Hi everyone! Today Elizabeth Goddard is visiting and I asked her a few questions that she graciously answered. But first a little bit about Beth, as I usually call her.
Elizabeth Goddard is a muliti-published and award-winning author. We happen to be published by the same publisher--Baker/Revell Books. She also writes for Harlequin's Inspirational line--Love Inspired Suspense. Here's Elizabeth's story in her own words:
A reader once told me that when she feels down, she picks up one of my books. She knows it will take her away from her troubles, at least for a while. That made me smile because I understand the need to ride on the winds of imagination. As a reader, I enjoy a novel that will whisk me away to another time and place.
I’ve often heard this response to my novels, which confirms what my ministry of words is about—telling stories set in unique locations and filled with adventure and suspense. Stories that infuse with a sense of hope and redemption. Stories that leave you with a spiritual nugget to take away.
Isn’t that what Jesus did when He told His parables?
Elizabeth's Story
I’m a seventh-generation Texan and grew up in a small town in East Texas once considered the world’s richest acre because of the oil produced on one acre downtown. There were so many oil pumps in my hometown that every night their gentle hum lulled me to sleep.
For a brief few years I lived in Oregon, the setting from which I draw many of my stories. God placed the desire to write within me from an early age. That, along with the love of reading, of course. My mother kept bookshelves filled with books she loved reading as girl, passing that love down to her daughter. Others influenced my life, as well. My third grade teacher read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle to the class—such a beloved and zany story—I couldn’t wait to share it with my children. Only two years later I tackled two adult novels: 2001 A Space Odyssey (admittedly it took five tries before I made it through) and The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I remember spending entire summers doing nothing but reading novels, and sometimes reading the ones I loved more than once!
In addition to reading voraciously, I wrote poetry and numerous stories, even starting my first romance novel at fourteen. My English teachers entered me in UIL creative writing contests, so I’ve been writing off and on for years. But it wasn’t until 2001, when I had three small children at home, that I began to seriously pursue writing a novel for publication. That’s been a few years ago and now my kiddoes (add another one to the mix for a total of four) are mostly all grown, and I’m still writing and going strong!
I have the Lord to thank for giving me the dream to write novels and for making it come true. My stories have been finalists in contests, but in 2011, my romantic mystery The Camera Never Lies won the prestigious Carol Award in the mystery category. I thank my Lord and Savior for installing this creative gift within me and letting me use it in such a big way. I encourage you to dream big, and follow those dreams He gives you.
Now onto our interview:
Me: When did you start writing?
Elizabeth: I’ve always been a writer at heart, but I didn’t start pursuing publication until I became a stay-at-home mom. I spent my twenties traveling the country for my job, and I think I had a hard time letting go of a business mindset, and it was then I turned that secret dream of being a writer—a dream God planted in my heart. In 2001, I joined the then-fledgling organization, American Christian Romance Writers—now ACFW (fiction writers versus romance writers). I joined am ACFW critique group which turned out to be such a blessing. All the writers in the group are now multi-published authors. My signed my first contract in 2006 and that means this year I’ve been in publishing for twenty years!
Me: Why romantic suspense novels?
Elizabeth: I’ve always loved reading them and I think that started with my love of the gothic novels written by Daphne Du Maurier, the Bronte sisters, Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt. Intrigue and suspense and a bit of romance mixed in. In my opinion, romantic suspense novels have everything you could want!
Me: What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
Elizabeth: There are a lot of hard parts of any kind of writing! Balancing writing and life for one, but I think for romantic suspense, the hardest part of me is just starting. Where do I start the story so that the readers will connect immediately with my heroine. Right after I answer these questions, I’m going to dive into my first chapter of a brand-new book. I don’t like to do an information dump but let the reader discover the backstory as they read. A romantic suspense has to carry a lot of layers—all the suspense and mystery (if there is a mystery), faith elements since I’m a Christian writing for that market, and the romance. I don’t want the romance to be heavier than the suspense and I try to write 50/50 romance and suspense.
