Monday, August 16, 2010

Angela Dolbear's "The Garden Key"


We're happy to have Anglea Dolbear with us today talking about her book, The Garden Key. Angela has been kind enough to offer to give away a copy to one lucky blog reader. To register to win, place your e-mail address in the box to the right (subscribe to my blog via e-mail) if you've not done so and leave Angela a comment with your e-mail address at the bottom of her interview. To learn more about Angela and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
I have two golden retrievers and a big backyard, so cleaning up after them is a lengthy process, so I spend this time in prayer. The story for THE GARDEN KEY, actually the full novel, was given to me during my weekly “Doody Duty.”
It made perfect sense. At the time, I was studying the Song of Solomon with my husband, Tim, and the book is rooted in Songs 4:12 – “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.” THE GARDEN KEY is a fictitious look at pursuing purity in a relationship, and living out an obedient life in Christ in the midst of temptation and pressures from outside, as well as inside influences.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Hmm…how much time do you have?! It’s been quite an adventure. The first traditional publishing contract I signed seemed all good at the time. But I soon found out that the publisher had not completely read my book, and the editor was adamant about deleting the climactic scene where the resolve is tested of the two main characters to stay pure in their relationship. Without that scene, the message of obtaining God’s victorious power through prayer and study of His Word would just be a bunch of religious words.
Also, the publisher wanted to change how they were going to market and distribute (online only – which I could do myself), as well as decrease my royalty percentage. There’s a whole bunch of other stuff that I don’t want to get into. It was only by the grace of God that I was able to get out of that contract. Nice people, but it wasn’t a good fit. The publisher I am with now is small, but gives me complete artistic freedom and is generous with my royalty percentage. I am blessed.


3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. Writing and music rival each other as my first love (actually, my fourth love: first is God, second is my hubby, and third is the family which includes my son Kyle and my four-legged muses, Gracie & Caleb). I am far more comfortable considering myself a singer/songwriter/worship leader than I am a published author.
2. Love, love, love Monster trucks. “Grave Digger” is the best and my all-time favorite.
3. Madeleine, the main character in THE GARDNE KEY is not me. A lot of readers assume the book is about me, but it is not. It was inspired by many events that took place in real life, but Maddy is far braver and more obedient in her walk with Christ than I am.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
The sequel to THE GARDEN KEY. In this novel, Madeleine struggles with her doubts and fears, so instead of professing to be a “Lust-o-holic” as she does in THE GARDEN KEY, she is now a self-proclaimed “Fear-o-holic.”
The full-length CD of songs that were written at the same time as the book, and recorder by my band CHILD OF THE SON at Eclectica Studios here in Austin, TX, will be released in the Fall of 2010. It’s like a soundtrack for THE GARDEN KEY.
Also, THE GARDEN KEY Prayer Team is growing (I’m so grateful – I can’t begin to tell you how much), so we are stepping up the communication of specific prayer needs through “Blog-letters” and other internet venues. The Lord told me a while ago that this is not simply a novel (or series of novels) it’s a ministry. From all the emails I’ve received describing how this book has changed lives, I believe Him. And I am greatly humbled.

5) Parting comments?
Writing has been a great blessing in my life, and hope it is for others as well. When I sit down to write it’s like a date with God, a time to receive what He has for me. Nothing comes (worthy of printing, that is) until I have prayed and asked Him for it.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’m on Facebook, please feel free to “friend” me. I love meeting new people. I lurk about Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/book/show/7675580-the-garden-key
too. Also, http://www.thegardenkey.com/, Amazon.com, and http://www.cloudpillarpublishing.com/, my publisher’s website, which is the best place to purchase a copy of THE GARDEN KEY (paperback or ebook versions) because my publisher charges less for shipping than Amazon.com and you’ll receive a signed copy. What a deal!
Thanks for taking the time read this interview. Blessings to you today!

17 comments:

  1. Am so glad that you were able to find a new publisher who gives you freedom to be you!
    Please enter me in this giveaway.
    Maureen

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]om

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  2. The story sounds wonderful. I would love to have a copy! donnabsnow@gmail.com

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  3. I would love to read this book based on Song of Solomon, purity, and love the cover of the book! Put me in to win: adriennaturner@earthlink.net. As a reviewer, I will also write a review once complete the book. Thanks.

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  4. This sounds like a very good book! I would love to win a copy and read it with my teenagers :) Your blog is a wonderful source of information and I am so glad I found it.

    Anne
    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  5. Sounds interesting - thanks for offering it.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  6. How fun! She loves the "Grave Digger."
    My husband also is fond of Monster Trucks!
    I love music...
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  7. LOL, I enjoy your telling of praying during your doody duty, Angela. You've certainly proven by your faith and dependence on the Lord to give you the words that your writing certainly hasn't gone to the dogs. EWWW, was that bad or what? I actually did mean that as a compliment. I like the subject of your book..purity and believe in it wholeheartedly. I'm sure it was a difficult subject to write about in this day and age. God is using you to get a very important message spread. I'd like to read your book, and hope I win this giveaway. K.Dawn has such interesting authors and books in her interviews and I always want to win...but I'll wait for my turn. Thanks K.Dawn for the chance.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  8. I AM ANGELA'S BIGGEST FAN and I hope everyone reads this awesome book. I can't share my copy, so I buy them for friends often. You won't be sorry!

    Love to you all,
    Ellen

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  9. Beautiful title. Makes me think of Secret Garden.
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  10. Sounds really intriguing.
    sdeeth at msn dot com

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  11. I love the cover of the book, and it sounds like a great read! I would love to win a copy : ) potosrose(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance. I am an email subscribler.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  13. Like Angela, music is important in my life. I'm a retired music/choir director for churches. In fact, I'm now singing in the same choir that I directed 30 years ago. You book, based on the Book of Solomon is surely beautiful and sensitive, and I'm looking forward to reading it. Please add my name to the giveaway and thanks for the chance to win it. I hope I do, but will be happy for the person that does win.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  14. Thanks for all the great comments, everyone! I'm very blessed and encouraged! Blessings on all of you! :)

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  15. We have a teen ministry at church and I have a sixteen year old granddaughter. This sounds like a great book to get them to read.I'm a writer wannabe and enjoy reading other authors.Thanks for the opportunity to enter to win.
    Best wishes Kay Combs
    kay.combs@yahoo.com

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  16. Hi Kay -- I've been told by the youth ministry leader at our church that THE GARDEN KEY would be an excellent book for a group of teen girls to read. So I have study group questions available.

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  17. An interesting dialogue is price comment. I feel that it is best to write more on this matter, it may not be a taboo topic however usually individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers. lead soil test kit

    ReplyDelete

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