Welcome, Elizabeth. Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
This is a tough question. I don’t intentionally put myself
into my characters, but I often find it in there when I’m going back through to
edit. I tend to have a snarky wit that gets me in trouble … and there’s always
one character who seems to suffer from that same problem. I try not to leave
too much of it in.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I went to Space
Academy during the summer
my freshman year in high school. I’ve always been a space nut, and that was
hands down the best summer camp I ever attended. But I’ve been told it’s
quirky. And also possibly nerdy. I’m okay with both of those labels.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I’ve been writing forever – truly. (I know it seems like
everyone says that in their bios, but it really is true!) But I still struggle
with the idea that I’m a Writer. I consider myself someone who writes – I can’t
imagine not writing. But “Writer?” That’s a title for people like Jane Austen.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read everything. I love a good romance – though I prefer
contemporary to historical. (Really, I prefer contemporary to historical in any
genre.) I also love fantasy and sci-fi and mystery (both the hard-boiled detective
novel and the bumbling-heroine cozy.) Honestly, as long as there’s a good plot,
I’m willing to give it a try.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I read. Reading
is my escape valve. I tend to work my way through 120-150 books a year, just
catching five minutes here and another five there. But it keeps me sane.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Most of the time it seems like my characters choose their
own names. That said, I’ve had to go back and rename a few people because I
started to realize they were all sharing a first letter, which just won’t do.
In those cases, I dig out a baby book and I look at the Social Security list of
names that were popular the year that character was born and I try to find
something that fits well enough that the character won’t mutiny when I use it.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
It’s probably a toss up between finishing my PhD in Computer
Science and having Wisdom to Know published.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
Probably a cat. I love cats – they’re the perfect blend of
independence and companionship. And you always know where you stand with a cat.
I’m a lot like that – probably even the negative aspects of cat-dom as well, if
I’m honest.
What is your favorite
food?
The avocado. There’s really nothing as wonderful as fresh
avocado.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Finishing. I struggle a lot – probably more than most people
– with self-doubt. I’m truly my own worst critic. And so I tend to start novels
and then decide they’re terrible and put them aside and start something new.
But with Wisdom to Know, I
started sending pieces of it to my sister and she hounded me until I finished
it. And even after it was done, she really is who hounded me to push through
the next hurdle and find it a home with a publisher. I haven’t really overcome
the self-doubt issue – but I’ve always got my sister to push me to keep going
despite it.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Wisdom to Know tells the story of Lydia Brown. She’s someone I consider a
pretty typical “good” young woman who, despite growing up in church, has never
really made her faith her own. So she goes through the motions and knows all
the right answers, but other than Sundays, you don’t see faith impacting her
life all that much … until the consequences of her actions start catching up
with her. When that happens, Lydia
isn’t sure how to handle the crisis and she spirals into a deep pit without
really caring what relationships she destroys in the process. After she finally
crashes at the bottom, she realizes how much she needs God if there’s any hope
of rebuilding those relationships.
It’s also a love story. It’s about the love between two
flawed people. Lydia, who so desperately wants to measure up that she’s willing
to do anything, and Kevin who is so consumed by the fact that he loves Lydia
that he doesn’t see her … and then when he finally does, and he realizes she’s
not the perfect woman he imagined for so long, he runs the other way when she
needs him most. It’s also a love story between God and His fallen, sinful children.
Because what both Lydia
and Kevin need – and find – is grace
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“You look like a prostitute.”
Kevin admired the long, shapely legs in front of him from
where he was sprawled on her living room couch. “Won’t you be cold if you show
so much of them?”
“It’s September, not the middle of January. It’s still warm
out.” Aggrieved she patted her hem. “Besides, the skirt reaches the end of my
fingertips.”
“Your elbows are bent.”
“That rule shouldn’t apply to me, I have long fingers.”
Kevin cocked a brow. “You wouldn’t wear that to church.”
