Jewly Hight has written about popular music for more than a dozen outlets—including Nashville Public Radio, American Songwriter, Relix, No Depression, Paste, and the Nashville Scene—and holds a master’s degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School. Her first book, Right by Her Roots: Americana Women and Their Songs (Baylor University Press, March 1, 2011), explores the relationship between artist roots and artistic expression.

Born in North Carolina and raised in Florida, Jewly now makes her home in Nashville with her husband and an energetic dog named Grady.

Let’s talk about Right by Her Roots: Americana Women and Their Songs (Baylor University Press, March 2011). Please tell us about the book.

Each of the eight chapters has a different songwriter as its subject; there’s Lucinda Williams, Julie Miller, Victoria Williams (no relation to Lucinda), Michelle Shocked, Mary Gauthier, Ruthie Foster, Elizabeth Cook and Abigail Washburn. I examine their musical and spiritual impulses, what their songs and career choices say about how they view the world, how the stories of their roots relate to what they’re doing and where they fit into—or stick out from—the cultural landscape. I did a few years’ worth of in-depth interviews with all of them, so I included a good amount of the perspectives they shared with me, in their own words.

What is Americana music?

Americana music is contemporary American roots music. Or, to put it another way, Americana is a descriptor applied to a wide range of styles that draw on older sensibilities in the creation of new ones. Remember the decidedly old-timey O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack? That’s Americana. So, it could be argued, are a lot of the raw, bluesy projects that Jack White takes on. Or the southern soul and Gospel albums Mavis Staples is making with younger producers. Or literary singer-songwriters with country and folk leanings. And so on… Taken at its broadest, it’s a big category.

How did you go about selecting the eight women you profiled?

The eight female singer-songwriters I chose have all released enough music by now to give us a sense of their evolving artistic voices, and the voices we hear are unmistakably theirs—they don’t sound like anybody else. They’ve each, in their own way, made an impact in the Americana world, and sometimes beyond it. There’s depth to their music and their stories, and, to me, they are all worthy of serious attention, even—and especially—if they haven’t always been given it in the past. Some people had underestimated Elizabeth Cook (chapter seven) because she happens to be blond and have a southern accent, or pegged Julie Miller (chapter two) as innocent and inexperienced because her voice has girlish qualities. And there was also this all-important consideration:  Were they willing to spend hours upon hours talking with me, answering questions that required a lot of thought on their parts? Those I wrote about were up for it, and I don’t take that for granted.

In Right by Her Roots, you delve into each performer’s back story with the conjecture that a performer’s roots help determine their artistic expression. Can you elaborate?

I think it can help us to understand, appreciate and connect on a deeper level with the music performers make, if we get a sense not only of where they come from—and by that I mean literally where they grew up, what their family life was like, what they were immersed in culturally, musically and religiously—but how their relationship to where they come from has changed. Maybe they’ve stuck close, maybe they’ve ranged far; maybe they’ve held on to certain aspects of their roots but let go of others; maybe they’re creatively reinterpreting, or coming to terms with, their back story. In big ways and small, all of that is shaping their music, from the styles they incorporate to the ways they sing, the musicians they collaborate with and the themes they take up.

You hold a masters degree from the Vanderbilt University Divinity School. How does your faith play into your writing?

I think it matters a great deal to the book that I look at individual people as sources of spiritual insight informed by their identities and experiences; that suggests they have something to say that’s at least worth hearing. When it comes to listening to music, I pay particular attention to the spirituality woven into artistic expression.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

Although I’d been published a few times as a journalist, it wasn’t until I was laid-off from a music industry job several years ago that I started pursuing writing full-time. It didn’t seem like such a pleasant or promising development at the time, but if my life hadn’t taken that turn there are a lot of worthwhile writing projects I’d never have tackled, including this book.

Each of the women profiled in your book took a different path to their career in music. What advice would you offer to young women who aspire to a career in music?

I don’t think there’s any one way to go about it, least of all now, when so much is shifting in the music business. On the artistic side of things, I think it’s important to hone your voice, to know what drives you and what it is that you bring to the table and to discover who your music connects with. Business-wise, it can really help to build a good team around you and to plug into a likeminded musical community.

A few fun questions…

What is your favorite comfort food and why?

Broccoli—I’m a vegetarian who does, in fact, love vegetables. And broccoli’s one that you can find virtually anywhere you go, even a steakhouse or a barbeque joint. Or, in case broccoli doesn’t count as comfort food, I do enjoy the occasional Moon Pie. They make me think of the R.C. Cola and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, which is great fun. And no matter what anybody says, they’re cheap and not half bad.

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

Yes, I’m a lifelong lover of music, and sometime maker of it. I have a background as a drummer and I’ve done some singing and songwriting, too—in addition to clogging. I consider clogging a form of percussion. I suspect that knowing what it’s like to write a song, record it and perform it live has sometimes given me insight into what to ask and how to ask it in interviews.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

A cathartic blues number laced with earthy humor and anchored by a fat backbeat. That’s probably the drummer in me speaking.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

I’m going to say neither and go with a key change instead.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

A personality test I took last year indicated that my personality type is driven to try to be the heroine, and that seems about right. But there may also be some mysterious woman thrown in there, too.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets.

My husband and I have a beloved jack-chi named Grady. He’s named both for the country guitarist Grady Martin and the “Sanford and Sons” character Grady Wilson. He likes to curl up in my lap while I’m writing, but he’s also been known to run with me for multiple miles. We find it amusing that he holds his rawhide chews in the side of his mouth, like he’s a tough guy smoking a cigar.

Thank you, Jewly! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour!

