June 23, 2009

Anne McDonald: Let's get started. Others will be slipping in and will join us as they can.  I'll open in prayer, go over protocol and then introduce tonight's guest. 

Lord, thank You so much for loving us so much. Thank You for letting us enjoy Your creation and Your grace. Please be with each of our chat participants tonight....bless their socks off…and be with those who want to be here, but cannot. Please meet them at their need.  Help us to glorify You in our conversation tonight. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Protocol reminder: When the floor is open to questions, please raise your hand by typing ? for questions, ! for comments, and wait to be called on in turn. To keep us from stepping on each others' toes, when  you have finished entering your text, please type ga ga = go ahead 

Tonight, I'm excited to introduce Deborah Vogts. Her debut novel Snow Melts In Spring releases in July. Thanks for joining us tonight, Deb. So glad you could join us.  

Deborah Vogts: Thanks for having me, Annie! 

Anne McDonald: Could you give us a brief blurb about your novel?  

Deborah Vogts: Sure, Mattie Evans is a young veterinarian in the Flint Hills of Kansas and she saves a horse that's been injured in a car accident.  But she also finds herself tending the wounded relationship between a father & son. 

Anne McDonald: How long did it take you to go from writing your story to publication? 

Deborah Vogts: It took quite a while. I had my first agent in 2006 and received word about the offer in 2008. But the actual writing took maybe 9-12 months of actual writing. 

Lukedamouse: Where did you get your story idea from? 

Deborah Vogts: In college I took a summer course on the Flint Hills Folklife. We had in class work, but also took day trips into the Flint Hills. Driving for miles in the pastures with no cars, electric lines, etc.  That's where I fell in love with the Flint Hills and that's where the story begins. 

Anne McDonald: What was the most challenging part of writing for you?