“We’re not going to church.” Lydia shot him an impish grin.
“Besides, there are a couple of guys there who wouldn’t usually give me the
time of day ... maybe if I wore this, I’d get their attention.”
“More than likely.” Kevin shook his head. “Where are you
going? You never did say.”
“Dinner downtown, then to a club, in Georgetown I think.”
“Bridge club?”
Kevin frowned. “Everyone is going to see your underwear in that
skirt.”
Kevin started to speak several times before rubbing his
forehead. “I’m just trying to look out for you, kiddo.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Didn’t you just finish complaining that Brad treats you
like an object?” At her grudging nod he continued. “You think it might have
something to do with clothing choices?”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website is here: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com
I’m also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey
and on Twitter: @elizabethmaddreThank you, Elizabeth, for spending this time with us today.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Wisdom to Know - paperback
Wisdom To Know (Grant Us Grace) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, 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
I have not read this author but this book sounds like a wonderful story that I could get into...thanks for letting us get to know a little about Elizabeth and her life...
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your book and comments today.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a reader in Ga
Thanks for stopping by, Paula! I hope you get a chance to read the story - and that you enjoy it! :) (and don't feel bad about having not read my books before - this is my debut novel.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to get this book.
ReplyDeleteLyndie Blevins
Duncanville Tx
Another new author to me and a very interesting sounding book.Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for coming by, Lyndie and Jo!
ReplyDeleteI have not read anything, by you, Elizabeth, but i hope to win this book. It sounds like a great book. The tittle is also intriguing. Good interview that you and Lena had. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteNorma Stanforth from Ohio
WISDOM TO KNOW sounds like a fantastic read thank you.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I enjoyed the interview. The first page made me want to read more!
ReplyDeleteBeth from Iowa
I read mostly historical fiction, but this might be a nice change!
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
thanks for chance to win
ReplyDeletelive in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Looks like Kevin is doing what lots of brothers need to do with sisters - let them know that what they are wearing is provacative, etc. Perhaps this would be a good book to place on our school's library shelves (Alamance Christian School) so the girls gain perspective.
ReplyDeleteI'm in North Carolina (mid-state) and yes, the girls like the skirts short here, too, much to society's detriment.
godleyv [at]yahoo[dot](com)
Indeed a provocative beginning. It caught my interest to see how far this young girl would go. I agree with Vera's comment. I'm for whatever will help our young people gain perspective on decency. The author is new to me and I wish her many blessings on her writings. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win a great read.
ReplyDeleteIn Christian Joy,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Arlington, TX
Norma - thanks for stopping by! I love my titles - I have my editor to thank for helping me find them, but once she did we both said "God just did that." :)
ReplyDeleteMary - Thanks! I hope you get a chance to read it.
Beth - (Great name, btw ;) ) I'm glad the first page was intriguing - that's definitely what all of us hope for!
Patty - Thanks so much - I'm glad it sounds interesting to a primarily historical reader.
Apple Blossom - Thanks for stopping by!
Vera - Kevin has a tendency to tell it like it is, maybe a little too much sometimes. I'll admit though that I cringe sometimes when I see what girls are wearing these days and I worry for my boys (they're 5 and 1) and what they'll have to deal with as they grow up. Thanks for stopping by!
Barbara - Unfortunately, Lydia has to learn from some pretty hard knocks - like a lot of us do. Thanks for stopping by and the encouragement!
This book sounds like what we're going through with one of our kids. Would love to win it and read it. sharon, ca
ReplyDeleteSharon, So sorry you're going through it personally! It's such a tough situation and so many go through it and feel alone.
ReplyDeleteEnter me!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
Ooh I am so very thankful to see this book being given away! I have been reading about it on a few different blogs of late, and I truly think it would be a smashing book to read! :) THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteinkand-blogaways(at)usa.net
//Florida
Sharon, Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteJorie - glad it's caught your interest!