Today we have the wonderful opportunity of talking with Georgiana Daniels. Georgiana is the author of Shadows of Hope.

Hello Georgiana, tell us a little about yourself and how you were raised.

First, I want to thank you somuch for hosting me in your corner of the internet today, Kristena! I’m sohappy to be here.

Homeschool mom, author, and all around book nerd—that pretty much sums up my life, glory to God! Of course, I dabble in a little bit of this and that, because I find so many things inlife interesting. I’m thankful for a husband who has allowed me to follow whatI feel called to do, even though it’s not always been the easy road.

What’s your favorite genre to read and write. Who’s your favorite author?

I can’t pick just one. I love all the genres, and believe me, I’ve tried to write them all too! Except fantasy—I’mjust not that creative. In any case, picking a favorite genre or author wouldbe like trying to pick a favorite child.

Different genres affect me in completely different ways. I suppose I lean towards women’s fiction and psychological thrillers for reading. But six months from now that could change.

As for writing, my main focus now is on women’s fiction. There’s something about the freedom to explore issues that don’t necessarily have a firm right or wrong answer that’s sosatisfying to me. Murky situations are really engaging to me as a reader, andthat reaches into my writing, as well.

What age did you realize you loved books? When did you start writing?

Some of my earliest memories include books! Leafing through picture books before I could read, then burying myself in books once I learned to read by myself was part of everydaylife.  It seemed pretty natural to startwriting as an extension of my love of reading.

My grandmother set up a room for me in her house, which I dubbed my office. From there, I started hammeringaway at the typewriter (yes, it was that long ago!) with stories that involvedmystery and death. Funny how I wanted to write grown up stuff when I was only12! Death on Penthouse Avenue willlive in my heart forever.

Tell us about this book.

Shadows of Hope is about a crisis pregnancy worker who discovers the client she’s taken a special interest in and vowed to help is, in fact, her husband’s pregnant formermistress. (Remember what I said about murky situations? I love them—in fictiononly, of course, not real life!)

Exploring all the different angles of this story intrigued me because I wondered what would happen to these people after they’d made a mess and they’re now all trying to do the right thing. What even is the rightthing in this predicament?

Life and love can be messy and complicated, and the very worst thing you can imagine happening can happen—even to good people. I wanted to write a heroine who faced the worst thing she could fathom and see what happened to her faith.

What did you learn about yourself through writing it?

This might be a chicken and egg situation—did I learn from the writing of the book, or did I write the book from insights gained in other situations? I really can’t tell.

The bottom line is, thetrials we face can either break our faith or make us more like Christ. In thislife we will suffer—there’s no doubt about that—but the suffering can causespiritual growth that can be gained no other way.

Do you normally use an outline for the books you write, or do you just start with a few ideas?

Is there a special place you like to write?

When I sit down to write a story, I know about 75% of what’s going to happen in a very solid way. But tha tlast 25% is a complete surprise. Of course, the romances I’ve written aredifferent from the women’s fiction, because they have the surefire happily everafter. Getting there is fun, though, because I’m not known for being nice to mycharacters.

I will write anywhere I can if I have ten minutes to spare! Because my schedule is a delicately balanced plate spinning act, I can’t afford to be picky. Have laptop, will travel.

What was something that surprised you in the way this book unfolded?

The ending! I had no idea how it was going to turn out and I let the characters lead me to the end. The growth in Marissa, the main character, was so organic that I couldn’t end it any other way. I cried because of the strength she found in the end that Ihadn’t quite expected.

What advice would you give a new author?

Surround yourself with the right people, the right writing partners. A writing partner is so much more than a person who critiques your work. They are someone who will cheer you on, be completely honest in a loving way, help discern your next steps, pray with you, rejoice with you, and kick your butt when you’re slacking off.  

What project are you working on now?

Two different proposals are in circulation at the moment, so I guess we’re all waiting to see. LOL!

Where can we find your books?

You can find Shadowsof Hope in all the usual places—Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook. All the cool kids are carrying it 😉

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