Gina has moved 14 times and lived in 6 states. She served alongside her parents as missionaries in the Czech Republic. She spent a total of 15 months traveling around the United States visiting churches as a teen and young adult. She has visited 43 states and 14 countries on 4 continents.
She dreamed of being a writer from her early teen years and graduated from the Long Ridge Writer's Group "Breaking into Print" program in 2004. She graduated from Faith Bible Institute in 2005.
Whither Shall I Go? is her debut novel.
Interview
What made you want to become a writer?
I’ve always had a vivid imagination. As a child, I loved to make up stories for our Barbie dolls and playtime with our neighborhood friends. It seemed only natural to begin transcribing those thoughts into words on paper.
What is your book about?
“Whither Shall I Go?” is the story of one woman’s journey to follow God’s will in the midst of trials and tragedies. Ellie Williams, after losing both parents, is sent to live with her estranged aunt in New York City. Her aunt transforms her from country bumpkin to socialite heiress, but Ellie finds a greater purpose when she and the interning preacher, Robert Hampton, form a Sunday school for homeless orphans. When Robert is drafted into World War I, their hopes and dreams for a future together are dashed. Ellie seeks a new purpose and finds herself accompanying missionaries Marcus and Judith Smith to the Amazon Rainforest in a battle against anacondas, jaguars, and an antagonistic shaman. Ellie discovers God has a greater plan for her than she could have imagined.
Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
The theme of “Whither Shall I Go?” comes from Psalm 139. I focused on God’s grace in times of trial and the grand scheme of His plan for our lives. I love how those verses speak to God’s knowledge of our every part and his presence during the ups and downs that life brings our way.
What is your favorite part of the book?
Most of my favorite scenes warrant a spoiler alert, but I will share with you one scene that I love:
Ellie sat back against the bench and finished her lunch. He paced and waved his arms with enthusiasm. The little curl on his forehead bobbed. He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. Foremost was his unwavering love for God and an undying willingness to serve others. He was going to do remarkable things for God someday and she couldn’t help hoping she would be along for the journey.
Robert swallowed the last bite of his hotdog. “Finished?”
Ellie stood from the bench and stretched her back. Robert took her garbage and tossed it in a trash receptacle. He stared out in space for a moment and then turned with a huge grin.
He’s up to something. “What?”
“Come on. I’ve got an idea.” Robert took off at a fast pace.
Ellie jogged to keep up. “Slow down.”
“Sorry, I forgot.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
In the distance, she heard the calliope music and the carousel came into view. “I haven’t been here in years.”
Robert paid the fare and gave Ellie a hand. She used the foothold to mount side-saddle onto the wooden horse and straightened her skirt. Robert mounted the horse beside hers. When the carousel bolted forward, Ellie threw back her head and squealed. She caught Robert watching her and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He leaned across the open space between them and shouted over the music. “Have you heard the rumors?”
“What rumors?”
“They say a horse or maybe a mule is kept underground and is trained to walk when the carousel man thumps that big stick on the floor.” Ellie’s eyes widened at the thought. Robert grinned and righted himself on his horse.
When the music stopped, Robert came around and took Ellie’s hand. Their eyes met. Ellie held her breath. If he could see my heart, he’d know how much I’ve come to care for him. Does he feel the same or am I nothing more than an ally in his efforts to reach the forgotten children of New York City? When her shoes touched the earth, the spell broke. They walked toward 5th Avenue without a word. The music faded.
“So, this week’s Sunday school lesson is about Ruth and Boaz. Any thoughts?” Robert averted his eyes. His neck flushed.
“Umm, well…” She stopped moving and laughed awkwardly. “The purpose is to be an example of Christ our Kinsman Redeemer.”
“I was thinking about covering that angle as well. It leads into a great message on Salvation; which is the main goal of the Sunday school—to see the children brought to Christ.”
Ellie agreed, but her mind drifted to the love story between Ruth and Boaz.
They came to the fork in the trail, where Robert would head south to the parsonage and Ellie would continue east. “Will you be attending the church picnic next Saturday?” Robert asked. She nodded. “Then I’ll see you there, Ellie.” He strode away whistling a happy tune.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with? The character I am least likely to get along with is Paul Smith. He’s an unbeliever and his lifestyle goes against everything I stand for. He suffers from PTSD and chooses liquor to drown his sorrows. He has a terrible relationship with his parents and for most of the story wants nothing to do with God. But, his story is also one of redemption and restoration.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? Can anyone really say their characters are entirely from their imaginations? Our interactions with people and the world around us fashion so much of our thoughts and inner being. None of my characters are entirely based on real people, but my characters do have qualities of real people as part of their personalities. Take my character, Robert Hampton, for example—several things about his personality come directly from my husband, Daniel.
Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?
He’s up to something. “What?”
“Come on. I’ve got an idea.” Robert took off at a fast pace.
Ellie jogged to keep up. “Slow down.”
“Sorry, I forgot.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
In the distance, she heard the calliope music and the carousel came into view. “I haven’t been here in years.”
Robert paid the fare and gave Ellie a hand. She used the foothold to mount side-saddle onto the wooden horse and straightened her skirt. Robert mounted the horse beside hers. When the carousel bolted forward, Ellie threw back her head and squealed. She caught Robert watching her and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He leaned across the open space between them and shouted over the music. “Have you heard the rumors?”
“What rumors?”
“They say a horse or maybe a mule is kept underground and is trained to walk when the carousel man thumps that big stick on the floor.” Ellie’s eyes widened at the thought. Robert grinned and righted himself on his horse.
