A RIVERWALK CHRISTMAS - Elizabeth Goddard, Martha Rogers, Lynette Sowell, Kathleen Y'Barbo - 3 Free Books

I've been looking forward to featuring these Texas authors with a Texas Christmas book. We'll talk to Elizabeth Goddard first. How did your story for the collection come about?

I took my kiddoes to the park and while they were playing I sat at the picnic table and began thinking up random ideas for a story. Usually, there’s something I see that inspires me to write, so this was something different and fun.


What are you reading right now?
Petra by T.L. Higley

What other books have you had published?

Seasons of Love, O Christmas Tree (Christmas Homecoming), Disarming Andi, and Exposing Amber.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Coordinating things that tie together in the books if needed. This was an easy collection because we wrote our stories independently. However, in the end I did tie a few things in with Lynette’s Mexican restaurant.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

We’re all friends already. I got to work with Lynette more.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I have a love-hate thing about choosing names. When I find the right ones I love the it, but otherwise it’s tough when nothing presents itself. I have a friend whose daughter is named Ecko and of course, I knew I had to use that name in a book.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

Sometimes things are not always what they seem—especially in matters of the heart.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Yep. I joined the organization in 2001 and credit them with my success. I’m still a member because it allows for great networking.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Never give up.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

Elizabethgoddard.com

Thanks for dropping by, Beth.

Now let's welcome Martha Rogers. How did your story for the collection come about?

It was one I’d been mulling over for several years, and this collection gave me the opportunity to use it.


What are you reading right now?

Second Chance Brides by Vickie McDonough

What other books have you had published?

Sugar and Grits novella, Becoming Lucy, Morning for Dove, and Finding Becky

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Making sure it fits with the other stories.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Made a new friend in Beth Goddard.

I love Beth. I mentored her before she became published. I'm so proud of her success. How do you choose your characters’ names?

They tell me their names as I start the story. I rarely change them after I get started.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

Everyone deserves forgiveness and a second chance.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Yes, because it was a Christian fiction organization. I have not regretted it for one minute.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

 To keep working and perfecting my craft no matter how many rejections I received.

You are a real witness that persistence pays. Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

 http://www.marthawrogers.com/

Thank you, Martha. Next we'll talk to Lynette Sowell. How did your story for the collection come about?

I really enjoy visiting San Antonio, especially the Riverwalk. I’m also a foodie and a fan of Mexican cuisine. It’s much, much more than what you see at a chain restaurant. I could go on and on about cilantro, queso fresco, mole’, but I won‘t. Anyway, when the four of us started talking about writing a book set in San Antonio, I thought it would be fun to have my heroine be a chef in her family’s Mexican restaurant on the Riverwalk. Enter her hero with a past, and the story flowed from there.

Sounds wonderful. I can hardly wait for my book to come. What are you reading right now?

Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio. I’m enjoying both the romance and the suspense in this book.

What other books have you had published?

This is my fifth novella (second Christmas novella) for Barbour publishing. Besides the novellas, I’ve had two cozy mysteries and one historical romance published. My third cozy mystery releases in late 2011.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Novellas can be tricky. You can’t condense a long period of time into a novella, so the key is to pick that pivotal moment in two characters’ lives where everything comes together. That, and coordinate your timing with the other authors. My next novella is in the anthology Christmas at Barncastle Inn and releases in September 2011. The four stories will involve a bit of coordination with my cowriters.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

It reminded me of how much I enjoy being friends with these ladies. Some collaborations are a bit more challenging, especially when scenes and characters overlap. Not so here!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

In this story, Gabriela and Miguel are both Spanish versions of Gabriel and Michael, two angels from the Bible. Since angels announced the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and played very important roles in the Christmas strory, this was a natural choice for me. Plus, I like they way they sound. I choose names based on a characters’ ethnic background, or because of what a name means. And sometimes, a name will just seem to fit.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

First of all, I want them to enjoy the story. What time of year is better to enjoy your family and special traditions than at Christmas? Christmas can also push those “imperfect” feelings to the forefront. My heroine and hero both are learning to let go of the past, which can be a process.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Yes. As a writer, it’s important to have regular contact with other writers. This is a solitary business when you’re working, but because of other writers I’ve been given opportunities that I doubt would have come to me on my own. And I also enjoy encouraging other writers and giving back to them as I can.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Never stop learning. Don’t settle for mediocre or average. Be willing to keep learning and don’t think you already know it all, or know enough.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

I have a web site, lynettesowell.com, but readers are also welcome to find me on Facebook where I enjoy commenting on writing and life in general. I love hearing from readers!

I've enjoyed visiting with you, Lynette. Now we're going to talk to Kathleey Y'Barbo. 1. How did your story for the collection come about?


I was approached by Lynette Sowell regarding a collection set in San Antonio, one of my favorite cities in Texas. Of course, I said yes. Then I began to think about what makes the city so unique, and the first thing I thought of was the Alamo. Then, my what if kicked in, and I wondered, what if the John Wayne movie The Alamo was being remade by one of today’s hot directors? And what if my hero is an actor who also is a huge John Wayne fan. And what if the heroine, in her first big break as a production assistant on the movie....well, you get the idea!

Sounds wonderful. What are you reading right now?

I’m reading the One Year Bible and Susan Meissner’s The Shape of Mercy - both on my Kindle.

I loved The Shape of Mercy. What other books have you had published?

I’ve written 39 other novels, novellas and nonfiction books including the Waterbrook Press historicals The Confidential LIfe of Eugenia Cooper (nominated for both Romance Writers of America’s RITA and American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol award) and Anna Finch and the Hired Gun.

And I've loved every book of yours I've read, especially those last two. What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Continuity is always the hardest part for me. I’m a detail minded person, so keeping stories and characters consistent from book to book is important - and difficult.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

I love these ladies so working with them was a blast!

How do you choose your characters’ names?

The names just came to me as I was writing the characters. I do have one family name in the story, though. My heroine’s last name - Montalvo - was my late mother-in-law Catherine Montalvo Y’Barbo’s maiden name.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

The Lord directs our steps. We are to be obedient and walk in them.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

I am. It is a fabulous place to learn, network, and generally spend time with others who are longing to write for the Lord as well.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Write! Every day. Even if it is awful. It is that process of coming to the computer and sitting down to put words on the page that eventually leads to completed proposals and finished books.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

I am online at my web page at http://www.kathleenybarbo.com/ and on Twitter at kathleenybarbo. You can also find my readers page on Facebook at http://bit.ly/bYVBGb.

Thank you, ladies, for the fun interview. 

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