Dysfunctional Archives - Tena Stetler

Dec 4th Welcome Author Dee Gatrell

Happy Holidays to all! Looking for Holiday/Christmas reads? Give a big welcome to Dee Gatrell, author of Sweet Sunset releasing December 16, 2016! It’s available for pre-order at Amazon. So get settled in, grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot coco, hot cider and coffee choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick a Snicker-doodle and gingerbread cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Let’s find out a little about Dee and what she refers to as her dysfunctional family book. But up first, Zack the hero in Sweet Sunset. Thanks for joining us Zack?

Well, I wouldn’t call me a hero, just an average guy looking for someone special.

Zack, tell us about the real you.

What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you?

Two of my college buddies were robbed and murdered by two thugs.

Wow, that would make an impression. Did that event change your outlook on life, or your values?

“Change, I wouldn’t say that, but it made me realize how important my family is to me.”

What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with?

“I was married to one who liked to rule me. She passed away. Since meeting Myrtle Sue, I realized how much I enjoy her company. She’s zany, sharp witted, and loves deeply.”

What do you consider most important in life?

Helping others. That is why I became a pschcologist.

What is your biggest secret?

I’m not as brave as I pretend.

So you put on a brave front for Myrtle. Good for you. I know you are short on time, so thanks so much for stopping by Zack.

He waves and hurries out the door as Myrtle Sue ambles in the side door.

You just missed Zack. I guess that’s a good think, since I have a few questions for you while we wait for Dee. Tell me a little about yourself.

Who were the biggest role models growing up?

My role models were my mother and my fifth grade teacher.

What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with?

I was married to a man who liked to control me. Now I want to be with someone who is my equal and doesn’t want to control me.

Boy is that totally understandable. So now what is most important to you in life?

My family.

You and Zack have a lot in common. What is your biggest fear?

Not being the best person and not being able to help others.

Thank you for giving us a little insight into your character. Hi Dee, have a seat next to Myrtle.

Dee is married with four children, 12 grandchildren and three dogs, and having many aunts, uncles and cousins, writing about dysfunctional families is a natural for her.
Born in Akron, Ohio, and growing up in Central Ohio, she and her cousins used to entertain themselves by writing plays and charging a few pennies to the neighbor kids to watch them. Once she married and had her own children, she moved to several states with her Air Force husband. To keep her sanity when the children were running wild, she wrote to all her family and friends back in Ohio. She didn’t know she kept them entertained until years later.
When they moved to Florida, she decided it was time to attend college. In her creative writing class she was often told her writing reminded them of Erma Bombeck. When she worked as a reporter for the Galion Inquirer in Ohio, she proofed stories that were sent in. The day she proofed Bombeck’s story and learned the story was about making shell frames from seashells gathered at the beach, she realized Erma was talking about the story she sold to a craft magazine. How wonderful to know her idol actually read “her” story in the craft magazine. She also wrote for the confession magazines and Chicken Soup for the Soul.
In addition to writing, Dee worked for many years as an educational advisor at Seminole State College in FL. Since retiring, she finally fulfilled her dream of writing a novel. She hopes you will read Sweet Sunset and enjoy spending time with Myrtle Sue and her family.

Dee won’t you tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult?

It was difficult to write. I tried not to put too much of my real family into it, but some slipped in. I took a class from Mary Buckham and she helped a lot.

Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?

No, my characters do not always act like I expect. I write by the seat of my pants, but wish I could be a plotter.

Oh, I hear you! I’m a panster myself. I tried plotting once, it like to drove me crazy!

Dee, tell us a little about Sweet Sunset.

Myrtle Sue Henderson, widowed, didn’t count on her mother-in-law moving in with her when her husband passed over. But Myrtle Sue’s loopy in-law troubles aren’t her only family baggage—she’s ailed with three adult children who use her like she’s a pair of Depends. With a daughter and two grandchildren attempting to escape an abusive husband, a second unmarried daughter who is pregnant with twins, and a son who refuses to grow up, she’s at her wits end.

Myrtle Sue didn’t figure she’d ever meet another man she’d care for, until she went to church to get away from her troubles, only to find more when her mother-in-law causes chaos and hits an elderly man with her cane and helps herself to money out of the collection plate. That’s how she meets Zack. She figures once he meets her dysfunctional family, he’ll run as fast as he can—away from them.

To learn more about Dee’s adventures, you can find her at – http://deesnews.blogspot.com/ and http://dgatrell.wixsite.com/author

Sounds entertaining. How about a sneak peek into Sweet Sunset?

Sonja’s eyes widened, and she grinned.I thanked God Adam was blind to Hazel’s faults. “Thank you, Adam. You have no idea how happy I am that you’ll be here for Hazel.” And I really meant what I said.Hazel walked into the kitchen and glanced around. “Who’s here? Oh my goodness! It’s my son Harold. How are you, honey?” She bent over and kissed Adam’s cheek. “And why don’t you ever visit your mommy, you naughty boy?”I rolled my eyes and waved toward Adam. “Hazel, Harold’s been dead for twenty years. This is Adam, Sonja’s friend from the hospital. Remember? He’s a nurse, and he stays with you while I work.” I should’ve added whatever we paid him was worth every penny. He really was good to her.“Oh, yes, Adam, dear.” She frowned at me. “Why can’t you be kind like Adam, Myrtle Sue? You’ve always been so mean to me.”Sonja grinned. “Hi, Nana. How are you?”“I’m fine.” She took a seat and grabbed a muffin. “Who are you? Are you Violet’s daughter?”Sonja narrowed her eyes at her grandmother. “Nana! I’m Sonja, your granddaughter. Myrtle Sue and Don’s daughter.”“Of course.” She laughed and pointed at her head. “You know how it is when you get old. Someday your mother will be just like me.”
Shuddering, I mumbled, “God forbid.”

“I hope you made roast beef for Father,” Hazel said.

“Yes, of course, and I made garlic rolls,” I lied, and then whispered, “Sonja, want some garlic tied around your neck?”

“Mom!”

Hazel pointed at the stove. “Good. And remember, he likes carrots and noodles around his roast beef.”

Adam stood and smiled. “Well, I’ve got to go now. I’ll see you on Monday, Nana.”

“Okay, honey.” She reached into her pocket. “Here’s a dollar. Get yourself something to eat. You’re rather skinny, you know.”

“Thanks,” he said, kissing her cheek.

I walked him to the door.

He handed me the money. “I’ve tried giving her the money back, but she gets mad. You take it.”

I brushed away his hand. “No, Adam. You keep the money. Whatever you get, you deserve. You’re very good with Hazel. Good luck with your new friend.”

Five minutes after Adam left, my son, Terry, arrived.

Terry kissed my cheek. “What’s to eat, Ma?”

I hugged him. “Muffins.” Terry wasn’t pretty like Adam. Instead, he had a rugged look, more like a cowboy. He had those fabulous blue eyes but not the long lashes. His nose showed signs of his youthful fist fights, and his dimples added to his charm. I can’t tell you how many girls called the house for him in his teen years. And yet at the age of twenty-three, he still hadn’t found a special woman.

He grabbed a chair and sat. “Muffins? Don’t you have any real food?”

Sweet Sunset is available for pre-order right now at: Amazon.

Dee, it was wonderful learning a little about Zack and Myrtle, thanks for sharing them with us. And thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Sweet Sunset.