INTERVIEW WITH MARLENE BURLING

GENRE: Spritual

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After my husband passed away, my children encouraged

me to get on Face Book. I began writing what I called “mini

devotions” 5 days a week, just wanting my writing to be an

encouragement to others. After hearing, “You should write a

book,” from several readers, this is exactly what happened.

My “posts” developed into 365 day devotionals.

This is actually my second book. The first one which is

called, “Morning Walks with God,” is similar in the fact that it,

too, is a 365 devotional book. Each day is a separate topic, in

each of the books, mostly 1 page each day.

JDBOOKS has the privilege of an interview with author MARLENE BURLING

Where do you live and is that the setting for your novel?

I live in Batavia, NY. There is no particular setting for my book.

It is a daily devotional book with different topics every day. 

Was it something that you experienced?

Each day is written with encouragement in various ways.

I have used personal examples from my own life; I’ve used

metaphors using animals, birds, flowers, innadimate objects,

with a spiritual application, and of course Bible stories and

characters. One book ends with the same 3 questions each

day, where “A Daily Walk with God,” end with a prayer

relevant to the topic.

Your book is a Spiritual story. What drew you to the genre?

I am a born-again Christian. My life centers around the Lord

Jesus Christ. I want my readers to know that no matter what

they are going through, God is there for them. He loves them

and wants them to draw closer to himself, to rely on his

strength—not their own, in any situation. Jesus never fails.

Do you think writers need to feel strong, emotions in order to write a spiritual book?

I think their relationship with God and his Son, Jesus Christ, is

very important. It needs to be genuine and sincere, not a

surface relation but an inner, heart-changed relationship. If

you are going to write about prayer, for instance, you need to

know that you can actually talk to God and that He will hear

and answer; perhaps not in the way they expect, but He does

answer.

In one of my blog pieces, I discuss how to approach writing a book, but it is mainly targeted towards those who want to write spiritual books. What advice would you give someone on how to approach writing a book?

Perhaps ask:

What has God been doing in my life? What has He taught

me?

Is there a particular area of life (perhaps my own that God has

helped me with).

Have there been health issues, losses I have had to deal

with; family problems? How did God help me? How can I

express this to help others?

Is there a particular story of my life that needs to be shared?

How can it encourage others?

If you could give your younger self some advice about the writing process, what would it be?

Be willing to “hang in there” for the long process.

Don’t be discouraged when the editing process starts. It will

be worth it.

What time do you usually start writing and what do you find the hardest part about the writing process?

Mornings are my best time for writing. I’ve gotten a lot of

my ideas on a morning walk – hence, the title of my first

book, “Morning Walks with God.”

Just getting an idea is often the hardest part for me. But,

again, as I pray and ask the Lord to help me even with

this, He’s has shown me ideas and led me to scripture to

support the thoughts.

How has writing changed you?

Because of the nature of my writing, I have become more

aware of people, things, events going on around me, etc.

and can find spiritual examples in them which I often still

share on my weekly blog on my own web site.

I believe it has drawn me even closer to God.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

My most relaxing thing to do is play the piano.

I also enjoy gardening (flowers).

Visiting my 3 children and their spouses, 10

grandchildren and 7 great grand children

I am also a speaker and have developed a workshop for

widows and singles (“There’s Life After Loss”) which I

love presenting wherever I can.

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MSJJ

Its my pleasure of hosting interview with author Ms.MARLENE BURLING writer of the amazing book A DAILY WALK WITH GOD. knowing this woman of God inspire me too with her daily devotion's with her personal experienced encountering God. I encourage you to read her book.