JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
S.D. Denny, author of The Baker’s Dozen
(Peace In The Storm Publishing)
Breanna Baker felt her life was under control, as long as she was in control of her life. The moment she makes the startling discovery that she’s five weeks pregnant, things started spinning out of control for sure. To add fuel to the fire already burning in her life, her grandmother passes away.
She returns home where she’s compelled to turn her attention to issues other than her untimely pregnancy. Breanna feels she’s obligated to save everyone from themselves. When she uncovers the dark secret that had been hidden by her family for years, she is forced to face herself in the mirror to discover a truth that must be reckoned with before she can go any further in her life.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Baker’s Dozen?
S.D. Denny: I’ve always dreamed of doing something in my life to help or inspire young women. I’ve always loved to write. When I decided to pursue my dream of writing a novel, I knew my main character would be a woman who had to climb some mountains before reaching a point where she finds meaning and purpose in her life.
Some of the topics that are addressed in the story are near and dear to my heart, as well as some of the characters and their personalities. The idea of the title, The Baker’s Dozen, and the meaning behind it, was my way of adding a juicy twist to the story.
In a baker’s dozen there are thirteen, so I thought it would add some mystery, spice and intrigue to the story line.
JP: What sets The Baker’s Dozen apart from other novels in its genre?
SDD: The Baker’s Dozen is a work of fiction that brings problems to the forefront that real people face but may have swept under the rug in a subconscious effort to avoid having to confront them or to make it appear that we have things under control.
It’s not just a story – it’s a story that will inspire with hope and possibly even motivate someone to take the first step towards healing a deeply rooted wound in their life.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Baker’s Dozen getting out to the public?
SDD: One cannot begin to measure the value in networking! I’m always making new literary contacts and constantly utilizing the resources available from my current contacts. I was prepared to move on it when I learned that Peace in the Storm Publishing was accepting submissions. I researched the company and made sure that I understood the submission guidelines clearly.
I presented a professional, organized and intriguing submission package. Elissa Gabrielle contacted me immediately and signed me with Peace in the Storm. From there, we began planning my book’s release. Everything just fell right into place as though it was meant to be. It was that moment where preparation met opportunity.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish The Baker’s Dozen?
SDD: For me, writing is life, so I write whenever and wherever I can. The ideal setting for me to write would be some place with a majestic mountain or lake view. Until that’s possible, I write in my apartment in Charlotte, NC.
I’m very organized and detail oriented, so I begin with an outline of what the project is about. After the outline, I begin to build each character with details. Then I move on to scene building as I write the story. It took about one year to write The Baker’s Dozen from start to finish.
JP: What’s next for S.D. Denny?
SDD: I plan to do a great deal of promoting for The Baker’s Dozen. This includes attending literary events, giving interviews, and I’m looking forward to the possibility of a multi-city book-signing tour soon. By the first of next year, I look forward to putting the wheels in motion for my literary project which will be very different.
I’m trying to show my diversity as a writer, and I’ve got something in mind that might raise some eyebrows and evoke some deep thought – make some people go “hmmm.”
http://sddenny.com
http://myspace.com/sdd4life
http://sddenny.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/sddenny
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