Allison, it’s a treat to have you visit with us at GraceReign. I just finished reading your novel, One Little Secret, the story of a suburban housewife and mom who is surprised by the opportunity to pursue the dream she gave up to help her family achieve theirs. It was a fun story that allowed me as a reader to experience an unfamiliar world and think through many issues along with the main character. What prompted you to write this story?

Thanks, it’s a treat to be here, too. You know, it’s funny how the creative process works. The idea for this book started as an idea for a movie screenplay. I visualized this as a film, specifically created for an actress I had in mind. Then, when Bethany House requested a second novel as a follow-up to A Stitch in Time, my debut novel, I remembered this unfinished screenplay just sitting on my shelf—waiting to be born. As I began to develop it into a novel, I layered on more, and more conflict, added a few subplots, and kept thinking how each scene would look in a movie.

As a home schooling mom who is pursuing her lifetime dream of publishing a novel, I felt a bit off kilter when I finished this book. I wondered many things—like do I sell my family short by not including them more in my journey. (I sometimes try to keep things rolling and happy in the home at the expense of frustration in my writing goals.) What advice do you have for moms as they pursue their dreams?

In my humble opinion, I feel we do a tremendous disservice to our loved ones when we exhibit behavior that is contrary to how we would want them to live their life. We want our children to discover their God-given gifts and to do what it takes to make their dreams come true, don’t we? We want our kids to be the best they can, don’t we? Why shouldn’t we strive to be the best we can be at the same time? We don’t want our children to bury their visions and goals, do we? Of course, as parents, we have to sacrifice at times as we raise our children—however when that sacrifice becomes something that festers within our soul—and isn’t experienced in love, those around us will eventually see the charade for what it is. All that said, I believe it’s healthy for moms to pursue their dreams—not at the expense of others—but not at the expense of their heart, either.

Another question I had as I turned that last page was do I sell God short? Am I afraid to dream big? Does He dream more for me than I am willing to dream for myself? I suspect most of us try to live a logical life that makes sense to the general populace at the expense of never seeking that more expansive, passionate life we dream of. What do you think?

I think we’re all guilty of selling God short from time to time in our life. The pull of the world is so strong, and the world tells us that we need to be self-sufficient, that only the strong survive, and that self-help, self-motivation, and focus on self is our right—our duty. Yet for believers, we must be ever vigilant to trust God—to know that ultimately He is in control, and not us. In addition, God does want us to have the desires of our heart—He placed them there in the first place!

Paula, when you mention “the general populace” it raises the hairs on the back of my neck. You know why? Because I see how what other people think has caused many a creative soul to hide their light under a bushel. It’s hard to be different—and creative people are different. We see things differently. We view our world from a lens that does not seem sane to a great many folks. I’ve always known I was “an odd duck,” and that I had a choice to make—to be what others expected me to be—or to follow the dreams of my heart.

Tell me about your favorite character in One Little Secret.

Well, I imagine most folks will think it’s Ursula—and while I do love her—I’d have to say that I have a special place in my heart for Nick. Having spent 35 years as a non-believer, I know what it’s like to have that empty place in your heart that you try to fill with things, accomplishments, and everything but God. I never had the kind of money Nick has, but spiritual emptiness is emptiness just the same—no matter what your socio-economic level. I love that Nick was able to open his heart to friendship with a woman, and to developing a friendship with Pastor Doyle as his journey of faith began to expand.

One Little Secret is your second novel. Your first novel, A Stitch in Time, is about a woman who goes through major life change, inside and out. You have another series in the works. Could you tell us about it and about your new website, Boomer Babes Rock?

Sure! As the Founder of the God Allows U-Turns outreach, I spent the first years of my publishing career focused on editing the stories of other people. Our compilation series has been very successful and I’ve been so very blessed with the doors this series has opened. However, when I turned 50 a couple years ago, I began to find myself more and more drawn to the life experiences of my fellow baby boomer sisters. Specifically those women who, for the first time in their life, are stepping out in faith to reach for the dreams of their heart. My first two novels were written for “boomer babes,” and feature boomers as the lead characters. I launched my new web site in January of 2007, and today, Boomer Babes Rock.com is reaching women all over the world with our message of empowerment. The God Allows U-Turns outreach is still going strong, and I enjoy traveling around the country to share my u-turn journey with others, but I’m finding that I have more passion in creating fairy-tale stories that just might help a sister rekindle a dream that has been buried for a long time.

Can you share the mission statement for the Boomer Babes Rock web site?

Sure. “Where fun, fashion, food, family, and faith merge to empower and inspire baby boomer women around the world.”

You and I met for the first time at a Christian writer’s conference a few years ago, and then you chose one of my stories for the book compilation, God Answers Moms Prayers. That book is part of a series of books based on the idea that God allows u-turns in our life. Can you tell me about the U-Turns ministry and why is it such a passion for you?

Wow, that’s a loaded question—and one not easily answered in a few sentences. Paula, the only reason I am here today talking with you at all is because of the amazing Grace and Mercy of a God who never gave up on me. My life changed beyond my wildest dreams when I was 35 years old and finally came to the end of my self and willingly gave my heart over to a relationship with Jesus. It truly was an about-face u-turn on my life journey. Moreover, I’ve never looked back. My purpose is to share with others that we can never be so lost or so broken that we can’t turn around. So many people are lost and searching, Paula, and I know firsthand what it’s like to try to fill that God-shaped place in our heart with anything but God. My friend Michelle says, “Every test is a testimony and every mess is a ministry.” My life has been filled with so many tests and messes that I have to believe that God wants me to use my testimony as a life ministry.

Tell us a little about the Allison that isn’t on the cover of a book or ministry website. What kinds of things make you happy? Besides writing and promoting books, what are you passionate about? What qualities do you look for in a friend?

For all of my extroverted activities, I’m actually quite the homebody—I enjoy being at home—working in my garden or sitting on my patio visiting with my husband. My most favorite pastimes are reading and watching movies—I could go to the Cineplex at 11:00 AM and stay for back-to-back movies until 11:00 PM at night. Really. As for friendships,…wow…I’d have to say loyalty and confidentiality. By that, I mean, respecting my privacy. I hate gossips—it’s a huge turn off issue for me—I like to know that what we talk about stays with us. I’m fiercely private in many ways.

Is there anything you’d like to share with my readers that I haven’t asked you about?

I guess one of the main things I’d like to ask is that your readers please pick up a copy of One Little Secret and read it—and then let me know what they thought of it. I really want to grow as a writer and obtaining reader feedback is vital for that to happen. Also vital is the word-of-mouth recommendations readers can make about books they enjoy. If your readers like One Little Secret, I pray they will share it with others—and encourage their local bookstores to carry my work. I’d also like to invite your readers to visit my websites where they can sign up for our free monthly Dream-zine, see my Blog Tour schedule, and read the Writer’s Guidelines for the next volumes in the God Allows U-Turns series. Here are the website URL’s: www.AllisonBottke.com , www.GodAllowsUTurns.com and www.BoomerBabesRock.com

However, more important than that is my final word of the day…and that is for your readers to take the risk and reach for their dreams! God has placed a desire in your heart—He has given you special gifts—and he wants you to use them. No matter how old we are—there is still time to discover God’s purpose for our life—and to make the choices that will change the story of our life.

Thanks for taking the time to interview here at GraceReign. I look forward to the times we connect in the future!

Thanks so much for having me!