LET'S VISIT WITH ELIZABETH GODDARD

Patricia Bradley here, and today I'm talking about writing with the author of some fabulous romantic suspense stories, Elizabeth Goddard, a former member of the Suspense Sisters...And you know the old saying, once a Sister, always a Sister! She's giving away a copy of Hidden In The Night to someone who leaves a comment.

So, Elizabeth, when did you start writing? 

I started actively pursuing writing for publication in 2001 when I joined the ACFW writer’s group. I was put in a critique group with Lisa Harris, Tamera Alexander and others—a great group. None of us had been published but we all are now! That’s been a minute too. Ha! 

Oh, man, what a group to be put with!  Why romantic suspense novels? 

I think we all end up writing what we love to read. I started out trying to get published with historical romance novels. At the time—early 2000’s—I called myself a historical romantic suspense writer. I kept submitting proposals and finally got published—first—with sweet contemporary romance. 

I hadn’t considered that my genre at but the door opened and I walked through it. But that sweet contemporary romance turned out to be filled with suspense and mystery elements, and that’s when I really started leaning into romantic suspense. I think that sometimes it can take a lot of writing and a few books published before an author finds their niche. At least that’s how it worked for me!

So true! I wrote two that will NEVER see the light of day because they've been shredded. What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? 

The hardest part of writing any novel for me is starting. That first line, paragraph and chapter has to include just the right amount of all the necessary information to anchor the reader and also leave them wanting more. In romantic suspense, I think it’s even harder because you have to set up so much, including the mystery suspense thread. 

In general, though, romantic suspense is the hardest genre to write—in my opinion—because you have to balance the suspense with the romance. Readers have their preferred level of suspense or romance. You can’t please everyone. Then throw in the spiritual element and you have three threads to create—romance, suspense, and spiritual—into one novel. It’s a tough genre but I love it!

I agree that romantic suspense is the hardest genre to write. You have to keep up with all the clues and suspects...How long does it generally take you to write a novel. 

I love this question. It takes me as long as the time I’m given. Give me nine months and it will take me all that time to write. Give me six (which is my current time structure) and it takes me the full six months. That time is filled with edits, galleys and page proofs of previous novels. But let’s say I only had two months to write 80,000 words. Could I do it? If I put everything else aside—and I do mean everything—I could probably pump out those words. 

I do need time to polish and usually by the time I turn a book into my editor, I have gone through it about five times. The first draft is a horrible mess, and then I just keep going through and fleshing out and building up to the deadline. 

I love seeing how you create! And your answer leads up to the next question. Are you a panster or plotter or somewhere in between? 

I know how to plot. I have to do that for Love Inspired Suspense for the proposal. But for Revell I end up pantsing a lot of the novel. Yes, I have a loose plot idea in my head, but for me I can’t truly know the characters or where the story needs to go until I’m living in that world. I think that makes for a better naturally flowing story. If I were to plot, I would constantly be forcing my characters to fit into the story I’ve created. Pantsing is harder but at the same time, it’s a lot of fun. 

I totally agree that pansting is harder but more fun. And the research--I know you do a lot of that. Do you ever worry about what Homeland Security would think if they went through your computer? 

Ha ha! Well if writing research is considered criminal I think a lot of us would be looking at 25 years to life! Funny story—the other night our doorbell ring camera went off. We had just gone to bed. My husband looked to see who could be here so late and it was the police! And we both jumped up. He went to the door while I got ready, and I kept thinking, oh my gosh. Why would they come to our house? Did I do something in the Walmart parking lot that I didn’t see—i.e. back into someone. I don’t know. I was thinking about every possibility but coming up empty. Still I was totally panicked. Sometimes they come to deliver bad news, right?  

As it turned out, my son had called the fire department—he’d seen a blaze in the distance and that turned out to be nothing to worry about, and it wasn’t the police that showed up but the fire department to simply inform him all was good. Honestly, my mind never went to my browsing history.   

Your story is so funny! Although I'm sure it wasn't at the time. Tell, me what’s the most rewarding or frustrating thing about writing? 

I think it’s rewarding to have this dream for so many years and to actually have the dream come true, and when I complete a novel, I have such a sense of accomplishment. What’s frustrating is that I pour out my soul along with all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into a book and sometimes it feels like readers stomp on a book over the silliest things in their reviews without appreciating all the hard work and the art of it all.  

And that's why I don't read reviews. LOL What are you working on now? 

I just turned in book three in Hidden Bay and I’ll be reading through edits for PERILOUS TIDES (book 2) which releases in July. I am about to start on book one in a brand new series called MERCY RIDGE set in the Cascade Mountains! 

Oh, my goodness, you are busy! I can't wait to read them. And the Cascade Mountains are beautiful! Tell us about your current book. 

STORM WARNING is the first book in my Hidden Bay series. I’m so excited for readers to get their hands on this book. It’s set on the stunning Washington Coast and a storm-watching lodge. People come to the coast to watch the storms in the winter—the waves crashing on rocks and the glory of God’s creation. 

Here’s the press release info: In Storm Warning, Remi Grant, a former army photographer, is haunted by a half-forgotten past. Now working at an isolated storm-watching lodge on Washington's rugged coast, Remi's life takes a dramatic turn when she receives a mysterious puzzle piece that may unlock her suppressed memories. As Remi grapples with her fragmented memories, she encounters Hawk Beckett, an enigmatic former military pilot seeking solitude after a catastrophic event in his own life. 

Their paths intertwine as they face the most ferocious storm to hit the coast in a decade, forcing them into a fight for survival.But nature isn't their only adversary. A sinister presence at the lodge is determined to keep Remi's past buried, even if it means silencing her permanently.

I can't wait to read Storm Warning. Anything you want to add. 

Yes!! Readers can get a COLLISION COURSE—a free ebook—by subscribing to my newsletter. I offer book deals, free e books and more! Just hop over to my website elizabethgoddard.com or click here to sign up. While there, please click on the social media icons and follow me around social media town. Thank you so much for having me!

It was so much fun talking with you today! Readers, be sure to leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for Hidden in the Night!

The winner of the Spring flag is...Dreaa Drake!