Me: How long does it generally take you to write a novel?
Elizabeth: I guess the bigger question is what do you mean by “write a novel”? Define a novel—the rough draft or a publishable manuscript? Ha ha! I recently took a course on “how to write a novel in 30 days” because I thought---hey, I need to know what their secret is. Turns out, that the writer researched and plotted for six months and then the actual writing took thirty days. For me, I consider all parts of the writing process to include—letting the premise brew, thinking about the characters and on and on, so I’m doing that even while I’m writing on the book that comes before.
But I get that you’re asking how long it takes me once I sit down and put my mind to it. If I didn’t have interruptions in life, it might take me a month to write the first draft, and then more time to polish and edit, but life. . . right? We have to live it. I write a messy, rough draft over about three months (because I’m not glued to the chair), and then the last month before it’s due, I’m going through and editing and polishing and spend many hours a day on that part, and it’s very intense. I don’t care if I’m given nine months to write a book, this last month or two before it’s due, I’m going to be glued to the chair to make sure the rough draft is polished and is a “publishable” story before I turn it in. Then, of course, it goes through multiple edits via my publisher. How’s that for an answer? Short answer. One to two months for the rough. More months for the polish.
Me: Oh, wow! Are you a pantser or plotter or somewhere in between?
Elizabeth: I definitely lean more toward pantsing. I usually begin with a strong premise, a few loose turning point possibilities (nothing set in stone), and a sense of where the story is headed, but I also leave room for discovery along the way. I’m always thinking ahead to what would work and coming up with scene ideas and possible twists. Some of the best twists and emotional moments happen while I’m in the middle of writing---and more often, while I’m washing dishes! I give myself a lot of room to change course.
Me: That's amazing. What would you fear the most if Homeland Security went through your computer?
Elizabeth: Ha ha! What a great question. Honestly my biggest fear would be their complete and utter surprise that someone like me could even write the stories I write, and I’m sure they’d probably just laugh off all my research.
Me: What’s the most rewarding or frustrating thing about writing?
Elizabeth: The most rewarding part is hearing from readers who connected with a story—especially when they say a book encouraged them, gave them hope, or stayed with them after they finished. I love it when I hear “I loved it” or “It’s unputdownable”—those words really set my heart soaring. The most frustrating part is trying to translate the story in my head onto the page exactly the way I imagine it—I have such great ideas but getting that on the page often feels impossible.
Me: What are you working on now?
Elizabeth: As mentioned earlier, I’m about to dive into writing a new book—Mercy Ridge book 3, with a tentative title of Where the Fault Lies. I LOVE that title. Doesn’t it just give you goosebumps? I loved writing the Hidden Bay Series, but now I’m already on book 3 of a brand-new series. My stories often feature rugged landscapes, hidden danger, and characters who must face both external threats and personal wounds. I’m always drawn to settings where the beauty is breathtaking—and so is the danger. The Mercy Ridge series is set in the Cascade Mountains—but wait. . ., let’s talk about my current book. Next question . . .
Me: Tell us about your current book.
Deadly Currents follows investigative journalist Cressida Dane as she arrives in Hidden Bay to complete her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. While looking into the mystery of the ghost ship Specter’s Bounty, she uncovers secrets that put her in serious danger. County detective Braden Sanders is assigned to protect her, but as they dig deeper, they realize the truth is far more dangerous than either of them expected. It’s a story of buried secrets, rising danger, and romance forged in the middle of danger. I hope you love the surprise ending! Let me know!
Me: Anything you want to add?
Elizabeth: I’m grateful every time a reader picks up one of my books. Writing romantic suspense is more than telling an exciting story for me—it’s about weaving hope, courage, and faith into the middle of danger and uncertainty. Life can feel that way sometimes too, and I love reminding readers that even in the darkest moments, God is still at work.
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Okay folks, that wraps up our interview. I hope you've enjoyed it. Leave a comment (with your contact information), and I'll enter you in a drawing for a print copy of Deadly Currents.
Vickie Watts is the winner of the library mug from last month!
