A Slice of Cake With... Gina Dewink

Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Gina Dewink. 

Born and raised in Minnesota’s heartland (unless you count a brief yet important stint in Wisconsin), Gina Dewink was raised with her five siblings to be readers, writers and admirers of film. At the time of her high school graduation speech, she had completed her first novel – a romantic comedy she still ponders editing and publishing someday. Tossing writing aside for a detour into communications in college, she graduated cum laude from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Gina’s been working in nonprofit organizations since 2001 and her career often included aspects of writing. This experience led her into the field of communications management and copywriting – a field she continues in today. In 2006, Gina completed her third novel. Still unhappy with the end result, she set aside novel writing and began freelance writing in 2009. Gina has been published in over a dozen mediums and continues to freelance.

With the birth of her children in 2013 and 2015, the humorous tone in her writing blossomed into a pithy sarcasm that can be found in most of her work. Gina finds mirth and irony that she now has to schedule writing time while working part-time, freelancing and being a part-time-stay-at-home-mom. In 2016, Gina began and completed the first draft of her fourth novel. This time, she is satisfied with her work and published her debut novel, Time in My Pocket, in September 2017. 

What kind of books do you write?

Currently, I have two titles published. My first was a time travel mystery adventure in which a sarcastic mother of two wakes up in 1947 in someone else’s body. I love pondering how current life did not exist in the past and vice versa. In Time in My Pocket, the main character is always clutching for her cell phone and bemoaning the lack of Google until she can find a way to get back to present day.

My second book is nonfiction. As a freelance investigative writer and magazine Editor being my ‘day job,’ I was curious to collect interviews from individuals from all walks of life. In Human, with a Side of Soul, I interviewed a dozen strangers about their belief in a soul and thoughts on what happens after death. Perspectives include a neurologist, psychic medium, Hindu, atheist and others. I was searching for a common thread…and, I’m happy to report, I found one. It’s a light-hearted look at the joy of being human.

Can you describe your writing why?

I would love to have a succinct answer as to what motivates me, but the truth is, my writing is more a compulsion. I have always written and I assume I always will. Though I don’t always have a book in the works, I also write freelance articles, publish a magazine and constantly churn out marketing content. The motivation for my books usually begins with an idea that excites and fascinates me—such as what if I fell into a time before technology or what if we reincarnate—and I build it out into a relatable journey that others can take with me.

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

When I wrote and published my first book, I had a 1- and 3-year-old at home. Yet, when I wrote (usually in tiny bursts at naptime), I would sometimes feel a thrill so great I’d want to rush to read it to my husband. When I wrote about the main character falling back in time was one such instance:

Time in My Pocket

I lost my breath. I was drowning…or being suffocated. Like being crushed by a weight so great I couldn’t possibly survive its heft. The feeling was horrifying! Everything was dark. The kind of palpable dark a person could feel around them. I had the fleeting memory of experiencing that kind of dark while on an underground cave tour as a child. Terrified, I attempted to cry out for help. I think I screamed to God. My scream sounded choppy, like the sound of Jakey crying on the monitor when the battery was going dead.

And then, though my eyes were still closed, I sensed the darkness being replaced by light. I felt soft hands on my arms and then on my face. I gasped in a deep breath. My lungs filled with air, thank goodness. I was still alive! But instead of the smell of the hospice room, there was an overwhelming scent of perfume. Muffled voices were talking all at once.

“I think she’s coming back!” one of the voices called to the others.

Tell us about your latest project

In Human, with a Side of Soul, I spent nine months working on the project—interviewing, writing, reading, studying. It changed my perspective on so many things. In fact, at the end of the book, I detail the ways the journey changed how I live. I compiled the interviews and wove them throughout my real life until the book emerged as a sort of personal soul journey. Some of the ideas proposed by interviewees really stuck with me—the psychic medium who believes a group of souls are preparing a party for when we arrive, the hypnotherapist who insisted it does not matter if a past life experience is real or not as long as the message is received or the neurologist who acknowledges that since energy can never be destroyed, perhaps our components go on to exist in trees or apples. I think this is a great book for anyone looking to hear first-hand interviews from specialists in all areas of the soul (or lack thereof).

What is your favourite cake?

It’s a tie between German chocolate and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Yum!

You can connect with Gina at her website: ginadewink.com

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with C. Billie Brunson. 

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Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.