CAN Scavenger Hunt #21

Today’s blog post is an interview with Elizabeth Goddard, author of more than twenty-five romance novels. This is part of a blog-hop scavenger hunt sponsored by the Christian Authors Network. If you don’t already know about the scavenger hunt (where you could win the grand prize of 26 books written by CAN members), check out my post from last week! 

Welcome to my blog, Elizabeth! I’m so glad that Christian Authors Network connected us for their scavenger hunt. I’m sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you. So tell me …

What do you love most about being a writer?

Oh, I’m so glad you asked this question. I LOVE that I’ve turned my dream into my job. And yes, it’s a job for me and I actually make a living. I love the flexibility of working from home, but that’s just a small benefit. I especially love that I get to do what I love—ha!—be creative all day long, come up with ideas and travel to exotic locations in my head. And there’s one more thing—I love that I can affect people’s lives with words. I’ve heard from my readers that my stories have resonated with them in some way—usually in some spiritual aspect—encouraging them. Writing is not only my job, it’s my ministry.

What have you written?

I’ve written novellas and short novels for Heartsong Presents/Barbour Publishing, and now I write romantic suspense for Harlequin/Love Inspired Suspense. My current release, Deception, is the sixth and last book in my Mountain Cove series set in stunning southeast Alaska.

Share one of your most rewarding moments connected to your writing.

One of the most exciting moments was when I received the “call” in the form of an e-mail from an editor saying that she was buying my book. Nothing can top that … except, well, maybe the moment when one of my books won a Carol Award in the mystery category. That moment was such a validation for me personally, assuring me that I actually COULD write, despite having numerous novels already published. We writers are such an insecure lot!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Spend time with my family. We love to go biking with one another along paved bike trails next to the Mississippi River, or walk the Mall of America, or see movies. We are huge movie addicts. So when I’m not writing, we find ways to get out there and exercise. Writing is bad for your health—all that sitting!

What interesting jobs have you had?

I worked for a computer software company and traveled all over the country in my twenties. Now, that was a GREAT job for a single twenty-something without children. But I had my first child at thirty and I couldn’t travel then, so I went to work for a pharmaceutical company. When she was four, I retired completely. But after years of working so hard, I had to stay busy, and that’s when I started writing.

What book will you be donating for the CAN scavenger hunt’s grand prize?

I’m giving away a copy of Deception. (This is post #21 in the blog hop, and our key phrase is “teach one another,” … The next one, #22, is ELIZABETH’S INTERVIEW WITH JANET BLY at http://elizabethgoddard.com/blog/. If you don’t know what that’s all about, check out the CAN scavenger hunt at http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/newreleases.)

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

Visit my website: www.ElizabethGoddard.com. From there, you can connect to me via Facebook or Twitter. And you can sign up for my Great Escape Newsletter at http://bit.ly/1spwg1Z for updates and book news. Or visit my Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Goddard/e/B001R1VRI0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1467471056&sr=8-2-ent.

In addition to donating a copy of 21 Days of Grace for the CAN scavenger hunt grand prize, I am also doing my own giveaway: a copy of 21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love (book 1 in the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series) plus a copy of Unspoken, by Angela Hunt, who is a contributing author to 21 Days of Grace. To enter to win those books, just reply to this blog post saying you’d like to get them—and be sure to give your e-mail address or a link to your Facebook page. Deadline to enter is 7/23.