Inspired by the Bible story of Elijah raising the widow’s son from the dead, author Dana McNeely wondered what became of the boy. She began research for her novel, “Rain,” which tells the story of the three-and-a-half-year drought from his perspective. No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies.
In 2021 RAIN became a finalist in The Christy Award (use the registered mark) and was also a finalist in the 2022 ACFW Carol Award® and was also a finalist in the 2022 ACFW Carol Award.
WHIRLWIND, the second novel in the "Whispers on the Wind" series, tells the story of a king's downfall and a love that transcends war.
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While the world hunkers down to evade Covid-19 and many use quarantine time for creative endeavors, abandoned projects, or nursing a sick loved one, I grab my duster, rags, and ancient bottles of furniture oil and set to doctoring a ninety-year-old chest of drawers. I polish this old dresser as if it’s a treasure, which …
Early mornings are a great time to walk in our garden. The light of the rising sun softens the edges of leaves and blossoms and the colors of sky transmute as we watch. This is the time we’ll find garden surprises, a hidden butterfly chrysalis, an apple tree in full bloom, or new seedlings pushing …
How My Book-in-a-Drawer Got Published After a long break from social media, I was browsing through FaceBook posts when I heard a private message ping. I cringed a little. The FB messages I’ve received are too often trolls. Sighing, I opened it and read: “Hi, are you the Dana McNeely who wrote RAIN? And if …
I got fired the week after I closed the big art deal. Before the boss called me into his office, I remember walking around giddy with success. I was the new recruit in sales and this international customer would secure my place on the team. Things were looking up! Minutes later I was packing up …
HOA Injustice One day as my daughter and I strolled through her neighborhood, she pointed out a lovely garden and told me a story of HOA injustice which prompted me to write “Death in the Butterfly Garden”, published in SoWest: Killer Nights. The woman was required to remove a bedraggled-looking plant, though she argued it …
Finding Your Way Soon after I obtained my driver’s license, I learned the most ominous words in the English language. As I prepared to embark on my first cross-town errand, my mom rattled off directions involving cross streets, stop signs, and a fire hydrant on the corner. She closed with these words, which first inspired …
