Today’s featured author is Dianne Christner!
Dianne is going to answer my very inquisitive questions, so let’s get started!
Who Are You?
Thanks for asking, Cathy. I’m a vain-plain gal who colors her gray hair brown and usually dresses in jeans. I might add that I earned my not-so-gray hair from forty years of marriage and thirty plus years of motherhood. I love my family, which is why my smile wrinkles are deeply entrenched. And I’m blessed with five fabulous grandchildren.
I’m also an introvert, which means I thrive and recharge (get my energy) from the solitude that goes along with writing. However, I love people and in the past month have joined a church neighborhood group and also organized a couples’ Bunco group.
I start out each day sipping two cups of coffee with some heavenly version of creamer, sitting in my favorite chair to read scripture and pray. I’m using a Chronological Bible and after 14 months am nearing the New Testament. Whew! But who says you have to make it through in a year? Why not a year and a half? I’d rather go at my own pace so I can savor the scripture along with the coffee.
The adjective vain-plain stems from my Mennonite background and my spiritual journey away from the plain. In Something New, Lil Landis also struggles with this issue.
Where Are You Now?
I just arrived upstairs in my office, with my old dog gimping behind me. I was going to take a photo of the desert mountainous view for you, but the window was too dirty. I’m still coughing from the dust that got stirred up raising the blinds. Sorry about that, Fritz . . . to my dog who just left the room.
My desk is a custom, room-wrapping feature, designed by my woodworking husband (we share an office). It holds my laptop, my portable keyboard, a mishmash of working files, and . . . am counting . . . twenty reference books. My grandchildren’s photos are mixed in with those of movie stars (who represent my book characters). I have various charts with blogging, marketing, and writing deadlines.
Where Are You Going?
This month and next, I’ll be writing and blogging. I just received the galleys for Something Blue. In April, I’m traveling to Plain City, Ohio, for a book tour where I anticipate meeting readers from the area. After that I’m going to Sweet Home, Oregon, to do research for a new novel.
Cathy here again – it’s been great to meet you, Dianne, (and Fritz!) and your books sound wonderful! Here’s the scoop on Dianne’s book, guys. I’m going to go check it out right now!
About Something New:
Something New, book two of the Plain City Bridesmaids series
Reluctant to give up her hard-won independence, Lil Landis must leave her friends at the doddy house and return to the family farm to care for her depressed mother. Lil is ashamed of her humble farm roots and plain clothes. She wishes her family attended a more progressive Mennonite church. But one thing that is not plain is Lil’s flair for cooking. She dreams of becoming head chef and hopes this talent will get her far away from the farm that is sinking into debt and keeping her from following her lifelong goals. When her dad’s livestock gets sick, the new veterinary student catches her eye. Fletch Stauffer attends a liberal Mennonite church. He has dreams of his own, which take him undercover at the Landis farm. As Fletch is drawn deeper into deceptive ambitions, he finds himself falling for spunky Lil and at odds with his dream. Will determination and mistrust keep them apart?
About Dianne
Dianne Christner is an author of several novellas, anthologies and four Christian fiction novels. Currently, she’s bringing the romantic comedy genre to the plain people. Raised Mennonite, she does this with warmth and sensitivity. She resides with her husband in Phoenix, Arizona, where they enjoy the desert sunshine and attend a mega community church. Christner writes full time and keeps a blog on writing and the Mennonite lifestyle.
Member RWA, ACFW, CWOW (Christian Writers of the West), NAPW (National Association of Professional Women)
Places to Connect with Dianne:
Blog – plain girl romanticizing
Just A Note: I’m presently traveling, so I won’t be blogging Monday. Hope to catch up with you all next week!
Keli Gwyn said:
What a fun interview! Your custom-made desk sounds awesome, Dianne, as does your view. I’ll admit that I rarely read book about the plain people, but your story sounds great. I’m intrigued by the fact that you work in some romantic comedy elements.
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Dianne Christner said:
Hi Keli,
My writing evolved into what agent Greg coined “Romantic Dramatic Comedy”. It’s really an extension of my worldview and personality and even decorating. Now that I’ve finally identified it, I believe my writing will improve. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Rachel said:
Hi Dianne! I’m glad to see you on another blog. It was fun getting a glimpse into your home and writing world. Also funny to hear that you’re a vain/plain girl. I am too! I was raised Mennonite – not conservative. So I totally get the vain/plain. Ha! I just finished reading “Something New” and can’t wait for the next one!
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Dianne Christner said:
You just blessed me. Yeah, being raised plain, I’ll always struggle with the pride thing, but I trust God to keep teaching me how to follow him. I guess with freedom comes responsibility. I just finished reading the galley for “Something Blue”. Wish I could pass it on to you, but it will be released next August. Thanks for following me. Makes my heart sing.
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Sherri Wilson Johnson said:
What a great interview! And I love her Chi. My Chi is Posey. I have a soft spot for them. Great success with the book! Sherri http://www.sherriwilsonjohnson.com
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Dianne Christner said:
Hi Sherri….what a unique spelling of your name. Writers notice that because we’re always naming our babies…over and over again. I have three baby name books I use. Posey sounds sweet. Fritz is becoming sweeter in his old age. He’s sixteen. He’s going to the groomer today…mostly because he doesn’t let me trim his nails. Also it’s gotten warm in Phoenix and he’s starting the shed thing. The groomer does an “express” thing on him to make the whole process less traumatic. I inherited him from my mother-in-law but he’s really attached himself to me. And me to him, of course. Now I’m rambling….blessings to you!
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Sherri Wilson Johnson said:
I was supposed to be named after Shari (from Shari and Lambchop) but my parents spelled my name wrong. Haha! So true about naming our babies!! I love finding names for my characters. Posey is a sweetheart. So attached to me it’s not funny. She’s nine pounds. Her mama is only 5 and her sister 4 so we’re not real sure what happened there. She hates to get her nails done too! I have to take her to the groomer and they have to muzzle her. The beast comes out in her. But otherwise, she’s my baby. She sleeps under the covers at night and on my lap during the day!
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Karen Jordan said:
Great to get to know you a little better, Dianne! Great interview! Blessings!
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Dianne Christner said:
Thanks Karen, I really enjoy following your blog. I learn so much there. Have a great day!
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Donna Pyle said:
Cathy, thanks for a wonderful interview. Dianne, I’ve never heard the phrase vain-plain. That’s food for thought on many levels. Fritz is sooo cute…awwww!!! It was so nice to get to know you better. Now headed to Amazon to check out “Something New.” Blessings!
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Dianne Christner said:
Aha Donna. I can see where this is going. Perhaps a new Bible study theme for you? Go ahead, I can use it.
Thanks for supporting me. Means sooo much!
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Lindsay Harrel said:
Great interview!
Dianne, I live in Phoenix too! Your novels sound great; I’ll have to see about getting my hands on one. 😛
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Dianne Christner said:
Phoenix is quite the paradise right now, isn’t it? No snow for us. Of course Cathy’s the one who really has it made, living on a paradise island. So glad to connect with you! Would love to become your Facebook friend.
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Cathy West said:
Thanks all for stopping by, and Dianne, it was great to have you! Come back when your second book releases!
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