My good blogging friend Marilynn Griffith has a book coming out at the end of the month…and everyone of you HAVE GOT TO GO BUY IT! I got my copy of Made of Honor in the mail a couple days ago. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed every minute of it.

Marilynn, Thanks for coming to my blog and answering questions about your wonderful book.

HDT:   I loved your book, Made of Honor, what was your favorite part of writing it?

MG: Heather, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I loved writing all of it really (except for the times when I got stuck). I'd never written anything novel length in first person so it was a wild ride. There were also a few characters who just sort of showed up and started talking (Austin, Shemika). I love when that happens.

HDT:   You know I'm all about the journey, tell me a little about this journey you are on currently?

MG: Ohhh...the journey. How much time do we have? LOL My journey has recently take some curves and turns but the goal is still the same--Jesus. Writing is often a discovery for me and only when the book is done and someone else points it out do I see how I was learning along with my characters. Even though it's been almost three years since I started MADE OF HONOR, Dana's journey is still my own, trying to love God and allow Him to love me, two simple but difficult things.

HDT:   When you are writing how does what is happening to you spiritually effect your writing?

MG:  It's huge. There are some times that I feel like "I can't write today, I'm just not in the right place," yet when I press ahead God meets me on the page and I find myself on my knees right at my computer. Other times, I just need to spend time with the Lord and take care of my family and come back to the story. I get most of my great ideas in church!

HDT:   Your theme in the book was You are fearfully and Wonderfully Made. Is this a part of the journey God has taken you on?

MG:  It is. I think as women living in a world plastered with images of unattainable perfection, it's easy to forget how beautiful we are to God and how much He loves us and intimately wants to know us. Receiving that kind of love and knowing I am the Bride of Christ even when I feel like the Bride of Frankenstein is such a big deal. Moms have loads of guilt anyway, so I still have to really work at keeping this in mind and trying to look at myself and others with God's eyes.

HDT:   What was your first feeling/thought when you held your first copy of your book in your hands?

MG:  Total meltdown. I stood outside my front door and bawled like a baby. The poor teenage boy across the street is probably still waiting for my strait jacket to arrive. I was just so overwhelmed with thankfulness. It was a long ride.

HDT:   Who is the most influential person on your writing?

MG:  Hmmm...that's hard. It changes. I can be really into a certain author or musician for a while and then not read them or listen to them for a while. In truth, I'd have to say my husband. Though he doesn't always get what I'm doing, he believes in me. He's done everything possible to make this happen for me. When something is up with him, it's hard for me to concentrate. We're a team in that way.

HDT:   What do you want the take away from Made of Honor to be?

MG:  Delight yourself in the Lord. Let Him delight in you. Dream the impossible even if it hurts. We've had a hard year around the world and many people are hurting. It's hard to hope when you're hurting. I pray that someone can take away a mustard seed of faith, a sprinkle of hope. I'd love to have someone laugh through her tears.

HDT:   And now, because I suck at being a journalist, I'm giving you free reign to say anything you like.

MG:  Actually, Heather, you're pretty good! This is like the zillionth interview so I won't say too much for those who are keeping up, but I really do want to thank you Heather and Camy Tang for putting this tour together. The friendship and grace that everyone has extended to me on this tour is a lot of what MADE OF HONOR is about--friends, faith, fun. If you enjoyed this interview, do drop by my website at www.MarilynnGriffith.com and say hello!

HDT:  Marilynn, thank you so much for coming to do this, it's been an honor.

MG:  The pleasure is all mine.