Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Christian novelist, Katrina Wampler today's guest




I am pleased to have Christian fiction novelist Katrina Wampler as my blog guest today. She will give one free copy of her book to a lucky commenter. Katrina spent the first 16 years of her life being sexually and physically abused, and the next 16 abusing herself with alcohol addiction and multiple suicide attempts. At the age of 32, she was given a one percent change to live after being diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. Six days later, she suffered a third heart attack with her heart stopping in the ambulance on the way to the ER. Katrina survived but continued to live with suicidal thoughts and attempts. On the day she‟d planned to end her life, she came to know the Lord as her personal savior. Now she devotes her life to educating young girls and women on moving forward from a past of pain.


Welcome, Katrina, to my blog. You have written the Christian fiction novel, “A Hope and a Future,” in which you share many of your memories of abuse. Can you give us a brief synopsis of the book?


Katrina: Certainly. An entire platoon is taken hostage in Iraq but only Nicholas Watson is found alive. He has no memory of anything before the war. He quickly falls in love with his nurse, Jessie who attempts to help him find his past while she attempts to outrun hers. Through the power of friendship and the grace of God, they find that God has a hope and a future for their lives regardless of their past.


Katie: This is a very personal, but fictional, account of some of your abuse. Since it is fiction, what do you want your reader to take from the book?


Katrina: I want the reader to understand that we all have a past. None of us are perfect and all fall short of the glory of God. If we release our past transgressions as well as the wrongs committed against us, He can and will reveal the future He has for us.


Katie: Why did you decide to do a fictional account, rather than a biographical account?


Katrina: I felt I could write a story similar to my own allowing the ready to either sympathize with the abused or to relate. In my opinion, writing a biographical account could have made the abuse about „me‟ as opposed to telling the story for what it is…a story of survival. Mostly out of respect for my family. There are many details about the abuse that they don‟t know and many of them wish to remain anonymous in the details of this abuse. To make a biographical account of all that happened would take that right away from them and so I chose to do it this way.


Katie: This must have been a very difficult book to write, in which, I would think, you would have to face these issues again. Was making it fictional a way to distance yourself from the events?


Katrina: It did allow me to distance myself a bit from the events. It also allowed me to write a braver stronger character than I could ever truly be.

Katie: You self-published this book. Why did you choose that route rather than having it traditionally published?


Katrina: I would have much rather had it published traditionally. However, being a new author brings with it many challenges, as we all know. I took some wonderful advice from a friend that said, “instead of waiting around for someone to find you, go find them. At least get your book in the hands of your readers.” He also questioned whether I was writing to tell a story or to simply make money. If my choice was to tell a story, then I needed to go ahead and get my book in print. Self publishing was the obvious answer for me though I am praying for a traditional publisher with my next novel.


Katie: What hurdles did you face in self-publishing this book?


Katrina: Mostly, marketing. It‟s been a tough road getting my book in the hands of my readers. With self publishing, all the marketing falls on the shoulders of the author which in turn makes it more difficult to continue writing since marketing requires so much time and effort.


Katie: Since this book would seem to have a very focused readership, how do you plan to market and promote it to reach your projected audience?


Katrina: I do a lot of public speaking where I talk to women about abuse, suicide, and alcoholism. I share my story allowing them to see that God’s mercy can heal any wound and change any life. Through my speaking engagements, I am able to reach the audience that would be best served through this novel.


Katie: Please share three things that you learned while writing this book.


Katrina: I learned the art of forgiveness. Not just in others but for myself. Especially in forgiving myself. I learned that I had to let go of being a victim in order to move forward in freedom. For so many years I held on to the abuse like a winter coat. I let it define me. Through writing “A Hope and a Future”, I was finally able to turn from being a victim to a conqueror.


Katie: Thanks for being a guest on my blog today. You can learn more about Katrina‟s book at http://www.katlogictalk.com/bookstore.html and it can be purchased at http://www.authorhouse.com

23 comments:

Lynn McMonigal said...

Nice job, Katie. I have read "A Hope and A Future". Wonderful story! I feel very blessed that God has allowed my path to cross Katrina's path.

Katrina L Wampler said...

aaahhh, thank you so much Lynn. I too am so blessed the Lord has allowed our paths to cross and I look forward to the many times we'll work together in sharing our stories...both in fiction and in life.

For Such A Time As This said...

I grew up in the same small town as Katrina. We knew each other in high school, though I am ashamed to admit that I was too caught up in myself at that time to notice the pain of others. I lived a nominal "Christian" life - not really walking with the Lord, yet sitting in the pew every week, pretending to be good. I tried for years to run away from the things that I did during my high school and young adult life, but somehow I could never get away from myself. By God's grace, He didn't give up on me and I have been able to move on. I just read "A Hope and A Future" a few days ago and it is a beautiful story of forgiveness. Everyone has things in their past they want to "forget" but forgetting is impossible - we have to find reconciliation with God and forgiveness towards those who wronged us, and we have to allow the blood of Jesus to provide us with the only real forgiveness possible for ourselves. Thank you Katrina for sharing your story in such a poignant way.

Christian mamma of 2 said...

What an inspiring story.. I am eager to read your book.. thank you for inviting us all to learn more about you, its not always easy to open ourselves up like that.

The Old Silly said...

Good interview, both of you. I always enjoy reading more about Katrina, she's not only a talented and motivated woman and a great single mom, she can be the best friend you could ever want to have. It's been my pleasure to have featured her on my blog in the past, also.

