INTERVIEW | Bonnie Leon

Bonnie, describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m a country gal. Except for a few stints in the city, I’ve spent most of my life in the country. Occasionally I’ll take a trip to a big city, which is fun but it’s always good to get home where there are more trees and wild critters than people. I love to sit on my deck and look out over the forests and across the valley to the sweeping foothills where sheep and cattle graze. The sound of birds and the wind rustling through the trees always comforts me. Sadly, my home of twenty-nine years is for sale, but my husband and I are hoping to resettle somewhere else that still offers country living.

Although limited by injuries from an auto accident in 1991 I love the outdoors. Whenever possible I visit the coast. Here in Oregon we have some gorgeous beaches, although the ocean here is more for looking at rather than swimming in. And my favorite day would include floating on a high mountain lake on a warm summer day with a fishing pole in my hand. There’s nothing sweeter.

As a young woman I was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. Those were my best years. I cherish the many memories of black berry picking with my children, baking together, catching tadpoles, or leaping into a swimming hole together on a hot summer day. I’m grateful for those years and I miss them.

These days I’m either working on a book or sharing in the ministry of the women in my church and community. I oversee women’s ministries and teach Bible studies as well as speak for women’s groups. I thoroughly enjoy serving alongside other women to reach people for Christ.

How do you find time to connect with God?

As a writer it’s sometimes difficult to keep this need at the forefront. Most of us have busy schedules. I believe that the busier you are the stronger the need is to make time for God. There are a number of ways.

For me, I do my best to attend church on Sundays. It’s uplifting to worship with other believers and to visit with friends. Our pastor is a gifted teacher and often challenges my faith walk.

I do my best to meet with the Lord every morning before jumping into the day. If time is limited I may simply spend a few moments in prayer, but usually I read a devotional, a few passages in my Bible and sometimes in a book I may be reading, then I pray and on great mornings have a discussion with God.

And we should all find moments throughout our day to consider God, to remember His presence and to thank him and to petition Him for whatever is on our heart.

Worship music is always uplifting. Whenever I travel I have my favorite CD’s playing. My mother taught me to notice God’s handiwork. She never seemed to miss the beauty around her and made sure to tell her children. I’m grateful to her, because when I see God’s creation I’m reminded of Him.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

My favorite author list is always growing. There are many wonderful writers. My two favorites are John Steinbeck and Francine Rivers. But there are so many others—Ann Shorey, Leslie Gould, Mary Demuth, Denise Hunter, BJ Hoff . . . well the list goes on.

It’s easier to list favorite books—The Girl With the Pearl Earring, Secret Life of Bees, Redeeming Love, Hawaii(As big as this book was I didn’t want it to end), A Voice in the Wind, The Last Sin Eater. Presently I’m reading Daisy Chain written by Mary Demuth and I expect it will go on my favorites list.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

My journey is not typical. The first book I wrote sold to the first publishing house that looked at it.

I always loved to read, but never imagined that one day I’d become a writer. Over the years I’d occasionally write a short story, personal experience or a poem. However, in 1989 I was bitten by a writing bug. I felt compelled to put my thoughts down on paper and filled up legal pads. In the spring of 1991 I attended my first writing workshop, and after being encouraged by one of the attending authors to keep writing I drifted home on a cloud of dreams.

One month later a log truck hit the van I was driving and my life changed. I was left unable to do anything I’d been accustomed to doing. When the doctors gave me a grim forecast for my future, I asked God to give me something to do that mattered. I started writing and God opened doors.

He provided encouragers and writers who offered their expertise and after being encouraged by Lauraine Snelling at an OCW conference I went home and wrote my first book, The Journey of Eleven Moons. I returned to the conference the following summer and presented my manuscript to Lonnie Hull DuPont, the acquisitions editor for Thomas Nelson Publishing at the time. She asked for a proposal, which I sent. Several weeks later she requested the entire manuscript and then offered me a contract.

I was stunned and could only guess at why it all happened so quickly. I figure God had a hand in it. J Even more surprising — The Journey of Eleven Moons made the CBA Bestsellers list. It was the right book at the right time.

Tell us about your current book.

Enduring Love is the third and final book in the Sydney Cove Series, which began in London in 1804 where John Bradshaw and Hannah Talbot are both imprisoned and transported to New South Wales. The three books follow their lives during the birthing of Australia.

In book three, after overcoming crushing conditions John and Hannah settle into what they hope will be a life of love and contentment. However, their dreams are blown apart when Margaret, John’s first wife whom he believed to be dead, shows up in Sydney Town.

Uncertain what they ought to do, John and Hannah seek counsel from the church reverend. He informs them that their marriage is not legal and that John’s vows to his first wife must stand.

For John and Hannah all seems lost. They attempt to build new lives, separate from one another. John works to restore his relationship with Margaret while Hannah returns to her post as housemaid for a wealthy family in Parramatta.

Love cannot be terminated simply by decree, yet John and Hannah are determined to do the right thing. They place their lives in God’s hands, trusting in His will, yet wondering if this difficulty is too much even for God.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

When my mind begins to formulate a story it often begins with a theme and develops from there. In this book the questions that came to mind were, “What do we do when all seems lost. How do we trust God? And can we be certain He will answer our prayers?”

I believe God answers all prayer, but sometimes His will is not our will and the answer we receive may not be what we hope or expect. That’s where the muddle comes in when learning to walk by faith.

Also, at this stage of the series I wanted to throw a worst case scenario at John and Hannah, something that is impossible to overcome on their own.

I have a plan when I begin, but where a story comes from I don’t really know. Ideas and people whirl around in my mind and somehow or other end up on the page. It’s a mystery to me, but oh so much fun.

List your three most recent books.

My three most recent are book one in the Sydney Cove Series, To Love Anew, book two, Longings of the Heart, and the last book in the series is Enduring Love.

What’s next for you?

I’m in the midst of a new series with the working title of The Sleeping Lady. Book one is presently titled, Touching the Clouds. It’s the story of a woman called Kate who loves to fly, which is unusual for a woman in 1935. She leaves her home in Yakima, Washington and heads to Alaska, determined to become a bush pilot. Although she hopes to leave painful memories in the Yakima Valley, she carries their shadows with her. Kate has a lot to prove, maybe too much.

The story is full of fun, adventure and drama. I’m nearly finished with book one and having a great time.

Where can visitors find you online?

They can find me at www.bonnieleon.com. Kelli Standish of Pulse Point Design put together a great site for me. It’s a place people can stop by and get to know more about me and my writing. There is also a tips page for writers. Every week I share tidbits from God, things He’s been sharing with me. I have two blogs, one is called Quiet Moments With God and the other is Tips For Triumphant Living. I hope some of your readers will stop by and say hello.

Related Posts

1. INTERVIEW | Bonnie Grove
2. INTERVIEW | Sam Laing
3. INTERVIEW | Lyn Cote
4. INTERVIEW | James Scott Bell
5. Guest Blogger: Bonnie St. John