Craving the Supernatural

Hey, everyone! I am absolutely delighted to share with you the release of a very dear friend, Lisa Harris. She and her husband serve as missionaries in Mozambique, and Lisa is multi-published and extremely talented. I am so happy for her with this release--a dream and passion of her heart!

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Blood Ransom. (US & Canada only, please)

1. Why did you start writing?

I started writing because there was always a story in my head. It’s funny, because for the longest time, I assumed everyone’s mind was full of scenes and characters and stories. Then one day my mother-in-law asked me how I came up with my stories, and that no, she did not have characters and story lines running through her mind. I honestly was shocked. Because that why I started writing, to put to paper all the stories begging to be written down.

2. You are a multi-published author, with novellas and novels published through Barbour, Tyndale, and Steeple Hill. You also have titles with Summerside and now with Zondervan. Can you tell us how you juggle the writing life with all of your missionary responsibilities?

It’s not easy. When my kids were in the school system in South Africa, I had regular time to write and was more involved in ministry. Now that we are living in Mozambique and I home school, I’ve had to change how I do things. I don’t have a set time to write. During this phase of our lives, school has become a priority, which means I also support my husband in ministry, by going out to the villages, hosting guests, etc. but I don’t have regular, daily commitments. Writing is done in spurts during school when the kids don’t need me, an hour or two between school and fixing dinner, and after the kids are in bed.

3. Blood Ransom is very special to you. Would you please share that with the readers?

We’ve lived in Africa a total of almost ten years now, and it was always my desire to draw from these experiences and show the beauty of this continent. To me, Africa is the perfect setting for adventure with its diversity of terrain and people. To be able to write one of the stories of my heart, set in such a fascinating setting truly is a dream come true.

4. Why do you write?

For the most part for the same reasons of why I started writing. Every now and then I’m convinced I need to quit due to the business of life, but then I realize that writing is and always will be a part of me. So for now, I feel strongly that God is still calling me to write and will continue until He says stop. I’m also finding that a story can convey deep truths that I want to share with my readers. Words that will challenge, change lives, and bring hope

5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?

I’d probably be lost. I would read more, spend more time at the beach (we live near the Indian Ocean) and definitely sleep more. LOL

6. What are you working on right now?

I’ve just started a book set in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia, Africa) and New York in the early 1920’s. This is for Summerside Press’s new romantic suspense line. It’s a change in pace from my Mission Hope series, but the strong suspense—and the romance—is still there which I love.

7. Tell us about the book you have out right now.

Blood Ransom:

Deep in the heart of Africa, two American lives are about to change forever.

Natalie Sinclair is working to eradicate the diseases decimating whole villages in the Republic of Dhambizao, when she meets Dr. Chad Talcott, a surgeon on sabbatical from a lucrative medical practice now volunteering at a small clinic.

Meanwhile, things are unraveling in Dhambizao. Joseph Komboli returns to his village to discover rebel soldiers abducting his family and friends. Those that were too old or weak to work lay motionless in the African soil. When Chad and Natalie decide to help Joseph expose this modern-day slave trade—and a high-ranking political figure involved in it—disaster nips at their heels.

Where is God in the chaos? Will Chad, Natalie and Joseph win their race against time?

Romance and adventure drive this powerful thriller about the modern-day slave trade and those who dare challenge it.

8. How important is faith in your books?

Very. I really believe that everything I do should be for His glory, so while I try to never “preach” in my stories, the spiritual themes run deep.


9. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?

That’s simply not a fair question!  As of this moment? I just finished book two in my Mission Hope Series (with Blood Ransom being the first). Blood Covenant comes out next spring and as with every book, you want your next one to be even better. I worked hard to up the stakes and the characterization to where parts of it were extremely emotional to write. No spoilers here, but it was a tough story I loved writing.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Ronie!! I love to hear from my readers so please visit my blog and website for more information on my books and life in the heart of Africa.

www.lisaharriswrites.com
http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/

I am DELIGHTED to bring you my good friend and crit partner CAMY TANG and her hilarious Asian chick-lit book, Sushi for One?, out now from Zondervan. This photo from last year's ACFW conference shows me with the Loud Asian Chick. The girl is absolutely amazing writer, sweet (she'll love me for that one), and a wonderful friend.

