Ask the Author: Deb Richardson-Moore
Answered Questions (12)
Deb Richardson-Moore
I have written a book. Now what do I do?
Deb Richardson-Moore
I'd go to the 1940s English countryside of Agatha Christie. So of course, I'd have lots of tea and scones, walk around the grounds with hat and parasol, ride in a convertible, meet the local vicar, have a pint in a pub, visit a seaside resort -- and wonder how so many murders happen in such a peaceful place.
Deb Richardson-Moore
Oh, I'm heading for the beach and have packed Curtis Sittenfield's "Prep," Lionel Shriver's "So Much for That," Caroline Leavitt's "Girls in Trouble" and "Pictures of You," and Shari Lapena's "The Couple Next Door." I am just finishing Will Willimon's "Incorporation," and have his "Who Lynched Willie Earle?" for later this summer (when I need a sermon).
I'll probably re-read Matt Matthews' newly released "One Thousand Miles: Following in My Father's WWII Footsteps" for a Father's Day sermon. (I read the early galley proofs because Matt is a colleague.) And I have pulled Hemingway's "Islands in the Stream" off the shelf for a re-read.
My younger daughter also has a stack of mysteries she's been exclaiming over and offering to share. Isn't summer reading the best?
I'll probably re-read Matt Matthews' newly released "One Thousand Miles: Following in My Father's WWII Footsteps" for a Father's Day sermon. (I read the early galley proofs because Matt is a colleague.) And I have pulled Hemingway's "Islands in the Stream" off the shelf for a re-read.
My younger daughter also has a stack of mysteries she's been exclaiming over and offering to share. Isn't summer reading the best?
Deb Richardson-Moore
I think we've been too focused on giving away "stuff" -- food, clothes, toiletries, tents, sleeping bags, bus tickets, etc. We've made people good or comfortable at being homeless, when our goal should be to get them out of homelessness. That takes, for the most part, professional staffing. When churches ask me what to do, I advise them to hire a social worker. Those in-depth, intentional, messy relationships are what moves people. Not more stuff.
We offer twice-a-week Round Tables with our social workers for anyone who wants to contemplate next steps. And our year-long Triune Circles offers five trained volunteers to encircle a person. But again, they don't rescue with material items. They give encouragement, support, advice, love.
We offer twice-a-week Round Tables with our social workers for anyone who wants to contemplate next steps. And our year-long Triune Circles offers five trained volunteers to encircle a person. But again, they don't rescue with material items. They give encouragement, support, advice, love.
Deb Richardson-Moore
Sorry, but I'm about as transparent -- and as boring -- as a person can be. So no real mystery material in my own life.
However, I am insatiably curious, a leftover, no doubt, from my reporter days. So when I hear a story, my mind immediately leaps to fictitious plots of what might really be behind that? The old adage to think horses, not zebras, is turned on its head. I like to think about the really exotic, devious reason behind something rather than the obvious one.
However, I am insatiably curious, a leftover, no doubt, from my reporter days. So when I hear a story, my mind immediately leaps to fictitious plots of what might really be behind that? The old adage to think horses, not zebras, is turned on its head. I like to think about the really exotic, devious reason behind something rather than the obvious one.
Deb Richardson-Moore
When I was 13, I read Gwen Bristow's "Celia Garth." Celia and her Revolutionary War captain Jimmy somehow captivated me. I couldn't believe it when he died. That's been nearly 50 years, and that's where my mind went when you asked this question. Why? I can't really remember. I just recall being so devastated at what that author had been able to do to my emotions.
Deb Richardson-Moore
Since I am working full time, getting blocks of time to write is a luxury. So I think as I know I'm coming up on some writing days, my mind starts anticipating where I want to go. Also, I like to think of where I might like to spend some time. Then I figure out a way to get my characters there.
Deb Richardson-Moore
To know that the voice inside you that says, "This is awful. No one is ever going to read this. What am I doing?" lives in all of us. If you can push through it and finish, you're ahead of most people.
Deb Richardson-Moore
Getting to make up a world, and go back and forth between it and your real life.
Deb Richardson-Moore
The sequel to "The Cantaloupe Thief." In this book, Charlie Delaney, Pastor Liam's daughter, is on her way home from college when she is run off the road. That sets the mystery in motion.
Deb Richardson-Moore
I go for a walk with my dog, Annabelle, a neurotic Shiba Inu. Or I call a meeting of my writers' group and ask what they are interested in knowing next.
Deb Richardson-Moore
A homeless man once said to me, "Pastor, do you know the worst thing about being homeless? It's not being cold or wet or hungry. The worst thing about being homeless is being looked right through."
That comment stayed with me. I started wondering what repercussions that might have in a town when a whole group of people were invisible.
That comment stayed with me. I started wondering what repercussions that might have in a town when a whole group of people were invisible.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more