Meet the Author Monday: Delores Topliff

Welcome to this Meet the Author Monday interview with Delores Topliff. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Delores in person, and I’m excited to give you the chance to meet her now.  Let’s start off with something easy. Tell us a bit about yourself, Delores.

Thanks, Heather, for hosting me today. Where we are born shapes us. I grew up in Vancouver, Washington, along the Columbia River, and loved exploring our area’s history. Fifty years after the 1942 event, we learned that a Japanese I-25 submarine like the type attacking Pearl Harbor had entered our river and fired on a military installation. That triggered my writer curiosity and blended with my childhood desire to start a floating library on the river for people without library resources which came to life in Books Afloat. Requests for further story adventures with the same characters but adding Josh Vengeance surviving Midway and Erika Hofer fleeing Nazi Germany, led to Strong Currents, releasing today. Advance reviews are favorable.

So, your past influenced your present as a writer. I think that’s common, but I love to see how uniquely God accomplishes that in each of us. You’ve definitely got a great story about where your stories came from. What about your writing life? Do you have any writing routines or habits you follow for a productive writing day?

I almost always enjoy dark roast coffee first with my favorite coconut creamer and read enough chapters to complete my practice of reading through the Bible again each year.

I like to write early in early morning while I’m fresh and save my online university teaching and grading and other projects for later in the day.

You are a busy woman! I’m more a tea drinker, myself. But I do have a coconut one that I enjoy. So, that’s kind of like your coffee with coconut creamer, right? Writing at the right time for each of us is important. I’d say as much as the stories we choose to write. And you’ve already told us you’ve got a new release this week. Tell us about that. What prompted you to write Strong Currents?    

My motivation came from being privileged to have Austrian-born, Ingeborg Oberweger as one of my three great college roommates. When we met at age 18 this totally impacted me. Before fleeing Germany during WWII, her family suffered unthinkable heartbreak. I knew their story needed telling. I didn’t know I would be privileged to adapt Inge’s family’s experience into Strong Currents. She knew this book was near publication but sadly lost her battle with cancer several weeks ago.

I’m so sorry to hear that. I know she must have been excited for the story and knowing her family’s legacy would live on through your book. It’s clear you’re giving readers an peek into her family experiences in Strong Currents. Do you give readers glimpses of yourself in the books you write?

I’m more visible as Annie in Books Afloat preceding Strong Currents as I really did want to operate a floating library on the Columbia River, but the hysterical beaver hunt scene in Strong Currents when Erika becomes instant friends with Annie parallels my real life fiasco when I showed Joan Hall of Ireland beaver habitat along a Canadian river. After her guide disappeared in holes several times, there was no pretense left and we’ve been close ever since.

I love a good story, and you seem to overflow with them. One day you’ll have to tell me that story in person. I’m sure it’s very entertaining. As authors, we tend to also enjoy a great story that others write. What is your favorite book from ones you’ve read recently and why?

In The Sound of Falling Leaves, Lisa Carter does a masterful job with setting and in-depth character building while sprinkling in just the right amount of details bit by bit. She especially presented gifted spiritual sensitivity and wisdom. I truly DID NOT want this book to end and am looking for her others.

I haven’t read any of her books, but I’m going to have to now.Don’t you love it when others recommend a good book? It sets the stage for me as a reader. What can readers expect when they pick up one of your books?

They usually find colorful characters that are partly rooted in my wacky sense of humor. Many are tied to real people I’ve known or observed. Others rise from inspiring people in history that deserve to be better known. I hope my books share stories that help readers develop informed takeaways. I was thrilled when one adult university World History student said, “You don’t just teach us facts. You teach us to think.” I want my books to entertain but will be happiest if readers also close the pages with an increased ability to face live out their own successful answers to life’s challenges.

That is a great goal for any author. I’m looking forward to Strong Currents. I always love a colorful character. They make stories memorable. I want to thank you, Delores, for stopping in today for a Meet the Author Monday interview. Readers keep reading to find out more about Delores and Strong Currents. 

More About Strong Currents:

Columbia River Undercurrents Book Two

Is any price too great to pay for love and freedom?

When German Christian, Erika Hofer, opposes Hitler, church leader Dietrich Bonhoeffer helps her flee to her uncle John Hofer along the Columbia River in America’s Pacific Northwest. Erika finds acceptance and support but also suspicion, hatred, and an attempt on her life.

American pastor’s son, Josh Vengeance, joins the US Navy to serve his country, but is injured at Midway Island and invalided home. While healing in body and spirit, he joins a network of colorful individuals, including John Hofer and his niece, Erika, who defend their homeland as volunteers.

Can two wounded young people move past betrayal and disillusionment to find love and freedom during a world at war?

 

Get your copy here: Purchase Strong Currents Here

 

More About Delores Topliff:

Delores grew up in Washington and Oregon but also spent many adult years in western Canada. Grade school teachers encouraged her writing, and she loves to encourage and mentor other writers now. She earned college degrees via scholarships and interesting jobs. Many summers she worked for the Forest Service in both the U.S. and Canada. She enjoys wild life, jewelry-making (including using porcupine quills),  photography, and gives convincing moose calls. She teaches online and on-campus at the Univ. of Northwestern—St. Paul (MN) while enjoying dividing her time between Minnesota and Northeastern Mississippi. Travel may be her favorite means of learning.

Delores is a college teacher, speaker, and freelance writer with over 360 publications besides providing editing and publishing services. Find her writings in Aglow, Angels on Earth, Today’s Christian, Family Life Today, the Minnesota Christian Chronicle (later the Christian Examiner and Refreshed Magazines), and Revell, Guideposts, and James Stuart Bell compilation books.

Connect with Delores on her website: https://delorestopliff.com/