M.T.:. Where did you get the inspiration for the story line of Portia?

D.T.: I had a breast cancer scare when I was 23 years old, living on an isolated Navy base, away from family. I thought I was going to die. My lumps are benign. I wrote Portia to deal with the fear of dying. It is very much a semi-autobiographical story. It is not written in novel format.

M.T.: Is this story of courage based upon anyone you know?

D.T.: Portia is part me/part fiction. The name Portia comes from a sharp Sista I went to church with when I was stationed on the base and had the breast cancer scare. She was a pianist and an accomplished writer who had been in The New York Times, etc.

M.T.: Did you do a lot of research on patients with breast cancer?

D.T.: Yes. I was on a breast cancer list. I also read up on breast cancer quite a bit. I'm told by people with cancer that Portia is very much on target as to how people react to hearing they have breast cancer.

M.T.: In your words, what is the theme of Portia?

D.T.: Portia is about faith, family and the power of love.

M.T.: Had you ever written anything before you wrote the book Portia?

D.T.: Yes. I have written short stories, non-fiction articles and other books. I am editing my second novel now. It will be out in 2000. Portia was short, so I put it out first.

M.T.: Did you self-publish your book?

D.T.: Yes. I self-published Portia. Because Iam able to connect with readers by self-publishing, I certainly and most definitely plan to do it again. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience!

M.T.: How did you go about doing it?

D.T.: I joined a writer's critique group to have more than one eye look at the manuscript. Then I contacted a printer. The cover is an old family photograph that's about 53 years old.

M.T.: Did you use the print on demand technology, or did you print a larger quantity?

D.T.: I went through a printer and printed a larger quantity.

M.T.: Had you approached mainstream publishing with your manuscript?

D.T.: I did approach mainstream publishing but am very, very glad I self-published. I have every intention of self-publishing again. I hear from readers who love Portia and I will not give that up! Those excellent reader/writer relationships! I refuse to abandon that!

M.T.: That’s a very good point there, Denise. What genre would you say the novel, Portia, fits in?

D.T.: Semi-autobiographical novel. My next book is a bona fide novel. It's about 350 pages. It is written in novel format. Portia is not.

M.T.: What steps have you taken to market your book?

D.T.: I have done radio/TV/newspaper interviews. I'm online at http://www.chistell.com. I have a very informative and professional book/writing related newsletter - The Book Lover's Haven which can be subscribed to at my web site - http://www.chistell.com. I have been involved in contests and I send press releases, something I highly recommend that every writer whether self-published or not do. Thank you for the support you lend to all writers! Thanks to all book lovers! I respect you to the utmost!

M.T.: Thanks you for your inspirational interview. We’re all afraid of cancer, and I’ve read that it can be beaten with a positive mind. In general, writing is also a way of healing ourselves as human beings, too.

You can order the book, Portia, from http://www.chistell.com. While there, please subscribe to her informative newsletter, The Book Lover’s Haven.