Elizabeth Goddard Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?

A. Great question. When I finally answered God’s call to write, I wasn’t sure what He wanted me to pursue—articles for magazines or novels. I started writing devotionals first and earned my first paying gig from The Secret Place. Then a friend I’d connected with invited me to join a newly formed American Christian Romance Writers (Now ACFW) and I submitted a chapter a week to a critique group they placed me in. I’m still friend with those ladies in the group and we have all gone on to be multi-published. Over the years I’ve learned I enjoy writing mystery and romantic suspense.

Q: What does your writing space look like?

A: Right now I live in a small parsonage with my husband, three boys, two dogs, a parrot and two gerbils. I have no writing space to call my own! Fortunately writing requires only a laptop so wherever I decide to sit, that’s my office. There’s a cute coffee shop down the block and I can go there if I need some peace and quiet.

Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing?

A: This is a struggle, to be sure, but I’ve learned that we have to be deliberate about what’s important to us. While I do love to have quiet time with God where I can worship and spend a long while in prayer, I’m actually connecting to Him all day. I thought about this very thing just the other day—I’m always talking to Him or thinking about Him—would He approve of this or that. Or I’m thanking Him for the beautiful day or my family, or whatever it is at the moment. I haven’t considered this actual prayer or connecting, but when Someone is always on your heart and mind, and in the case of God, I think that counts as prayer or connecting. J

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?

A: By this time in my career I have figured out a rhythm that works well for me. The hardest part is the money. It’s either feast or famine and my paycheck depends on the approval process of others. In a regular salaried job, you can expect your check every two weeks or every month.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Deception?

A: Deception is the last book in my Mountain Cove series set in stunning southeast Alaska. I’m going to miss the town and the people and definitely the gorgeous setting. I don’t want to give away any of the plot so here’s the back cover copy:

TRAIL OF SECRETS

Jewel Caraway thought she’d left her mistakes in the past—but then her past arrives at her door. Though she’s thrilled to reunite with her estranged sister, something about her sister’s new husband makes Jewel uneasy. Does he know her secret? Is he the one behind the growing list of attacks against her? And if he is involved…does that mean her sister is, too? With nowhere else to turn, Jewel must rely on police chief Colin Winters—the first man to make the widow question her resolve to never love again. But will he stay by her side when her guarded secrets are revealed?

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: In writing the Mountain Cove series certain characters emerged that needed their own story. Jewel Caraway runs the Jewel of the Mountain Bed and Breakfast and Chief Colin Winters has had a thing for her since Backfire—so yeah, they needed their own story.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.

A: Going deeper with a secondary characters was a lot of fun.  In developing her past and what sent her to Alaska I came up with a secret she kept hidden away. The fun part was tying it all in with the sheriff’s past as well. I don’t want to say more and give it all away.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?

A: I loved the characters and the setting. Writing about a beautiful natural setting let’s me live there in my mind and like any good book, I’m sad when it’s over. Okay. Don’t laugh. But I don’t like to kill people in my books. That’s what I enjoyed least.

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?

A: The story is about one mistake. A simple choice made that has huge repercussions years later. Ever had that happen? If it wasn’t for God’s grace, where would we all be?

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A: Ha! I’m in a whirlwind. I’m writing the third book in Wilderness, Inc., my newest series. The book doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s a fast paced action-packed story set in the mountains of southwest Oregon.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

A: My mom and dad. My mother past away in April, and I live far from my dad. It would be nice to sit down to dinner with them again. (You didn’t say they had to be famous. J)

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?

A: Right now I LOVE knitting. I love creating. For a while enjoyed making artisan bread but really can’t afford the carbs, so now in my spare time I’m working on a blanket or a scarf. Right now I’m learning to knit hats for the upcoming Minnesota winter!

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?

A: Truly it’s hard to top writing books, especially when I get reader letters that tell me my story helped them in some way—always in a spiritual sense. It’s a ministry!

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

ElizabethGoddard.com

Facebook.com/elizabethgoddardauthor

Twitter.com/bethgoddard

Christiansread.wordpress.com

Suspensesisters.blogspot.com

Cleanromancereads.blogspot.com

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A: Yes. Please sign up for my Great Escapes newsletter to receive updates and book news! http://elizabethgoddard.com/elizabeth-goddard-newsletter-sign-up/