5.26.2011

Interview and Giveaway with Diana Greenwood

Please welcome to Book Flame Diana Greenwood author of Insight!


What inspired you to write Insight?

Insight began as a spark of an idea when I heard the first few lines in Elvira’s voice. Writers say this all the time but it’s actually true. I knew right away that she was in a rural setting, a baby was about to be born, and that the bulk of the story would be post WWII.

To show how ideas combine, my mother’s brother, Clifford Rasmussen, was killed in WWII, Royal Canadian Navy, Seaman First Class. His ship was torpedoed and all crew lost at sea. There is a family story I heard growing up that always gave me shivers. One night my grandmother sat up in bed in the middle of the night, awakened by a flash of light and a loud noise. She felt as though she were swaying, woozy. She glanced at her bedside clock and the green illuminated hands showed 2:00 a.m.

This, according to the family story, was the exact day and time her son’s boat was torpedoed. Weeks after my grandmother’s sleepless night, the uncle I never met was declared missing in action. I still have the telegram.

My grandmother’s faith got her through that loss but I always wondered how it felt to lose someone so young and vital, someone missing in action forever. So those first few lines in Elvira’s voice led to the seed of the idea, mixed with that family detail, although much altered, and Insight was born. From there, the characters led the story and I let them do what they needed to do.


 Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

First and foremost, reading fiction is entertainment and a good story should stay in your heart because you enjoyed it and if there was something just for you on those pages, then that’s a bonus.

I have always said that Insight is a love story that shows the depth, insecurities, misunderstandings, and joy of all kinds of love, including the love of God.

Love is not perfection. Love just is.


 Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

I think there’s a little bit of me in all of them. I’ve been lonely like Elvira, had moments of clarity like Jessie (although not in a “seeing” way), and struggled to understand aspects of life as Connie does. I’ve had impatient feelings as Grandma portrays in the story and I’ve felt the hand of God urging me on as the preacher does. That said, the story is complete fiction. I believe that writers use bits and pieces of human nature picked up from every acquaintance; habits, quirks, beliefs, philosophies, and personality characteristics encountered.

In Insight, there is alcoholism and since I did not grow up in a family dealing with the disease I had to interview adult children of alcoholics in order to ensure that the details of a character growing up in an uncertain environment were consistent and truthful, yet also conveyed compassion

 What character intrigued you the most as the author? And why?

I think I was most intrigued by Jessie as she developed and as her seeing capabilities came to light. I needed her to be sweet and likeable and believable yet also become an object of internal conflict for Elvira, through no fault of her own. Jessie is such a strong character I had to be careful that she didn’t take over the story so she was probably the most difficult to write.

 Do you have any novels in the works? Goals for future projects?

I’m currently working on two projects; another historical fiction called Three-Penny Poet where the main character in the untamed Chicago of 1933 is forced to confront mental illness in his family, and a futuristic YA that explores faith in a skeptical world. In the future I’d like to switch gears and work on contemporary humor for middle grade, which I expect will appeal to my sarcastic side.

 If you could co-author a book with any author who would it be? 

This is such a difficult question because there are so many authors I admire. To name just a few: Richard Peck, Gary Schmidt, Jennifer Donnelly, Lois Lowry, Jane Yolen, Gary Paulsen, Sharon Creech, Karen Cushman, and Katherine Paterson. And seven thousand others. Each of these authors has done so much for children’s literature.

Right now, though, I think I’d have to say Newbery Honor author, Kirby Larson. Not only is she one of the most pleasant individuals on the planet, she is an amazing writer and her research for historical fiction is impeccable. Plus we both like mocha lattes.

 If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? 

It’s Never Too Late (to write a book, see the world, make art, fall in love, join a church, learn something new, show a little kindness, sing and dance)

 If you could travel back in time and meet yourself as a 10 year old what advice would you give her? 

“Even though you have just entered a new school in a new country, take heart and meet challenges head-on, ignore that teasing, and find your place, because some day all of this will be material for a book.”

 If you could live in any book which one would it be?

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I love Meggie and I really want to see those fairies.

 What is your favorite quote?

“The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.”
~John Steinbeck

Thank you for stopping by Book Flame.


Now on to the Giveaway>>>> One lucky winner will win:


Giveaway Rules
Open to US/Canada Residents only
Must be over the age of 13 to enter
No P.O. Box address


Post a comment answering this question:If you were given the choice to have the ability to see into the future would you embrace it or say no thanks...?

