Mama Diaries

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

The Thing That Turned Me and Author Interview with Tonja Drecker



Today, I'm happy to have as a guest, Tonja Drecker, who is a contributing author to an anthology which will be coming out later this year. It's called, The Thing That Turned Me. It's a collection of stories from various authors (including yours truly) about people, places, events, or ideas that have made a difference in a life.

Here's the trailer:


Now, please welcome Tonja! 
Hi, Tonja! I'm really excited about this new anthology that will be coming out, and I'm so happy that you'll be one of the contributing authors. Please tell us a little about your contribution.
 
One Small Glowworm takes a historical plunge into the year 1949.  This fictional short story is set in poverty ridden, post war Germany and glimpses at an eighteen-year-old young woman's battle to break free from  the scars and chains of her past.
 
 
That sounds intriguing. What a great idea to use historical fiction! What was the inspiration for the story?
 
When I was first invited to join this anthology, I had a completely different story in mind, but no matter how much I worked on it, the words didn't want to come out right. While I was sulking over chocolate, the memory of something I had once heard while living in Germany popped into my head. . .a spark out of nowhere. And it seemed to fit the theme of the anthology well.
 
The story is centered around a fairly unknown historical event, but it was something that changed the lives drastically for over 230 German women ages seventeen to their later twenties. I don't want to spoil anything, so I can't say too much. But it was the courage of these women, which inspired me to write this.
 
I'd love to say more, but it's better if I don't. Knowing me, I'd reveal too much.  
 
 
Chocolate always helps! This sounds like a great story, and I can't wait to read it!
 
Has there ever been a person or thing that has made a significant difference in your life?
 
Yes. Most definitely. There are several things/people which have put my life on its head more than once over the years. I can't image how awful it would have been not to have experienced these 'turning points'. No matter how drastic a change they caused (and I wasn't enthusiastic about all of them either), each of these moments ended up enriching my life more than I could have ever could imagined. I can only hope there are many more to come.
 
We often think of people or events that turn us as being positive influences. But you bring up a good point. Sometimes even the negative things in our lives make us better people.
 
 
 
Anything else you'd like to add?
 
Only that I'm very excited about this anthology. There are so many amazing writers involved, and they come from such a large range of genres and directions. It's going to be a real treat. 

I agree. This is going to be a great collection of stories.


 
Where can readers connect with you?


Thank you so much for joining us, today!  Best of luck with all of your writing projects!
 

After growing up in Denver, Tonja Drecker followed her heart to Germany.  She enjoyed discovering the harsh secrets behind many fairy tales while exploring forgotten castles and mystical forests with her husband and four children. Now in the Ozarks, she's spending more time writing between pastures and cows. Her stories have appeared in children magazines as well as several anthologies, including Real Girls Don't Rust  (Spencerhill) and SuperHero Tales (Melusine Muse Press).

51 comments:

  1. Very true, even the changes/people we aren't enthusiastic about sure play a part in life.

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    1. I've noticed that its these 'unwanted' ones which often bring the best changes. Crazy life :)

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  2. Thanks for having me, Sherry! I can't wait to read your contribution too.

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    1. I think there will be some really nice stories in this collection.

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  3. Hi Sherry! Hi, Tonja! Tonja, I was born in 1949, and the tidbits you provided about your story are intriguing. Surely this anthology will be a sensational read and I wish you and Sherry much success and recognition from it!

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    1. How interesting! While researching, I was surprised how much happened that year. Thanks for the wishes.

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    2. Hey Shady. My mom was born in 1949. How interesting that you two share the same birth year.

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  4. Glad to be part of the anthology with both of you!
    Turning points can be anything in our lives and we often don't recognize them until after the fact.

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    1. Can't wait to read your entry as well!

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    2. Very true, Alex. Many times we realize it much later and never get a chance to go back and thank them for the difference they've made in our life.

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  5. Congratulations, Tonja! You have really tantalized us with the premise of your short story!

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    1. It certainly sounds like it's a good story! I'm looking forward to reading it, too.

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  6. Nice interview! Sounds like a great anthology

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  7. Tonja your story sounds amazing. Thanks for giving us dibs on the plot.

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  8. Congrats to Tonja! Loved reading this interview!

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  9. Sounds like a wonderful assortment of stories.
    Good interview. :)

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    1. The authors are all so different and coming from so many genres. It's sure to be something.

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    2. Tonja is right. So many different authors representing diverse genres are going to be part of it.

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  10. It's the negative things that can have the most impact. But oh... living through that...

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  11. Good interview and Tonja's tease of the story has me wondering...

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    1. You'll have to get the book to find out about the rest of the story!

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  12. I love stories based on history. Yours sounds like a great one.

    Good morning, Sherry:)

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    1. Tonja's story does sound intriguing!

      And good morning, or good afternoon, or whatever to you, too! :-)

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  13. The anthology is going to be epic. *high five to Tonja* Can't wait to read your piece!

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  14. The story sounds so interesting, I want to read it... How intriguing... I like how some stories just come out when you are trying to write something else... it's best to go with it and it sounds like it was a good thing xox

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  15. Congrats Tonja. Story sounds interesting!

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  16. What a great theme. I've had so many negative things turn into positives. I look forward to reading this.

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  17. Interesting interview! I'm really looking forward to reading the anthology. With such great writers involved, I know the stories will be wonderful.

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  18. Great interview, Tonja and Sherry. The anthology sounds great too. Enjoyed the trailer. 😊

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