Interview With Mary DeMuth

She’s as passionate about her family as she is writing with a dream to see stories change lives. Mary DeMuth’s latest book, A Slow Burn, book two in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, manifests this desire in a tale about the power of forgiveness and courageous love.

Mary, you believe stories have the ability to transform and your stories show fictional characters changed through their painful journeys. In writing A Slow Burn, did you think about your future readers and how this story might affect their lives and even minister to them?

Yes, absolutely. I particularly wondered about those who carried excessive guilt around, hoping they’d find the kind of love that forgives that guilt.

How much do you draw from your own life experiences to craft your stories?

Of course, these books come from me, from my heart, so they tend to capitalize on my own experience. However, with A Slow Burn, I truly didn’t identify with the main character—a neglectful mother who struggled with drug abuse. I had to research, then try to place myself in her shoes.

Reflecting back, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey?

When we lived in France, I worried that my dream for writing would dissolve. I wrote three books there, one of which was my first novel, Watching the Tree Limbs. I received my first and so far only review from Publisher’s Weekly for that book. http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6301704.html?q=Mary+DeMuth
Reading that changed my life. I realized that I actually was a writer, that other professionals saw talent. It gave me a lot of confidence.

What’s your biggest challenge in balancing writing time with your other responsibilities?

Trying to take care of myself. I’m famous for working way too hard, pushing my limits. I’m learning to take breaks, to slow down, to give myself permission to pursue things I love outside of writing.

And how do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?

A great deal. Every author writes from the inside out. I’m thankful I have Jesus living within. He is the master storyteller, after all!

What do you consider the greatest moment of your writing/publishing career?

I actually think that’s yet to come. As Thin Places releases, I have a sense that this book may be the one to “launch” me. But then again, this is a fickle business, so who knows.

Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?

Usually from some sort of pain in my own life or in the lives of people around me. I tend to be an empathetic person, so I take on the pain of others. One way I process that is to write that pain and situation into a story.

What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?

It’s metaphoric, deep, and (hopefully) pulls the reader into the recesses of characters. I make readers love my characters, which makes them want to turn the page. But I also introduce suspense as well.

Finish this question. I write because…

God gave me the gift of communication, and I’ll use it to the best of my ability to bring Him glory.

Any parting words?

I love this quote: “All writing comes by the grace of God.” Emerson. That’s how I see it.

Thanks for sharing with us, Mary!