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Friday, May 17, 2013

INTERVIEW WITH RONIE KENDIG


 
An Army brat, Ronie Kendig grew up in the classic military family, with her father often TDY and her mother holding down the proverbial fort. Their family moved often, which left Ronie attending six schools by the time she’d entered fourth grade. Her only respite and “friends” during this time were the characters she created.
It was no surprise when she married a military veteran—her real-life hero—in June 1990.  Married more than twenty years, Ronie and her husband, Brian, homeschool their four children, the first of whom graduated in 2011. Despite the craziness of life, Ronie finds balance and peace with her faith, family and their three dogs in Dallas, TX.
Ronie has a deep love and passion for people, especially hurting people, which is why she pursued and obtained a B.S. in Psychology from Liberty University. Ronie is an active member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has volunteered extensively, serving in a variety of capacities from coordinator of a national contest to appointment assistant at the national annual conference.
 
INTERVIEW WITH RONIE KENDIG
 
S.S: How long have you been writing?

I have been writing “toward publication” for over a decade. I have my first rejection slip dated 2003. In 2004, I joined ACFW because I’d been at a very small, local conference and the keynote speaker said if we were serious about writing, we needed to join ACFW. The keynote speaker was Steve Laube, who—three years later—became my agent.

S.S: Do you write full time? If the answer is no, what else do you do? If you are a full time author, what other jobs did you have in the past?

I feel like I write full time, but my real full-time job is homeschooling. We graduated one daughter more than a year ago, and now have three teens to guide through the high school years. Fun times! Honestly, this has been the toughest year for me, but I still write—in the evenings, after the kids are in bed.

S.S.: Who has been your greatest supporter as an author? 

My greatest supporter has been my husband. If it were not for Brian, I never would’ve had splashed into the waters of authorhood. I had lost my courage and confidence as a child, and I was too afraid to fail at something I loved so much. But Brian encouraged me to push on, to try it. Back by his love and confidence in me, I made the plunge!

S.S:  Why suspense? Do you write in any other genres? If so, what?

I honestly cannot imagine writing anything else. I write military suspense, but I also write suspense into the speculative pieces I’ve done. It’s always there. It’s the genre I read and enjoy the most. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m easily distracted, therefore I like writing action and fast-paced scenes.

S.S: How does your faith play into your writing?

Faith is absolutely essential to who I am, and it invariably exists within my writing. However, I do not write “preachy” scenes because I believe the best witness is an organic one. I believe we must win over lost souls with our daily living and being examples of Christ and His love to a hurting, dying world.

S.S:  Tell us about your current release.

Talon is the second book in the A Breed Apart series, and it focuses on a yellow Labrador named Talon who is suffering from PTSD, borne out of the attack that separated him from his handler. Aspen Courtland, the heroine, has been told her brother is MIA: Presumed Dead, but she doesn’t accept that decision. So when Dane Markoski shows up, with a theory that her brother is still alive, Aspen can’t resist the chance to prove the military wrong. She heads to Djibouti with a broken Talon and Dane to find her brother and the truth.

S.S: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from your story?

I always pray that readers see the hope of Christ in/through the stories I’ve written. Life is tough and really batters us, but I want readers to know Christ is there. God loves them. They are never alone.

S.S: What are you working on now?

I am currently working on Raptor Six, the first title in a spin-off series featuring the ODA team that has cameo appearances in the A Breed Apart books.

S.S: A tough question: Where do you want to be career-wise in five years? Ten years? 

I pray that in fives years I am completely comfortable in this new career and that I’ve worked out most of the kinks so that I’m thoroughly enjoying writing once more. In ten years. . .I pray I’m blessed enough to continue writing and telling stories of our military heroes. I’m also hoping that I will have, by then, launched the speculative fiction that I’ve been writing on the side, the fiction that keeps my well filled and my heart full.

S.S:  Now let’s get a little personal. Name two things on your “bucket list” that you haven’t done yet.   

Go to Hawaii.
Visit Israel.

S.S: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?

I think it’s a tie between surviving the loss of my mother to cancer and homeschooling my children.

S.S.: Where can readers find you on the internet?