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For more information about Jewly and her book, visit:

Website http://www.jewlyhight.com/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rightbyherroots

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/rightbyherroots

To purchase Right by Her Roots, logon to:

A speaker with twenty-five years tenure, Tom Blubaugh has written non-fiction for most of his adult life. Night of the Cossack, his first novel, is based on a story passed down through his family. The book is set in Russia in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Now retired, Tom is active in writing, photography, Bocci Ball, and horseshoes, and enjoys time with his wife Barbara, six children, and fourteen grandchildren.

You’ve been a speaker for a number of years. What sparked your writing journey?

Although I was a speaker, I was writing along the way. I had some articles published in company and denomination magazines. I self-published a book back in the mid 70’s. Nonfiction writing has always been a part of my life.

Who or what most influenced your knowledge of the writing craft?

My mother wrote a lot. She was always sending articles into magazines. She really got excited when she got a rejection letter from Loretta Young.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

More than one, but the most significant one involved a ministry—Jericho Commission. I ended up being the president. I fought it for several months until I finally gave in. It was very successful.

How does your faith play into your writing?

Everything I do is an act of worship. I learned this from Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way. Until then I thought only spiritual things could be worship. My favorite verses are Prov. 16:9 and 19:21.

Let’s talk about your debut novel, Night of the Cossack (Bound by Faith Publishers, April 2011). Please tell us a little about it.

This is my first work of fiction and it took five years to write it. I have found writing fiction is much more difficult than writing nonfiction. It’s a story about a sixteen-year-old who is kidnapped by a Cossack soldier in 1898 and is forced to be a Cossack himself.

Where did you get the idea for the book?

It’s about my maternal grandfather. Both of my grandfathers died before I was born. I had a little information about my maternal grandfather. I wanted to know him, so I started researching Russian history and found the information I had was fact. I began writing about him with the purpose of creating my own grandfather. Then I started writing for my six children and fourteen grandchildren. I let my wife read it, and she thought it might be publishable.

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from it?

Life is all about choices. Some things are not our choice, but we still have choices to make in the midst of it. God directs us in everything, and His purpose always prevails. This is not a story about a Christian—the protagonist is a Jew. Nevertheless it is about faith.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Popcorn. It’s crunchy and it’s a whole grain. I pop it the old fashion way—in a big pan on the stove. If we go out to celebrate—BBQ ribs at Cheddar’s.

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

I’ve always had a fantasy of playing the guitar and singing. I can’t do either. One day I was walking in the park with some five and six-year-olds from Sunday School. I started singing Victory in Jesus. This little blonde girl looked up at me and said, “Bad singing, Brother Tom, bad singing.” Out of the mouth of babes. : )

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

Praise song first—oldies rock & roll second.

In the story that is your life, are you the tall, dark stranger; the romantic lead; the mythical warrior; the mad scientist; or the child in an adult’s body?

The romantic lead.

Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

I have a cat named Blacky. He talks to me in an unknown cat language. I’m writing some children’s stories about him.

Thank you, Tom. It’s nice to have you at DivineDetour!

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For more information about Tom and Night of the Cossack, visit his website at www.tomyblu.com, where you can read the first chapter.

To purchase Night of the Cossack logon to:

By Linda Cox

Easter Sunday 1993 was also the final round of The Masters, the first of the four “major” golf tournaments every year. I managed to find the time to watch the last few holes of play, as Bernhard Langer won his second Masters.

When I think about that Sunday, I don’t remember a single thing about the final round itself. I don’t remember if there were any dramatic putts or chip shots, or if it was close or a runaway. But I do remember what happened in the clubhouse afterwards, as Langer was presented with the traditional “green jacket,” symbolic of winning the Masters.

One of the first questions he was asked by a sportscaster was which Masters win was more special to him—his first in 1985 or this, his second one. Langer said it was the second because he had won it “on Easter Sunday, the day my Lord was resurrected.”

I remember thinking, “Wow, as prestigious as it is to win the Masters, here is a man saying what made that day special was the resurrection of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” It was later I found out that Langer, a committed Christian, was very involved with Bible studies on the professional golf tour, and very outspoken about his faith as demonstrated that Easter Sunday.

You may be an athletic champion like Langer. You may be an aspiring writer. You may be a talented musician. You may be a simple farm girl, like me. Whoever we are, whatever we do, each and every day of our lives is made more special because of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now that’s something we can celebrate every day of the year, not just on Easter Sunday. May you have a blessed celebration of Easter—every day of your life!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV)

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Laurie Kingery’s first book, a medieval romance, was published in 1987. After a number of published works in the secular field, she made the decision to switch to the inspirational market. She now pens tales of the 1800’s Texas and the Old West for the Love Inspired Historical line. Her latest book, The Sheriff’s Sweetheart, was released earlier this month.

Laurie and her husband live in rural Ohio, where she works as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in the emergency room of a large hospital.

No doubt you life a fast-paced life with your nursing career. Is writing cathartic for you?

Probably in some ways I’m unconscious of. I’m probably subconsciously working out my feelings about things that bother, concern or annoy me. Mainly, though, it helps to have something in my work world I can control in some ways. I can’t get some patients to take care of themselves, but I can mold my characters to make wise choices.  :  )

What first sparked your writing journey?

I’ve been writing stories since I was old enough to string words along with pictures, but as far as novels go, I began in the romance boom of the late ‘80’s, when historical romances were being called “bodice rippers.” But there were so many put out quickly in those days that a lot of dreck was published. Finally I’d read one too many of those and declared, “I can do better than this.” I was too dumb to know what I didn’t know in those days before the Internet and before I joined RWA, Romance Writers of America.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

I could name many, but the one that is most writing-related of them is that He shut the doors of secular fiction to me. I had sold sixteen historical romances to three publishers (mostly to Harlequin Historicals) as Laurie Grant, but all at once I couldn’t seem to sell a thing. I was ready to quit, but my agent, knowing I was a Christian, encouraged me to try to write for the new Love Inspired Historical line that was about to launch, especially since I could submit to the same editor I’d had with Harlequin Historicals. I did, and it sold, and was published in 2008. I’ve been writing for them ever since.

