Lynette Eason Interview

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

Here’s my bio:

Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, including Too Close to Home, Don’t Look Back, and A Killer Among Us. She is a member of American Fiction Christian Writers and Romance Writers of America. She has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. She and her family live in South Carolina. When she’s not teaching online or writing, she’s teaching at writing conferences all over the country.

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

A. I’ve always loved to write. After I got my first rejection, I was pretty determined to figure out what it took to get published. I figured after I did it, just once, I’d be satisfied and could sit back and gloat that I’d done it. Well, no. God had other plans. He kept giving me stories and I kept writing. I suppose it was at that point that I admitted I was a writer and I was doing exactly what I wanted to do and what God had in mind for me all along. And then I thanked God for it. J

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

A: Highlights have been hitting the best seller list and winning a few awards. The BIGGEST highlights have been the emails from readers telling me how my book changed their lives for the better. Now that is just crazy amazing that God would use me like that.

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

A: Here is the back cover blurb:

As a member of the North Cascades Smokejumpers, Alexia Allen always takes care of the equipment that keeps her safe. So when she nearly dies in a fire due to equipment failure, she knows something is up. Ordered to take time off while the investigation continues, Alexia makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother’s home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to be following her, and within hours of arriving home she’s involved with murder, arson–and a handsome detective. But the conflicts ahead are nothing compared to the ghosts of her past. As she strives to remember and forgive her family history, she must also decide if the secret she’s been guarding for the last ten years must finally come to light.

Chock-full of the suspense and romantic tension readers have come to expect from Lynette Eason, When the Smoke Clears is the explosive first book in the Deadly Reunions series

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS?

A: I was watching a movie about smokejumpers and thought that was a fascinating career. So I did some research and decided to write a story around a character who was a smokejumper.

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

A: That it’s never too late to come home—to God anyway. He’s always waiting with open arms for his children to come running back to him.

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

A: Probably when she wakes up to find a huge gourmet breakfast has been made and she’s the guest of honor.

Q: What inspires you to write?  

A. Deadlines. LOL! Seriously, just the whole creative process. I love puzzles and putting together a book is like putting together a 5000 piece puzzle. First you start with the outline (the edge pieces) and then you fill in the middle. I love the challenge. (I love actual puzzles, too!)

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

A: I didn’t realize how much marketing the author has to do. That’s been an eye opener.

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

A: Keep writing, keep submitting, keep learning.

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

A. I’m working on Book #3 in the Deadly Reunions series.

Q: What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?  

A. I wear hearing aids. LOL.

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

A. I love to travel, read, hang out with my kids and husband, shop, and go teach at writers conferences. J

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

A. If readers are interested, they can find me online at www.lynetteeason.com and I have a Facebook page. Come “like” me! <G>