Saturday, September 08, 2007

Lisa T. Bergren

I've enjoyed Lisa's books for many years. This new series is a real departure for her. One I think you'll like.

Lisa, tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

What I am experiencing, learning, struggling with, battling, appreciating, loving—pretty much any verb you can think of—always ends up in my characters’ lives. I’m usually pretty heavily invested in the main character, living her feelings and experiences. Not to say that I’ve done everything they’ve done, by any means. I get to fall short and sin and adventure outward and find out the repercussions through my fiction—exploration without the real-life pain! So I’m in there, but in bits and pieces.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Asked a man in a parking garage in Avignon, France, if he would show me how to put my rental car in reverse. (Okay, quit laughing. It was hard. There was an extra button.) I was sure I’d end up on a one-way street in this medieval city, going the wrong way, with a bunch of people yelling at me in French when I couldn’t turn around!

That does sound like a dilemma. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I won a poetry contest as a third-grader.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Spiritual memoirs, biographies, history books, fast-paced literary fiction, fast-paced mindless fiction. I used to read cereal boxes as a kid. Now every book I read has to be worth the time I put into it—so I allow myself to set aside a book I don’t like within 50 pages.

That sounds like a good plan. What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I began with contemporary romances (Refuge, Torchlight, Treasure, Chosen, Pathways, Firestorm); moved on to historical women’s fiction (Captain’s Bride, Deep Harbor, Midnight Sun); moved on to general contemporary fiction (The Bridge, Christmas Every Morning); moved on to medieval spiritual suspense (The Begotten, The Betrayed, and the upcoming The Blessed). I’ve also written children’s books (God Gave Us You, God Gave Us Two, God Gave Us Christmas and the upcoming How Big is God?), a women’s book/Bible study (What Women Want) a devotional (The Busy Mom’s Devotional), a creative prayer book called God Encounter and a couple of gift books and novellas.

I hope you'll come back for an interview when The Blessed releases. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I don’t, always. I wish I did. Some days are just survival days. But I’m endeavoring to have fewer of those by saying no to the extraneous and yes to the more meaningful—time with family, good friends, and God.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

A baby name book with boys and girls names from around the world, including meanings. I have to be able to pronounce them in my head and like the way they sound/feel and what it says about my character. It’s a big thing for me!

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Can I give you four?

Of course you can.

Solid marriage to my best friend; great family/kids; growing discipleship; 28 books with my name on the cover—cool, on all 4 counts!

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Bald eagle. Strong birds no one messes with, the job perk of getting to soar over mountains, lakes and streams, and they get to eat salmon, which I might even like raw. I think. You know, if I was an eagle…

What is your favorite food?

Salmon, halibut, steak. A better question for me is what I don’t like—eggplant, zucchini, or any other jiggly veggie.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Getting my rear-end in the chair to just get the writing done. Only deadlines and the need for a paycheck seems to motivate me past this dilemma.


What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Get thee to the nearest writer’s conference, subscribe to Writer’s Digest and read like crazy in the genre you wish to write.

Lisa, how can readers find you on the Internet?

www.LisaTawnBergren.com - You can sign up for a free monthly newsletter, which includes a devotional, there too!

Lisa, thank you for the wonderful interview. These books are near the top of my to-be-read pile. I can hardly wait.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of one of these books. We will give away one of each. There's still time to leave comments on the interviews by DiAnn Mills and Patti Hill for a chance to win a copy of each of their books.

Remember to check back to see if you won. If you have a hard time remembering to do that, just sign up for FeedBlitz. You'll be informed when a new interview posts or winners are announced.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am loving reading all the interviews & about all the new books(at least to me) & writters. Books are my mania...lol I have tooo many. I am eager to get this books & read them.
Laura
cebumommy[at]yahoo.com

Stormi said...

Great interview! I love medievil history so these books will be a great read I am sure, they sound interesting. Please put me in the drawing. :)

Stormi

WK said...

Ohh Great interview! I would like to ask how both of you feel about the blurring of the lines between Christian fiction and secular. Do you think this will benefit many in the secular world when they pick up a great story with a message?

Please enter me in the drawing, I also love history and these sound like great books!

WendyK
highlandlovesong@yahoo.com

Sheryl said...

Lisa's book "The Betrayed" was the Chapter of the Week selection this week and it was so good I've added all of her books to my TBR list. :-) I would love to be entered in the drawing to win a copy of one of her books.

Thank you Lena and Lisa for the wonderful interview!

Blessings,
Sheryl

ChristyJan said...

Wonderful interview. I'd love to be included in the drawing to win one of her books.

Anonymous said...

I have become a big fan of fiction from different periods of time and just finished a series of when Richard the Lion Hearted was gone from England during the crusades. Lisa's medieval period sounds fastenating. Please enter me in the drawing for one of her books!

Laurie
lkilzer@neb.rr.com

Unknown said...

Historicals are some of my favorite reading. Please add me to the drawing for one of Lisa's Books.

Melissa Meeks

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved this interview. What a personable author! The books must be great! Please enter me in the drawing!
gbstice@yahoo.com

Norma said...

I enjoy Lisa's books and would love to win this one!

Anonymous said...

Read, Read, Read, I love to read. My hands up please pick me.

Cherie J said...

Great interview! Would love to win one of these books!

Kristy Dykes said...

Great interview!! Thanks!

Atomic Kitten said...

Lisa sounds like an author to watch! Count me in the giveaway pls! thanks. :)

Lisa Tawn Bergren said...

Lena,

I really enjoyed answering your questions. Your interviews are great! Fun. Thanks for sharing me with your readers!

Lisa
lisa@bergrencreativegroup.com

Anonymous said...

This is first time I knew about you but look forward to reading your books. Lena puts you on her blog is good enough for me. I love her books. God Bless.
Jane Squires jrs362@hotmail.com

tetewa said...

Enjoyed the interview these sound like wonderful reads! tWarner419@aol.com