The Old Silly

Nichole Osborn said...

Great interview! Can't wait to read the book!:0)

Unknown said...

Katrina,
Your book sounds as if it's filled with the strengths you brought away from life's challenges. We can all use an uplifting story right now and I look forward to reading yours.

Katrina L Wampler said...

Thank you all for your kind words. I can only pray my story brings healing and strength into the lives of others the way Christ has done for me.

storylady said...

Hi Katrina, and Katie. Your story is inspirational. It's a perfect example of perseverance, and determination. It's something we should all aspire to.
I admire your perseverence and desire to succeed. It's been my motto, to never give up, no matter what the obstacles.
I wish you the best of luck with your book, and hoepfully it will inspire others.
Nice interview Katie.

Sharon Schafer

Unknown said...

Alas, I have not had the pleasure of reading the book, but I have been honored to knnow Kat (at least via cyberspace). Writing is cathartic. It's a good way to release pain.

The only question I have is, how did you manage to get into public speaking?

Connie Arnold said...

Katie, thank you for sharing the great interview! Katrina, you are such an inspiration in the person you have become since coming to know Christ! I think you did the right thing in getting your book out and pray it will reach many people that need the hope in their lives that it can show them.

Katrina L Wampler said...

I got into public speaking initially by sharing my testimony in church an online. When people hear my testimony, I am asked to come speak at their church. Because of my history, I am often asked to speak to young girls and in womens conferences.

It's all been by word of mouth and I pray it continues and that I am able to assist others that are going through or have gone through the same pain.

Dale Eldon said...

Wow. Katrina I for one am thankful that you are alive! You have an amazing talent to write about your own pain. Your book sounds amazing. I too can understand what it feels like to want to end my life. Though I haven't went through what you did, I have a vague idea to your hell that you survived. Praise God for you Katrina, and even if I don't win, I will look forward to reading your book.

Jinnia Low said...

What an encouragement you are to so many women out there who are stuck in the pain of their past! Thank you for openly sharing your struggles. Praise the Lord for picking you up out of that dark prison. I'd love to read your book b/c on some scale I battle w/ pain from my own past. And I know many others who are dealing with generational sins and b/c of culture, are stuck there in silence. Thanks again for sharing your life.

Katrina L Wampler said...

Thank you all for your kind words. It is so encouraging to know that someone is listening. It is my prayer that you will all be blessed by my story...even if it's in a fictional sense.

I do hope to write a non-fiction book one day. Not one focusing on what happened to me but how God has set me free from it.

Thank you all for stopping by today.

Donna McDine said...

Absolutely fantastic interview. This book has made it to my must buy and read list!

Best wishes for your continued success!

Regards,
Donna
Children’s Author
Write What Inspires You Blog
Donna M. McDine’s Website

Unknown said...

I have put off buying this book, but after reading the interview I had to buy it. Finally! Looking forward to a good read! Thanks

Kia said...

kATRINA, I DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY OTHER THAN I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.
YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT AND YOU WERE A WILLING VESSEL AND ALLOWED YOURSELF TO BE USED BY GOD. IT'S SO EASY TO FOCUS ON THE VICTIM IN US AND SO MUCH HARDER TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE CONQUERERS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. GOD WON'T PUT MORE ON US THAN WE CAN BARE. I REMEMBER THE FIRST CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD I KNEW YOU WERE A STRONG WOMAN THEN AS I KNOW YOU ARE NOW BECAUSE YOU SERVE AN ALMIGHTY GOD. I HAVE NOT SPEND HARDLY ANYTIME WITH YOU SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE AND NOW YOU ARE GOING BACK.(OUR KIDS HAVE HANDLE THAT PART RIGHT?) BUT IM HONORED TO CALL YOU MY FRIEND!! THANK GOD FOR ALL HE IS DOING IN YOU AND ALL HE IS GOING TO DO! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.I LOVE YOU AND I'M GOING TO MISS YOU!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MAKING YOUR FATHER PROUD!!!
YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST
KIA XOXOXO

Sharon Reece said...

Katie I really enjoyed reading this interview. And Katrina, it sounds like you have an awesome story. Your explanation of why you chose to write your story in fiction rather than as a biography made a lot of sense. I'm looking forward to reading your book.

Sharon Reece
http://grandmaisawriter.blogspot.com

Katie Hines said...

And the winner is...Jinnia Low! Jinnia, please contact me at katiebug1957@nctv.com to receive the free copy of your signed book!

Dianne G. Sagan said...

Katrina,

You and I share some of the same life experiences. I can't wait to get one of your books. I know exactly what you mean by deciding to write the story and fictionalize some of your past and show the growth of your character. As a writer, it is easier to write something so close to your heart as fiction and create a strong character. I also agree that it gets us out of the way and focuses on God's mercies. Bravo!

And thanks for sharing this wonderful interview on your blog, Katie.

Christopher Hoare said...

A good interview and a fine example of revisiting a difficult past to rework it into fiction. As Hemingway said, a novel must be more true than the truth.

Chris H.

Katrina L Wampler said...

Thank you all for stopping in even after the interview.

You can all reach me at http://www.katrinawampler.wordpress.com

I will be writing a bible study called "Draw Me Close To You" scheduled to begin on Kat Logic Sep 7th.

Thank you Katie...for having me. I look forward to having you join me on my podcast Mom Chat.