How does your faith play into your work?

I pray every time before I begin to write, and I rely on the Lord’s guidance in what I write. I’ve turned my writing career over to Him, so any success I achieve is really His. Like many others who first published secular fiction, I had a certain unease about what I was writing then, and I feel much more that I’m in the center of His will now. If my writing can uplift anyone, the glory belongs to Him.

Let’s talk about your new book, The Sheriff’s Sweetheart (Love Inspired Historical, April 5, 2011). Please tell us about it.

The Sheriff’s Sweatheart is the third book in my Brides of Simpson Creek series for Love Inspired Historicals, but those who haven’t read the other two won’t feel lost (though readers have told me it made them search out the other two!).

This is Prissy’s story—Prissy is the daughter of the Simpson Creek mayor who is the wealthiest man in town, and she is in love with love, but other romances haven’t worked out for her. Sam Bishop is a down-on-his-luck gambler on the run from a dangerous man, who wants nothing more in life than marriage to a pretty rich girl who’ll provide him with a comfortable life. Prissy Gilmore would seem to fit that bill. Sam finds himself wanting to be truly worthy of her, and takes the job of sheriff. But when Sam’s past threatens to catch up with him, their love will be put the test. For those who love dogs, a little dog named Houston plays a big role in this story.

What do you hope readers will take away from it?

That there are more important things than wealth—honesty, integrity and love become much more important to Sam Bishop in the end than a winning hand at cards.

You’ve enjoyed two successful careers in writing, first in the secular market and now in inspirational. What advice would you offer to writers—young or older—who are just starting out?

First, read widely—read everything. Decide what you want to write, and read even more widely in that. Don’t write all over the place—contemporary suspense, historical romance, fantasy—you need to pick the genre or sub-genre that calls you the most and stick with that. You need to build a readership, and that means producing a reliable product. Readers who loved your first book, a Regency historical, will not necessarily follow you into contemporary suspense, so agents and editors will be wary of taking you on. There are only a few people who can write everything and get away with it—Nora Roberts comes to mind—and even she took a pseudonym to write her gritty futuristic suspenses.

Second, join a writers’ group that writes what you’re writing. A broad-based local group where each member is writing a different thing may not be of much use to you, because they can’t advise you. Join Romance Writers of America if you’re writing romance, American Christian Fiction Writers if you’re writing Christian fiction, and so forth. There is some overlap, of course—good writing is good writing—but within these organizations are people who can advise you about the particular genre you are writing.

Third, and most importantly, of course—WRITE. Write every day, if you can, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Don’t be distracted by all the writing-related activities, such as holding office and entering contests, though you can learn a lot through them. Nothing takes the place of submitting works to an editor. And remember that participating in reading writing-related loops on the Internet is not a substitute for writing. Polish your work and SUBMIT IT.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Chinese food, the spicier the better, or steak. Or both.  : )  I love well-seasoned foods.

This website features writers as well as musicians. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

Zilch, I’m afraid. I wish I could sing. My husband plays in a couple of bands at this point and I’d love to perform with him, but it would be awful.<g>

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

Celtic. Something with a lot of harmony, perhaps a ballad.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

Minor, unless I’m feeling opinionated about something. Then just try to ignore me! : )

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

Hmmm, probably the girl next door—pretty ordinary when I’m around home. And I still look like the little girl trying to walk in high-heels—as far as my grace in them, so I’m not found in them very often.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets.

I’m a dog lover too. I have three dogs, a Belgian Tervuren named Tango, a collie named MacDougal, and a stepdog named Ben. Ben’s a Sharpei-pit bull mix who’s just a mellow marshmallow of a dog—unless you’re a cat or an intruder.

Thank you, Laurie! It’s so nice to have you at DivineDetour!

Thank you for this opportunity to visit with readers on your site. I loved the interesting questions!

~ ~ ~

For more information about Laurie and her writing, visit her website at http://www.lauriekingery.com/.

To purchase The Sheriff’s Sweetheart, logon to:

Steve Siler is a Dove Award winning songwriter and a producer. He has had over 400 songs recorded by well-known Christian artists, including Point of Grace, Avalon, Anointed, Clay Crosse, The Martins, BeBe Winans, Sandi Patty, and Scott Krippayne.

Steve is also the Director of Music for the Soul, a Christian ministry dedicated to life-changing healing and recovery through music.

Did you begin writing songs at an early age? What sparked your desire to make music your life’s work?

Yes, I was eight when I began writing songs. My reason for picking up a guitar to write songs at first was to try and be like The Beatles, which makes me about as unique as sand on the beach. I poured hours and hours into it from a very early age and just never stopped doing it.

We had a battle of the bands in school when I was fifteen, and I was in three of the four bands and all of them played original songs. Even so, it was still more of a passionate hobby at that age than anything else. I just did it because I loved it, which is, of course, the best reason of all. Do that for long enough and you just wake one day and it is your life’s work.

It’s tough to get a break as a young songwriter. How did you go about achieving your goals?

Well, given that you are born with some natural ability, there is no doubt that perseverance is an important key to achieving a goal like becoming a songwriter.  You’ve got to hone your craft—which means hours of listening, hours of studying lyrics and studying songs and what makes them great, and hours and hours and hours of writing.

They say it takes 10,000 hours of application for the brain to become world class at anything. I look back on my career, and at right about the age where I think I hit the 10,000 hour mark of time spent on songwriting there is a decided jump in the consistency and quality, especially in my lyrics.

Everybody thinks that, because they can speak English, the lyric side ought to be the easiest part of writing. Ironically, the reverse is true. Musical talent is a gift. Those who have it can often achieve a high level of competency by a very young age. I listen back to melodies that I wrote when I was ten and I was already writing credible musical hooks.

