Since I actually know Donetta Garman and had no idea she had written a book, you can imagine my surprise when her book landed in my hands at work one day by a co-worker. Donetta is the wife of our retired Sports Editor at The Clinton Daily Democrat newspaper where I am employed. I’m enjoying reading her book right now and am learning that I really didn’t know her very well at all. She has had an amazing life. CB: Welcome Donetta. Let’s begin with a brief introduction. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your life in Osceola, Missouri, the place you now call home.
DG: My husband Gar, of twenty-one years, and I live outside of town. We enjoy the beauty, solitude and serenity in this area. Since Gar is pastor of a small country church, we are busy with church activities. I work outside the home, in a real estate office and Gar builds primitive furniture as a hobby and for a little extra income. So you can see our lives are diverse.
CB: What prompted you to write this story, Growing Up Ugly?
DG: I first had the idea when my Mother was in the last stages of COPD. We discussed the story and she gave me her blessing that once she was gone, I should write it. After I had a stroke, I had the basis for starting it, as you will see in the book. Ugly is not just how a person looks, it can be the circumstance they find themselves in or the way they feel.
CB: Since I don’t believe in coincidences, would you say that it was the Lord who intervened when you and your husband met?
DG: I think that God introduces people to our lives at just the right time. I think He knew what I needed at the time I my husband and the rest is history.
CB: You’ve written several articles for various magazines and newspapers. Have you always had a desire to write?
DG: When I was a child and all through high school I wrote short stories and poems. I always wanted to be a writer and I’ve always loved books.
CB: I see you’ve worked for a division of Forbes Magazine. That fact, alone, is quite interesting. What did you do for Forbes?
DG: Actually I started out working for Forbes stuffing brochures that they mailed out to promote their land developments. I later got my real estate license and sold real estate for them. After I transferred to their Missouri division I was able to assist them with some of their advertising and brochure copy.
CB: Your book details memories recalled while you were in and out of consciousness after a stroke. Did you have any vivid memories before or after that, which may have been written about in your book?
DG: Most of the chapters in my book begin with me recalling a past incident which is triggered by something that happens while I am in the hospital recovering.
CB: Seeing you now, it’s difficult to believe that could’ve have had such a low self-esteem as a child. Since then you have learned that beauty comes from within. Beauty is the person inside the body, not the body itself. Is there one particular incident in your life that made you come to that realization?
DG: There is not one incident which made me feel differently about myself, but a long thread of occurrences that brought me to where I am today.
CB: You also do illustrations for other authors. What kinds of illustrations do you do? Are they for children’s books?
DG: In the past I have illustrated maps for other authors. I have also illustrated cartoons, realism and ads for others.
CB: Describe your feelings when your husband became the pastor at your church.
DG: I had a keen sense of pride for his accomplishment and a wonderful sense of obedience that we were doing what God wanted us to do.
CB: I believe that we are here on Earth to learn and to grow, to understand the words and ways God wants us to live and that everything that happens to us during our time here, happens for a reason so that we can do just that. Do you also feel that way? That though some things in life are not pleasant, but necessary, which we learn later when looking back at how each occurrence affected us?
DG: I don’t think that God makes bad things happen to people, but because of our free will, they are allowed to happen. Saying that, as in Biblical times, God takes our weaknesses and makes them our strengths. He can use those bad things to help others and to make us grow, so that often times we are grateful for the bad, because something so wonderful came out of it.
CB: I found it was easier to know that God forgives me for my sins, but difficult to forgive myself. What are your thoughts on that subject? Did you find it difficult to forgive yourself?
DG: At first I had problems forgiving myself, but the more I read the Bible, I could see that God uses all things for His good. Who am I to question forgiveness when he gave the ultimate sacrifice, just so I would know I was forgiven? Also, when I see others growing and I am cheering them on, I know that is how God is with me; He is cheering in the background for each right decision I make.
CB: Are you working on any other books now, or will this be the only one you publish?
DG: I am presently working on a trilogy of Christian historical novels. The first is nearly completed and is titled “The Length of a Dream”. Also, I have started a sequel to “Growing Up Ugly” titled, “Up by the Bootstraps”.
CB: Who designed the cover of your book?
DG: The publisher had an in-house artist who actually designed three different covers for me. The ultimate decision was mine. The cover we chose shows hard times, shyness and hope.
CB: Where will your book be available for purchase and will you be offering signed copies?
DG: Right now pre-release copies of the book are available from my website and at these locations in Osceola; The Heart House, Studio U Salon, Moccasin Trails Antique Mall, Trade Fair Mall and Osceola Cheese. Shortly after the June 1 release date, they will be in all the major bookstores and online at Amazon.com. I am always happy to sign a book for someone and will have signings set up once the book is released.
CB: In parting, what else would you like to tell us, that I haven’t touched on during this interview?
DG: I would like to tell people to live their lives like each day is the last. Don’t take a single moment for granted. Tell those you care about how much you love them. Play. Pray. And never, ever give up on your dreams.
Donetta’s book, Growing Up Ugly, is a memoir of memories she recalled while in and out of consciousness in a hospital after suffering a stroke at a very young age. It is scheduled for release in June. I will be writing a review soon, but from what I have read so far in this book, I can definitely say it’s a “Must Read” inspirational story that will touch your heart and soul. Visit Donetta at her website, www.growingupugly.com or contact her at: donetta@growingupugly.com.
This interview was in Writer's Block - June 2008
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