Welcome to Buzzing About Books, Anita! Congratulations on your recent release, A Question of Destiny! I am excited to share your interview and giveaway and appreciate your kindness and generosity.
Can you tell me a little bit about your novel, A Question of Destiny?
I’d be happy to. It’s basically a rags-to-riches story with a few surprises along the way. Here’s a short blurb to give you a few more details.
Lucy O’Brien is about to be given ten millions dollars and a chance to live a life she never imagined. Will this new found wealth be Lucy’s undoing, or can she rise above the temptations within high society and choose to become a nobler version of herself? And will the solitary Andrew Whitfield—a man who watches over Lucy as she adapts to her new lifestyle—cause her to close the door on her dreams or be the key that opens the rest of Lucy’s destiny?
How did you come up with this story?
I’ve always thought the rags-to-riches concept was fascinating. There’s so much ready-made conflict. Even though we’ve been told by the world that to receive a windfall would be an idyllic situation, in reality, a lot can go wrong. You can truly lose your way. In life, love, faith. Everything. Since a writer needs a lot of conflict to keep those lovely readers turning the pages, I thought this would be a good plot element to add to a love story.
In A Question of Destiny you have the hero loving the city while the heroine loves the country, and it becomes a sticky point between them. Where did you get your inspiration for this conflict?
I suppose both of these viewpoints are inside me. I grew up on a farm, but I now live near Houston. I love the city and the country equally, and so does my husband. So, we are building our retirement home in the country, but because of a soon-to-be-built freeway nearby, we will have access to the city. But I won’t tell you how my heroine and hero work out this intense disagreement!
What is the farthest place from home you’ve ever been?
Melbourne, Australia. I loved it there. It’s such a beautiful and fascinating city. So much so, I set part of a novel there, which was entitled, Winter in Full Bloom. I’d love to go back to Australia someday, but it’s expensive, and it’s a very, very long flight!
Want to share one of your dreams?
I would love to have one of my books made into a movie. Right now two of my novels are optioned for movies, so I’m hoping something exciting will transpire from that.
How long have you known that you wanted to be a writer?
Growing up I dreamed of telling stories. When I was very young I started working on a novel about a man from Mars who wanted to go to college in New York. I never finished that novel, but it left an impression on me. I knew deep down that writing was my dream, even though I didn’t get around to fulfilling it until I was in my thirties.
What do you hope your readers will come away with after reading one of your novels?
I would love for them to be inspired, challenged, and entertained. If I accomplish even one of those things I would feel my writing time wasn’t wasted.
If you could have dinner with two well-known people, who would they be?
Josh Groban, because his music inspires me and Leif Enger, because I love the way he writes.
Is there something about you most people wouldn’t know?
I love licorice ice cream, but it’s a rare find.
Any advice for new writers?
My advice would be, “Don’t rush the process. Take your time. Read and learn about the craft, network, and attend conferences. Start a blog, and find your own unique voice. Be faithful to your stories and write every day. If you really have a passion for writing, you won’t find my suggestions to be a punishment—but a pleasure.”
How can your readers connect with you?
I would love for you to visit my website at www.anitahigman.com and connect with me through the “Contact Me” button, or you can go to my Facebook Reader Page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnitaHigman.
GIVEAWAY- 3 Winners!!
Anita has graciously offered to give away two Kindle copies of A Question of Destiny and one novel-related gift, so 3 lucky winners will be drawn. This giveaway is open to US residents only and ends Saturday, November 29 at 11:59 pm CST.
Please leave a comment, including your email address. Just for fun, I would love for you to answer the following question.
What is one of your dreams?
To earn additional entries, you may do the following:
◦ Let me know you follow this blog, Buzzing About Books
◦ Sign up to follow this blog if you are not a follower
◦ Share this giveaway through Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or email
Be sure and leave a comment letting me know what you have done to earn additional entries. Good luck!
Buzzing About Books 
One of my dreams would be to go on an Alaskan cruise.. I’d love to visit The Land Down Under but.. I won’t fly or go across the big pond on a ship LOL.. I’ll just visit in books..
Congratulations on your recent release, A Question of Destiny!
dkstevensne AT outlook DOTCom
I have never desIred great wealth but I have dreamed of being debt-free. My basic needs have always been met and I am very grateful!
Connie
cps1950@gmail.com
I have shared through Twitter (@cps1950) and I also follow your blog.
Thanks for this interview and giveaway.
Connie
cps1950@gmail.com
I dream of traveling, alot! I love to especially travel to places where my ancestors lived, worked, married, died, and experience their lives as best as I can! sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com
a wonderful posting…would love to read this novel 😉
One of my dreams is to travel to Europe!
colorvibrant at gmail dot com
I follow via RSS feed and email!
Shared on twitter!
Hi Anita. I am one of your blog followers from Pasadena. And, I shared this on my Facebook page for my friends and family. I would love to visit Amish country, but, I know it is just that, a dream. I have never wished to be rich, but do wish I could have enough to visit some of my relatives that I never get to see. We are a large, scattered family. I would love to be one of your winners. I prefer prints but can finally read e-books. Thanks for the give-away. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com >
My dream is to have a bed and breakfast some day. I think it would be a lovely dream. I would like to one day move to my husband’s home town and open one there. I would also like it to have a little used book store. 🙂
KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com
I shared your interview and giveaway on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellyblackwell/status/538212121902075904
KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a blog follower and email subscriber via KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com
My dream vacation would be a cruise… Alaska or somewhere tropical!
I’m a follower.
I Tweeted.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Hi Anita, i could sure us some or the money that Lucy O’Brien was about to get.. I would sure love to get to read the book ” A Question of Destiny”. I have enjoyed all the books i have read of yours. One of my dream is to help my children out of debt. Good luck on your book.
One of my dreams is to visit all fifty states.
I am a follower and subscriber!
mauback55 at gmail dot com