Interview With Author Elizabeth Goddard

Elizabeth Goddard is one of the Suspense Sisters. She is also a bestselling, award-winning author of more than twenty-five romance novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies--a 2011 Carol Award winner. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of writing full-time. She currently makes her home in Minnesota with her husband and children. 

I've asked her a few questions about her writing, as well as her newest book, Submerged, which just released. Beth, I would welcome you to the blog, but, as a Suspense Sister, you should already be comfortable here.

How did you get started as a Christian fiction writer?

I joined ACFW in 2001 and joined a critique group. I started submitting a chapter to my group every week and I never looked back. We have all since been published.

What inspired the concept for Submerged?

This is the 4^th book in my Mountain Cove series and in the series I always select some geological aspect I want to explore in southeast Alaska. In this story I chose to explore caves and the story grew on me to include a shipwreck and lots more! I don’t want to give it all away.

How long did it take you to complete Submerged?

Well, I’m writing four books a year for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, so it took me three months to write and no more.

What was the most interesting thing you learned while writing Submerged?

I included a bit of history on shipwrecks in southeast Alaska in this story so I learned all about just how many shipwrecks there are along the shoreline of the Alaskan coast, which is huge. I also learned about caving and the islands in panhandle of Alaska. All this, I find fascinating so it made the story that much more enjoyable for me.

What are some of the challenges you face as an author?

I think we all face the same thing—how do we balance living in the real world and our fantasy worlds. It’s hard to deal with real life issues—some thing as basic as dishes and laundry, and then other things like illness or a death in the family. And yet we still must find time to write a good story.

What aspects of being a writer do you enjoy the most?

I love, LOVE, that I get to work from home, which was always a dream of mine. I get to stay home with my kids and work, but I also work on my terms. I love that I get to make up stories and watch movies and read books for a living.

What is your writing style?   (Do you outline?  Write “by-the-seat-of-your-pants?   Or somewhere in-between?)

When I first started writing, it was for Heartsong Presents and we were required to write a chapter synopsis—i.e., what happens in every chapter. That was good training for me because now I never have to worry what I’m going to write next. However, even though I outline or write up a synopsis beforehand, I give myself the freedom to change things as the story requires.

What other projects do you have on the horizon?

I just turned in books 5 and 6 for the Mountain Cove series and I am now working on the first book in a new series set in the Wild Rogue Wilderness in southwest Oregon, where I used to live. I’m super excited about this new series.

What message would you like your readers to take from Submerged?

We all make mistakes and we have to forgive others as well as ourselves. Let go of the past so we can have a bright future, which is what God intends for us.

Any last words? (That didn’t come out right, but you know what I mean).

Yes! If you’d like to receive book updates and release news, please sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter: 


Here's more about Submerged:

With Christmas just around the corner, Cobie MacBride wants closure in the case of her missing father. But when a visit to the last place he was seen leads to an attack by a masked assailant, Cobie knows she's in over her head. Running for her life, she never expected to find safety with Adam Warren—the man she blames for her brother's death. Seeking answers leads them to a treasure ship, buried secrets…and deadly danger. Christmas could find them starting a new future—if they can avoid getting trapped in the perils of the past.   

For a chance to win a copy of Submerged, leave a comment with your email address (US only please). Winner will be announced next Friday. [Use this format to enter email address, to foil web crawlers: Dr R L Mabry at yahoo dot com].


If you have questions for Beth, please leave them in the comments and check back for her answers. 

Tweet with a single click: "Interview with author Elizabeth Goddard." Click here to tweet.