Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Deb Dulworth: Artist, Author, Dreamer



Deb Dulworth is the other half of the writing team (Dulworth/Hanna) who came up with Reflections of a Stranger, a cozy mystery, released in 2012. Currently, they're working on their second writing project, a romantic comedy called Pressed Flowers

Deb is one of the nicest people I know. I met her early after she and Linda started coming to Indiana Chapter's American Christian Fiction Writers events when they first collaborated on their story. It was a delight when I'd heard they had published their story. 

On Monday, her co-author, Linda Hanna, shared her kid story. Today Deb is sharing her story of when she was just a kid. She grew up much like most of the "creatives" do--reading, day-dreaming, writing and drawing.We recognize our own kindred spirits--and Deb is a kindred spirit to the rest of the "kids" listed here. Come read her story: 

Deb and Terry 
"Reading and drawing were my interests in my early years. Positive reactions from my family and friends kept me to sketching. I thought of being an artist.
Extremely shy and quiet, I always wondered if people thought I was stuck-up. But in truth, I was backward and withdrawn.

Sorry to say I was not an impressive straight-A student. While peering out the window in school, I made up stories and doodled. One incident: My teacher called my name, “You see something interesting out there?” Of course, I slunk down in my seat and made more of an effort to pay attention.

There was a time when my Pinocchio and Donald Duck puppets were allowed to go to school with me. The off-the-wall antics of the original odd couple drew much attention from my classmates. The kids took turns acting out stories with me. This brought a few minutes of popularity during one recess.

Our family vacations were in the Smokies and Blue Ridge Mountains one summer, and the next year we’d go to Mackinac Island and other sites in Michigan. In earlier days, my aunt and uncle and their kids went with us. As years went by I took friends when cousins weren’t available.


Also during the summer months, when I was small, while most kids were occupied with sports, I had books to read and drawing to keep me busy. Mom took me to the library and I’d bring back an armload of children’s books. The illustrations attracted my attention, and the stories had me engrossed in the characters’ adventures. I read so many Uncle Remus tales, the speaking pattern was ingrained in my skull. “Dat der tar baby, he don say nutin’.” 

Hence, my first culture shift experience when I had to go back to school.
My aunts, uncles and cousins were baseball/football fans. But I had to be the black sheep of the Huston clan – hated sports altogether. The endowment of knobby knees and off-kilter balance hindered any chances of being athletic. The oddest looks came from family if my interest in reading or art happened to leak out. One might’ve thought I was an implant from some ionized Huckleberry- Di Vinci planet.

The thought of writing didn’t hit home until Literature class. Our teacher had us write out what we did during the summer. I had this story to share:

A friend, her two sisters and I found some matches in a church yard that happened to be across the alley from friends’ house. Well, one of us, (who will remain nameless), assured the other girls that a campfire would be a great idea. We built a ring of good-sized rocks, laid sticks in it and lit them.
All went well, until one of us decided to put the fire out…with… a bale of dried grass. Need I say more? 

The little fire went ballistic in a second and licked the branches of the tree standing in front of the church. The fear of the Lord hit me. I imagined God Almighty flailing huge chards of lightning at me.

We were so far from the girls’ house, their garden hose wouldn’t reach. So we found a sand bucket, and got water from their outdoor spigot. The four of us lined up across the lawn and had the most pitiable bucket brigade going. Water sloshed out of the bucket as we switched off and ran to the next person. By the time the last girl got to the fire, there may have been a tablespoon of water left.

No, we didn’t put the fire out. A neighbor girl squirted a stream of water from their garden hose across the street. She was the same age as my friend and I. We went to school with her. What humiliation. And, to my amazement, God did not strike me dead on the spot.

The name of my booklet was entitled: If Mother Only Knew. It was tacked on the bulletin board for all to admire. And it was the first time teachers gave me actual pats on the back. By the way, I also illustrated it. I’d made it to the “Big Time.” 

However, the story was out and soon our mothers would know about it. So I hid it under my mattress for a long time. No worries, I always had to make my own bed.

I’ve not see that book for a long time. It must have disintegrated in the washer or something.

The Lord reached out to me in many ways through the years, but I wasn’t sure what to do with those moments. He made a big difference in my life in my senior year of high school when my folks divorced. Some of my friends, who I know now the Lord led them to me, allowed God to use them. I’m so thankful to those who took the time and cared.

