though I live near the gulf, I don’t eat seafood. I think alligators are the coolest animal on the planet, and I’m no fan of snakes. Being around trees and water brings me peace. My favorite type of music is movie soundtracks, especially anything written by John Williams. I love books but to be honest, I love movies a little more.  For as long as I can remember, I’ve had vivid stories and characters roaming around in my head. With some encouragement from my husband, I decided to write them down. And now I’m a published author.

I love John Williams. Have his "Best of" CD set. I, too, listen to movie soundtracks when I'm writing. Helps to block out the noise, both outside and inside my head. Must be a writer thing.

Before you ever got a notion of becoming a writer/author, how old were you, and what were you doing in that time of your life?

Since I was around six years old, I’ve always had a taste for monster movies and watched as many as I could. We had a local channel that showed the old, campy horror and monster movies on Saturday afternoons, and I would sit with my dad and enjoy those or the old Star Trek series. When I was eight, I started taking piano lessons and continued until I was a sophomore in high school. I also learned to play alto saxophone and was a very busy band geek though middle and high school.

My parents owned a dairy farm in central Florida, and that kept me, my four older brothers and my sister busy. I loved living in the country, going fishing, climbing our giant oaks and swinging from their boughs in a swing my dad made from a burlap feed bag. I swam in lakes and natural springs as well as a local pool club. The tiny town where I grew up was filled with wonderful storytellers, and I listened to tales about flipped airboats, alligators, hunting, and wild things that always happened after midnight on Saturday nights when the local bar closed down. I grew up in a tiny Baptist church, dressed as an angel for the outdoor Christmas pageants, and sang in the choir with my mother. When I was older, I played piano for the choir when our usual pianist was out of town.

I never liked school until I reached college. I started out studying medical technology with hopes of working in a hospital lab. God had other plans and in his own way he steered me to elementary education. I became a teacher in 1989 and taught for eight years. I also homeschooled our two boys for eight years.

I remember WTOG Channel 44! The Saturday afternoon Creature Feature with Dr. Paul Bearer...The Master of Scaremonies. 

What educational background do you have?

I went to Wildwood High School, in Wildwood, Florida.

After graduating from there, I attended Lake Sumter Community College (now Lake Sumter State College) in Leesburg, Florida and received my AA. I went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and am now officially a Florida Gator. My oldest brother attended UF, and when I went with my mother to drop him off, we walked around the campus. I fell in love and vowed at age nine that I was going to go there when I was grown. And I did!

Go Gators!

Are you married? Single? Have kids?

I have been married to my husband and best buddy for thirty-one years. We have two adult sons.

For all the pet lovers out there, answer this question: Do you have any? 

We have a collie, named Duke. Duke is mostly white, with a sable head and a sable spot on each side of his body. He is striking, and when we’re out walking him in our neighborhood folks often stop their car to pet him or gush over his looks. He is the sweetest dog we’ve ever owned, but he is also the most angsty thing I’ve ever met. Thunderstorms terrify him, which makes life complicated since we live on the coast in an area many deem as the lightning capitol of North America. He’s not fond of the tropical weather either. But, as long as he can sit with a human on either the couch or a bed, he will hunker down and shiver his way through the storm. I’m hoping someday he learns to cope a bit better, but until then we will snuggle up close and weather the storm together.

We know what makes Duke cringe. What makes you cringe? 

Heavy metal music, especially when it’s played at a volume that allows it to seep into your skin, vibrate through your bones or rattle your dental work.

If you had one person you could meet (think ONLY Bible characters here) and could spend as much time as you wanted with that individual, who would it be besides Jesus, and why? 

I would love to sit and talk with John the Baptist. His story always fascinated me. He wore camel’s hair garments and lived like a wild-man, but yet spoke with such authority that he intimidated a king and queen. And yet, he understood true humility and what serving God was all about. I’m sure when he entered a space the entire atmosphere changed and probably felt electrified. I think he would be interesting to talk with, and I’d be very certain to get straight, no-holds-barred type answers from him. First question would be, what was it like and what went through his head when the heavens opened up and God spoke after Jesus was baptized? Once I got him talking, I’d just sit back and take in everything he said.

What Bible scripture has impacted your life the most, and why? 

My favorite Bible verse, and the one I base my life on is Hebrews 12:1-3. I’ve faced many challenges along the way, and this verse reminds me to keep going so I can finish this race set before me. Good words for life and my writing.

Why do you live where you live? 

