AN INTERVIEW WITH RHONDA GIBSON

Award winning author, Rhonda Gibson, has stopped by to chat with us, and I’m thrilled to have her.

Welcome, Rhonda!
Thanks Debbie, I’m thrilled to be here.
 

Your blog says you’ve worked in the field of accounting. Has that contributed to your writing at all? I’m not sure that it did. (Laughing) It took up much more of my time than I liked.
 

I’ve read that you are interested in crafts. What type of crafts do you do? I love crafts and I’ve done just about everything. But what I enjoy the most right now is card making and jewelry making. Making cards is fun because I get to personalize them for the person I’m giving them to. Jewelry making soothes me. I know that may sound funny but working with beads is comforting. I’ve done other crafts but time doesn’t allow doing every craft that I enjoy.
 

Rhonda, what books are you reading, now? Fiction: His Little Cowgirl by Brenda Minton and Steeple Hill and The Priest by Francine Rivers and Tyndale House. Non-Fiction: Writing For The Soul by Jerry Jenkins
 

You live in New Mexico, but have written a book set in Connecticut. Have you ever lived or visited that state? No, I’ve only visited it via Internet and books. I’d love to someday.
 

Your novella, Stuck On You, is part of a Barbour anthology titled, A Connecticut Christmas, with stories also by Dianne Ashley, Janet Lee Barton, and Gail Sattler. Would you tell us about this novella? Stuck On You is the story of Sheila, a writer similar to me. She collects ornaments that are cute furry animals. Each one strikes her imagination and she can see them in her minds eye as if they were real. Being a children’s author she’s feels the Lord urging her to write stories about the characters on the ornaments. But, when she approaches Morgan, the creator of the ornaments, he isn’t as thrilled about the idea as she is. 
 

How did you come up with the premise for Stuck On You? I collect Charming Tails figurines. My daughter gave me one for Christmas with a little mouse that has Christmas bows stuck to her head and body. I’ve always wanted to write children’s stories about the Charming Tails collections and so when I was approached about joining this collection about collections it’s no surprise that animal ornaments came to mind and the rest just seemed to follow.
 

Love the hero’s name, Morgan Frost. Is there anything significant about that? Not really, it just fit him. I’m not an author who names their characters… they more or less name themselves. But I do think his name sounds handsome and strong.
 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Stuck On You? Stuck On You is a story within a story. Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time… I guess I could say I’m both an adult writer and a children’s writer now.
 

Do you have any other works that will be releasing soon, Rhonda? I’m glad you asked. Shelter In Seattle will release in December 2008 from www.WhiteRosesBooks.com I wrote this book with my dear friend Jean Kincaid. Then in January 2009, Barbour is releasing, Desert Roses. A three in one collection that will have my novel, To Trust An Outlaw in it. Desert Roses will also have Janet Lee Barton’s, Stirring Up Romance, and Rosey Dow’s, Sharon Takes A Hand, in it also.
 

Where can readers find you on the Internet? I am all over the place☺ But, you can find me at www.rhondagibson.com and www.rhondagibson.blogspot.com I blog regularly and love to talk to other people about writing and life. So please feel free to chat with me anytime.
 

Last question. I’ve seen the picture of your writing cottage on your Web site. It looks like a great place to get away and write. A writer’s dream. Is there a story behind it? Will you share something about it with us? I love my writing cottage. It started out as a fort for my son but when he grew up, my darling husband tore down the fort and used the wood (that my dad) had built the fort with and created me a writing space. Dad is gone but the cottage still stands. I love having a place of my own to write.  It’s a blessing from God.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit, Rhonda. It’s been fun!

Thanks for having me! I’ve enjoyed every minute. If your readers have any questions or comments they are free to email me at rgib2001yahoo.com

To win an autographed copy of A Connecticut Christmas, which includes Rhonda’s novella, Stuck On You, use the form on my Contact page, and type “drawing” in the comments box. The deadline to enter is November 24th.

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