Interview with Angela D. Meyer

It's my privilege in today's blog to interview Crossriver author, Angela D. Meyer about her newly released book:  "Where Hope Starts".

This book opens with a couple living in New York City in the midst of marital crisis.  It seems they've lost every hope of happiness.  As despair, disgust and disappointment threaten their marriage there seems to be no hope.  Angela unfolds this riveting story that takes them to the brink of no return.  A theme of a desperate need for forgiveness emerges--but is it possible.

I relate to this story on a very personal level as we all can--for without forgiveness, where would any of us be?  It also reminds me of the absolute redemption that comes through Christ and His death on Calvary.  "Generations", my soon to be released book about the power of divine intervention in the life of a degenerate soul--rests completely on forgiveness.

Angela Meyer brings the reader to a heightened climax where a decision to forgive or not forgive is reached.




Angela lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 22 years.  They have two children whom they homeschool--recently graduating their son.  She has taught Bible class for over 35 years and is on the leadership team of her local Christian writers group.  She loves God, her family, the ocean, good stories, connecting with friends, taking pictures, quiet evenings and a good laugh.  Someday she wants to ride in a hot air balloon and vacation by the sea.



In a city full of dreams...Karen Marino's life is a nightmare.  The New York City restaurant manager is a professional success, but her marriage is in shambles.  When her husband, Barry shows up drunk at her restaurant, she loses both.  She flees The Big Apple and returns to her Midwestern home to sort through her options.  But instead of answers, she finds an old boyfriend ready to rekindle romance, a family full of secrets and an angry brother bent on revenge.

Still in New York, Barry fights his own demons.  He knows he messed up, but is powerless to stop his rage and addictions.  A fistfight on the streets of the city lands him in jail and forces him to face the possibility of a future behind bars.

Karen knows holding onto her bitterness won't repair her marriage.  But how do you forgive someone when you don't feel like it?  As she searches for the answer, she uncovers the family secret that threatens to tear them all apart.  Can she find her way back to the place Where Hope Starts?

Watch trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yVLQ4KlbLs

Q & A

1.  Tell us a little about your background and how you became interested in writing.

I've kept a journal since eighth grade, my thoughts expressed mostly through poetry.  After I got married I began writing children's stories, joined a critique group and began fine tuning my writing.  When one of my critique buddies asked for more information than my children's stories provided I asked myself "why not?"  and delved into my first novel.   Where Hope Starts is the second novel I have written and the first to be published.

2.  What lead you to write Where Hope Starts?

I actually started the book on the way home from my father's funeral.  With all of my siblings around, I began to contemplate how our responses to life growing up determined who we are today more than any one thing that may have happened to us.  I also realized how necessary forgiveness is in the process of healing and becoming all that God created us to be.

3.  Tell us about getting your mind in a creative mode?  How do you begin your writing process?

Some things that help set the stage include peace and quiet.  (It is really hard to write when the kids are clamoring for attention), taking a show (Maybe it's because no one bothers me) and morning time with God.

I also keep something to write on with me at all times, because I never know when an idea will strike, the perfect flow of dialogue that I've had a hard time with will present itself or that elusive quality to make one of my characters real will become apparent.

4.  Many writers utilize a writing group.  Where do you get constructive critiques and feedback?

I am part of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group in Omaha as well as a critique group that operates under their umbrella.  They gave me the encouragement, accountability and honest feedback I needed to improve my craft.

5.  What is Where Hope Starts about?

Karen Marino's life is a nightmare.  The New York City restaurant manager is a professional success, but her marriage is in shambles.  When her husband, Barry shows up drunk at her restaurant, she loses both.  She flees The Big Apple and returns to her Midwestern home to sort through her options.  But instead of answers, she finds an old boyfriend ready to rekindle romance, a family full of secrets and an angry brother bent on revenge.

Still in New York, Barry fights his own demons.  He knows he messed up, but is powerless to stop his rage and addictions.  A fistfight on the streets of the city lands him in jail on possible murder charges and forces him to face a future behind bars.

Karen knows holding onto her bitterness won't repair her marriage.  But how do you forgive someone when you don't feel like it?  As she searches for the answer, she uncovers the family secret that threatens to tear them all apart.  Can she find her way back to the place Where Hope Starts?

6.  What was the hardest thing about writing the book?

The number of times necessary to go through the manuscript to make sure it was the best it could be.  No matter how many times I went through it, there was always something that could have been better.  After a while, you just have to be willing to let it go and hit the submit button.

7.  Now that Where HOpe Starts is out in bookstores, do you have any projects you're currently working on?

High on my list is finishing up the second book and submit that to my publisher.

8.  When you're not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

Reading, handing out with my family and friends and when the weather isn't too extreme in either direction, I enjoy being outside.

9.  Where can readers find your book?

CrossRiver Media (http://www.crossrivermedia.com/Where Hope Starts.html)

Purchase Where Hope Starts at www.crossrivermedia.com

Connect with Angela D. Meyer at
www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaDMeyer
www.angeldmeyer.com

Read the first chapter:  http://www.angeldmeyer.com/p/in-city-full-of-dreams-karen-marinos.html

Visit Angela's website to enter the Where Hope Starts Giveaway during her blog tour.