I live in St. Petersburg because I met a city boy in college. When we married, he had a job here so I followed him to this area. He is a native to this part of Florida, and his family was here. Coming from rural Florida, it took me a while to become accustomed to the traffic, huge highways, and all the people. But being in love makes you take on new adventures and I adjusted to seeing palm trees, lots of cars, and sandy beaches instead of grassy pastures filled with cows. Now, both of our boys are in college here, and I’ve expanded my roots from rural Florida to the coast. To me, home is where the heart is, and since these three are my forever favorites, I’m right where I need to be.

When you are looking for a book to read, what are the things that are important to you? 

The most important thing for me when choosing a book is how quickly it pulls me in. A good cover always catches my interest, and I read back covers. I also read the first page, and if I’m not intrigued and wanting to know more when it’s time to turn the page, I usually pass and put the book back on the shelf. My attention span rivals a mosquito’s, and if a book hasn’t engaged me after the first few chapters, I’ll stop reading and move on to another. My to-be-read pile is always tall, and I’m forever buying and adding new titles based on friend’s recommendations or new releases.

My favorite genre is psychological suspense and crime thrillers, but I love a good historical that explores the human condition. Always up for exciting science fiction and action/adventure too.  

Of all the stories/books you have written, which one is your favorite? And what compelled you to write this story? 

The very first book I ever wrote was a sci-fi/action/adventure story called Eripio. I had so much fun writing it because I threw reality to the wind and let my mind create this world where I combined modern day tech with whatever my imagination came up with. I love a good quest story, and this one included all the elements that make that genre interesting to me. There were no boundaries, and I kept making up things as I went along like I did when playing pretend as a child. The male lead is probably one of my favorite characters I’ve created. Can’t really say what compelled me to write it other than a love of the classic adventure stories like Robinson Crusoe and movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark. It never found a publishing home, but I promised my family I would pull it out someday and try again.

Tell us about what project you are currently working on. 

I am currently working on a book meant to be a follow-up to my debut novel. It tells the story of a family pariah who was wrongly blamed for an event that shattered her large, close knit family, causing a rift that tore the family apart. She is now middle-aged and discovers that her dead sister, who was really the one responsible for the break-up, had proof of my main character’s innocence in this event. She goes on a sort of scavenger hunt to find it, planning to present it to her family at her sister’s funeral. It explores the concept of being right vs. doing the right thing.

Sounds interesting. What surprised you the most during the research for the book you are currently working on?

The characters in this story are from Louisiana, many of them are Cajun. I’ve had a lot of fun learning about their history and culture, especially the ways they made a living off the land and water. I’ve also discovered some very interesting parts of Louisiana history in the fifties and sixties that I never knew, such as many of the residents gaining jobs in the space program when it started expanding in Texas.

Tell us about your writing day. How do you go about writing?

I’m probably the worst person to ask this. I don’t have a specific routine. My real life is very busy, and my writing gets tucked in among all of my other jobs. Our youngest has a physical handicap, is also in college, so I’m his chauffer, scribe, typist, and aid whenever the need arises. On a good day I’ll complete all my regular life chores in the morning then work on writing from 1-5pm. I do sometimes stay up late to write, as I’m a night owl who also gets up early in the morning. And I do take off periodically and run away from home to a place where I can write without distraction for a few days.

Donna, it's been a pleasure having you on ABTS, and congratulations on your first book! There never is another debut novel. You only get one. That's why I always tell writers to try and make it the best one you have. :-)

Before we wrap things up, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about you, or anything we didn’t cover?  

I write about flawed people who have challenges but keep pressing on. My parents taught us that it’s not important how many times you got knocked down but how many times you got back up. I strive for my stories to show that life is often hard, but we can survive and thrive if we keep our faith, look to God for help, and just run that race to the end. Limping, crawling, and dragging ourselves across the finish line count, and are often the only way we make it. And that’s okay.

Good words to conclude our interview!

Readers, if you are wishing to get to know more about Donna and her writing, you can find her in these cyber locations:

On her website: https://donnamumma.me

On her blog: https://donnamumma.me/category/blog

On Twitter: @DonnaMumma1

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/donnamummawriter

On Instagram: dmumma748

Thanks, again, Donna, for being a part of ABTS! 

Until next time, 

Kevin

https://ckevinthompson.com/

And did you know, Kevin's latest novel, The Letters, won First Place in the Speculative Category in the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference's 2021 Selah Awards? You can click HERE to find out more! When wondering about the story itself, think: A Christmas Carol Meets Frank Peretti. :-)  

 

 

 

The Author Behind the Story Series - Kimberly Rose Johnson

Readers often wonder, "What is it like to be an author?" Then they think of big-named authors they know, or envision authors portrayed on TV or in a movie-who almost always are living lavish lifestyles and experiencing sales that would make J. K. Rowling drool.