Please post separate comments for each entry

Optional Extra Entries:
GFC Follower +1
Email Subscriber +1 
Facebook Follower +1
Twitter Follower +1

Giveaway will end June 4 @ 11:59 P.M. EST

62 comments:

  1. I would say no thanks. It just seems like it would make my life so much more complicated.

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. GFC follower

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. There's goods and bads to seeing the future, kinda in the same way as being able to change the past. There are things we would want to see and things we wouldn't want to see. And if we did get information from the future, wouldn't we use it to change would what become the past of that future? What a conundrum. lol I don't think I would want to see the future, even though it would be great to get some lotto numbers!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. No thanks! I like the excitement of never knowing what's around the corner.
    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. GFC- Lisa Richards

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Facebook follower-Lisa Ann Richards
    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to see into the future -- I think it would allow me to make better decisions :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  8. No thanks. I love for every moment of life to be a mystery and surprise where fun can creep up on you when you least expect it. :)

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. twitter follower

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. e-mail follower

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. This book seems really good- and even better because it's set in my state! haha.

    To answer the question, I'd have to say yes. I don't want to be blindsided. I've dealt with some really terrible things so far...it would have been a little better if I'd seen them coming. I don't always like surprises, especially if they're bad ones.

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow through GFC- the name is Chey

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. I liked your page on Facebook- Cheyenne Teska

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I also follow on twitter- @ohaiitschey

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Thank you so much for this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would totally embrace my gift but I believe it bares consequences and I'm ready for that!

    GFC follower

    awesome giveaway!

    email: fallendream03 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't think that I would want to see into the future. If the choices that I make turn out to be wrong at least I learn from them
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. GFC follower
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

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  18. following via facebook (Tanya Riley)
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. If you were given the choice to have the ability to see into the future would you embrace it or say no thanks...?
    Only yes if I can change the future if I don't like what I see !!

    LLM 96 (AT) AOL (DOT) com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Email subscriber

    LLM 96 (AT) AOL (DOT) com

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  21. Google Follower

    LLM 96 (AT) AOL (DOT) com

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  22. I think I would pass on that. Way too much trouble.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think I would say no thanks...it seems to be a burden to many who can.

    Courtney
    stilettostorytime at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Twitter Follower-stiletostrytime

    Courtney
    stilettostorytime at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would have to say no thanks, I like the mystery of not knowing what the next day brings

    hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. follow on GFC Jennifer
    hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. You know what? I think I would definitely like to see a little bit of the future. But I'd have to be careful with that gift and use it wisely.
    I DO NOT like surprises!

    ~Asheley T.
    asheley.tart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Also, I am a GFC follower:

    SweetestLittleBookworm

    ~asheley T.
    asheley.tart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love to know the future...it would be a burden only if I let it be one.

    hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu

    P.S. I follow all 4 things (GFC, Twitter, Subscribe, and FB)

    ReplyDelete
  31. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  32. GFC Krystal Larson
    twitter Icecream1891
    facebook Lindsay Ann
    email subscriber edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
    I would love to know the future, I am not worried about my immediate demise :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow...I can honestly say that no, I would NOT want to be able to see into the future...too scary!

    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am a GFC follower.

    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I also follow via twitter.

    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I 'liked' this blog on facebook.
    Kimberly Sue

    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I also subscribe via email.

    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love to see in the future, that'd be fantastic!

    the (dot) zealous (dot) reader (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'd have to say no thanks. What I learned in the future would worry me too much.

    annettekz2@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I think I would embrace it, especially if it meant I could prevent some deaths, sickness or disasters. It would be a challenge and would probably come with a price but I think the good woudl outweigh the bad.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Even though I would be able to predict bad things and stop them from happening, I think I would pass. That is way too much stress and responsibility for me!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  42. GFC follower Tiffany Drew

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  43. email subscriber

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  44. Facebook follower Tiffany Drew

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  45. Twitter follower @enterthedrew

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  46. Absolutely :)

    Karen Gonyea
    ktgonyea at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I would embrace it so that I would stop making these decisions that I seem to regret. It's very annoying. lpcoolgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. GFC follower as Louisa, entry 2, lpcoolgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Difficult question. I wouldn't mind seeing somethings...like my great grandchildren. But I wouldn't want to see the major milestones I'd be here to see...Those are best left as surprises in my opinion. But if I could use the foresight to save someone I love, then maybe...Loaded question. lol.

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. email subscriber

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. fb follower - erin n r

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. twitter follower - eringwald

    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

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