Ronie Kendig grew up in the classic military family as an Army brat and moved often, which left Ronie attending six schools by the time she’d entered fourth grade. Her only respite and “friends” during this time were the characters she created. She now lives in Northern Virginia with her own military veteran and real-life hero husband and their four children. Ronie is the author of seven novels, including the A Breed Apart and Discarded Heroes series. An active member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Ronie has served in a variety of capacities from coordinator of a national contest to appointment assistant at the national annual conference.
MTAR: Tell us a little bit about yourself
Ronie: I’ve been married for nearly 23 years to my own hunky veteran. We have four children and two dogs. Though I wasn’t born in Texas, I lived there most of my life and consider myself a Texan, so transplanting our Texas family to Northern Virginia in 2012 was quite a feat. We’re still figuring things out here, but we’re happy to be where God wants us.
MTAR: What was the first book you wrote/published?
Ronie: My debut novel was Dead Reckoning, a thrilling spy story about a young underwater archeologist name Shiloh Blake and covert operative, Reece Jaxon. I had a lot of fun with that story and the characters. To this day, Dead Reckoning is one of my favorite books I’ve written.
MTAR: How different is it than your latest book?
Ronie: Dead Reckoning is pretty different—the most elementary way—it’s a standalone novel. At this time, there are no more novels planned with these characters. My most current novel, Talon: Combat Tracking Team, is part of a 3-book series about military working dogs. Of my seven published novels, Dead Reckoning is the only book that is not definitively about the military (though there are special operators in the story).
MTAR: If you could trade places with any other person in your books with whom would it be?
Ronie: I think I’d like to trade places with any of the dog handlers in my series—I am so amazed by these incredibly brave and loyal canines. They’re brilliant!
MTAR: What is your favorite movie (song)? Or theme song that you think describes your latest books?
Ronie: Right now, my favorite song is a worship song by Chris Tomlin called Sovereign because it rightly puts the focus on the Lord. No matter what’s happening in life, no matter my circumstances, He is Sovereign and with me. There is no greater comfort to me than that.
MTAR: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Ronie: Oh my gracious. I have no idea. Wow, what a question. Hm, maybe someone like Jennifer Garner. I loved her in Alias, and I respect things about her personal life (family/husband/children).
MTAR: If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Ronie: Hmm, I’ve never been asked this before. . .so I had to really think. I’d probably want to have the power to help others see themselves as they truly are.
MTAR: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Ronie: In every novel I pen, I pray that the message of hope in Christ always comes through. There is always hope. Even in our darkest hour.
MTAR: What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
Ronie: Being able to surrender the outcome has become the single most important attribute to me surviving this sometimes daunting life as a writer.
MTAR: What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing novels set in the military?
Ronie: Keeping up with the every-changing technology and combat theater. Shortly after I signed the contract for the Quiet Professionals, with all three stories set in Afghanistan, the government made the decision to remove troops from Afghanistan by mid 2014, which may very well necessitate me altering the last book or two in the series. I’m still debating that.
MTAR: What makes you laugh?
Ronie: This one’s easy—my family! They fill my life with laughter and love. I am truly blessed!
MTAR: Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
Ronie: I would really love to write another Shiloh/Reece book, or even write a few more Discarded Heroes novels to explore the lives of the Nightshade team members who didn’t get their own stories. It’s easy to think it’d be fun, but I’m also very excited about the future and where I’m headed.
MTAR: What environment is best for you to write?
Ronie: As long as I can plug in earbuds or headphones and listen to some music, I’m good. I have four children and homeschool, so there’s no such thing as “peace and quiet.” If you’re a writer, you have to find the time/place/determination to write.
MTAR: What are you working on now?
Ronie: I am currently writing Raptor Six, the first book in the Quiet Professionals series, and I’m having a lot of fun exploring this new team dynamic that is reminiscent of the Discarded Heroes, but also totally its own unit.