with Ronie Kendig

Welcome to the Barn Door Book Loft, Ronie!
What started you on your writing journey?
I’ve always used writing as an escape, and largely, it’s still true. I *love* writing, so it’s awesome to get to have this for a career, when I love it so much. But I wasn’t really excited about the idea of trying to get published. In fact, my husband had to lovingly push me to step around my fear (of rejection, of losing my joy in writing) and attempt to get published.

What distracts you from writing the easiest?
My kids and marketing. :-D My children are such a joy to me, that I often prefer being with them to writing. And Marketing is so time consuming and it tends to be very demanding, grabbing my time from writing.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
I love reading speculative/supernatural books (John Olson’s Powers and Shade, Book of Days by Jim Rubart, Robert Liparulo), thrillers (Rick Acker’s When the Devil Whistles, Steven James’ The Patrick Bowers Thrillers, J. Mark Bertrand, Robert Liparulo (he has both speculative YA and thrillers), military suspense/thrillers by Bob Hamer, Tom Morrisy/William Boykin, Oliver North, Chuck Holton. Outside that. . .I might read a “fun” historical, but that’s it.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
Cowboy is an all-around favorite, but there’s a new character introduced in Digitalis who I feel is a very strong character. I really hope he’ll have his own story one day because he has a rich tapestry background. . .and so many secrets. He’s an enigmatic man.

If you were a style of music, what style would you be?
Um, wow. What a question. LOL However you would describe the band Skillet—in their records, you hear classical elements, rock elements, and an occasional scream, which is so much like me. LOL But there’s always a driving element, and that is true of me as well.

What is your strangest habit? Probably the strangest habit I have. . .and it’s probably not so strange, but I cannot write if my desk is cluttered or disorganized. So, generally, I organize or tidy up my desk so I can write. :-D

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Anything related to conflict I dread. I will bend over backwards to alleviate a stressful situation, but there will come a point where I will stand up and say, enough! Thriller author Eric Wilson and I once likened our styles in terms of combat. He is the warrior on the front lines of battle, while I’m the medic inside the tent, tending wounds. LOL It’s a good mental image of how we all serve different roles in God’s Army.

What's your favorite meal with family and friends?
A family favorite of ours holds a lot of memories, since it was my mother (an Irish immigrant) who introduced it to me, and I to my family. Shepherd’s pie—a thick layer of ground meat with spices (add to desired flavor), then a vegetable (we use corn, since I can’t have peas), then (a new ingredient for my cheese-loving twins) a layer of shredded cheddar cheese, then a mound of mashed potatoes on top. Cook at 350 for 25-30 minutes. The kids love the dish, and it helps me remember my mom (who died in 1993) and where she came from.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Absolutely—I most often want to write about finding freedom from one thing or another, or finding a deeper meaning of our worth in Christ. So often, we disqualify ourselves from receiving God’s blessings and miss so much of the joy and vitality God wants us to thrive in!

Share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to you.
Psalm 73:25-26 – Whom have I in haven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My heart and strength may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever.

I love this verse because it’s inevitable that people will fail us (it’s not pessimistic, but reality). When I get discouraged, hurt, or whatever, I read this verse and realize that I am not alone, that He will always be with me, and that in Him, I am complete.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Digitalis has just released (January 1), and Wolfsbane will release July 1st!

You can purchase Digitalis from Amazon.

Ronie is giving away a copy of Digitalis. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.