Who Are You?
In this order, I am: a child of God, a wife, a mom, “Mimi” to four precious grandchildren, a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. And I am a full-time novelist. I also love to teach writing and mentor new writers at conferences from California to North Carolina. It seems odd to list “novelist” at the end of that long string of titles, especially when sometimes the hours I spend writing are so much greater than the time I get to spend in those other, vastly-more-important roles. But I hope I always treasure people above things. The truth is, I love every one of the roles God has given me, and have found immense blessing in each one. My dream as a young girl was to be a stay-at-home mom (I wanted a dozen children, but when we got to 4, it seemed like 12 and I am perfectly content with our two sons, two daughters, and the four grandchildren (so far) who have blessed our lives.
Where Are You Now?
My husband Ken and I live in the beautiful, bountiful, friendly state of Kansas, and every chance I get, I spend time in the lovely prairie garden Ken has created
in our backyard. This is my favorite view of the garden from the back deck
Where Are You Going?
I hope I’m always only going exactly where God directs me to go. Three and-a-half years ago, my husband was laid off from his job after twenty-five loyal years with the same company. Since that frightening day, we have learned so much about following God one step, one day at a time. I’ve always been a person who liked to have her ducks in a row and a neat check-list to follow each day. But I’m learning that God doesn’t necessarily work that way, and what a HUGE adventure it has been to toss our lists and dreams and goals aside for a season, and just run with Him. Though there have been some rough patches, we have both recently decided that the layoff was the best thing that could have happened to us at this time in our lives. Our trust in God has grown in amazing ways, and He has provided every single one of our needs (which are a LOT less than we might have thought <g>). He’s also provided many, many things that we now realize are luxuries and blessings from His hand. And though we are technically poorer than we’ve been in many years, we are richer in so many––far more important––ways.
DEBORAH RANEY’s first novel,
A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after 20 happy years as a stay-at-home mom. Her books have won numerous awards including the RITA, the Carol Award, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Deb’s newest novel released from Howard/Simon & Schuster in May. She and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy the wildflowers and native grasses in the Kansas prairie garden in their backyard. They also love traveling together to teach at conferences, and to visit four children and four small grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the Web at
www.deborahraney.com.
Beth K. Vogt said:
Deb Raney is one of the friendliest, most encouraging writers I’ve met along the writing road. Add to that, she’s an excellent writer. I just finished After All and loved it — and the ending snuck up and surprised me!
Appreciated this interview and learning how Deb is handling the unexpected twist and turns of life with grace and faith.
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Cathy West said:
Thanks for stopping by, Beth! Always love having you visit! 🙂
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Sue Harrison said:
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing this interview with us! (Also loved visiting Deb’s garden! Lovely.) It always amazes me how God helps us turn the difficult times in our loves into something worthy that blesses us and others.
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Deborah Raney said:
It amazes us, too, Sue! He is SO very good. And Beth, it’s been wonderful to share a May release date with you at Howard. I really enjoyed your book too! Loved the postcard motif!
Cathy, you are TOO kind. It was very easy to champion your book. I loved Yesterday’s Tomorrow! You nailed it!
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Dineen Miller said:
Wonderful interview! Thank you, Cathy. As always, I am inspired by you, Deb! Thank you!
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