Interview with Debby Giusti

Today, we’re blessed to have an interview with Debby Guisti. Thank you, Debby, for agreeing to be interviewed! Debby has agreed to give away a copy of her latest book, SCARED TO DEATH, so check the bottom of the blog for details on how to enter.

HC: I've read both your books from Love Inspired Suspense, and love them! When did you first know you wanted to write suspense?

DG: I grew up reading Nancy Drew and have always loved the suspense genre so when I started to write, I wanted to stay with what I enjoyed the most. There's always a puzzle to solve with suspense, and I like the challenge of having to figure out what happened or who the villain is. Hopefully, my readers enjoy that aspect as well.

HC: How long have you been writing?

DG: I published a few articles in magazines when my children were young, but as they grew and needed more of my time, I put my writing on hold. When the children were older we moved to Georgia, and I decided if I didn't get back to writing, I never would. Once again, I turned to magazines, and since I'm a medical technologist, I published numerous articles in ADVANCE FOR ADMINISTRATORS OF THE LABORATORY and served on their editorial advisory board for over twelve years. I also wrote for SOUTHERN LADY MAGAZINE, a lovely Alabama publication. Although I enjoyed the work, my heart's desire was to publish full-length fiction. In 2005, my dream came true when Steeple Hill senior editor Krista Stroever called and asked to buy NOWHERE TO HIDE.

HC: I see that not only are you a military kid, like I am, but you also married into the military. How does that affect your perceptions as a writer?

DG: You're right, Hope. I'm an Army Brat, Army wife, and since my son is in the Army, I'm also an Army mom! In fact, my next book, MIA: MISSING IN ATLANTA (March 2008) is the story of Captain Luke Walker, a war hero, who returns to Atlanta to find the girl he met on R&R. I dedicated the book to my son, the 101st Airborne Division he served with in Iraq and all the brave men and women in uniform who defend our nation. The hero in my debut novel, NOWHERE TO HIDE, also served in the Army so I guess my military ties impact the type of heroes I write. I like take charge men with a can-do attitude.

HC: I love how you integrate your faith into your writing. Even when your characters are at their lowest ebb, faith shines through. Do you find it easier or more difficult writing about characters who have faith versus those who doubt?

DG: My faith is such an important part of who I am, and I've very grateful to be able to openly write about my characters' relationship with the Lord. If one character is stronger in his or her faith, then the other usually struggles accepting God's love. Perhaps something has happened in the heroine's past that causes her to believe the Lord has turned his back on her. Through the hero's example and as the story progresses, her heart begins to open, and by the end of the story, she realizes the Lord's love is unconditional. The character who struggles accepting God into his or her life is always my favorite, probably because I see so many people in real life who have made the same mistake. They've turned their back on God because of problems or difficulties, never realizing that God is exactly who they need when the going gets tough. I always pray for my readers and hope my stories will help someone who might be struggling to accept God back into his or her life. If that happens, then my writing has been a success.

HC: I note with great delight that you have a new book coming out in March 2008. Is it another stand-alone, or are there any characters readers will remember from your previous books?

DG: MIA: MISSING IN ATLANTA is a stand-alone with a new cast of characters. I mentioned Luke Walker, but you'll also meet Sarah Montgomery who's trying to hold together a financially strapped shelter for runaway teens. Bull LeJeune is her larger-than-life assistant, a "bad boy" who turned his life around and now helps troubled youth. Wealthy Atlanta philanthropist Winton Cunningham started the shelter for teens, and he and his Columbian wife Elena are interested in helping South American orphans find homes in the United States. Keisha and Brittany are young women Sarah has rescued from the street, and . . . well, I 'd better stop there so I don't spoil the story for you.

HC: If you had one piece of advice for writers, what would it be?

DG: Finish the book! So many people want to write a book, some people start a book, but very few people actually finish the book. Most folks get stuck in the middle. If you're at that spot, keep pushing until you can type "The End." Then you can say with pride that you've written a book.

HC: Any other thoughts you'd care to share?

DG: My latest news is my Magnolia Medical series scheduled to debut in October 2008 with COUNTDOWN TO DEATH. I'm currently working on that story and a follow-up that's as yet untitled.

Hope, thank you for inviting me to be on your blog and for such great interview questions! I always love to hear from my readers so be sure to email me at debby@debbygiusti.com and visit my web site, www.debbygiusti.com. I blog each Wednesday on www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com and would love to have your readers stop by to say hello. Wishing you all abundant blessings!

HC: Thank you so much for sharing with our readers! May God continue to bless you as you write for Him!

To enter to win a copy of SCARED TO DEATH, leave a message here or at my other blog, or e-mail me @ hope_chastain [at] yahoo.com . Lose the spaces and replace [at] with @ . Thanks for entering!