But alas, such depictions are accurate for approximately one-to-three percent of the authors out there. For many writers, sitting along the sidewalk in St. Augustine, Florida, holding your book, reading from it while passersby toss loose change into your briefcase is probably more realistic. Of course, I exaggerate a little. We don't do our begging on sidewalks. That's reserved for guitar players and painters. Authors use social media and local bookstores.

At this very moment (July 2), I'm sitting here at my desk, listening to John Williams' Greatest Hits, while I take care of posting this blog. The Imperial March is playing. Which makes me think about how certain phrases or tunes become so iconic because they are usually tied to a memorable character. 

Once I'm finished posting this blog, then I'll get back to Book 5 of my Blake Meyer Thriller series, A Pulse of Time, which is due to the editor by July 31 in preparation for a December release date. Then, tomorrow, I have shoulder surgery to look forward to. 

So, see, authors are people, too. They deal with their own set of struggles and triumphs just like the next person. Writing is a job and a passion, just like others jobs are to other folks. Which brings us to the next guest on the Florida front porch! She, too, has a passion for this writing biz. Please welcome Kimberly Rose Johnson!

Kimberly, pull up a chair, grab some iced tea, and in fifty words or less, tell our readers about yourself.

Hi, I’m Kimberly Rose Johnson. I write faith-based contemporary romance and romantic mystery. Writing is my passion, which I believe was fostered through my love of reading Christian romance. I have one award credited to my name and have been a best seller on Amazon multiple times.

See, Dear Reader? I told you writers have a passion about what they do. 

So, Kimberly, before you ever got a notion of becoming a writer/author, how old were you, and what were you doing in that time of your life?

I didn’t begin writing until my early thirties. I always enjoyed creative writing in school. Aside from music, that was probably the only thing I liked about school. I distinctly remember one time in particular in my high school English class when my teacher told us to get out a piece of paper and write a story. I don’t recall any instructions beyond that. I had zero trouble with this assignment and immediately started writing. I noticed my classmates grumbling and having a hard time with the assignment. They couldn’t understand how I could already be finished when they couldn’t even get started. Storytelling came naturally to me; however, I had no idea I was a writer at that time. In fact, it would be close to fifteen years later before that idea to try writing ever came to me.

What educational background do you have?

I have a B.A. in Behavioral Science and a minor in music from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. It was the only college I applied to. I received a music scholarship there and felt strongly it was where the Lord wanted me to go.

For all the pet lovers out there, answer this question: Do you have any?

I am definitely an animal lover. Because I am extremely allergic to cats I only have a dog. She is a yellow lab.

Good thing you're not allergic to dog fur. 😀 Our daughter has had two yellow labs. Clogs up the Roomba. And when they take them outside and brush them, it looks like a rabbit got attacked by a hawk in the middle of the night.

Besides storytelling, what talents do you have?

I play the piano. I taught piano lessons for 18 years. I used to sing to, but no longer do that.

Besides the usual things authors face, has there been an unusual event that changed your perspective about being an author?

For me the most personal challenging thing I’ve faced is my inability to work a “day job” and still have enough energy and creative juices to write. Because I am an introvert it is exhausting for me to be around people for large periods of time.

I had a job working in a high school, which I loved, but I found that when I came home I had no energy. I literally had to take two-hour naps before I was able to function again. This cut into my writing time in a huge way. It also put a lot of pressure on me and affected my health in a negative way because I had to push myself so hard to meet my deadlines. I ended up quitting that job and now write full-time.

Tell us about your writing day. How do you go about writing?

My average writing day probably looks like many of your days. I get up with my husband and do the normal before work things such as breakfast. Once he’s off to work then my workday begins. I start with social media then emails and then I get into writing. I generally write in two-hour chunks for a total of four actual hours a day of writing. If you do the math I’m short a couple of hours since I work while my husband in at his job. Those hours are consumed by continuing education and exercise. I want to be a screenwriter, so I am taking classes online. Thankfully, it appears that I’m good at adapting books. I’ve acquired a manager who is shopping my work.

That's awesome!

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Once I determine the approximate ages of my characters, I Google popular names in the year he/she would have been born. I choose from the list given. I’ve been known to give characters from different books that same name. Thankfully, I’ve discovered many of those names before they are published and have changed them (LOL). Though many readers know a character as such and such, I will always have them in my head with their original name.

