WISH YOU WERE HERE - Beth K Vogt - Free Book

Welcome, Beth. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I tend to weave some of my life experiences throughout my novels. It might be a specific struggle that I faced, such as overcoming fear, which is something Allison, the heroine of Wish You Were Here, deals with. Or it might be an actual event I lived through. In Wish You Were Here, the hero, Daniel, has an accident while he’s hiking and is injured – the same thing happened to my husband.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

My husband and I once attended a murder-mystery dinner. My character was a “Goth” editor—yes, still couldn’t get away from my editor title. I went all out: black wig with red highlights, long black skirt paired with a black lace top, boots with 4-inch heels, lace gloves, red nails (I like red nail polish), black lipstick, pale foundation on my face. My youngest daughter asked me, “Please do not come in and kiss me good night when you come home later tonight.”

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I knew by 8^th grade I loved to write. I never groaned when the teacher said, “I want you to write about …” I was one of those kids who went to the library and came out with a stack of books taller than herself. I plowed through all those books and then would write my own stories to keep from being bored until it was time to go back to the library.

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

Other than horror novels, I’ll read just about anything—and I did try a Stephen King short story one time. Just thinking about it now scares me. Some of my favorite novelists are: L. M. Montgomery and Georgette Heyer to Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, Donita K. Paul, and Siri Mitchell. My bookshelves also have a wide range of nonfiction—everything from favorite authors like Max Lucado, Kevin Leman, Howard Hendricks, Kay Arthur, and Gary Smalley to writing books and parenting books. I love loaning books out.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

My husband, Rob, keeps me sane. He reminds me that I have to say “no.” My family and friends keep me sane because they are the ones I laugh and cry with. My faith keeps me sane—particular verses like “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” (Isaiah 26:3)  Deadlines have been crazy the past few months. One friend told me, “God is bigger than all this stuff.” She’s right.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Oh, I have fun with characters’ names. I like to use my friends’ names—but never for a villain. I also like to look up the meaning of names and choose a name that way.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I have always said that if people look at me and say, “She loves her husband and her children,” I am content. I am most proud of my family. I am amazed and thankful that they are my “home.”

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? Oh, this is easy!

An otter. I love otters. They seem so happy and carefree and … fun! Do otters ever have a deadline? If they do, I don’t think it fazes them. How stressed can you be if you fall asleep floating in the water?

We visited my aunt who lives on the Monterrey Peninsula. I loved watching the otters. What is your favorite food?

Crème brulee—that’s my all-time favorite dessert.

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

Storyworld. I crossed over to fiction from writing nonfiction. I was a journalist and I knew how to write tight. So for me, storyworld was something like “four walls, a floor, and a ceiling.” Done. I learned quickly that is not adequate storyworld. (Thank you, Susie May Warren.) How am I overcoming this? I’m trying to “up my game” with each novel I write, focusing on one or two particular aspects of the writing craft. (This is yet something else I learned from Susie May Warren.) For my second novel, one thing I’m slowing down and zeroing in on is storyworld.

Tell us about the featured book.

Wish You Were Here is a contemporary romance that asks the question: Can the wrong kiss lead to Mr. Right? It tells the story of a woman who kisses her fiancé’s brother five days before her wedding. The question is, which is the mistake? The wedding? Or the kiss? On a deeper level, Wish You Were Here explores the question: Can God redeem our mistakes and bring something good out of them?

Please give us the first page of the book.

She never should have said yes.

Allison smoothed the bodice of the wedding gown, the fitted lace sleeves clinging to her arms. Waves of material billowed out from her waist, threatening to overwhelm her like a silken tsunami.

The style was all wrong.

She’d known it months ago—the moment the saleswoman released the dress from its protective plastic covering. Allison doubted all those layers of ivory lace and silk, bows and beads would ever fit back into such a small bag.

Securing the myriad of tiny pearl buttons marching down the back took precedence over her request for something simpler. She’d been instructed to stand on a round carpeted platform in front of a wall of angled mirrors. Encouraged to turn this way and that for the assembled critics—her best friend, Meghan; her mom; her younger sister, Hadleigh; and Seth’s mom. Her future mother-in-law’s breathless “Perfect” sealed Allison’s fate.

While her mother paid a price as outlandish as the dress, the bridal shop attendant stressed the “no returns/no refunds” policy. And now . . . well, Allison couldn’t do anything about her decision five days before the wedding.

I loved the runaway bride movie, so I’ve been looking forward to your book. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is www.bethvogt.com .

You’ll find my blog, In Others’ Words, on the front page of my website. I’m a quote aficionado and my posts highlight different quotes and the fun and insightful conversations spurred by them.  For me, blogging is all about getting a conversation started.


Win an iPad2 from @BethVogt! Celebrate with Beth by entering her Wish You Were Here Giveaway!

One "happy" winner will receive:

• A brand new iPad with Wi-Fi (The must-have, do-everything gadget!)
• Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt (Swoon worthy.)
• $15 iTunes Gift Card (Music, books, apps, & more.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 6/4/12. The winner will be announced 6/6/12 on Beth's website!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Beth's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Wish You Were Here: A Novel - paperback
Wish You Were Here - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book on this blog, separate from Beth's giveaway. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com