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About the author:
With much divine prompting, singer/songwriter Angela Dolbear sat
down at her laptop night after night, in her cozy modest home in
Austin, Texas, faithfully flanked by two golden retrievers, to
receive THE GARDEN KEY -- the story of Madeleine and Peter, and
their pursuit for sexual purity. The Garden Key draws from many of
the author’s personal experiences, past and present, and her
reflection on how her mistakes could be reinvented as wise counsel
for others to choose a better path in life when it comes to matters
of the heart, and other bodily organs.
Angela is a graduate of Biola University with a degree in
Communication and a Journalism emphasis. Currently, she is working
on her second novel, a story of tragedy and restoration which
follows Adam and Eve’s exile from the Garden of Eden.
Angela leads worship along side her husband Tim, at many local
churches of various denominations. The couple also writes, records,
and performs original adult contemporary music as
child of the Son.
Angela
Dolbear's Official Blog page
Interview Aug 2010
We're happy to have Angela Dolbear
with us today talking about her book, The Garden Key. Angela has been kind
enough to offer to give away a copy to one lucky blog reader. To register to
win, place your e-mail address in the box to the right (subscribe to my blog via
e-mail) if you've not done so and leave Angela a comment with your e-mail
address at the bottom of her interview. To learn more about Angela and her book,
read on!
1) How did this story come to you?
I have two golden retrievers and a big backyard, so cleaning up after them is a
lengthy process, so I spend this time in prayer. The story for THE GARDEN KEY,
actually the full novel, was given to me during my weekly “Doody Duty.”
It made perfect sense. At the time, I was studying the Song of Solomon with my
husband, Tim, and the book is rooted in Songs 4:12 – “A garden locked is my
sister, my bride, a rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.” THE GARDEN KEY is a
fictitious look at pursuing purity in a relationship, and living out an obedient
life in Christ in the midst of temptation and pressures from outside, as well as
inside influences.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Hmm…how much time do you have?! It’s been quite an adventure. The first
traditional publishing contract I signed seemed all good at the time. But I soon
found out that the publisher had not completely read my book, and the editor was
adamant about deleting the climactic scene where the resolve is tested of the
two main characters to stay pure in their relationship. Without that scene, the
message of obtaining God’s victorious power through prayer and study of His Word
would just be a bunch of religious words.
Also, the publisher wanted to change how they were going to market and
distribute (online only – which I could do myself), as well as decrease my
royalty percentage. There’s a whole bunch of other stuff that I don’t want to
get into. It was only by the grace of God that I was able to get out of that
contract. Nice people, but it wasn’t a good fit. The publisher I am with now is
small, but gives me complete artistic freedom and is generous with my royalty
percentage. I am blessed.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. Writing and music rival each other as my first love (actually, my fourth
love: first is God, second is my hubby, and third is the family which includes
my son Kyle and my four-legged muses, Gracie & Caleb). I am far more comfortable
considering myself a singer/songwriter/worship leader than I am a published
author.
2. Love, love, love Monster trucks. “Grave Digger” is the best and my all-time
favorite.
3. Madeleine, the main character in THE GARDNE KEY is not me. A lot of readers
assume the book is about me, but it is not. It was inspired by many events that
took place in real life, but Maddy is far braver and more obedient in her walk
with Christ than I am.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
The sequel to THE GARDEN KEY. In this novel, Madeleine struggles with her doubts
and fears, so instead of professing to be a “Lust-o-holic” as she does in THE
GARDEN KEY, she is now a self-proclaimed “Fear-o-holic.”
The full-length CD of songs that were written at the same time as the book, and
recorder by my band CHILD OF THE SON at Eclectica Studios here in Austin, TX,
will be released in the Fall of 2010. It’s like a soundtrack for THE GARDEN KEY.
Also, THE GARDEN KEY Prayer Team is growing (I’m so grateful – I can’t begin to
tell you how much), so we are stepping up the communication of specific prayer
needs through “Blog-letters” and other internet venues. The Lord told me a while
ago that this is not simply a novel (or series of novels) it’s a ministry. From
all the emails I’ve received describing how this book has changed lives, I
believe Him. And I am greatly humbled.
5) Parting comments?
Writing has been a great blessing in my life, and hope it is for others as well.
When I sit down to write it’s like a date with God, a time to receive what He
has for me. Nothing comes (worthy of printing, that is) until I have prayed and
asked Him for it.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’m on Facebook, please feel free to “friend” me. I love meeting new people. I
lurk about Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/book/show/7675580-the-garden-key
too. Also, http://www.thegardenkey.com/, Amazon.com, and http://www.cloudpillarpublishing.com/,
my publisher’s website, which is the best place to purchase a copy of THE GARDEN
KEY (paperback or ebook versions) because my publisher charges less for shipping
than Amazon.com and you’ll receive a signed copy. What a deal!
Thanks for taking the time read this interview. Blessings to you today!
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