Monday, August 27, 2007

Interview with Allison Bottke



As promised, I have Allison Bottke with me today discussing her new novel One Little Secret, so grab a hot cup of something, and join us as we find out some secrets behind the scenes of this boomer-lit novel with an attitude!

Allison, welcome to Living Life Passionately. I finished One Little Secret in one sitting; I just couldn’t put it down. For those of you who don’t know by now, One Little Secret is about no ordinary housewife and mom who is surprised by an opportunity to pursue her passion. It was such a fun read with unexpected humor and tears. Was this a dream come true for you and what prompted you to write this book now?

Thanks, Connie, it’s great to be here with my boomer sister. You probably already know part of the background for this book, but the original idea was for a movie screenplay. I had the cast of characters—especially the lead actress already plotted in my mind. Then, when Bethany House requested a second novel as a follow up for A Stitch in Time—my debut novel—I dusted off the unfinished screenplay and the rest is history. Of course, I had to add a few more subplots and think how each scene would play out in a movie—so there was more creativity involved—but it was all a dream come true!

I have to say, Allison, I loved your first novel, A Stitch in Time, but I fell in love with One Little Secret. There’s a clear message that resonates throughout the entire book—that we as boomer women have all felt at one time—that our dreams aren’t taken seriously! What do you have to say about that?

Yes, you’re absolutely right, Connie! So many “boomer babes” are complacent about living out their dreams. They have held them under a bushel along with their God-given talents. We have taught our children to strive to be the best they can be—right? We have told our children they can be whatever they want to be when they grow up—correct? Yet, when it comes time for us to pursue our dreams and passions, we hold back. I think the healthiest thing we can do as parents is to allow our children to see us working toward our dreams. When those we love see us fulfill life-long passions and desires of the heart, we will be taken seriously!

Allison, tell me a little bit about the author behind One Little Secret. What things do you love to do when you’re not writing and what’s the one quality you hold most dear in a friend?

As you may know, I’m quite the homebody—I love being home, working in my garden or spending time with my husband. One of my favorite pastimes is, of course, reading and watching movies. I could stay all day at the cinema—starting when the doors open and watch back-to-back movies until midnight. As for friendships, unquestionably it would have to be loyalty and confidentiality. Privacy is extremely important to me!

Allison, you and I have never “officially” met; however, my story “Living the Passionate Life,” was published in God Allows U-turns for Women. Later I blogged for one week on the U-Turns blogsite, and then you asked if I would like to take part in the “Boomer Babes Rock” blogsite. It’s been quite a ride! Can you tell me what makes you so passionate about the U-Turns ministry?

Wow, Connie, that’s a loaded question! The only reason why I’m here is because of God’s amazing mercy and grace in my life. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that my life could make a U-Turn. I was 35 years old when I finally came to the end of myself and willingly gave my heart over to a relationship with Jesus. I’ve never looked back. My purpose is to share with others who are lost and searching how they can fill that God-shaped void in their life. As my friend Michelle says, “Every test is a testimony and every mess is a ministry.” My life has been filled with so many tests and messes that I have to believe that God wants me to use my testimony as a life ministry.

It’s been such a great pleasure to have you on Living Life Passionately. Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers that I haven’t asked you about?

I guess one of the main things I’d like to ask is that your readers please pick up a copy of One Little Secret and read it—and then let me know what they thought of it. I really want to grow as a writer and obtaining reader feedback is vital for that to happen. Also vital is the word-of-mouth recommendations readers can make about books they enjoy. If your readers like One Little Secret, I pray they will share it with others—and encourage their local bookstores to carry my work. I’d also like to invite your readers to visit my web sites where they can sign up for our free monthly Dream-zine, see my Blog Tour schedule, and read the Writer’s Guidelines for the next volumes in the God Allows U-Turns series. Here are the web site URL’s: http://www.allisonbottke.com/ , http://www.godallowsuturns.com/ and http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/

However, more important than that is my final word of the day…and that is for your readers to take the risk and reach for their dreams! God has placed a desire in your heart—He has given you special gifts—and he wants you to use them. No matter how old we are—there is still time to discover God’s purpose for our life—and to make the choices that will change the story of our life.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to interview here at Living Life Passionately. And be sure to check out my review of One Little Secret at Amazon.com.

Thanks so much for having me!

FREE GIFT: The first person to post a comment on Living Life Passionately wins a copy of One Little Secret, And if you’ve always wanted to win a free trip to Hollywood, be sure to check out the One Little Secret Casting Call Contest. Click here: http://www.boomerbabesrock.com/onelittlesecret_castingcall.htm

13 comments:

inspired said...

wow ;o]

Ms. Kathleen said...

Oh, I would love to win the book. Thanks for stopping by. I am enjoying your site!

Susan Skitt said...

Hey Connie girl, excellent interview. Been off with my kids today, had to drop Jared off at the highschool to help with new students at orientation and then race over to Joel's preview of Kindergarten, he starts officially tomorrow. I can't believe it, it feels like just yesterday Jared graduated from Kindergarten...

Thanks for visiting my site today. Looks like you'll be sending that book overseas... I always enjoy visits from Inspired. Great photos! Fun pictures!

Connie Pombo said...

Inspired, you've won the book "One Little Secret." Be sure to send me your address so I can send it across the ocean. ;)

Congratulations and enjoy the book!

Blessings,

Connie

Connie Pombo said...

Kathleen,

Thanks for stopping by. It was close...you almost won! I plan on doing more interviews, so stay tuned!

Blessings,

Connie

Connie Pombo said...

Susan,

You've been a busy girl and let me say having one start K-5 is awesome. I still remember each one as if it were yesterday. I have both pictures (they are my favorites!).

Hugs,

Connie

Jan Parrish said...

Allison, I love the main message of your book which is to never stop dreaming. It was one of the things I said in my toast to my son and DIL at their wedding two weeks ago.

inspired said...

thank you very much Connie.
i will be in touch soon ;o]

Susan Skitt said...

Connie, I don't know if Allison is checking comments here or not, but you can pass this on to her.

I was finishing up a book event for a devotional I was in and received a small token gift from the Christian cafe/bookstore. It was a shiny cream colored star with swirled gold writing that simply said, "Dream".

That week I received my contributor's copy to the God Allows U-Turns for Women book in the mail. God has allowed my dream to come true in reaching out to women and their families who are hurting, maybe even feeling lost in this world, with a message of hope.

Also, it was through Allison's U-Turn blog that I "accidentally" started blogging. I was trying to comment on her old site and hit the "create" button. I was two steps away from having my own blog and went for it. The rest is blogging history... Living the Adventurous Life was born!

And lastly, my U-Turn adventure led me to a valued friendship with a kindred spirit, you my dear friend. You are the big sister I never had but always dreamed of.

Because of you, I'm learning to reach out beyond my comfort zone and live life's adventure with passion!

Love,
Susan

Connie Pombo said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by and congratulations to "Inspired" for winning ONE LITTLE SECRET. I mailed it today to England (it's taking quite a trip!).

Allison will be thrilled to hear how God Allows U-Turns is changing so many lives.

Thank you for sharing your heart, Jan and Susan--I know Allison is deeply touched.

God bless you all!

inspired said...

The book has arrived safe and sound on the North East Coast of England.
My good lady is waiting to read it first :)
Thank you very much and God bless ;o]

Connie Pombo said...

Wow, that was quick! When we lived in Italy we never saw a package in less than six weeks.

Enjoy!

Jan Parrish said...

Happy Labor day! You've been tagged!