Love of Story Welcomes Debbie Lynne Costello

I can hardly believe it's barely a week until Thanksgiving. Where has the month gone? But I digress. :) Today I'd like to welcome Debbie Lynne Costello. So tell us, Debbie, how did you develop a love of story?

It's hard for me to say how I developed my love of story because my earliest memories of writing anything were writing stories. Stories that I thought were long gone and lost until my mother handed me a manila envelope full of stories I'd written and illustrated as a young child and into my teens. We had all the Dr. Seuss books growing up and we received the Highlights books monthly. I loved to look at the books well before I could read them. So I guess I was pretty much born with the love of a good book. I didn't read as much in high school but I took every writing class offered. When I married and we had kids I was back to reading children's books. LOL But when my children got older and I was homeschooling, they didn't need my help as much but needed me there to keep them focused, so I read. That revived my love for a good story and sparked the desire to write again...with a little prompting from my hubby. :o)
It sounds like your love of stories came very early in your life. :) I know my love of story continued as I was homeschooling my boys. How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing? 

I hope naturally! I don’t ever want to come across preachy, but at the same time I look at my writing as a ministry so I don’t want to water down the truth. I have to pray for God to only allow the words He wants me to write and not my own.  

I understand what you mean. What is your favorite Bible verse and why? 

Isaiah 40:31 Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up like wings of eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  A very familiar verse to everyone. I love this verse because in the busy life that I (like everyone else) live, it’s a great comfort to know that I don’t have to make things happen! I just need to wait on God, rest in His promise that He will take care of things. And when I do this, He gives me the energy to do the things I need to! We serve an awesome God!!!

Thank you for that. Your words really touched my heart at a time I needed to hear it.Where did you get the inspiration for your latest book? 

I love the medieval time period, so it was natural to gravitate to that period. I don’t know as I had inspiration from something as much as God put the story in my heart to write. I didn’t know where I was going with it when I penned the first line, but God gave me the words and day after day when I sat down to write the words were there before my mind’s eye.

Ohh! I love the cover! What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your story? 

I hope that above all they see how God is working in all of our lives. I hope that if they aren’t saved that my story will either plant a seed or water one that has already been planted. I love to write but if my stories don’t point people to God, I feel like I should be doing something else to further the kingdom.

I understand about writing being a ministry. What do you plan to work on next? 

My next release will be a 19^th century Charleston, SC story set during the Charleston Earthquake. It comes out in late January or early February. And as that is getting ready to release, I am working on my sequel to Sword of Forgiveness. 

I'll have to be sure to check those both out. :) What does your writing space look like? 

I have a 3 piece bookcase that almost goes to the ceiling and covers one wall. I have a dark brown couch that I like to curl up on with my lap top, and and antique secretary for when I want to move to a desk. My room is decorated in medieval décor. I have a wall hanging, real swords, and a shield, hanging on my walls. But my favorite arrangement in my room is 3 paintings painted by my wonderful crit partner, Kathleen Maher. The arrangement consists of  Royce, my hero in full armor and on his trusty horse in front of the castle. Brithwin is in the second painting. She’s in a field of yellow flowers and with her horse. The third is the antagonist on his horse with sword raised. I also have a beautiful castle given to me by Kathy that adorns my writing room.

I can picture it. It sounds like a very creative space. If you are traveling to a deserted island for a month, what two items would you take along? 

I’m assuming items can’t be my hubby. So with him not a possibility, I’d have to say my horse and my computer. I know, and odd combination. But I need an animal around and not only I love my horses and riding, but he’d be more useful than one of my dogs. ;o)  

LOL, you're right, you aren't allowed to take your husband but you can take your horse. :) I've enjoyed our time together. Thanks again for stopping by today. Here's Debbie's bio if you wanted to learn a little bit more about her.

Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win her book.

  

Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win this month's giveaway. Next week we'll be doing things a little bit different and taking a special look at Thanksgiving. You won't want to miss it. :)