Welcome to this week's edition of the Scribbler. So happy to have D G Kaye join us. She is also sharing an excerpt from her latest novel. A special note is that Debby is an author's best friend. She has been most kind in introducing her readers to other authors and we are all indebted. Please see her links below.
(Copyright of this material is owned by D G Kaye. Used with permission)
Hi
Allan. I’d first like to thank you very much for inviting me here today to
introduce myself and share my books.
I'm
a nonfiction memoir writer who writes about life, matters of the heart and
women's issues. I write to inspire others by sharing my stories about events I
encountered, and the lessons that come along with them, hoping to inspire
others.
I
love to laugh, and self-medicate with a daily dose of humor. I’m kind of the
‘glass half full’ sort of girl. When life is throwing curveballs or lemons, I
try to look on the bright side and the goodness in everything else I am
grateful for. And usually in hindsight, I can find something to laugh about a
previously not so funny situation. And then most likely, I’ll be writing about
it. But when I'm not writing intimate memoirs, you'll find me writing with
humor in some of my other works and blog/social media posts.
When
I was a young child, I was very observant about my surroundings. Growing up in
a tumultuous family life, otherwise known as a broken home, kept me on guard
about the on-and-off-going status of my parents’ relationship. I often wrote
notes and journaled about the dysfunction that I grew up in. By age seven I was
certain I was going to grow up to be a reporter.
Well
life has a funny way of taking detours. Instead, I moved away from home at
eighteen with a few meager belongings and a curiosity for life. I finished
university and changed careers a few times, as I worked my way up to managerial
positions. I’ve worked in the fashion industry, travel industry, hotel and
hospitality, managed an architectural firm, a construction company, and a real
estate office. I’ve bought, renovated and sold quite a few houses too. So, all
in all, I’m a Jill of many trades. But despite all my experience, I always
wrote and dreamed about someday writing books. It took me a few decades to get
serious about my writing, but I made it. My drive to succeed at anything I put
my mind to led me to having a very colorful and eventful life, which gives me
plenty of material to write about.
Ever
the optimist, that is me. I've conquered quite a few battles in life; health
and otherwise, and my refusal to accept the word No, or to use the words 'I
can't' have kept me on a positive path in life. I love to tell stories that
have lessons in them, and hope to empower others by sharing my own experiences.
My
current WIP is about aging and relationships and marriage, when one partner
becomes a senior and the other isn’t quite yet there.
Once
again, thank you so much for having me here today Allan. It was a pleasure to
be invited here and I look forward to chatting here with some of your readers.
Excerpt
– P.S. I Forgive You
The End is Near
My
mother had been dying for years, and through those years she refused to
surrender her bitterness and remained in denial of her flaws. The many times I
heard she was dying reminded me of the boy who cried wolf. I almost believed
she was invincible, and even though I never wanted her to suffer, she did.
I
thought it was just a horrible and sad way to die—holding hatred for those she
had chased out of her life, living in bitter seclusion, knowing her days were
numbered. Her once vibrant life had diminished into a mere existence of
watching TV and complaining. She’d also given all her caregivers a difficult
time, bitching at them all and letting them know how useless they were to her
because of what her life had become. Nobody was exempt.
I
asked my brother Robby why God didn’t just take her out of her misery and pain
during one of the many times she was on the brink of death. Why would he not
spare her from suffering? He replied, “God has his own plans.” I couldn’t help
but wonder if he was letting her suffer because she had hurt so many people in
her lifetime, but in my next thought I couldn’t believe God would play those
cruel games, tit for tat.
I
wondered what thoughts had to have been going through my mother’s head. How
awful it must have been to know her time left on earth was limited. I thought
about how frightened she must have felt in her lonely world, although she’d
never admit it. I was sad for her, knowing that the anger and bitterness she
displayed was a front for the depressed state of her pathetic life. I couldn’t
fathom why she remained so obstinate in her resolve to spend what little time
she had left wallowing in misery instead of embracing the end and making amends
with her children. I wanted to fix her, but I didn’t know how.
