Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Guest Post & Book Excerpt with Diane Chamberlain, author of The Good Father & Giveaway

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The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain is touring for the rest of April and all of May with Book Trib!  I am excited to be the first stop on this great blog tour that is packed full with reviews, author Q&A sessions, guest blog posts, and giveaways!  In addition on each blog tour stop an excerpt will be revealed until, at the very end, you have enjoyed all of Chapter 1.  To make this blog tour even more exciting Book Trib will be featuring Diane Chamberlain LIVE on their homepage where readers will be able to ask her questions and this will be happening on May 31st at 3 pm ET so make sure to mark your calendars!

 

(Click on the Picture to be taken directly to the Book Trib site)

 

I’ve been a fan of Diane’s for a while now so I’m excited to welcome her here today on Peeking Between the Pages with a guest post so please enjoy as Diane discusses Using personal stories in writing: do or don’t?…

 

Every writer has to decide for herself how autobiographical to make a novel. First novels often tend to be the most autobiographical because those personal stories are itching to be told. But what will the author write about for book two? Or three? Or twenty? I discovered early on that writing from personal experience didn’t serve me well. First, as thrilling as my personal stories were to me, I doubted they’d be that exciting to my readers—unless I told the really juicy ones, and I wasn’t going there! Second, personal stories rarely involve only one person, and I would never be comfortable writing about other “real people” in one of my books.

Even worse than using my own experience is using someone else’s. When I was a new writer, I also had a private psychotherapy practice. I decided not to tell any of my clients about my fledgling second career, not wanting them to worry I might use something they told me in confidence. However, after an article about me appeared in the local paper, I knew I had to come clean. I told every potential client that I was a fiction writer but would never use something I heard in my office in my writing. Then I allowed them to make the decision whether to work with me or not. Despite hearing some very intriguing/moving/amazing stories, I kept that promise.

What I do incorporate into my books, though, is what I’ve learned about people in general from my work as a social worker. For example, many of my books have a strong medical element in them influenced by my years as a hospital social worker, when I had the privilege of witnessing people at their most vulnerable, their most courageous, their most human. Although I never use specific people or situations in my novels, what I learned from working with people influences everything I write.

 

And the Book Excerpt:

1
Travis
Raleigh, North Carolina
October 2011

It was nine-forty when I woke up in the back of the van. Nine-forty! What if Erin had already left the coffee shop by the time we got there? What if she’s not there? That sentence kept running through my head as I got Bella up and moving.

 

Click here to follow the rest of the blog tour and to check out the other excerpts to come…

 

About The Good Father

Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown made a choice: to raise his newborn daughter on his own. While most of his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home, changing diapers and worrying about keeping food on the table. He’s never regretted his decision: Bella is the light of his life. But after Travis loses his job and his home, the security he’s worked so hard to create for his daughter begins to crumble. When he receives a job offer, he thinks his troubles have come to an end . . . not realizing that they’ve only just begun.

Reading Guide
Buy The Good Father at Amazon.com, Indiebound, B&N, and Amazon.ca

 

About Diane Chamberlain

Diane Chamberlain is an award-winning author of 20 novels published in more than 11 languages. She writes complex stories about love, compassion and forgiveness.

Her books, which are often set in her home state of North Carolina, feature a combination of family drama, intrigue and suspense.

Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She also lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia before making North Carolina her home.

Diane received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C. She also was a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.

Diane’s background in psychology and her work in hospitals have given her a keen interest in understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create real, living, breathing characters.

Several years ago Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which has changed the way she works—she sometimes types using voice recognition software. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she is able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.

Diane lives with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her shelties, Keeper and Jet.

Diane’s website
Diane’s blog
Find Diane on Facebook
Follow Diane on Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 12/12.  Good luck to all!

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Comments

  3. Oh, this sounds a bit like The Pursuit of Happyness. That story was so good. Any story about a parent losing their job is heartbreaking.

    Diane Chamberlain is one accomplished lady! I’m so impressed!

  4. I’ve only read one of Diane Chamberlain’s books, but it was a good one! I would love the chance to win this one.

    I am a follower through GFC as well.

    jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

  5. OH! I LOVE Diane Chamberlain!!!!!! I didn’t even read your post yet, I got so excited! I have read almost everything by her, one of my favs!

    Please enter me (duh)
    I am a follower
    I will post it on my sidebar

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  7. It sounds good – would love to find out what happens to the father and daughter after Dad loses his job.

  13. Thanks for this great giveaway. I have read Diane Chamberlain’s books which are memorable. I subscribe via e-mail.

  14. Fascinating story which interests me. A wonderful author whose books are special. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  19. I thoroughly enjoy Diane Chamberlain books and would love to win a copy of this one! I’m new to your blog and look forward to follwing it.

  20. I would love to read more of this story. I want to see why the new job may be the beginning of his problems.

  23. Oh man, I think if I were seeing a therapist and she confided that she was an author, I would totally have to tell her to leave me out of her work! It’s pretty cool, actually, that she didn’t use that information, and gives me a lot of respect for her. I will be interested in finding out more about her work now! Please do include me in your giveaway, Dar, and thanks for hosting it!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  24. I just love her books! My overzealous recommendations have made her a favorite of my moms as well :). Thanks for a chance to win a copy!

  26. I’d love to read this, thanks for the giveaway ^_^
    I am a follower

    faefever25 at hotmail dot com

  35. Being a single parent is difficult at best but a single father seems nearly impossible. I’m eager to read THE GOOD FATHER.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  37. I love Diane Chamberlain and have read all her books. I follow your blog…If I don’t win it I will ask for it for Mother’s Day!

  38. Really love Diane Chamberlain’s books. They always seem to speak directly to me, good or bad! Thanks for the chance to win this one!!

  48. +1 I have yet to read a book by this author so I’d love to win.

    +2 blog follower

    + 3 tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  50. This is a twist on single parenthood. Can’t wait to read this!

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  53. I’m looking forward to reading this book. thanks for the chance to win it.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  56. The book sounds pretty amazing, although I’ve never read the author. Just to let oyu know, I tweeted and followed your blog under the name Cbeta Fiberson on Facebook.