“Every day there are people, places and things that inspire me, and this is where I get the foundation for my next creative endeavor. I always find opportunities or they find me.”
Those are the words of Deborah Curtin, a storyteller at heart who communicates her messages and narratives as both an artist and writer, with two books currently to her credit: Today Is the Day and Faith on Fire.
Today is the Day is an award-winning, action-packed military thriller in which a young man finds his calling to join the Marines when homeland terrorist actions threaten his family.
Faith on Fire is a Civil War saga for anyone who loves a cleverly crafted story of a family caught up in the angst of war — complete with spying, secret messaging and more.
We were able to learn more about the author’s writing, her passions and inspiration in this recent Q&A.
Q: Tell us about the life event and inspiration from a young military family friend that was the impetus for your historical thriller Today Is the Day.
A: Peter began his love of flying at an early age. Our two families shared this “path to the sky” quest. Attending church, sports and town events added a blend to our friendship. The Air Force Academy was Peter’s calling where he excelled and became an officer.
It was an unfortunate, tragic moment in flight when he and a buddy flew off radar; the plane crashed and neither survived. Peter was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a defining moment, at this hallowed place, where this end chapter became my honor and inspiration to begin again.
Q: What are the biggest moral dilemmas facing each of your protagonists in Faith on Fire and Today Is the Day?
A: In Today Is the Day, Peter blames himself for the accident that kills his best friend. He spirals downward in despair until he is severely injured and brought to the hospital. He sees the light and begins life anew. Soon many unknown enemies threaten his family and are planning to destroy the country. He answers the call to join the Marine Corps.
In Faith on Fire, Robert faces many hurdles as the eldest son of the reverend. A cryptic letter prompts his brother’s rescue from a respite home where he is being cared for under false pretenses. Throughout the story, Robert is challenged to either shake hands with the devil or rise above to help his family and aid the country in a time of war.
Q: What periods in American history are you particularly drawn to and why?
A: I love American history! At age 10, I stood on, the battlefield at Gettysburg. I truly felt the presence of the men and boys who fought and died there. Over the years, every trip I have made throughout the country has included historic towns, buildings, monuments, trails or reenactments, especially those important to the Revolutionary War and Civil War.
History is never old. Currently, I am working on a mid-1970s mystery/thriller set during the Vietnam War but taking place in this country. I have plans to write another tale reflecting an Irish family history and their story of coming to this country.
Q: Describe the spiritual element to your writing.
A: The spiritual element of my two books are in a sense the same. Faith is where each story’s protagonist wants to right the wrongs and make peace within family situations. Their love of country is strongly acknowledged in each story. Faith is learning to put trust in themselves and to have confidence in what they do, knowing there is always a higher power looking out for the good in what they each strive to do.
Q: What do you hope readers will take away from your work?
A: I write to engage the reader with the storyline. The proper knowledge of history and facts are what I needed to research to be accurately woven into the story. The layers of the story are what build the momentum to a strong conclusion, which leaves one to hope for a sequel.
I have supported the military by volunteering and continue to do so in many ways, and it is my ongoing quest to do more using my art and writing.
Read our reviews of Today Is the Day and Faith on Fire.
Learn more about Deborah in her author profile.
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About Deborah Curtin:
Art and writing have always been the core of Deborah’s background. An opportunity to write ‘human interest’ stories for a local newspaper opened up and she excelled in this endeavor. Several years later she began a column of local interest for an online publication. Soon another writing avenue spoke to her; visiting farms and creating profiles to highlight this important way of life. These were posted online through the NH Farm Network.
A workshop on Historical Fiction one year was just one of many offered by the NH Writer’s Project. The questions of who, what, where, and when prompted each attendee to find their story. This became Deborah’s first attempt at crafting a novel. But a life event shifted her focus. With inspiration from a young military family friend, she wrote, finished and self-published a current day military thriller which went on to win Honorable Mention at the New England Book Festival. An illustrated, wordless, children’s book became another finished project also winning an award. Deborah supports the military with the arts and her writing in many ways.