When the music stopped, Robert came around and took Ellie’s hand. Their eyes met. Ellie held her breath. If he could see my heart, he’d know how much I’ve come to care for him. Does he feel the same or am I nothing more than an ally in his efforts to reach the forgotten children of New York City? When her shoes touched the earth, the spell broke. They walked toward 5th Avenue without a word. The music faded.
“So, this week’s Sunday school lesson is about Ruth and Boaz. Any thoughts?” Robert averted his eyes. His neck flushed.
“Umm, well…” She stopped moving and laughed awkwardly. “The purpose is to be an example of Christ our Kinsman Redeemer.”
“I was thinking about covering that angle as well. It leads into a great message on Salvation; which is the main goal of the Sunday school—to see the children brought to Christ.”
Ellie agreed, but her mind drifted to the love story between Ruth and Boaz.
They came to the fork in the trail, where Robert would head south to the parsonage and Ellie would continue east. “Will you be attending the church picnic next Saturday?” Robert asked. She nodded. “Then I’ll see you there, Ellie.” He strode away whistling a happy tune.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with? The character I am least likely to get along with is Paul Smith. He’s an unbeliever and his lifestyle goes against everything I stand for. He suffers from PTSD and chooses liquor to drown his sorrows. He has a terrible relationship with his parents and for most of the story wants nothing to do with God. But, his story is also one of redemption and restoration.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? Can anyone really say their characters are entirely from their imaginations? Our interactions with people and the world around us fashion so much of our thoughts and inner being. None of my characters are entirely based on real people, but my characters do have qualities of real people as part of their personalities. Take my character, Robert Hampton, for example—several things about his personality come directly from my husband, Daniel.
Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?
I plan to release my next book sometime this year. If I were to imagine what will happen in five years, I would hope to have released a book through traditional publishing. My ultimate author fantasy is to publish a book through Bethany House Publishers.
Favorite Book?
Favorite Book?
“A Slender Thread” by Tracie Peterson. I read this book many years ago and just fell in love with the story. A recent favorite has been “Bringing Maggie Home” by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I find I am touched more deeply by family ‘sagas’ or dramas, than I am by traditional romance novels.
Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration comes from God’s love for us. When I think about the God of heaven having anything to do with us puny human beings, it strikes me with awe. I want my writing to bring honor and glory to His name and to share His love and His grace with the world.
Social Media Links
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Social Media Links
My website and blog: http://storiesbygina.wordpress
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Book Spotlight
I miss him too, Bitty, but God knows best. Someday you'll see." If only I could believe that...
In 1911, Ellie Williams struggles to see God's hand in her life when she loses both parents and is sent to live with her wealthy, estranged aunt, who transforms her from awkward country bumpkin to socialite heiress. Six years later, she meets a young preacher and finds hope as they serve the Lord together.
Robert Hampton is deeply devoted to God and desires to take the gospel to the unreached natives of Brazil. He didn't expect to fall in love. When he is drafted, Robert is torn between his duty as a soldier and his budding affections for Ellie. Will Robert survive the trenches? Will he lose the only woman he's ever loved?
Ellie's journey takes her from her home in Cades Cove, Tennessee, to the concrete jungle of New York City, and finally to the harsh unforgiving world of the Amazon River Basin, where she meets Paul, a doctor who's lost his way, and Jack, a soldier with amnesia. Encountering anacondas, jaguars, and an antagonistic shaman, will Ellie give in to the fears that threaten to overwhelm her?
Or can she depend upon God's grace to bring about His will for her life?
In 1911, Ellie Williams struggles to see God's hand in her life when she loses both parents and is sent to live with her wealthy, estranged aunt, who transforms her from awkward country bumpkin to socialite heiress. Six years later, she meets a young preacher and finds hope as they serve the Lord together.
Robert Hampton is deeply devoted to God and desires to take the gospel to the unreached natives of Brazil. He didn't expect to fall in love. When he is drafted, Robert is torn between his duty as a soldier and his budding affections for Ellie. Will Robert survive the trenches? Will he lose the only woman he's ever loved?
Ellie's journey takes her from her home in Cades Cove, Tennessee, to the concrete jungle of New York City, and finally to the harsh unforgiving world of the Amazon River Basin, where she meets Paul, a doctor who's lost his way, and Jack, a soldier with amnesia. Encountering anacondas, jaguars, and an antagonistic shaman, will Ellie give in to the fears that threaten to overwhelm her?
Or can she depend upon God's grace to bring about His will for her life?
Whither Shall I Go? combines compelling characters, sweet romance, vivid setting, and historical details in this emotionally-charged story of one woman's struggle to surrender to God's plan and allow His grace to work in her life. Can life take her anywhere that his hand does not lead and his presence cannot be found?
GiveAway
To enter for a ebook copy of Whither Shall I Go? share a story of following God’s will in the midst of trials and tragedies. LEAVE CONTACT INFO SO IF YOU ARE THE WINNER WE CAN CONTACT YOU.
My husband (fiance at the time) followed God's will by finishing his college finals, even though his grandpa's funeral was at that time. He really wanted to go, but the college couldn't guarantee that he would get credit for his classes, and he felt the Lord was telling him to take the finals instead. My email is liladiller78(dot)gmail(com)
ReplyDeleteHi Gina, I am thrilled to learn that you now live in my home state Kentucky. I am now involved in a situation that I never dreamed would happen and I must believe and trust in God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Following God's will is what I'm still doing 40 years later. I volunteer in the church library. The library is 75 years young and we have books for all ages from 0-100.
ReplyDeleteHence my name, "Library Lady".
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Random. org picked the number 3 so Library Lady wins
ReplyDelete