Author Interview -- Deanna Nowadnick

Hey guys, long time, no post. But today I bring you an interview with author Deanna Nowadick and her inspiring book Fruit of my Spirit. It was a short yet meaningful book that is sure to be an inspiration to any of it's readers.
 Enjoy!

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Hey Deanna! Thanks for joining us.
To start off, when did you first discover writing as one of your passions?
Great first question! I graduated from college with a major in English, but never really enjoyed writing. I think it had more to do with being told what to write, rather than the writing itself. Working on my first book, I finally admitted my love for writing. I recognized the gift I’d been given and the wonderful opportunity God was giving me to share my stories.


That's cool. Why do you write the type of books that you do?
Both my featured book(Fruit of my Spirit) and second book are memoirs of short stories. I am privileged to share messages of hope and inspiration. I have been blessed as a child of God, someone who has known great joy and the frustration of life’s challenges, major and minor. The books are a joyful celebration of mercy and grace.

What was your greatest obstacle in writing and how did you overcome it?
More a challenge than an obstacle was my awareness that my books are about God and His love and faithfulness, not Deanna and her mastery over the elements. It’s easy to think that life is all about me, but we all know differently. Trusting God to give me the stories and the words is a walk of faith, especially for someone who prides herself on her ability to micromanage any- and everything!

It's difficult for each of us to remember who is truly in charge in our lives sometimes.
Has writing changed your life in any way?
Ten years ago (or two years ago, for that matter), if you had told me I would one day be responding to an Author Interview, I would have rolled my eyes and then laughed you out of the room. May I just affirm the saying, “God’s not finished with me yet.” He never is, is he?

Nope, He sure isn't!
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
I have been most inspired by others who have said, “I have a story to tell, too.” I’ve had both older and younger readers come to me with their own stories. If my antics can encourage others to write, I will be both humbled and delighted.

What Bible scripture has impacted your life the most?
Psalm 51: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Notice I use the King James Version. I love the beauty of the words and their message. Oh, to have a heart like David! Is there a book you’ve read that has been truly spectacular? There are many books that have been truly spectacular for different reasons. Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird gave me the courage to write and to keep writing. Jane Austen warms my heart. Beth Moore feeds my soul and nurtures my faith. Steig Larsson wow’s me. And honorable mention has to go to Carolyn Keene who gave a young girl her first real love of reading. In third grade I really just wanted to grow up and be Nancy Drew.

What a great choice! 
Please tell us about the featured book.
Fruit of My Spirit is part Bible study, part memoir, part confessional. What started as one story for my sons about how I met their father quickly became a much larger story about God’s love and faithfulness. As you’ll read, God has encircled me during joyous, sad, cringe-worthy, heartwarming, forgettable, memorable moments in life. The book is for anyone who’s ever questioned God’s ability to love and forgive, who’s ever wondered about their place in God’s family or God’s place in theirs.

Sounds great! Can you please give us the first page?
I’m a mess. The highlights in my hair hide a pre-gray drab. One hip and one knee have been replaced and another knee should be. I’m overweight and under the illusion that I’m going to wake up one morning to a younger, skinnier self. On good days I whine and complain. On bad days I whine and complain more. I’m impatient whenever life has the audacity to thwart my plans. I get frustrated whenever life presents a detour or a hurdle. At one point I planned to live to 125. When I remembered that the Bible says Moses only lived to 120, I decided on 119. I can’t imagine God needing me around longer than Moses! Life has its challenges. Life is a challenge. I know my existence is about more than this body. I know it’s not about gray hair, failing body parts and excess pounds. I know the important stuff’s on the inside, but honestly, I’m not so sure that the inside stuff’s any prettier. Perhaps I’ve been expecting God to act as my own fairy godmother, ready to pop into the scene any moment now. With a twinkle in His eye and a wand in His hand, I’ve been waiting to be tapped ever so gently on the forehead and magically transformed into a loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled delight in His life, adorned in a nice white ensemble, cute shoes, and fresh nail polish. In thinking that, I’ve not only trivialized God’s love and forgiveness, but I’ve missed the magnitude of His mercy that’s been shared with me over and over again. I’ve overlooked the fruit of His Holy Spirit that’s already a part of my own spirit in all that I do and all that I am. So now what? Filled with His Holy Spirit, do I step back from life as I’ve known it? Do I need to tiptoe around the messiness of each day, avoiding the dirt and grime of my daily existence? If not wearing a white ensemble, something off-white? With His fruit, will I have this new aura about me that parts the seas and calms the storm within?

Where can readers learn more information about you?
I love connecting with readers!
• Website: www.deannanowadnick.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FruitofMySpirit 
• Twitter: @deannanowadnick 

Thanks Deanna!