I love hearing from readers and other writers! I can be found:

On my website – www.roniekendig.com
On Twitter – www.twitter.com/roniekendig
On Facebook – www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction
On Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/roniek

 YOU CAN WIN A COPY OF TALON! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT, ALONG WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, AND RONIE WILL PICK A WINNER NEXT MONDAY!

 

24 comments:

  1. Ronie!!!! Welcome to the Suspense Sisters! Roni is one of my very favorite people, y'all. And her stories rock! I've already read Talon and you don't want to miss it.

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  2. I would love to read Talon. Def have to add you to my list of authors. I enjoy finding new authors to read. Have a good day.

    Karen
    kpietrusinski (at) msn (dot) com

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  3. I have read all of the Discarded Heroes series. Absolutely loved it. I have read Trinity. Planning to read Talon. I have also read Ronie Kendig's stand alone Dead Reckoning. I admire her attention to detail and the believabilty factor. Thank you for this opportunity.
    Dana
    dbtrueheart@gmail.com

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  4. I read Trinity and i enjoyed it. I would love to read this one aswell. I'm so thankful for Christian suspense authors.

    Tanya
    (tanya_terpstra@hotmail.com)

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  5. i would love to win this give away
    jcisforme@aol.com

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  6. Would love to win this book and read it. Love books by Christian authors.

    Cynde
    cyndew@rocketmail.com

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  7. I LOVE her books!!!!

    Lindsey Denis

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  8. Ive never read one of your books would love to win one after seeing all the comments!! Good luck to all who enter!!
    Bethany Brewer
    bbrewer8896@yahoo.com

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  9. Read Trinity and I loved it. Can't wait to read Talon. Thanks for the giveaway.

    superstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. I've read Trinity and loved it. I've also read the Discarded Heroes series. Ronie is one of my favorite authors, and it would mean a lot to win a copy of Talon.

    Linda R.
    linlee822@gmail.com

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  11. I have never rezd one of her books but will be looking to read one. Thanks

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  12. Thanks for a great interview. My wife and I are homeschooling our children as well (my wife is the real hero in that department), and knowing that Ronie homeschools and writes makes me respect her work even more. Thanks again for having her on Suspense Sisters. I am hoping to have a chance to meet Ronie personally at the Blue Ridge Conference in a few days, and will consider it an honor.

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  13. Thanks so much! I'm an animal lover and as I'm disabled I've been looking into getting a mobility service dog...but I love reading about all types of working dogs! Can't wait to read this one!!!!!!

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  14. Your interview touched my heart by you writing about th e military. I became close to a military family that their son was wounded in Iraq. Went through many surgeries and therapy, but finally able to live a good life. Unfortunately on January 22, 2012 ,shrapnel moved to his brain and he passed away. His Dad had just been diagnosed stage four colon cancer. We lost him in September 2012. It makes me feel happy to know that you write about the military showing christian values. Thank you for entering me in your giveaway!
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. Enjoyed reading Trinity. Would love to win and read Talon.
    Karen G.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  16. So excited! I am finding so many great books I didn't even know were out there! lauren.reynolds423@gmail.com

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  17. I've read and enjoyed some of your other books. Look forward to reading this series, too. rgkieleo(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. I have not read any of your books, yet....Ronie, however, I look forward to the opportunity one day soon! Would love to win this one.. :)

    Betti
    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. Can't wait to read it! Thanks for honoring our military with your stories!

    mo1202007@yahoo.com

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  20. I can't wait to read your books Ronie!! They look so interesting!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  21. Having a brother who is a retired Air Force colonel, & a nephew who is an Army chaplain - think I would enjoy reading your books. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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  22. I loved Trinity (I am a dog lover :)) Can't wait to read Talon.. Thanks for a chance to win a copy!!

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  23. I would love to read Talon. Have it on my wish list. Thank you for the giveaway.
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

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  24. Ronie, I have both Trinity and Talon. Just wanted to say how much I admire your work and you. I had the opportunity to meet you when you spoke to the OKC Chapter of ACFW.

    Looking forward to reading your speculative fiction one of these days!

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