Welcome Deb Gardner Allard, I am delighted to have you on my blog and share your new release. Let’s start with you telling me a bit about your writing journey.

I began reading at age 4 when I begged my mother to teach me to read. She would show me a word and have me circle it every time it appeared in a newspaper article. I constantly asked her for new words. I was hooked on books by third grade. I read books like The Borrowers, Boxcar Children, Dr. Dolittle, and too many others to count. About that time, I also began writing silly stories to entertain my schoolmates. Their laughter and applause kept me writing. In the fifth grade, I won a medal from the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) for a nonfiction story about wagons traveling west and getting stuck at Donner’s Pass. By that time, I was hooked on writing. After I retired from registered nursing, I spent twelve years studying writing. I thought I wanted to write for children, but those stories weren’t well received.

So, what did you discover was your true writing calling?

When I was ready to give up writing, a friend told me to write what I love—Hallmark movies and chick flicks. Interestingly, that had never occurred to me. I prayed about it and God clearly showed me that was my genre. I asked Him to help me write it, and He did. My debut Christian contemporary romance is called Love Calls the Shots. It’s a sweet romance that will lighten hearts as two young male doctors volunteer at an inner-city free clinic two weeks before Christmas. Dr. Aiden is a comedic jokester and Dr. Gray is a charming romantic. They show off to win the favor of Dr. Saige Westbrook, but when one doctor is injured, Saige bargains with God for his life. Her oath might mean forfeiting her one shot at true love with the man of her dreams. Will she keep her promise to God and lose her true love?

I must say that when I read it, I have to agree you’ve found your genre.

Here’s a short blurb about your book.

Two doctors, a comedic jokester, and a charming romantic show off to gain Dr. Saige’s favor, but only one man will win her heart. When a tragic accident occurs, Dr. Saige bargains with God for the injured man’s life…will she lose her true love, or will love call the shots?

Tell my readers how you researched your book?

I read several books on how to write romance. My favorite was How to Write Swoon-worthy Romance by Victorine Lieske. I also watched several videos and read several blog posts by Jerry Corley on how to write comedy. And to top all that off, I read How to Write a Novel Using The Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson and Save the Cat for Writers by Jessica Brody. Then, after all of that research, I outlined my book and wrote character studies on each character. While I’m writing my outline, I constantly ask myself—what if?—during every scene. I don’t want any situation to go the easy way. If 90% of readers would think “x y z” would happen, then I turn it around into “q r s.” I don’t want readers to figure out the ending. There’s no fun in that.

You mentioned Hallmark movies and Chick flick as your inspiration. Tell us about that.

Hallmark movies and chick flicks. I watched over 100 Hallmark movies in a year. I didn’t copy any of their premises, story matter, dialogue, or characters. They have several tropes that they recycle many times such as a gal and guy team up to save a Christmas town, or lodge, or Inn and they fall in love, or the fake boyfriend or girlfriend is taken home at Christmas to make their parents happy—and many other similar tropes.  My trope is the love triangle where the guys vie for the gal and one wins. I like to watch these movies because they have a sweetness about them that keeps me feeling good inside. And that’s what I want to incorporate into my writing.

When did you realize your calling to create words on paper to share with the world?

I loved books from the moment I learned to read. I read voraciously. I never thought that I could write better than anyone else or tell a better story though. I was in awe of Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, Mark Twain, Roald Dahl, and other authors.  I had so many fun ideas that I wanted to put on paper.

I can so relate to that. I love to ask Christian authors what verse resonates with them above all others.

I have many for praising God. But I try to remember this verse every day—Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think on these things.”

Love that verse. I’m always curious, if you could go back in time and give one piece of advice for your younger self about writing, what would that be?

 Read voraciously. The more you read, the more you absorb writing mechanics. And read books and attend workshops on the writing craft. Learn how to write. It’ll make writing so much easier. And the last piece of advice—choose a career that will not only pay the bills but will provide fodder for your writing. Lawyers, doctors, nurses, etc. write books that incorporate what they’ve learned through hands-on experiences.

Who is your best support system to keep you focused on your writing?

My hubby and my best writing buddy, Patsy Reiter. My hubby has his own hobbies, and we do what we love separately, but we take breaks throughout the day to sit and talk with each other and share what we’re doing. We also love to go on adventures a couple days a week to find new restaurants with interesting foods. Hubby keeps me laughing. He has a great sense of humor which I adore about him. My writing buddy, Pat, and I email daily and have for over ten years. We encourage each other to write, and we share what we’ve written. I belong to two critique groups too; one is with the ACFW, and the other one is with Word Weavers International. The ladies in those groups are encouragers. We critique each other’s chapters and give valuable feedback.

I’m in both groups too, and I love how it has improved my writing.

What is your favorite genre to read for fun?

I love to read romances in every genre—historical, suspense, cozy mystery, etc. I also love to read any book that catches my eye no matter what the genre—except pornography.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I love to write in my living room because I can see the woods through our sliding door. The greenery gives me a peaceful feeling. The living room also has a big screen TV, and I enjoy having Hallmark movies on in the background while I write. The dialogue reminds me to write natural speech, and the music keeps my writing sweet and fun. I never ever copy anything I see or hear on a Hallmark movie.

Thank you Debra for sharing with my readers about yourself and your writing journey. Here’s a bit more about Debra Gardner Allard:

 Deb Gardner Allard is a passionate Christian who cherishes humor because laughing out loud is the best cure for what ails us. Love Calls the Shots, her debut novel, was written to entertain weary souls with a story that will leave them smiling for days. Visit her website: www.everydayromancewithdeb where she puts God first in relationships.

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