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Lisa Lickel
Christian sci fi fantasy: I Am Ocilla by Diane M Graham
Posted by Lisa Lickel on March 13, 2012
About the book:
Open your heart and mind to the simplicity and complexity of a name.
I know only my name. Beyond that is confusion, a void where fantasy and reality swirl together. Fairies, Giants, Elves, Dwarves, ancient Keepers, and…Dragons?
A dark soul threatens the Five Kingdoms, but I am powerless to stand against him, overwhelmed by phantom memories, broken and lost.
Somehow, I must live. I must find my purpose. There are friends to love and battles to fight. I know my name. Perhaps that is enough. I am Ocilla.
This is my story.
I am Ocilla can be purchased at all your favorites online retailers.
About the author:
Diane Graham lives in the mountains of eastern Oklahoma with her husband and five children. She is an avid reader and lover of 
all art forms that encapsulate imagination and goodness. With her novel I Am Ocilla, she was one of three winners of Marcher Lord Press Premise Contest in late 2009.
You can find Diane on the web at:
A Word from the publisher, Grace Bridges of Splashdown Books:
The first time I read Diane’s work with a view to taking it on was during the Clash of the Titles contest about a year ago. I recognised a depth of feeling already there in the excerpt, of a kind which is hard to learn. Craft can always be improved, but style is either there or it’s not. She went on to win that contest and later wanted to throw her lot in with me. As I got to know her, I recognised that her outgoing personality would be instrumental in impacting book sales – and I’m happy to report that this has proved to be true.
Interview:
Diane, can you tell us what do you love about this book?
I love that God is there in the words without any great effort by me. You often hear people say you should write what you know. I did just that without realizing until later that is what I did. I also love that while writing, I was absolutely floored at plot twists that came up and tied in with past chapters. A lot of Christian writers say God helped them and it sometimes comes off as cliché. But I don’t care what it sounds like. It is a fact. I’m simply not smart enough to pull off some of the flips in Ocilla all on my own
How did you build this world?
The concept for I Am Ocilla was completely uncontrived. I write by the seat of my pants and each chapter was as much of a grand adventure for me as it will be to each new reader. I have a long fascination with what-ifs and think God wants us to explore them in a way that glorifies Him.
Certain things in the story are symbolic and others are just fun. For example: There are five kingdoms and five Keepers. Five symbolizes my five children. These kingdoms are blocked and the five Keepers guard the Prophecies that will open the kingdoms.
In Ocilla I use sets of small crystals called the Stones of the Son. They hold a person’s name, their song and the entirety of who they are in the Son through His song. Ocilla doesn’t have a set…that she can see. She must find herself in the Son before she will see them. This is symbolic of our souls without Christ.
There are many more but I will allow you to discover them all on your own.
Can you tell us something about the writing process or publication that we won’t find on your web site?
I stalked small publishers. I knew deep in my heart that was what God wanted from me. I do not believe in chance, luck or coincidence and all roads led to three small presses…Marcher Lord Press, Port Yonder Press and Splashdown Books. They are the only three I submitted my work to. And the third time was a charm.
I know that isn’t quite fair to all those writers out there that can paper their walls with rejection letters. I’m sorry, but I assure them that other parts of my life have been wrought with trials and tribulations. The only thing I can think for my blessing is that God thought it was what I needed now and not later. The will of God is not something I like to question and I often have a hard time wrapping my mind around it.
Diane is recording the audio book. Listen here:
5 Responses to “Christian sci fi fantasy: I Am Ocilla by Diane M Graham”
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Caprice Hokstad said
Anytime you need rejection wallpaper, Diane, I have plenty to spare.
Nice interview.
Diane Graham said
Aww…it isn’t fair, Sparrow. Big hug. And thank you for being my friend and sister.
Diane Graham said
Thank you for having me today, Lisa. And, Grace, You have my love. Thank you for the kind words, my Kiwi.
Lisa Lickel said
This was one of the more fun interviews, Diane! Thanks for playing.
mibillie2 said
My Dearest Youngest Daughter,
The Lord knows his business.