Spring 1970, I remember lying in bed and arguing with God that I was a good person. Events of my past slipped before my eyes like an old-time movie clip. No Keystone Cops, though. Sinful thoughts, words and actions had me fastened to the mattress. My pillow wet with perspiration. I was guilty. My soul was filthy.

I made amends by asking forgiveness, but I had a favor. I asked Him to not let my life be boring. (I’ve often wondered if that was a bad thing. Ha!) The next morning, my best friend heard of my change. She took me through town, to those who’d prayed for me for years. She wanted me to tell EVERYONE what had happened. That friend, and her folks, are now with the Lord. I thank Him for making them and others a part of my life.

God has led me through many changes though different experiences. He has given me a terrific, sweet husband who backs me up. We have a daughter who sings for the Lord in a women’s trio and works at Grace College in northern Indiana. Our son was adopted from the Philippines in 1990. God has definitely used Rolly to keep my life from boredom.



My friend, Linda and I met in 1989 and have served the Lord through different arenas. We were co-directors of mature adult groups for three churches in fifteen years. We’ve gone through thick and thin together during various life changing events.

At first, writing a book was on a lark, but God has used it. This cozy mystery is a symbol to us of His grace and direction." ~ Deb Dulworth, 2013. 

Reflections of a Stranger is a story about a woman who just so happens, has many of Linda's and my own actions and reactions laid right out there for the readers to grasp. Fortunately, we’ve not gone through the same situations Cora was in. She lost her only daughter, removed herself from others, and became cynical of God’s ways. The poor gal had no clue her decisions would take her life on a strange, three-wheeled trolley ride. Through it all, God shows her the way to peace with a wonderful future.


Reflections of a Stranger 
by Linda Hanna and Deborah Dulworth


  • Paperback: 284 pages
  • Publisher: Harbourlight Books (August 24, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1611161908
  • ISBN-13: 978-1611161908
  • Kindle File Size: 457 KB
  • Print Length: 284 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group (Harbourlight Books)) (August 23, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0091XFU5W
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled 
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled 
  • Lending: Enabled
Cora and her husband, PGA golf pro Steady Eddie Timms, live in a safe gated community. So when Cora witnesses a murder, she’s shocked and frightened. But without a body, murder weapon, or evidence of a crime, Her sanity is called into question—especially when it comes to light that she’s not been dealing well with the stress and grief of losing a daughter, and her memory of late hasn’t been all it should be.

Determined to prove her sanity, Cora bursts into a flurry of danger and unanswered questions as she sets out to find evidence of foul play. With the help of a bumbling security guard, a loyal best friend, and a neighbor’s yappy dog, pieces finally fall into place. By all appearances, the mystery is solved…until Cora is kidnapped and implicated in a case of hidden identity and an old embezzlement scheme.



----    ----    ----
Linda and I are now speaking at different dinners, parties, and women’s groups. We’d love to appear at your event to share our experiences in growing up, writing, and of course, our book, if you are in the Indiana area. 



FREEBOOKFREEBOOKFREEBOOKFREEBOOKFREEBOOK

Winner! Comment from 
Cathy Baldwin: 
I really enjoyed this, Linda. And I always remember you as that cute little girl.
She has been informed and Linda and Deb will see that she receives their book, Reflections of a Stranger!  

Monday, May 6, 2013

Linda Hanna: Preacher's Kid with a Blessing of Humor


Linda Hanna is one of the funniest people I know. Even when times are difficult, her good humor will win out. She grew up in a pastor's home and while some PKs have stories of bitterness and ill will, Linda's is full of good memories and happiness in spite of her shyness because of moving so much. 

She aspired to be a wife and a mother when she was just a kid, but also an animator and writer (thus, why I connect with her on a heart level because those were my aspirations too. )

Linda is funny, but she has a heart full of compassion and love for her fellow humans, which is why I think you'll love her life story as much as I do:  (And she was a cutie...still is!)





Childhood Ambition: I wanted to be a wife and mother, which may sound a little boring to some, but that’s where my heart was and still is. I also wanted to be an animator and a writer.




Proudest Moment (from back then): I was a very quiet and shy girl, and had a hard time sticking up for myself. I was seven years old before it finally happened. Let me tell you the story.

