Interview with Lillian Duncan

It’s been a little while since I’ve had author interviews other than through Celebrate Lit Tours. Today I’d like to welcome author, Lillian Duncan.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in a small town in Ohio with my amazing husband. When I say small town, I mean small. We only have one traffic light.

I’m a retired speech-language pathologist. I worked most of my career in Cleveland (Ohio) schools with deaf/hard of hearing students. After retiring from there, I worked several more years in smaller school districts near my home.

In 2012, my life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors (schwannomas) due to an extremely rare genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 2. It hasn’t been easy but with God (and my wonderful husband), life is still good.

Oh my. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. How did you get started in writing?

I’ve always loved books. Yes, I was that bookworm that would rather read than do most anything else, but I never thought about becoming a writer until I was 40. One of the best decision I’ve ever made! 

I can relate to being a bookworm. 🙂 What genre do you write?

I mostly write mystery and suspense but have written in other genres as well.

That’s great. So, when you’re writing, do you prefer sweet or salty snacks?

 Sweet! Sweet! Sweet!

Chuckle. I can relate. I used to be that way until I had to change the way I eat.Tell us about your recent release.

My new release is actually a 3-book series that released on July 5^th.  My MESSENGERS series is set in NewAm where even saying the name of Jesus is a crime, but God will not be confined nor defined by man’s law. When he has a message, he will always find a MESSENGER. Magdalena Denton is an unlikely messenger having grown up in the godless country of NewAm.

The three books are Messenger, UnCitizen, and Exile. The stories follow Magdalena and her friends as they struggle to learn about a God that’s been hidden from them.

Wow! Three books coming out at the same time. Congrats! What do you enjoy most about the writing process?

I love creating characters and discovering what will happen to them as the story unfolds.

I can relate. Character building is the fun part of writing. What is your least favorite aspect of writing?

Marketing! Like many writers, I’m an introvert so marketing myself doesn’t come naturally, but it’s something that has to be done so I do my best.

I definitely can relate to being an introvert and struggling with marketing. What advice would you give to a beginning writer?

I’ll give them the same advice, I was given. WRITE EVERY DAY! Something magical happens when we work on a story every day as opposed to when we have time.  Besides that, it’s an important habit to develop. That habit will get you keep you on track and writing through some rough times.

Great advice. How is faith interwoven in your books?

Most  of my main characters grow spiritually as they encounter difficult circumstances, much the way I have in my own life.

MESSENGER (Book 1) Magdalena Denton is an unlikely messenger. She’s grown up in the godless world of NewAm where even saying the name of Jesus is a crime. But when God has a message, he will always find a messenger.

MESSENGER LINK

UNCITIZEN (Book 2) Magdalena Denton’s bright future is gone. She’s been deemed an UnCitizen because she refuses to deny God. Her new-found faith is challenged as she struggles to stay alive, but God promises to never forsake his children.

UNCITIZEN LINK

EXILE (Book 3) After a daring escape, Magdalena and friends face life in the Empty Lands—even more hostile than imagined. They discover that when you walk in faith, miracles become a reality.

EXILE LINK

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

For years, my tagline was “stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem” since I wrote Christian suspense and mystery novels.

In 2012, I heard the words, “you have bilateral brain tumors.”

I had no idea how much those words would change my life, but they did. When life changes for a writer, their writing changes as well. So I wanted my tagline to reflect the new me. I still love to write suspense and mystery novels but also have branched out into other genres.

In spite of being diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and a rare genetic disease (Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), God continues to strengthen me and give me peace and joy as well as the blessing to be able to continue to write.

I’m a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with my husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, I believe in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

My goal is to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us. To learn more about me, visit www.lillian-duncan.com. I also have a devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com.

Thanks for joining us today, Lillian. I pray the Lord blesses your writing and your book launch!