My lyrics, on the other hand, were pretty dreadful until I reached about thirty. I think a lot of that has to do with living a little bit of life. Writing great lyrics has a lot to do with being able to talk creatively and with some depth about universal themes. Having had some life experience naturally helps with that.

So, having some natural ability and putting in the time are both important. After that the most important pathway to getting a break is building relationships. It’s all about networking, making friends, and getting more and more people to know about what you’re doing. I always tell people to treat everyone like they may be the person who’s going to give them their big break. First of all, that’ll make you a better person because you’ll treat everybody as if they’re important which, of course, in God’s eyes—they ARE! Second of all, it might just be true.

When I trace back the connections to the people I know and work with now I’m often very surprised at where that road leads. For example, the man who helped me get my first paying job in the music business was a buddy from high school.

Furthermore, the person responsible for putting me in touch with the person whose connections led to opening all the doors for me in Nashville is a lady who attended my church back in California. She was an acquaintance at best and I have no idea where she is today. She certainly wasn’t a music industry person. And when preparation meets opportunity, then “breaks” happen.

And one more thing. A career is generally made up of hundreds of small breaks rather than one magical moment. Often I haven’t even realized I’ve had a break until long after it happens.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

The detour in my life was a long one. I was pursuing pop music. That was the detour—a twelve year detour—although I didn’t know it at the time. It was hearing my first hit song on the radio and realizing that there was nothing of me in it that led me to finally asking God what He wanted me to do with my life. After that, opportunities I would never even have known to look for started to present themselves. The important thing to realize is that, even in the detour, God was busy preparing me for the work I would eventually be doing.

Let’s talk about Music for the Soul. Please tell us about the organization.

Music for the Soul is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that I founded in December of 2001 to help people in the church “talk” about the most difficult issues we face.

Our goal is always the same—to let people know that they are not alone; that others understand, and that God understands. We want people to know that there is no depth so low—no guilt, no despair, no addiction, no pain—that Christ will not move heaven and earth to share it with them.

The things we sing about—pornography abuse, eating disorders, cancer, suicide grief, sex trafficking—might not seem like good song material to people used to listening to ‘normal’ Christian radio or pop music, but I have learned that a song is the best vehicle there is for taking on a topic that might otherwise seem awkward.

Song is the greatest gift of communication God has given us. Melody is processed in one side of the brain and language is processed in the other. As a result, a song is the only form of communication that engages the whole brain. That is why we find ourselves saying that a song speaks to mind and heart.

Additionally, melody is a memory device. People are nine times likelier to remember something they hear in a song as opposed to something they are told. They are twice as likely to remember what they hear in a song as opposed to what they read.

But not only does our ministry use songs. We also use spoken word pieces—such as poetry, personal testimonies, and interviews. Two of our projects have video components. Three of them have discussion guides.

Sometimes people will say at first that our CDs and DVDs are ‘niche’ resources. But think about it. In any church you will find all of the issues with which our projects deal—as well as in most extended families.

Our hope is that, regardless of which issue may be impacting one’s family or one’s congregation at the moment, they might find something through our ministry that will bring hope, encouragement, and possibly even healing to the situation.

Thankfully, by the grace of God, that has been true for many.

Is there a specific story you can relate as an example of the power of music to inspire and help heal those who are hurting?

Yes. Back in 1990, before Music for the Soul was even an idea, I wrote some songs for a stage play about sexual abuse entitled I Can’t Talk About It. We were invited to sing one of the songs from the play, Innocent Child, at the closing ceremonies of a conference in New Jersey called VOICES (Victims of Incest Can Emerge Survivors).

We accepted. Then Stephen, my partner and the singer from the play, developed a conflict and could not attend.

But we had already said yes. So it was up to me.

When I arrived at the conference I immediately felt somewhat out of place. There were 300 people there but only about ten of them were men. I was cautioned by one of the organizers not to hug any women during the weekend.

When the time for the closing ceremonies came, I found my way to a ballroom where there were chairs set up in a big circle around the wall. There was a grand piano in the middle of the room. The women filed in and every seat was filled.

After some announcements and a dance routine it was my turn.

I sat down and began to play.

Precious one
I know you’ve been sad for so long
Don’t blame yourself
You didn’t do anything wrong

After just those few lines I could hear the tears begin to cascade toward me from around the room. The pain became so unbearable that I literally had to slow the song down, gasping for breath to keep from passing out. I truly didn’t think I was going to make it through the song.

When I was done I buried my head in my hands and was overcome by deep convulsive sobs. That was when the miracle happened.

These women—the same ones who I had been warned not to hug—lined up one after another and started hugging me.

Several minutes later, when the crowd had dispersed and I had managed to regain some of my composure, a young woman of about thirty came up to me. She looked me in the eye and said, “People have been telling me I was an innocent child my whole life, but I never believed it until I heard you sing it today.”

In addition to that moment being a breakthrough for her, God also used that moment to plant the seed for the idea that would eventually become Music for the Soul.

Please tell us a little about your new caregivers’ project.

It’s called “Dignity.” People caring for a loved one in the home is the fastest growing demographic in America. It is also one of the most difficult things anyone could ever be asked to do.

The project has songs from multiple perspectives—from the one receiving care, from the spouse giving care, from the child giving care, from the family honoring a professional caregiver, from the child having to give care from a distance, and many more.

Caregiving is an incredibly time consuming and mentally exhausting task. There is scheduling and driving to and from doctors appointments, managing medicines, and haggling with insurance companies. There is preparing extra meals, doing extra laundry, and helping in the bathroom.