It wasn't our first move, but it was definitely the first one I remember. This little western town's culture and local customs were vastly different from what I was used to.

Since most of the kids my age lived on ranches and were saddled with lots of chores, I developed a wonderful relationship with our neighbor. Tag was a lonely old widower who happened to be the town marshal. His kids were all grown up and out seeking their fortunes. Since my own grandparents lived so far away, Tag quickly became my surrogate grandpa, and we each filled a void for the other. I was a pretty good whistler and he'd listen to my mini-concerts and encourage me. He'd been a great whistler, too, in his pre-denture days. He built two swings in his backyard for me and every time he'd go into town, I'd get a candy bar! He was a great guy in every way. Except one.

Tag just loved to play practical jokes on me. I can't begin to guess how many times he successfully locked me in the chicken coop or soaked me with hose water. I would take it for just so long before my feelings would get hurt, and I'd feel the need to give that rascal a taste of his own medicine. Even though my attempts were very amateurish compared to his well thought out pranks, he waited awhile before he pulled any more tricks.




One day, I gritted my teeth from another long string of his shenanigans. That man was so proud of himself, and I figured it was high time to teach him a lesson he'd never forget. I had no idea of what that would be yet, just that I was the woman to do it.

Tag had a big garden. He always bemoaned the fact that the rabbits ate more of his lettuce and carrots than he did. Often, he’d go outside with his shotgun and binoculars and patiently wait for one of those varmints to munch on his veggies.

Once in a while, Lady Luck just smiles your way, and this was my time. There Tag was, in his driveway, leaning against his old Nash as he watched for rabbits. His binoculars hung around his neck and his gun was propped by the car. I was busy swinging when he softly called me over. He laughed, handed me the binoculars. "Get a load of that." He pointed to the garden adjacent to his own, and I peered through the lenses.

I saw his heavyset neighbor, Mae, wearing short shorts and was leaning over to pull weeds. Her more-than-ample backside was aimed right at us. Tag couldn't control his chuckles. A wonderful idea came to me as I giggled and handed the binoculars back to him. He hung them around his neck.

As nonchalantly as possible, I went to the other side of his car as he resumed his watch for more bunnies through those binoculars. I gave the loudest, longest wolf-whistle of my short life, and then ducked down behind the Nash to watch the scenario unfold.

Mae shot to an upright position and spun around. There stood Tag with his face beet red, and the binoculars still lifted mid-air. Poor man laughed in spite of himself. Mae stormed inside her house and slammed the door, obviously not appreciative of her fresh neighbor's musical remark. I thought he’d be very angry with me. However, he couldn't stop laughing. All he could say was, "Wow! I taught you well."

I'm sure he thought he had a tiger by the tail because thankfully, he stopped pranking his little neighbor girl who finally developed a backbone.

Biggest Challenge as a Child or Teen: My dad was a pastor and we moved around a lot. By the time I was 14, we had lived in 7 states. Being quiet and shy, it was difficult for me to always be the new kid on the block.



Childhood Indulgence: My childhood indulgence was daydreaming. My creative mind was like a whirling dervish and never seemed to stop. Sometimes (most of the time) all it took was one word to send my poor ADD brain ricocheting off the walls.




Favorite Childhood Movie and/or TV Show: I loved Bonanza and had a major crush on Adam Cartwright. I also loved Candid Camera. But I think my favorite shows were the Hanna/Barbera and Warner Brothers cartoons. The Flintstones and Jetsons topped my list. I was fascinated by the way cartoons were made—one frame at a time. In fact, one summer, my best friend and I pretended to be animators for the Flintstone Branch of Hanna/Barbera, Inc. After about a week, Tina and I decided that it wasn’t enough to be just simple everyday cartoonists, oh, no. We wanted to be in charge. So, we ‘married’ the bosses! Since I was a little older than Tina, I got to marry William Hanna (top billing, don’t ya know) and she married Joseph Barbera. As Paul Harvey would say, “Here’s the rest of the story.” One state, three moves and ten years later, I really did marry William Hanna, just not the cartoon mogul. 
(CM: LOL! The irony of a writer's life.)

