Interview D. H. Parker
by
J. D. Webb
1) D. H., I love the title Song of Healing. How did you come up with it and what is its significance?
Titles are not my strong point. Sometimes I don’t have a title until some phrase I write in the story screams out to me, “I’m the title! I’m the title!” That’s the way it was with Song of Healing. Significance? All of us humans have times when we need healing, be it physical, emotional or spiritual. Music has always been a calming, healing influence for me, so it seemed natural to use it in my writing.
2) Tell us a little about your book.
This is partially answered in other questions, so I’ll just quote the blurb: When Sarah Macneill's imaginary childhood friend, the Man from the Sea, suddenly appears in her adult world, Sarah's happiness--and her life--may be forfeit.
3) How would you describe Song of Healing?
Suspense, paranormal? I’ve always thought of it as a fairy tale with elements of mystery/suspense and gentle romance. Wings is listing it as paranormal romance, but if it were a movie, the romance and language rating would be “G”.
4) Who are the main characters and what is their goal?
Sarah Macneill was ten when her mother died and her world crashed. She only wants to live a normal adult life free of the childish beliefs that let her down so badly then. Dafinn Lachlainn is suffering for wrong choices he made in his life, but sees no way to end his pain. In order to find the healing they need, both of them have to make compromises in their definitions of reality.
5) This involves an imaginary childhood friend showing up in Sarah’s adult world. How eerie. How did you decide on that as a premise?
To tell the truth, I’m not really sure. The friend evolved as the story unfolded. Sadly, I’m not an organized writer who knows all the details of the story before she starts. I write to see what happens next. The character probably emerged as a result of the reading I was doing in Celtic folklore at the time. The setting certainly did.
6) Is there a message you would like readers to get from this book?
I didn’t sit down to write it with a message in mind, but it may have taken on one. As a Christian, I often hear people call religion “only myth”, so maybe this story is, in an allegorical way, partly a reaction to that.
7) If someone wants to learn more about D. H. Parker or Song of Healing where do they go?
8) What would you say has been your best advice in your writing career?
Never stop learning.
9) When you’re not writing, what do you do for enjoyment?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and other family members (including my local Christian family), working via e-mail with my World Bible School students, reading books with happy endings, researching folklore and family history and listening to music.
10) Does this book have a sequel?
No, but I hated to leave these characters.
11) What are you working on as a current project?
I’m currently working on the third book in my “Fiddling With Murder” cozy mystery series.