There is the burden of added expenses and the responsibility of managing another person’s finances. There is the emotional drain of seeing someone you love whose health is in steady, prolonged decline. There is often the additional burden of painful, unresolved family baggage, which gets unpacked along with the luggage when mom or dad move in.

Sometimes the caregiver has to give up a career or job they enjoy, has to take valuable time away from children, loses the time to pursue relationships with friends or activities they enjoy.

All with the “reward” that, in the end, their loved one will die.

As you can see this is an area where people need a lot of encouragement and support. Our prayer is that the songs, poetry, and testimonies on Dignity will serve to revive and refresh the weary souls who serve their loved ones in this selfless way.

How can people help Music for the Soul help others?

No matter who you are or where you live, you know lots of people who’ve been wounded in life by the issues our recordings address. We recommend that people get the Soul Care Starter Kit—one of each of our recordings—to give as a gift to their church library or local Christian counseling center.

And if a loved one or a friend has a marriage that’s in trouble, is struggling to overcome an eating disorder, trying to break free of the grip of pornography, grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, raising a special needs child, facing breast cancer, or dealing with some other storm in their life, people should consider giving one of our recordings as a gift. It may just provide the breakthrough someone needs. And it will be a gift that will make them feel loved and cared for.

I ask people who have been blessed by our CDs and DVDs to tell a friend. We don’t spend our resources on marketing—we spend them making more music—so a listener who has been blessed may be the only way someone finds out about us.

Finally, all of our recordings are created through the generous donations of people who want to help us share God’s love and compassion with others. All gifts are tax deductible.

What’s the best advice you can give to young songwriters who are just starting out?

Do it because you love it. Do it because there is something burning in you to get out and a song is the best way for you to say it. Do it to bless and bring joy or comfort others. There will always be an audience for the person who is doing it for that reason. Don’t do it for the money (or the fame) because there may never be any.

If you try to pursue it professionally you will need the heart of a butterfly and the hide of a rhinoceros. For every hit song you hear on the radio, the writer has had hundreds of songs rejected.

As my friend Grant Cunningham used to say, “It’s easier to be struck by lightning than it is to make a living as a songwriter. And getting struck by lightning feels better.”

A few fun questions…

What is your favorite comfort food and why?

Probably Mexican, from my youthful days in old California.

This website features both literary and music guests. What kinds of books do you like to read?

I love the classic old novels. They keep my vocabulary from atrophying. I’m a big fan of Dickens. In this century I like Wallace Stegner. I have everything ever written by Sinclair Lewis.

Of course I think C.S. Lewis is amazing. Annie Lamott is great.

I’m also a big fan of history. David McCullough’s book on the life of John Adams is a must read. It totally reframed for me the ‘important versus busy’ conversation.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

I’m an E minor 9 chord with the 11th added in.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

You know one of the great things about being a writer is that you never have to answer that question the same way twice. An artist has to sort of pick a style and camp out there. As a writer I can write a polka on Monday, a heavy metal song on Tuesday, a classical piece on Wednesday, a country tune on Thursday, and an obtuse pop song on Friday. They are all me, just different parts!

Please tell us about your pets, if any, and/or your favorite pet as a child.

My favorite pet was my cat Batman. Now I have two dogs, a midsize generic looking mutt named Ruthie (yes, after Ruth in the Bible), and Cooper, a Chihuahua that got left behind when my daughter moved out. A weak moment.

Thank you, Steve! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour! May God continue to bless your work.

Thank you, Kathy, for the opportunity to visit with you and your readers!

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For more information about Steve and the Music for the Soul organization, visit http://www.musicforthesoul.org/index.html.

To purchases CD and/or DVDs, logon to https://ssl39.chi.us.securedata.net/somebodysdaughter.org/merchantmanager/index.php?cPath=1.

Richard L. Mabry has accumulated a long list of accomplishments in life—including a brief stint playing semi-pro baseball and three years in Portugal as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he earned the Air Force Commendation medal.

Since retiring from thirty-six years in the medical field—he’s a Doctor of Otolaryngology—he enjoys golfing, spending time with his family—and writing medical thrillers.

Abingdon Press released his latest book, Diagnosis Death, on April 1.

You’ve had a number of “careers.”  When did you realize that you also wanted to write novels?

Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think I’d write a novel. I sort of backed into it by way of trying to learn enough about the craft to do a book I had in my head after the death of my first wife. At my first writer’s conference, James Scott Bell and Alton Gansky inspired and encouraged me to try my hand at novels. After four novels and forty rejections, I decided to quit trying. That’s when God intervened and brought me back in touch with Rachelle Gardner, who’d gone from being an editor to an agent. Thanks to Rachelle’s guidance and Barbara Scott’s vision, Abingdon Press signed me. They just released my third novel, and the fourth will follow it this fall.

How does your faith play into your work?

My books don’t have conversion scenes or altar calls in them, but I write from a Christian worldview, because that’s who I am. As the saying goes, I’m not perfect, just forgiven, and some of the mistakes my characters make are those I’ve experienced myself. But I try to show that, even when we turn away from God, He doesn’t turn away from us. When we come back to Him, we find He hasn’t moved at all.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

Oh, so many times! One such experience comes immediately to mind. I was burned out with the private practice of medicine, and had always wanted to get back to academic medicine. I was thrilled when a friend offered me a position in his department at a medical school a few hundred miles from our home in Dallas. Unfortunately, the situation turned out to be less than optimal, so, with a heavy heart, I turned it down. Only a few weeks later, I was offered a position in Dallas that turned out to be tailor-made for me, and the ten years that followed were full of blessings for me.

Let’s talk about your new book, Diagnosis Death (Abingdon Press, April 1, 2011). Please tell us about it.

I was casting about for subject matter for my next book when, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a colleague and friend was accused of the mercy killing of a number of patients. Since I was the one charged with making the decision to remove life support when my first wife died, I was familiar not only with the mechanics but the strong emotions that accompany such a decision. I turned the matter over in my mind, prayed a bit about it, and awoke one morning with the plot arc pretty well in my mind.