Tell us about what project you are currently working on.

I am currently juggling a couple of indie projects and brainstorming a new book. Edge Of Truth will release August 6, 2019. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes things that need to happen for this book to get published, so I’m pushing hard to make it happen. Edge Of Truth was one of the first books I ever wrote. I had been thinking about that book and decided it was time to dig it out. It was fun to revisit something I wrote in the early years of writing—approximately 12 years ago.

The other thing I’m working on is a group project with six other authors. We are publishing a series in October for Christmas. Each book will be a novella in the same story world with a central concept. Sara’s Gift.

My book will be titled

The last project I’m working on is an idea that was inspired by a visiting pastor at my church. I’m going to write the book then adapt it to screenplay. I’ve adapted two of my other books to screenplay. Adapting my books is another passion.

More and more authors are doing the screenplay thing...especially those who write the Hallmark kind of stories. I bet Hallmark gets flooded with screenplays these days. 

So, let's switch gears a little. If you had one person you could meet (think outside the Bible here) and could spend as much time as you wanted with that individual, who would it be?

This is a very hard question! I’m going to cheat. Since you didn’t specify if the person had to be living or dead I’m going to do one of each. J

My mom’s mom died about 25 years ago. I miss her and would love to spend more time with my grandma.

As for a person currently living, ugh, there are so many I want to say, but I will stick to one. I met Robin Jones Gunn many years ago over lunch at a writer’s conference. She was so kind, I would choose her. Her writing is exceptional, and from what I’ve heard, she has experience working with producers. I would love to chat with her about the business, writing in general, and life.

When you look for a new home, what are the things that are important to you?

It’s funny you should ask this because we were house hunting this past fall. My must haves are two living areas with separation, an open floor plan, three bedrooms with enough square footage for a queen sized bed in each room along with a desk and dresser, an updated kitchen, two updated bathrooms, a laundry room, at least two stall garage, and a quiet neighborhood.

After looking for a new house for over 20 years (I’m picky), we finally found my dream house but the location was wrong. It was at the bottom of a hill with a large water retention basin beside it and across the street from it, and the land had been developed to have a creek bed flow through the back yard. The house itself was perfect! It was even brand new—necessary because of my many allergies. Needless to say we didn’t buy it. I’ve decided to be content with the house I’ve been in since 1993—we bought it in the framing stage.

Houses grow on you, don't they? Like that comfortable pair of shoes or your broken-in recliner. So, you shrug and say, "Eh, we'll just keep this one." Then, you watch all the House Hunter shows and find yourself using the lingo when thinking about what you would like in your new place. I guess, if you two raised African swallows for a living and had a budget of $800,000, three-months later, you could have had the retention pond repurposed into a man-made, creek-fed lake brimming with farm-raised trout (Can you tell we watch those shows at our house, too?).

When you look for a new car, what are the things that are important to you?

My dream car is an all wheel drive, with good gas mileage. It must have a hatchback type opening in back. I don’t like normal trunks. It also needs to have plenty of space in the “trunk.” Other than that, I don’t want anything fancy.

Vehicles say a lot about a person. I'm reading "practical" here.

What Bible scripture has impacted your life the most, and why?

Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:4, 6 because they encourage me.

If you had life to do all over again, would there be any changes? If so, what would they be?

I’m basing this answer on my writing life. I would have started indie publishing sooner. I am a hybrid published author, which means I am both traditionally published and independently published.

Amen to that. I would have started writing a lot sooner. Oh, well. Better late than never. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about you, or anything we didn’t cover?

When I first began writing it was my dream to be published in the romantic suspense genre. That however is not the genre I found success in as a traditionally published author. My current publisher has encouraged me to include a mystery in many of my books, which ended up inspiring an idea for a romantic mystery series and The Librarian Sleuth Series was born.

The Sleuth’s Dilemma is the second book in that series and my most current release.

I'm sure our readers will be checking it out! Who doesn't love a good mystery?

Kimberly, we appreciate you taking time out of your busy writing scheduled to open up your life and allow our readers to sit down and learn more about you and your work.

Readers, if you wish to get to know Kimberly better, here are some places you can go to do just that: 

Kimberly Rose Johnson’s website

Kimberly’s Amazon page

Kimberly’s Instagram

Kimberly’s Facebook

Again, thanks, Kimberly, for being a part of our Author Behind the Story blog series! May God bless your efforts!

And may God bless America, and more importantly, may America bless God!

Kevin