Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I’m a wife and mom of three. I worked as a chemical engineer prior to the birth of our daughter and have been a stay-at-home mom since 2003.
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: I’ve been telling myself detailed stories since I was five, but it wasn’t until 2009 that I decided to try writing them down.
Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A: I’d been attending writing conferences and entering contests since 2010. In March 2014, I entered The Search for a Killer Voice contest from the editors at Love Inspired Suspense. I hit “send” on the full manuscript on June 8 (the day before my 40th birthday) and got “the call” in late July. By the end of that day, I had an agent, a book contract, and a VERY long revision letter!
Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Covert Justice?
A: Covert Justice is set in the mountains of western North Carolina. The Harrison family owns and operates Harrison Plastics International. Blake Harrison has no idea that his newest employee has ties to organized crime or that Special Agent Heidi Zimmerman has gone undercover to spy on him. When Heidi blows her cover to save Blake’s life they agree to work together to uncover the mystery and bring a notorious crime family to justice. When everything explodes around them, they’ll have to face their deepest fears in order to survive.
Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Covert Justice?
A: The DuPont State Forest lies between Brevard, NC and Hendersonville, NC. There are beautiful waterfalls and trails there now, but when I was growing up in that area the land was owned by the DuPont corporation and wasn’t open to the public. That sparked the concept of a local family owning large swaths of land around their manufacturing facility. The rest of the story developed over several years as I played with the idea.
Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: That God doesn’t want us to live in fear. That He’s Sovereign and His plans are better than anything we could imagine!
Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?
A: How can I answer this without spoiling it? I’ll just say it’s near the climax. I had a different scene originally, and when I wrote this version of the climax it felt like all the pieces had finally fallen into place. This was the story that wanted to be told.
Q: What inspires you to write?
A: Sometimes writing is just plain old hard work! But when I’m writing and the words are flowing and the story starts surprising me with where it’s going … that’s one of the best feelings in the world! When I’m worn out, I recharge my creative batteries with books, movies, and live theatre or concerts. There’s something about experiencing art that motivates me to create my own.
Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?
A: Everyone tells you that your life won’t suddenly be perfect after you sell a book, and they are right. I still change diapers, clean toilets, and fold mountains of laundry. But now I have to do all of that while keeping up with deadlines! I think I thought I’d be more confident by now – that I’d feel like I knew what I was doing. Instead, I find myself relying on God more each day to help me know how to proceed.
Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?
A: Write and keep writing. Study the craft and have a teachable spirit. If you can get to a writer’s conference, GO!
Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A: I’m working on what I hope will be my 2nd book with Love Inspired Suspense. Caroline Harrison has a nice role in Covert Justice and she had a story she wanted to tell. I’m having fun with it!
Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A: I love CrossFit (words I NEVER thought I’d say!), reading, cooking, and knitting.
Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?
A.
www.lynnhugginsblackburn.com
www.facebook.com/lynnhblackburn
www.twitter.com/lynnhblackburn
www.goodreads.com/lynnhugginsblackburn
www.pinterest.com/lynnhblackburn
www.instagram.com/lynnhblackburn
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A: Whether you dream of writing, or have some other passion that you’re pursuing, trust God with the timing. He knows what’s best for you, your family, and your career. And if you’d like to talk about it or need some encouragement, shoot me an email or message me on FB. I love to encourage people (especially moms!) and help them see how awesome God is and how He’s working in their lives.