Her
formerly grand life had diminished into a tiny existence. She no longer
flaunted her beauty to all who idolized her. Her schemes to extract money from
my brothers to support her gambling pleasures were no longer effective. Three
of her children had already exited her life because of her verbal abuse. There
was nobody left to fall prey to her demands.
I
hurt for her. She wasn’t much of a mother, but she was still my mother.
“Live Laugh Love . .
. And Don’t Forget to Breathe!”
“For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”
When I’m not writing, I’m
reading or quite possibly looking after some mundane thing in life. It's also
possible I may be on a secret getaway trip, as traveling is my pon.
My
favorite reading genres are: biographies, memoirs, bookwriting, spirituality, and natural health. I love to read stories about
people who overcome adversity, victories, and redemption. I believe we have to
keep learning—there is always room for improvement!
I
love to cook and concoct new recipes (and I don't believe in measuring cups),
travel, and play poker (although I seldom get the chance), oh, and did
I mention travel?
Connect with me!
My Website: http://www.dgkayewriter.com
Author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/dgkaye7
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dgkaye
About me: http://www.wiseintro.co/dgkaye7
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@pokercubster (yes there’s a story)
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dgkaye7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dgkaye
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dgkaye
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dgkaye7
Book Links:
Thank you for having me over Allan, to share a bit about myself and my books. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Allan! This is great! I always enjoy reading about Debby and her books. Great excerpt.
ReplyDeleteHi Vashti. Thanks so much for popping over and your kind words as always. <3
DeleteIt is my pleasure having you as a guest Debby. I always like discovering more about my fellow authors.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Vashti and your nice comments.
Thanks again Allan. I'll be reblogging this on the weekend. :)
DeleteOh, such a poignant but wonderful insight to how you think/observe/ and 'make the most' of life, Debbie. Thanks to both.x
ReplyDeleteThanks you much for your compliment Judith. :) xo
DeleteLots to like about this interview. I especially love that Allan points out what a friend Deb is to other authors. I can say from personal experience: Yes--she is!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch Jacqui. You are most kind my friend. :) <3
DeleteThanks for visiting Judith and Jacqui. It's a treat having Debby visit. Thanks for your comments. I hope you'll visit the Scribbler again sometime.
ReplyDeleteHi Allan, you are so right...'we are indebted to Debbie'...she is an Angel, an awesome friend. Thanks for hosting her here, I liked reading more about her.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Balroop for your very kind praise. :) <3
DeleteSo nice to see Debby here, Allan. You, too, are a great friend to authors, as you consistently post author interviews and followups. And Deb, my Sicilian grandmother would have loved you! She owned neither a measuring cup nor measuring spoons 😊💛
ReplyDeleteLol, and thanks so much T for your lovely compliments. I had to laugh at your Italian grandmother not using measuring instruments. I always envisioned Italians being the best and most concise cooks. Maybe I'll consider a cooking episode, flying by the seat of my pants like I often write, lol. :) xoxo
DeleteWelcome, Deb. You have no trouble flying by the seat of your pants! It's one of your best qualities :) ��
DeleteThanks so much T. <3
DeleteThank you Tina and Balroop for visiting the Scribbler and leaving such lovely comments.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Allan. A pleasure ��
DeleteI follow D.G. Kaye's blog and have read one of her books (and hope to read the rest soon) and love to find out more about her, especially in her own words. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Olga for coming over here to visit and leaving your most kind words. :) x
DeleteThank you for visiting Olga.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a little more of your journey here, Debby.
ReplyDeleteGreat to learn more about D. J Kaye, another Canadian author. I love her positive attitude!
ReplyDeleteOf course a great interview.. and Debby's books are well worth reading.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you here, Debby. "I don't believe in measuring cups..." :-D I don't, either.
ReplyDelete