This is an interview with Booksandauthors.net part one.
Booksandauthors.net: Why do you write?
Elizabeth Dunaj: Life is an adventure and writing is an adventure in words. I relax and am amazed at what comes out in words. I am always amazed at hearing how people enjoy my writing. Their positive comments toward my work and my paintings is the fuel that pushes me onward.
Booksandauthors.net: Tell us about your novel GRETA - THE START OF A NEW LIFE.
Elizabeth Dunaj: It is about Greta who is a widowed Mom of seven daughters, living in 1835. In this era they were extremely close to God and used His words to guide them. Greta makes the decision to follow through with her husband's dream to move west and start a new life. At that time women would not go this alone without men for guidance and protection. Greta steps out against the opposition, looking to the future for her seven daughters.
Booksandauthors.net: Where did the character of Greta come from? How did you build this character? What makes her unique?
Elizabeth Dunaj: I had written this one paragraph; which is the beginning paragraph in the first book, then read it to my kids when they were dropping off their kids one day. My daughter exclaimed, "Mom! When are you going to put your paragraphs into a book?" I thought about her statement while I made supper that evening. I had also been researching my Grandma Kowalski's family from Germany; she was born in America, we believe in Pennsylvania. So after supper I sat down, rewriting that paragraph and then writing the first 87 pages of the Greta series. During the first week I was also writing down thought and ideas for the second and third book.
Booksandauthors.net: How did you build this character?
Elizabeth Dunaj: I thought of the strenght Greta would need to survive in 1835, to handle a 40 acre farm and raise seven daughters. I saw she wuld have needed to be very strong, determined, unfearful and close to God. She would discipline in love and with honesty and would not like gossip. Her values would have to be high but realistic, along with daring and adventurous and capable of loving again yet not perfect.
Booksandauthors.net: What makes her unique?
Elizabeth Dunaj: She's unique because she is doing something women of her time wouldn't do without a man by their side. She's very strong headed and more determined to follow through with the plans she had dreamed of with her husband.
Writers' Tricks of the Trade is like the appetizer table at a writers' buffet, filled with tips, techniques and tricks. Written in easy-to-read prose. Available in paperback, eBook and Kindle from multiple sellers
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