Favorite Childhood Book: I had a couple Bible story books – one had wonderful pictures in them. I remember one of a child’s bedroom back in Bible times. For some reason, I was mesmerized by it and thought about what that little boy or girl did in there. What kind of toys did they have? The window didn’t have screens or glass, so did they ever fall out? The bed appeared quite hard. Was it more comfortable than it looked? I also enjoyed fairy tales. Mom read them to me quite often from the book she had as a little girl.




Did you pass notes or have a pen pal as a child? Yes to both. Since we moved around a lot, I kept in touch with some the friends I left behind. Later on, in middle school, my best friend was Barb, and we passed notes a lot. Barb’s high IQ always amazed me, however one day her intellect must’ve been on hiatus or something. During Science class, she was writing to me, and in that note she said how the teacher wasn’t very bright and had the audacity to mispronounce several words that any college graduate should know. She was oblivious to the fact that Mrs. Y. had stopped talking and was watching her write. Then she walked to Barb’s desk and confiscated the note. We thought a lengthy detention was surely in our future. However, Mrs. Y. didn’t do anything except take Barb’s suggestion and learn how to pronounce the words correctly.

In high school, my friend, Debra, and I were a little savvier in our daily note passing. We used stenographer notebooks. We’d accidently ‘drop’ them at the same time, then do the ol’ switcheroo. Other times we just exchanged them as we passed each other in the hallway. I’m proud to say we never got caught once.

Best friends: In Minnesota: Tara and Karen. In Montana: Debby, Corrine, Connie and can’t forget my favorite BFF and junior cowboy heartthrob, Bobby. In Pennsylvania: Mary, Joy, and Debbie. In Michigan: Tina, Barb, Jim and Glenn. In Indiana: Debra. Debra and I have remained good friends since 1966.

Any Childhood Pets? Mom and Dad were very good about letting us have pets—usually one at a time. Our dogs were: Cappy, Mike, Heidi and Dudley. Cats: Mickey, Sparky, Trixie, Patty, Mitzi and Judy. Bunnies: Frisky, Winky, Shadow, Pride, Joy, Scooter and Barney. Goldfish: Harold and Harry. And a lone canary named Puffy.




Was there anyone in your childhood who pointed you to Jesus?
Dad was the spiritual leader of our family. You can’t live with a preacher and not be pointed in the right direction. Mom helped, too, of course.

Share your introduction to Christ as a child or teen or a significant event that led to your walk with Jesus.
 I remember back when I had just turned 5 years old, Mom was at work and Dad was watching me. He told me that it didn’t matter that I was a good little girl I wouldn’t go to heaven if I didn’t ask Jesus into my heart. Being good would never be “good enough.” He explained the plan of salvation on my level and I knelt by the bed and asked Jesus into my heart. I’ve never regretted that decision. I might also add that I didn’t remain a baby Christian. My faith and devotion to the Lord has continued to grow throughout the years.





Anything else you would like to share with readers about your childhood which affected the writer you have become?  
This happened when I was about 4. Mom worked in a hospital to help supplement our income, so Dad became my evening caregiver. This meant many long hours of trying to quietly entertain myself while he prepared a sermon, studied or did other preacher duties. Usually, this was no big deal. I could roll with the punches with the best of them. However, I thought I would go completely stir crazy when he dragged me to a local Christian college library so he could study.



Of course, college libraries don’t have any kid books, so, Dad bought me a Little Golden Book—Flash Gordon. Bless his heart, he meant well, but it was a boy’s book, and my only portable one. There weren't any cute, cuddly baby animals or anything else of interest to a little girl. It had action pictures of an airplane landing on the Amazon River, people running through a dense jungle and a scary snake suspended from a tree. Since I wasn't even in Kindergarten yet, I couldn't read. So, I studied those pictures for what seemed like hours on end, and made up girlish versions of the story in my mind.

It only took a few weeks before I tired of Flash and the gang. A little girl can only dream up so many plots about the Amazon and dangling tree snakes. I made up my mind, the very next library excursion, I would be prepared!

With my brand new Easter purse packed with a motley collection of odds and ends, I envisioned myself as a woman in charge of her life. A bottle of Mom’s Evening in Paris cologne was tucked away in a little pocket and made me feel so grown up. Later that week as we headed to the college, I hugged my purse and grinned to myself. Farewell, Flash. Adios, Amazon.




