Dani Pettrey Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.  

A. I am a wife, a Christian, a mother and I home school my daughter who is in high school. My oldest is in her freshman year of college. My husband and I will be celebrating our 20^th anniversary this fall. We live on the East Coast and really enjoy being so near the ocean and the mountains.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. I have always loved daydreaming and making up stories. I dabbled with creative writing growing up, but set it aside. It wasn’t until after the birth of my youngest daughter and a bout with a serious illness, that I really felt God stirring me to start writing again.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?  

A. When I first began, I spent a lot of time simply reading novels, seeing how they worked, analyzing why I fell in love with certain characters and not others. I attended writing conferences, joined a writer’s group and devoted regular time to writing. I think that’s so important. If you don’t set deadlines for yourself before you’re published, it’ll just be that much harder once you are.

I was also blessed with an amazing mentor who really shepherded me in the craft and writing life. I wrote for a number of years, entered contests and applied the feedback I received. A year and a half ago, I attended the ACFW conference. I approached my editor after his Spotlight Session and he was gracious enough to ask to see the first three chapters. A few weeks later, I got a request for the full. A few weeks after that he told me they were going to present it for contract. The day I got ‘the call’ was amazing. I had received my share of rejections, so getting the ‘go ahead’ on a story I loved so dearly was pure joy.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release?   

Submerged is the first in my Alaskan Courage series.

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation–and Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget. She’s returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart… but doesn’t seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he’s not the same guy she left behind. Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Submerged?

A: I watched a movie about cave divers and it got me thinking what type of person would pursue such a dangerous job for a living. I find extreme athletes and people who pursue adventurous careers simply fascinating. I began diving (no pun intended) into all the extreme sports and adventure professions and the McKenna family was born.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A:  That we find fulfillment and wholeness in Christ alone.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A: The head-butt scene.  I don’t want to give too much away for those that haven’t read Submerged yet, but here’s a line from that scene. It’s actually one of my favorite lines in the book.

“Pursuing adventure for a living, I get more than my fair share of knocks, but getting a backwards head-butt from a beautiful lady is nothing to complain about.”

Q: What inspires you to write?  

A.  I believe the love of story that God has placed in me. I truly love the power of story. How it can transport you to another time, another place. Books have been such a huge part of my life. There are many novels that have touched my life—helped me to see something in a different light, inspired hope, and made me a better person. I humbly hope that my stories touch my reader’s lives in a similar way. 

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?  

A: It’s been so wonderful in many ways. I would say the one area that differed from my expectations was the amount of time needed for marketing and the business end of writing. I’m learning to balance my time so the focus still stays on the stories.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A: Keep writing. It sounds trite, but it’s very easy to become discouraged. Writing can be a solitary endeavor and there are many obstacles along the path to publication, but if God has laid the love of story on your heart then write for Him. You just may be amazed what He does with it J

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?  

A. I am working on Stranded, the third book in my Alaskan Courage series. It follows Gage McKenna’s adventures. I’m having a blast getting to know this guy.
Shattered, the second novel in the series will be available February 2013. It’s Piper McKenna’s story. I am really excited about it. 

Q: What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?  

A. I write all my first drafts long hand.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?  

A. I love spending time with my family. We enjoy hiking, reading, traveling, watching movies and our favorite pastime is following International soccer. Go Barca!  

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?  

A. Just that I’ve really enjoyed this interview. Thanks for having me, Susan. I hope readers will fall in love with the McKennas like I have.