Here’s a tease for Diagnosis Death:

The threatening midnight calls followed Dr. Elena Gardner from one city to another, prolonging her grief. Even worse, they are echoed by the whispers of her colleagues—whispers that started after her comatose husband died in the ICU. When a second and yet a third mysterious death took place, the whispers turned into a shout: “Mercy killer.” What was the dark secret that kept Elena from defending herself.

Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I try to write books that convey life lessons without hitting the reader over the head with them. My wife, Kay, made we aware of something Christine Tangvald teaches: every book should have a one-word theme. The themes for the three books in the Prescription For Trouble series are: for Code Blue, “deliverance” (Ps. 91:5); for Medical Error, “vindication” (Isaiah 54:17); and for Diagnosis Death, “renewal” (Isaiah 40:31). In this book, Elena Gardner is beaten down by the events of her life, things that have taken her away from God. But eventually, she experiences renewal on a number of levels.

You are also the author of a non-fiction book entitled The Tender Scar (Kregel Publications, 2006). What precipitated your decision to write it and how has it been received?

My first wife passed away in 1999 after fourteen days in a stroke-induced coma. Friends read the journaling I did as part of the grieving process and urged me to incorporate the material into a book to help others traveling that road. The result was The Tender Scar: Life After the Death of a Spouse. Since its publication over five years ago, the book has been in steady demand. It’s currently in use in numerous grief ministries, churches, and seminaries, and has ministered to many thousands of grieving individuals.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

I’m glad I live in Texas, because I believe I could eat Tex-Mex food every day of my life and never tire of it: tamales, cheese tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and—my very favorite—chile rellenos. Why? No reason beyond the fact that it tastes so good. Matter of fact, the worst enchilada I ever had was still wonderful.

You have served as an interim music minister. Do you have formal music training?

My music training was rudimentary, but I’ve sung all my life. (I was also vaccinated with piano in childhood, but it didn’t “take.”) I’ve been fortunate enough to be in a few situations where I could step in and direct a choir, take charge of congregational singing, and in general keep things together until a full-time music minister could take over.

My favorite memory along these lines was the summer our church choir went to Paris, and the director inadvertently scheduled us at two churches simultaneously. I took half the choir plus our organist, he took the other half plus the pianist, and off we went. When the choir was introduced, I couldn’t understand what was being said—it was in French, of course—but at the end, the pastor turned toward the choir, then pointed at me and said something that ended with “Le Substitute.” So that’s been me a lot of times.

Who are some of your favorite music entertainers?

My favorite music entertainers? I’ll show my age by my answer, but I like the smooth sounds of Josh Groban or Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Are you a major or a minor chord?

Mostly, I suspect, I’m dissonant. But given the opportunity, I play along with everyone else as a major chord.

In the story that is your life, are you the tall, dark stranger; the romantic lead; the mythical warrior; the mad scientist; or the child in an adult’s body?

I’m the short, chunky, near-sighted guy that everyone ignores until he saves the world from a speeding comet about to collide with us.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, and/or your favorite pet as a child.

We don’t have pets at the house now, although we do have two “grand-cats” and a “grand-dog.” Earlier in our lives, both Kay and I had dogs—mixed breeds, mainly. My very first dog, as a child, was a wire-haired terrier named “Rags.”

Thank you, Dr. Mabry! It’s great to have you as a guest at DivineDetour!

~ ~ ~

For more information about Dr. Mabry’s books, visit his website at http://www.rmabry.com/.

To purchase Diagnosis: Death logon to:

By Linda Cox

“When were you saved?”

I cringe when asked that. I’m not one of those people who can pinpoint the exact day when I was saved. Not having a specific answer to that question can leave some people suspect about their salvation and, in turn, can make them feel guilty, wondering if they are truly saved. That included me at one time.

I was raised in a Christian home, attended church and Sunday School, and loved reading the Bible. But my teen years were a time of rebellion. I left the faith of my youth for the pursuit of pleasure, and eventually success and money. I came to my senses when God brought me to my knees as the bottom dropped out of my world. I returned home to my parents, broken and defeated at the age of thirty-two. They welcomed the prodigal back with open arms, and my mother gave me a Bible with the comment that what I was looking for was in there.

I read that Bible cover to cover, and the answer was there, just like Mom had said. The more I read, the more I saw clearly and believed. And the wayward child came home. Gradually. Slowly. But finally home.

Yet a specific date to say I was saved? Nope.

I recently read a quote by Karl Barth. He said when someone tried to pin him down on when he was saved, he always told them, “It happened one afternoon in A.D. 34 when Christ died on the cross.”

Well, Amen to that!

Whether we remember the day we were saved or not, the bottom line is that we didn’t do anything to be saved. Christ did it all on the cross that first Good Friday afternoon when He died for our sins. When Christ cried out, “It is finished,” it was. And all who believe in Him were saved. Our new lives in Him had just begun.

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:14-16

New York Times Best-Selling author Terri Blackstock has sold over six million books worldwide in her more than twenty-five year career.

Terri tackles issues that she hopes will change lives. Her recent book, Predator, was inspired by her experiences on Facebook and Twitter, and her concern that people post too much personal information about themselves. Her New York Times Best Seller, Intervention, was inspired by her own personal struggles with a daughter on drugs. Vicious Cycle, book two of her Intervention Series, recently debuted on the New York Times Best-Seller list.

Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling with her Air Force family and now resides in Mississippi, where she and her husband Ken are enjoying their empty nest after raising three children.

Let’s talk about your new book Vicious Cycle (Zondervan, February 2011). Please tell us about it.

