I have long since adored Ronie Kendig's writing. I mean, we're talking flat out in awe of the first book I read by her (Talon: Combat Tracking Team) and then everything since. I found myself thinking...where has this author been all of my life?
Fast forward and....yes, that's MEEEE standing next to Ronie (in her house beautiful house too but I digress). Having her on my blog for a {Writer Wednesday} slot is pretty overwhelming to me (in the best way) and I can say that I have been so impressed with her as an author and as a friend. She is seriously the most humble person and I love that I get to share her with you all today! All right, on to the interview and enough of my fangirling ;)
A little bit about Ronie...
Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married her own hunky hero, an Army veteran. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her husband live a full life in Northern Virginia with four children and a Maltese Menace named Helo.
How to connect with Ronie...
Website: www.roniekendig.com
Blog: www.roniekendig.com/blog
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RonieK
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction
Twitter: @roniekendig
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/roniek/
Purchase: Falcon (The Quiet Professionals Book 3)
Author Interview | Ronie Kendig
You and Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I suppose I’ve always been telling stories, starting with my dolls at a very young age, but it wasn’t until my husband bought me a word processor back in 1991 that I really started working at it. I then took a course through the Institute for Children’s Literature, which I found fascinating but frustrating. Out of that, I learned I didn’t want to write for children, but for adults. My love of writing, the therapeutic and thrilling effects of it have kept me writing. On days when I’m down or discouraged and whining and saying I’m going to quit writing, my husband in his very stoic voice, says, “You might not try to get published anymore, but you’ll never stop writing.” And he’s so right. I can’t not write.
Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...Not really. I love different things about each of my stories. I do confess that I adored writing the Operation Zulu series and hope to someday finish what I started with that amazing team of characters.
Tell us a little bit about your book. Why did you write it?
...Falcon is the final book in the Quiet Professionals series and has quite an explosive conclusion. Readers will find themselves guessing—as I, the author, did—who Raptor can trust.
Here is the official blurb for Falcon:
Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...One character that I find alluring and intriguing is a secondary character named Sajjan Takkar. He has now shown up in roughly four of my novels, and I never tire of writing him. He’s just a very unique character in that his loyalty cannot be bought and is singularly dedicated to his country and its restoration. Throughout the story, others are questioning if they’ll turn on him, and I just love that.
What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...That without forgiveness, we are letting destructive seeds of bitterness rot and tear at the fabric of our relationships and lives. Bitterness rots the soul.
Writing
When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I’ve always seen the primary mission as “opening dialogue” about our military heroes, what they deal with, and how it affects not just their lives, but the lives of their families. I want readers to walk away, thinking about the sacrifices our military heroes make every day.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...It’s imperative to know the rules of writing and storycrafting—master those rules; know them backward and forward…but don’t get strangled by the rules.
...Believe it or not, I find taekwondo relaxing—exhausting, but definitely relaxing. Also, I love doing things with my hands—painting my living room, sewing, or crocheting. Anything artsy. It fuels my creativity and gives me a physical outlet.
What is one thing you are looking forward to for the Summer?
...This summer will be strange for our family—we’ve married off a daughter and another is working in DisneyWorld, so my plans are to have fun doing some home interior decorating and rearranging. Pray for me as I begin this adventure as the only female in a house of five guys (hubby, twin sons, and two male dogs).
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::WINNER::
::WINNER::
Abby Breuklander
Congrats girl! I'll be in touch :)
In the mean time, if you didn't win check out More Than A Princess HERE.
