Featured Interview With Debbie Schrack
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Kentucky but have lived most of my life in Virginia. For the past twenty years I have lived in Fairfax, VA which is a few miles west of Washington, D.C. I am a retired teacher and spend most of my days either writing or riding my horse Phoenix. I am married, have three grown children, two beautiful grandchildren and a dog, Gracie.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have loved to read ever since I was a little girl. I remember one time I decided to read all the books in our elementary school library. I just started with A and I ended up reading a lot of books I wouldn’t have normally picked up. I don’t think I got through the whole library, though! I started writing in middle school, inspired by my 7th grade English teacher. I worked on some children’s stories in my 20’s but nothing came of them, then I put writing on hold until after my kids were grown. I picked it back up in my late 40’s and it took me until I was 63 to get my first book published.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love the YA genre, of course, because that’s what I write. The most inspiring authors for me in that genre are Jason Reynolds and Laurie Halse Anderson. I also love mysteries, specifically Dick Francis (because he writes about horses) and Agatha Christie. My favorite romance author is Jane Austen.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
SAVING SOPHIE is the story of a boy named Gabe whose half-brother Josh has just gone to prison for causing a drunk driving accident that killed four people. The sole survivor of the accident, Sophie, now lives with her aunt and uncle, who own a bakery. Sophie has a brain injury, amnesia and epilepsy from the accident. She has a seizure alert dog, a golden retriever named Joe. When Gabe signs up to do tutoring for a senior service project, he discovers that the girl he will be tutoring is Sophie. Gabe is tortured by the accident and wants to make amends for Josh’s actions, so he decides to help Sophie without telling her who he is. Complications arise when he falls in love with her!
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