As part of an ongoing celebration of upcoming debut novels, I’ll be running highlights of interviews from a number of my fellow debuts through the end of 2019. The full interviews are available on DebutAuthors19.com.
Today, we’re continuing the series with a conversation with Deborah L. King, author of Glory Bishop, a work of women’s fiction releasing from Red Adept Publishing on June 4th, 2019.
About the Book
GLORY BISHOP is a coming-of-age story of a young woman’s longing to reach outside the sheltered life of her mother’s madness and live in the world as a normal person.
Interview Excerpt
Where did you get the idea?
Years ago, I was in a writing class, and wrote a short story about a sheltered, repressed girl being embarrassed about going to a party. That girl evolved into Glory.
What’s the story behind the title?
Back in 1998, I created an AOL screen name GLORY and I chose BISHOP as a last name because it’s the name of a street in a neighborhood where I lived as a child. I always wanted to go to the corner store on Bishop, but my mother would never let me. I’m glad my publisher liked the name… so we kept it.
How long did you take to write this book?
About 25 years. I started it in 1992 and wrote off and on until 2016.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
I did quite a bit of research. I had to tour some places in Chicago and find the locations and names of 1980s businesses. The old Chicago Transit Authority map was fascinating, as was the history of some of the neighborhoods.
What did you remove from this book during the editing process?
For legal reasons we took out song lyrics and changed a few location names.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Actually, a little of both. I start the story; then write an outline. Then I change the outline as the story evolves.
What is your favorite part of your writing process, and why?
My favorite part is when I get into the zone and the story starts flowing and the characters take control of the narrative and I learn new things about them.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process, and why?
The most challenging part is discipline. I’m not too good at keeping my butt in the chair and my mind focused. The magic portal that is the internet often lures me in, and I waste time. When that happens, I try to turn that time into productive research…or so I tell myself.
Can you share your writing routine?
I write in spurts. I have had weeks where I laid on the couch and plotted the story scenes in my head. I’ve also had binges when I didn’t eat or sleep…just wrote for days on end.
Have you ever gotten writer’s block? If yes, how do you overcome it?
I get it frequently. When that happens, I usually switch to another part of the story and try working on that, or maybe work on a different book altogether. When it’s really bad, I read back over what I’ve already written and see where I can improve it.
About the Author
Deborah King has been a writer and storyteller her whole life. She published her first short story when she was seven years old. Her writing runs the gamut from poetry and women’s fiction, to espionage and science fiction. Her upcoming debut novel, GLORY BISHOP, is scheduled for release in 2019. When she’s not writing, Deborah enjoys cartoons, cooking, photography, and Star Trek. Born and raised in Chicago, Deborah has managed to achieve all her childhood dreams and still lives in the area with her husband and two youngest children. According to her daughter, she has “literally aced her life!
Connect with Deborah:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads
Buy Glory Bishop