Please introduce yourself, when you began writing, etc.

My less-than-glorious start involved writing obituary announcements for a small daily newspaper in the 1980s, but I worked my way up to full-page feature stories. Since those early days, I’ve written two nonfiction books. The debut work, Employed by God: Benefits Packaged With Faith, focuses on how faith secures us in times of turmoil; the second book, Break The Cycle: Healing From An Abusive Relationship, shares healing resources with families suffering from domestic violence.

Do you write every day?

Since I teach full-time, I don’t always have the creative energy needed to write daily. Sometimes, I go in spurts and write six or more hours on weekends, then rest a few days and start again. I need down time to enjoy life and have new experiences that infuse the writing with vividness and freshness.

I know you have a recent book released. Please tell my readers about it.

Break the Cycle: Healing From An Abusive Relationship recounts the true story of a woman trapped in domestic violence and how she found solutions. The book began with my work as a trained advocate for survivors of domestic violence and includes resources for help. According to A. S. Gottlieb’s September 2008 article “Intimate Partner Violence” posted in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, one in four American women will be physically assaulted or raped by an intimate partner during her lifetime (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19072491). Because concerns about domestic violence are widespread, the United Methodist Women’s Reading Program selected Break the Cycle for its national 2014 reading program.

What inspired you to become a writer in your chosen genre?

My works revolve around my Christian belief that God is good and present with us every day. If we can hang onto our faith, He’ll carry us through every difficulty. I want to share hope with everyone who faces despair when life and circumstances beat us down.

What is your most rewarding writing experience?

I absolutely adore it when people in our Monday night critique group recognize a humorous section and laugh out loud at a never-before shared draft. Their affirmation keeps me working the long hours in solitude trying to create engaging characters and capture a moving scene.

Do you belong to any writing groups, or critique groups?

Yes, our Fredericksburg group meets at Books-A-Million. We have all ages, colors, sizes and genre writers, and we all respect each other’s efforts to hone our craft. I worked more than a year with this group slaving over draft after draft before ever a page saw the light of day in publication. I treasure the protection in the group’s feedback, knowing my colleagues will point out troubled areas before I go public and embarrass myself.

Are you working on a new project?

Yes, I’m contracting with a literary agent to solicit a publisher for a 300-page novel about three women in a small-town community who operate a modern underground railroad to rescue victims of domestic abuse.

Is there anything you would like to share with our readers?

Thank you for sharing life’s journey! Each of you enrich someone else’s day in a special way. Books open an avenue for us to confront our inner demons and embrace the best of who we can become. I appreciate the opportunity to fellowship and grow with you.

Please provide the readers with a link to your website, and links to your books.

My website is http://www.tracysdeitz.com/

Free resources for dealing with domestic abuse can be found at http://www.tracysdeitz.com/resources/domestic-violence-alcoholism

Both books are available through Amazon via print or Kindle. Online reviews are very helpful, and I welcome your feedback.

Break the Cycle http://www.amazon.com/Break-Cycle-Healing-Abusive-Relationship/dp/1466375213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379939428&sr=1-1&keywords=tracy+deitz

Employed By God http://www.amazon.com/Employed-God-Benefits-Packaged-Faith/dp/1466370823/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379939428&sr=1-2&keywords=tracy+deitz