My book that’s just released is Vicious Cycle, which is my second book in my Intervention Series. The first book, Intervention, was a New York Times best-seller and a Carol Award Winner. I think it resonated with readers because it was inspired by my journey with my own daughter through drug abuse, and I poured a lot of my own emotions and experiences into Barbara Covington, the mother in that book. Vicious Cycle deals with the same family as the first book. When fifteen-year-old Lance Covington finds an abandoned baby in the backseat of his car, he knows she’s the newborn daughter of a meth addict he’s been trying to help. But when police arrest him for kidnapping, Lance is thrust into a criminal world of baby trafficking and drug abuse.

Besides providing entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from the book and/or series?

I’m hoping that people will have more compassion for those who become drug addicts because they grew up in families where everyone was using. When I was doing prison ministry, I met so many women who had horrible, abusive childhoods, and I couldn’t help thinking that they almost didn’t have a chance. But God loves to redeem people who seek Him, so I wanted to show that overcoming a beginning like that isn’t easy, but that it can be done through Jesus Christ.

I also pray that the book will raise awareness about the destruction of crystal meth, and turn people (teens and adults) away from drugs of any kind. Satan loves to convince people that drugs are glamorous. But the fact is that they destroy people physically and mentally. Crystal meth, in particular, has some of the same ingredients as battery acid and rat poison, and over just a few months of use, it can drastically change their appearance. Their hair falls out, their teeth rot, they get sores on their skin, their facial bone structure changes. People age decades in just a few months. If you’d like to see what it does, check out the pictures at www.methmadness.com/facesofmeth.html. These were taken of meth addicts from one arrest to another.

What would you want to do if you didn’t write books? Did you have other career aspirations?

Honestly, all I’ve ever wanted to be is a writer. I knew that was what I was going to be when I was twelve years old, and I got an English degree so I could learn from the masters. I did work as a secretary for a few years before I began selling, but I never had any other career in mind.

Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?

When I learned that my daughter had a severe drug addiction several years ago, I was devastated. I had raised her in a strong Christian home, and I couldn’t believe that this had happened to our family. Our journey through that dark time was long and miserable, but God has used it to bear fruit for His kingdom. When I wrote Intervention, which was inspired by those experiences, I met and heard from hundreds of people who were also dealing with addictions or family members who were addicted.

I believe that even the darkest times of our lives are allowed for a purpose. Christians deal with crisis differently because we’re looking for that purpose, and if we’ve lived for any length of time, we’ve learned that the worst crises can often bring the greatest blessings. We also know that this life isn’t all there is, so our suffering is temporary.

What’s coming up next from you? (Books, speaking engagements, etc.)

Books:

Shadow in Serenity, releasing September, 2011—Carny Sullivan knows a con artist when she sees one, and she’s seen plenty, since she used to be one. But Logan Brisco is the smoothest fraud Serenity, Texas has ever seen. From his Italian shoes to his movie-star smile, he has them snowed. Carny’s the only one in town who has his number, and if it’s the last thing she ever does, she’s going to expose him. But is she really a match for him?

Downfall, releasing in February 2012—Book 3 in the Intervention Series

Speaking Engagements:

April 7, 6:30 pm, Madison, Mississippi—(Ridgecrest Baptist Church)

Ladies Night Out With Terri Blackstock. Call 601-853-0393 or email faithindeed2000-blackstocktickets (at) yahoo.com.

May 12, 6 pm, Bowling Green, Kentucky (Christ Episcopal Church)

The Warren Public Library hosting—Tickets are free, Call Jayne Pelaski at jaynep (at) warrenpl.org, or call 270-781-4882.

May 14, 11-1—Jackson, MS

Lifeway Christian Store Book Signing

June 24—New Orleans, LA

American Library Association Book Signing

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Cookie Dough Blizzards!! What’s to explain? Cookie dough … and ice cream. I sure hope they have those in heaven, and that they don’t have calories there.

This website features both music and literary guests. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

A very long time ago in high school, I was in a trio that sang Andrews Sisters songs. But I haven’t sung in a long time (except along with the congregation in church or with the radio in the car). I used to play a little guitar, but haven’t done that in a long time either.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

Probably a folk song, or one of those tear-jerker songs that tell a story. I get caught up in story whether it’s told in a song or a book.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I guess I’m the strong female lead—but not because I think I’m the star of everything. It’s because I’ve had some rough times in my life, but have managed to overcome them. Each of the crises I’ve faced has shown me that I’m a strong person. I still doubt myself sometimes, but in general, I know that I’m a problem-solver and I reach my goals. The best female leads are those who are faced with impossible circumstances and overcome them, not the ones who are self-centered and narcissistic.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets. (Or your favorite pet as a child.)

I’ve had both dogs and cats throughout my life. Most recently, our eighteen-year-old cat, Freckles, died. She had gotten really old and was ready to go. We’ve decided not to get another pet right now, but our daughter has a Yorkie named Charlie whom I absolutely love. I kidnap him when I can.

In my early adult life I had two Cocker Spaniels that were like my children—Whiskey and Brandy. I didn’t name them that because of a love for alcohol, but because of the sound of those words. (I wouldn’t do that again since I’ve been a tee-totaler for about eighteen years!)

Thank you, Terri! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at DivineDetour!

~ ~ ~

For additional information about Terri, visit her website at http://www.terriblackstock.com/.

To purchase Vicious Cycle, logon to:

Thirty new books releasing this month from author members of American Christian Fiction Writers.

A Family for Faith by Missy Tippens — A Romance from Love Inspired. Even though Faith Hagin thinks she’s content being just friends with Gabe Reynolds, spending time with him and his daughter Chelsea starts to feel like a fresh start at having a family. And their love may be the answer to everyone’s prayers.

A Place to Belong by Linda Goodnight — Romance from Love Inspired. Faith and warm memories have helped widow Kitty Wainwright endure the loss of her husband. That’s all she’s ever needed…until she hires contractor Jace Carter to repair her motel.

