I'm happy to welcome back my good friend Lisa Harris. We're introducing her first Heartsong Presents Mystery release. By the way, I love the new picture of you, Lisa.
A verse that has always stood out in my mind is for everything I do, I want to do it in the name of the Lord. My heart’s desire is to be able to use my talents to glorify Him.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Wow, that’s hard, because in looking back, I see so many amazing milestones. My marriage, the birth of my three children. . .I’ll stop at those four.
How has being published changed your life?
What stands out at the moment is how it’s forced me to become more disciplined. Because we are currently living in Brazil without a car, learning Portuguese and home schooling, I’d planned to take off a few months from writing. That hasn’t happened. So while there are definitely no complaints on my side that I have book deadlines, I do have to be extremely disciplined in order to get everything done. Little, if any TV, unless it’s in Portuguese, no Internet surfing, no chatting on line. . .You get the picture.
What are you reading right now?
Book two in Brandt Dodson’s Colton Parker Mystery series.
What is your current work in progress?
An international suspense set in Africa that I’m absolutely loving writing.
I can hardly wait to read it. What would be your dream vacation?
Up until now, my favorite vacation has been going on safari in Africa, but being in Brazil, I really want to take a cruise to the Antarctica. Unfortunately, it’s way too expensive, but we are planning to visit the Amazon before we leave which really excites me as well.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
I think the setting needs to be like a character in the book. I like to use a familiar place, but normally make it a fictional so I can add my own ideas and depth to the location. Right now, I’m enjoying Africa as a setting and the chance to pull together many of the places I’ve seen into one exiting (and fictional) local.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’d spent it with my mom. It’s hard living so far away from her, especially during the holidays.
I'm sure that's right. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to try out new recipes when I have the time. And while it might not be a hobby, I spend a lot of time playing games with our kids like Mexican Train and Monopoly and reading together.
I love Mexican Train, Monopoly, and reading, too. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Probably fatigue. While I’ve become more disciplined, I’ve also learned to give myself a break and get the rest I need. I don’t have to be superwoman.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Don’t give up. This is a tough business to be in. Join a critique group, attend conferences, and most importantly, write. Then write some more.
Recipe for Murder is book one in my Cozy Crumb mystery series and will be released on January 18th from Heartsong Presents: Mysteries. Check out their site for details on how to join this exciting new book club at www.heartsongpresentsmysteries.com .
Blurb: Pricilla Crumb’s guest list has just turned into a suspect list. . .for murder. Pricilla never expected to be involved in a real life mystery, but that’s exactly where she finds herself when she joins her son at his hunting lodge in the beautiful Colorado mountains. Laced with a spiritual message and a sprinkle of romance, this unconventional busybody follows one lead after another, dishing up laughter and suspense along the way.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
You can stop by my website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or my blog for a peek into live in Africa (and Brazil for the moment) at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com
I subscribe to Lisa's blog on Feedblitz. I love it when her posts come. They're all very interesting.
Remember, readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Recipe for Murder. And don't for get to check back in a couple of weeks to see if you won.
