Fay Lamb Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a fifth generation East Coast Florida gal from a sleepy little town known for its proximity to Kennedy Space Center. Though I grew up near the beaches, I’m not really a beach person, though I love surfing—watching it, not doing it.

I am a writer of romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and contemporary fiction—oh—and one non-fiction book on characterization. I am a past-secretary for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and a past-president/founding member and current secretary for the Central Florida chapter of ACFW.

I am also an acquisition editor for Pelican Book Group as well as a freelance editor.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. I can honestly say I don’t believe there was ever a realization on my part. I loved stories before I could write. I told stories to my friends, even had them star in plays in our backyards. Writing was just a natural progression for me. My father was my first critic, providing an in-depth critique on a letter I wrote to the Beatles.

If my peers remember anything about me in high school, I was known as the girl who writes.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?

A. My first writing break occurred when a critique partner invited me to lunch with a publisher. We sat across from this dear woman, and she eventually asked us to tell her about our projects, and she invited us to submit. I did. The process was tedious because the story really isn’t your typical Christian fiction. That story was Because of Me. After publication, though, the publisher’s illness caused her to close her offices.

At a conference where I was teaching a few years later, I met my current editor. She asked me to submit another romantic suspense novel, Stalking Willow. The novel was contracted along with the series. That publisher also contracted what had previously been Because of Me, which has become the novel we’re discussing today.A few changes were made (suggested by a scriptwriter who is writing the screenplay for the novel), and a new title and a great new cover have given new birth to this story. With this second “big” break, came a contract for three series and a total of eleven novels.

 Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Better than Revenge?

A: Michael’s fiancée, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.

Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.

Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago?

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Better than Revenge?

A: I remember that day so vividly. I was sitting out my porch working on another project, and in my imagination, this handsome, but rather rough looking fellow, sat down in the chair and started to tell me his story. As with most great pitches, Michael grabbed my attention with: “There’s a little boy. He’s not my son, but he’s on this earth because of me. I want to love him, but I just can’t find a way to do it.” Well, of course, I had to find out what in the world Michael could have against a child, and why Michael would declare that the boy not his son, yet he was born because of Michael.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: I mentioned above that I had a little trouble with the first publisher’s prior to acceptance. What occurred is that one of the beta readers for the publisher declared that Christ-like forgiveness was impossible. The publisher wrote to me and asked me to respond.

I believe that this questioning of Christ-like forgiveness was a God-thing for me because at that moment, I realized why Michael sat down in front of me and why he said what he had to say. Michael needed to learn that Christ-like forgiveness is possible. He’d already exhibited this type of forgiveness with another character in the story, but forgiving himself and realizing the blessings that come when we lay our bitterness aside is the message that Michael wanted to get across.

Do I believe Christ-like forgiveness is possible? Christ exemplified it for us in the greatest of ways. He died on the cross for our sin. I fall short of truly expressing my gratitude when I fail to offer that same forgiveness to others, whether they ask me for it or not.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A: I don’t want to give away the story for the reader, but Better than Revenge isn’t a formulaic romance. The pattern is different, and my favorite scene occurs during the couple’s honeymoon (which is already unusual), but some truths come out about the hero and heroine that always make me smile.

And that smile is needed because after the honeymoon … the suspense begins to ramp up.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A. Both character and location. I will see a person (usually an actor/actress) and I’ll follow a few roles portrayed by them. Then I begin to form that character in my mind.

Locations sometimes strike a chord with me and jumpstart my imagination. Of my three contracted series, Amazing Grace, takes place in my beloved Western North Carolina Mountains. Stalking Willow and Better than Revenge are both from that series; my contemporary romance series, The Ties that Bindtakes place in Central Florida; and the contemporary fiction series whose first book will soon be released, is an island town loosely based upon my favorite Florida fishing village. When the location strikes a chord with me, the characters line up for auditions, and it isn’t difficult for me to match them to their roles.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?

A: Somehow, I think we have an expectation that once the first novel is published, life gets easier for an author. That isn’t the case. Whether an author becomes critically acclaimed or whether they keep on pushing forward, presenting book after book and gaining a faithful readership, the profession doesn’t get easier. There’s always the thought that the next book won’t be as good as the one before it. There’s the worry over marketing. There’s also the self-doubt that writers tend to carry around with them from time to time. Publication doesn’t take those things away. If anything it heightens the need to become more creative, to work harder to get our work out there, and to push away the doubt that can stifle us if we let it.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A: I believe I always have a different answer for this question, but my biggest advice currently would be to realize that storytelling is just as much as art as painting, music, and sculpting. Artists don’t show progress unless they practice. Storytelling has elements that help writers to create the best novels possible. Grab a hold of those elements and practice, practice, practice, and don’t try to sell your work before its time (whether you decide on traditional publishing or indie publishing)

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

A. As I mentioned, I have contracted for several titles, but the one I’m digging into now is the third book in the Amazing Grace series entitled Everybody’s Broken. It’s the story of four people dealing with the loss of one man and what he was in their lives—and he was different for each one of them. Then, of course, there’s the psychotic murderer whose out to get them all because he wants the treasure the dead man left behind.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?

A. I like to work with authors. I don’t get enough time to do it as I’d like, but I’m beginning to look into mentoring, coming alongside writers and teaching them the story elements I mentioned above. I guess that could be considered writing related, so outside of writing, I love to spend time with my husband, collect salt and pepper shakers, and I love to tat.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A. I’m all over the place, and I enjoy meeting others. Here’s a few links. I hope you’ll friend-up or say hello:

www.faylamb.com (My website where you can find my blogs: Inner Source and The Tactical Editor)

www.facebook.com/fay.lamb (personal FB page) Don’t hesitate to friend me.

www.facebook.com/AuthorFay (Fay’s fan page) This is where I share my news and shout out about other authors.

www.facebook.com/TacticalEd (This is an extension of my Tactical Editor blog)

www.twitter.com/FayLamb (Twitter)

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1482814.Fay_Lamb (Goodreads)

http://www.pinterest.com/faylamb/ (Pinterest)

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

A. I just want to say thank you for allowing me to share with your readers. I always enjoy meeting new people and joining up with old friends when I get the opportunity to share.