Meet Dawn Turner

Written By: carolmoye - May• 08•14

In God's Time Cover

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up bouncing from one place to another until right before I started high school. That made it difficult to make friends, since I knew I’d be leaving them in short order anyway.  As a result, I developed a love of reading very early.  I also played a lot by myself growing up, making up stories about my toy horses and Barbie dolls to keep me entertained.

When did you first start writing?

My first fiction writing experience was in high school, but it was a very bad one.  I didn’t write again until my second year of college, and only because the instructor forced me to and wouldn’t allow me to work on something else.  She was very encouraging, which gave me the courage to start writing again, though it would be YEARS before I let anyone else see my work.  I never could quite get the HS teacher’s criticism out of my head (and he was wrong, btw!).

What’s the story behind your latest book?

I had two books release in April. In God’s Time is one of the stories I wrote before I met my husband 21 years ago. It’s been through many edits and changes over the years, needless to say, as I’ve learned more about writing.

Defender Cover

The other April release, Defender, was written for NaNoWriMo in November 2012. It was one I’d known for at least a couple of years that I needed to write, but I kept fighting it. Jordan, the heroine of the story, lives in a small town that has turned on her, mostly because of lies. Though I knew why the Lord wanted me to write it, I simply didn’t want to. It touches too close to home in some ways because I’ve personally witnessed the hateful, evil behavior other Christians are capable of, including turning a church and community against someone with lies. I’ve also dealt with people who have the same problem with confrontation that my hero, Chase, exhibits. Once I started writing it on November 1, 2012, the story just poured out me. I had it written in 24 days.

What was the hardest part about writing your book?

The personal nature of some elements of the story. There’s nothing worse, imo, than watching Christians crucify each other in the name of self-interest. Lies, deception, division, strife, building hatred in others. I witnessed it myself, and I pray I never have to see it again.

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

First, don’t listen to gossip. Unless you’ve seen someone do something yourself, don’t take someone else’s word for it. We don’t always know what’s really going on in a person’s life, and speculating and gossiping about it are purely destructive.

Second, no matter how evil people around us may act, God never abandons us, and He will shed light on lies and reveal the truth. It comes in His time rather than ours, but it WILL come.  His Word promises that.  So we can rest in that assurance and allow Him to heal the hurts of such assaults.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

God’s push, pure and simple.  I knew it would be a boatload of work, and quite honestly, I didn’t fancy the idea of having to be responsible for all of it.  He shoved me right out of the vicinity of my comfort zone for this one, and now that I’m almost two years out from the release of my first indie novel, I couldn’t be more happy.  It’s been hard work, but it’s been fun, too!  He knew I could do it, even while I doubted myself.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

Being able to share with others the fictional people who keep me entertained so often.  They have so much to say, stories to tell, lessons to learn and share with others.  I love sharing their stories.

What writing advice to you have for other aspiring writers?

Don’t let anyone discourage you or knock you off your feet.  If your heart is set on writing, do it!  The technique and writing craft come with time and learning, and you’ll keep learning, always.  None of us ever perfects the craft, we’re all learning new things regularly.  Unfortunately the world is full of destructive critics who really aren’t offering anything useful or helpful.  Learn to disregard them and keep doing what you love!

What do your fans mean to you?

I lost an aunt in November 2013 to cancer.  A few weeks before she died, she told me that her doctors had told her to look toward special things in her life to keep her going.  She said my books were one of her special things.  That went straight to my heart.  I can’t imagine any better praise than that.  She connected with my stories and characters.  That’s what I want for all my readers.  Every single one of them is special, unique, and precious in God’s eyes.  They all have strengths and weaknesses, victories and struggles, joys and sorrows, and I want to see each one through His eyes.  See them for the incredible people they are.

What are you working on next?

At the moment, I’m finalizing things for the June release of my first Christian romantic fantasy, Curse of the Talmara, but I’m also in the midst of editing the sequel to Defender and a stand-alone (for now) novel called Keep Her. As far as writing goes, I’ve got both another fantasy project in the works, plus I’m working on a Contemporary Christian Romance series called Mysterious Ways that takes place in Wyoming.

Who are your favorite authors?

Loaded question. I love a variety of authors for different reasons. Colleen Coble, Lynette Eason, Candace Calvert, and others for romantic suspense.  Janice Hanna Thompson and Kristin Billerbeck for romance with comedy.  Michelle Sutton and Sarah Jae Foster for more edgy Christian fiction.  I also enjoy Patricia Briggs’ fantasy novels, particularly her urban fantasy work.  So many more I could name.

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

Remodeling our house these days. We’re trying to get it put on the market to sell so we can move closer to where my wonderful husband works and where we attend church.  I also enjoy crocheting, scrapbooking, and spinning my own yarn, especially using alpaca and wool.  When I can get out, I absolutely love photographing the many wonders of God’s creation, whether the grand views of the desert and mountains here in southern Arizona or the tiniest desert encruster termites. I’m never bored.

 

Author Bio:

Dawn loves to write romance, suspense, women’s fiction, and fantasy with a Christian worldview. She took first place in the Contemporary Romance category, as well as winning the Grand Prize, in the 2011 Writers on the Storm Category Five Writing Contest. She lives in the high desert of Southern Arizona with her husband of over 20 years and a variety of furry and feathered critters.

dividing line

 

 

 

Blog Writers Note:

I downloaded a sample of each of Dawn’s new releases. Both were delightful. Her characters are very likeable, the situations very believable. Each sample ended in a place that made me want to keep reading. I had already come to care about her characters and what happens to them. No doubt, I’ll be purchasing one of them, but which to read first?

…..And the answer is Defender. I was gifted a copy from Dawn, and am LOVING it! Thanks Dawn.

 

 

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2 Comments

  1. Dawn Turner is a favorite author of mine. . .having her BEYOND HOPE, PROMISES (my fave of all so far) TRUTH (Second fave at this point)I’m always WATCHING for her next one to publish. She has her characters as REAL – no stick people and no copy-cat characters – I LOVE her stories whether they be Romantic Suspense or Romance – all good stuff – IF I read Fantasy – she’d be the first author I’d read. GREAT INTERVIEW!

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