I noticed something was amiss when Dad ushered me into a different building. The room was hot and stuffy with the distinct aroma of Sen-Sens and mothballs. Several men sat in a large circle of wooden folding chairs. Naturally, I was the only child there, not to mention the lone member of the female persuasion.

One by one, they prayed these l-o-n-g pastoral prayers. I had no idea of what their big, fancy preacher words meant. What I did know was the time had come to dig into my stash of supplies. Out came my lacy handkerchief. I was very apt at folding it to make twins in a cradle and other 'hanky origami' projects!

As luck would have it, the man who sat on my right had a major case of B.O. not to mention a pretty nasty breath problem, the likes of which I’d never encountered before. It smelled like something had crawled in his mouth and died. I half-expected to see a herd of flies circle his head like vultures...but I digress. Being this take-charge woman, I quickly evaluated the situation and devised a brilliant plan. If I dabbed a little cologne onto my hanky and held it up to my nose, his disgusting odor would be concealed. If that failed, the hanky twins could always be crammed up my nostrils.

I mentally patted myself on the back for packing a well-stocked purse, and casually leaned over to retrieve my little pink bag once again. I quickly made a visual sweep to be sure all heads were bowed and eyes closed, then out came the Evening in Paris. Everything was going like clockwork. I carefully removed the silver cap, and tipped the dark blue bottle onto my hanky. Just a drop would do...well, maybe two since his arms were now raised over his head. Perfect!

Then, I made a tactical error. Somehow that full bottle slipped from my hand and landed in my purse. It drenched everything inside. If you've ever smelled Evening in Paris, you can imagine the strong nauseating stench that permeated the entire stuffy room. It made me as sick as a dog. Of course, total humiliation didn't help either.

The prayer meeting dismissed almost immediately and those men fled the room like ants from a burning log. Dad must have felt sorry for me, because he never said one word. He simply lifted me into his arms and carried me to the car, the dripping purse still clutched in my hand.

I learned a very valuable lesson that night. Never, ever carry a full bottle of cologne in your purse. However, the best thing to come out of that experience was that Dad learned a lesson, too.  Never again did he drag his little girl to one of those preacher/college student prayer meetings. So, it was back to the boring college library and making up more stories about Flash and the gang for me.

Facebook: (Linda Edington Hanna)

 From Linda: Debbie Dulworth and I co-authored Reflections of a Stranger. This is a cozy mystery and was released in 2012. Currently, we’re working on our second writing project, a romantic comedy called Pressed Flowers.


Deb and Linda speaking about writing





Reflections of a Stranger 
by Linda Hanna and Deborah Dulworth




  • Paperback: 284 pages
  • Publisher: Harbourlight Books (August 24, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1611161908
  • ISBN-13: 978-1611161908
  • Kindle File Size: 457 KB
  • Print Length: 284 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group (Harbourlight Books)) (August 23, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0091XFU5W
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled 
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled 
  • Lending: Enabled


Cora and her husband, PGA golf pro Steady Eddie Timms, live in a safe gated community. So when Cora witnesses a murder, she’s shocked and frightened. But without a body, murder weapon, or evidence of a crime, Her sanity is called into question—especially when it comes to light that she’s not been dealing well with the stress and grief of losing a daughter, and her memory of late hasn’t been all it should be.

Determined to prove her sanity, Cora bursts into a flurry of danger and unanswered questions as she sets out to find evidence of foul play. With the help of a bumbling security guard, a loyal best friend, and a neighbor’s yappy dog, pieces finally fall into place. By all appearances, the mystery is solved…until Cora is kidnapped and implicated in a case of hidden identity and an old embezzlement scheme.

About Linda Now:
 Through the years, I’ve written TONS of newsletter articles and scads of humorous promotional material for churches, groups, schools and businesses. Several magazine articles and a handful of devotionals also made the cut, but since I’m not a serious minded person/writer, I felt the need to limit that writing endeavor.


Debbie and I have also led several workshops dealing with Senior Adult Ministries. Lately, we’ve enjoyed speaking engagements and book signings at churches, libraries, various groups and a local Christian bookstore. 


(Contact Linda or Deb if you'd like for them to speak at your event!)


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Winner! Comment from 
Cathy Baldwin: 
I really enjoyed this Linda. And I always remember you as that cute little girl.
She has been informed and Linda and Deb will see that she receives their book, Reflections of a Stranger!