Abigail’s New Hope by Mary Ellis — A Romance from Harvest House. As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, she’s is faced with some hard choices.

At the Captain’s Command by Louise M. Gouge — A Historical from Love Inspired. A heroic British naval captain, son of an influential earl, dares to fall in love with a provincial American girl. Then he discovers her family’s devastating secret.

Canyon Walls by Julie Jarnagin — A Romance from Barbour Heartsong Presents. Sunset Camp changed Cassie’s life, and she is determined to keep it alive.

Chosen Ones by Eileen Rife — General Fiction from Oak Tara. While Maggie and Gavin Munsfield adjust to a new baby, missionary friends, Dan and Yvonne Pratt, experience the heartbreak of infertility and miscarriage. Will they find it in their hearts to accept an outcome so different than what they expected and hoped for?

Dare to be Different; From the Scenarios Series by Nicole O’Dell — Young Adult from Barbour. Each book in the series follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Delivered With Love by Sherry Kyle — General Fiction from Abingdon. An old love letter found in the glove compartment of a young woman’s inherited 1972 Volkswagen propels her to leave her life in Los Angeles and go to the small town of Capitola, California. There her dream of finding the writer of the letter leads her on an unexpected journey that changes her life forever.

Diagnosis Death by Richard Mabry M.D. — A Thriller/Suspense from Abingdon. When Dr. Elena Gardner’s comatose husband dies in the ICU while on life support, the whispers begin. More deaths turn the whispers into a shout: “Mercy killing.” What is the dark secret that keeps Elena’s lips sealed when she should be defending herself?

Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott — A Romance from Thomas Nelson. A young woman and man haunted by the past seek love and freedom as they assist fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough — A Romance from Barbour. Will reporter Jacqueline Davis uncover his secrets before Noah Jeffers can capture her heart?

From Darkness Won; Blood of Kings Book 3 by Jill Williamson — A Fantasy from Marcher Lord Press. Achan and Vrell seek out their place in the coming war to push back Darkness for good.

Griselda Takes Flight by Joyce Magnin — General Fiction from Abingdon. Now that her sister, Agnes Sparrow, is comfortably dieting at the Greenbrier Nursing home, Griselda has time to fly—literally.

Kaydie by Penny Zeller — A Romance from Whitaker House. Kaydie Worthington builds a protective wall around herself that won’t be easy to tear down. There’s something about Kaydie that draws Jonah Dickenson to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.

Love Finds You on Prince Edward Island by Susan Page Davis — A Romance from Summerside Press. Molly Orlund is honored to serve as a maid where the Prince of Wales will be a guest. Peter Stark, an understeward in the royal party, is attracted to Molly, but an uncovered secret could change everything.

Oregon Weddings by Kathleen Kovach — A Romance from Barbour. An alpaca, a lost family treasure, and an ornithophobic actress all take center stage in these three stories of love and faith that are as eclectic as the state of Oregon itself.

Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton – Romance from Whitaker House.Becky Troyer has committed the ultimate sin, and finds herself on the edge of her Amish community; Jacob Miller believes he was sent to the Old Order Community in Missouri to help out a distant cousin–instead, he discovers he was part of an arranged swap.

People of the Book; Book 4 in the Extreme Devotion Series by Kathi Machias — General Fiction from New Hope. Farah lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her family, and wants nothing more than to develop a deeper devotion to her Muslim faith. All goes well until the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself.

Risky Business; From the Scenarios Series by Nicole O’Dell — Young Adult from Barbour. Each book in the series follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Swept Away; From the Scenarios Series by Nicole O’Dell — Young Adult from Barbour. Each book in the series follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Tea for Two, Book 2 of the Tea With Millicent Series by Trish Perry — Romance from Harvest House. Zack Cooper tries his best to raise his children, but he’s losing his grip on them. Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel has the perfect woman in mind to help Zack.

The Daughter’s Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick — General Fiction from Waterbrook/Multnomah. Based on a true story of a mother and daughter who walk across the country in 1896 and the consequences of the journey to both of their lives.

The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey — General Fiction from Revell. She’s embarking on a new life—but can the past truly be left behind?

The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh — General Fiction from Revell. Inspired by a true story, The story weaves a tale full of action and suspense, and yet it is also an amazing love story that could only happen if miracles do come true.

The Lightkeeper’s Ball by Colleen Coble — Olivia Stewart’s sister, Eleanor, was engaged to Harrison Bennett, one of the nation’s wealthiest men, who has since died. Now the pressure is on Olivia to take her place, despite her suspicions about Eleanor’s fiancé.

The Sheriff’s Sweetheart by Laurie Kingery — A Romance from Love Inspired. A down-on-his-luck gambler on the run from a dangerous enemy meets the richest girl in a small Texas town and turns his life around to become worthy of her.

The Unforgivable; Wounds of South America, Book 1 by Tessa Stockton — A Thriller/Suspense from Risen Books. Accused of the worst war crimes in the history of Argentina, Carlos Cornella is despised by a wounded nation…

Tomorrow’s Garden by Amanda Cabot — Romance from Revell. Can Harriet Kirk and Lawrence Wood ever truly put the past behind them in order to find happiness?

Trail of Lies by Margaret Daley — A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired. As the mother of a beautiful daughter and the wife of a wealthy entrepreneur, Melora Hudson seemed happy. No one knew about the secrets hidden behind closed doors—secrets Melora was forced to keep.

Yukon Wedding; Book 1, Alaskan Bride Series by Allie Pleiter — A Romance from Love Inspired.  Widow Lana Bristow won’t abandon the only home her son has ever known, even if it means wedding Mack Tanner, the man she blames for her husband’s death.

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.