Now, on to Camy's interview:

1.) What inspires you to write?

I love writing, but I also rest in the knowledge that this is trulywhat God wants for me to do. He asked me to lay down my writing oncebefore, and then gave me the green light to pick it up again, so Iknow that this writing is something He approves of and desires for me.

2.) You've talked about how you're very much a left-brained person. Since I'm predominantly right brained, I'd love to know how you overcome the left-brain side to get into your creative streak.

Unlike most women, I actually do not shift between left and rightbrain very easily. I have to get myself into a creative mode and staythere for as long as I need to in order to get the writing done.It's usually just a matter of clearing my plate of left brain work sothat I can be in right brain mode for several days or weeks.Coming up with character personalities is right brain for me, and so I'll set aside any kind of editing or logistical work until that'sdone. The plotting is more left brain, so I'll work on plot and sceneindexes while doing other busy-work like edits from my publisher orwork on the ACFW Genesis contest.Then when it comes to writing the manuscript, I try to give myselfseveral weeks in pure right brain mode to get the story written out. Iwon't take critiquing jobs, I won't do any edits, I won't evencritique for my crit partners. I try to completely clear my scheduleso that all I need to focus on is the writing.

3.) What is an indulgence that helps your creative muse?

POTATO CHIPS!!! I also love taro chips and veggie crisps. I know they're super bad for me, but I can't help myself!

4.) I love the flavor infused in your books. Where did you get the inspiration for Lex and the others?

I like using archetypes turned on their heads. I usually use Victoria Lynn Schmidt's 45 Master Characters. As a psychology major in college, I knew that there are certainpersonality types that are repeated in fiction because they resonatepsychologically with readers. That's why I enjoy using archetypes--anarchetype usually enables me to create a richer, deeper characterthat's both consistent and fully drawn.I try my best to avoid stereotypes, so I'll take an archetype and giveit a different sort of twist--an Amazon who has already been strippedvulnerable, a Maiden who has escaped her torturous relationship with aWarlock. I ask myself, what would they do now? And I go from there tocraft their stories.

5.) Who in the industry has had a profound influence on you and your writing?

Gayle Roper. I took her Fiction Mentoring clinic at an ACFW conference, and it was a turning point in my career. She's aphenomenal teacher and a wonderful writer. If any writer has anopportunity to take her Mentoring class, they should do it.

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Thanks, Camy, for this fun interview. Hey, everyone--leave a comment to win a copy of Camy's incredible book. I've read Camy's book and I have to say that the Loud Asian Chick hooks you into the Asian culture in a very cunning and funny way. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters are quirky but real, and the laughs are endless! I found it surprisingly how seamlessly Camy stitched in the cultural elements. She's a phenomenal writer. You've got to get this book!!

Here is the official blurb from Camy's website:

Book #1: Sushi for One? (September2007)Sports-crazy Lex Sakai isn’t too worried about “winning” the unofficial family title “Oldest Single Female Cousin” when her cousin Mariko marries in a few months. Her control-freak grandma is easy to ignore, until Grandma issues an ultimatum—if Lex can’t find a date for Mariko’s wedding, her ruthless Grandma will cut off funding to the girls’ volleyball team that Lex coaches.

Lex isn’t about to look desperate by dating every player in the dugout. She comes up with a stringent list of requirements from her Ephesians Bible study in her search for The Perfect Man. She always wins in volleyball—if she ups her game, she’s sure to succeed.

Then her brother introduces her to non-Christian, non-athletic, no-immediate-physical-appeal Aiden.

Aiden’s on the rebound from a girl named Trish, who dumped him because he wasn't Christian. Then he discovers that Lex is 1) not attracted to him at all, 2) Christian, and 3) Trish's cousin. No way is he hooking up with anyone from that crazy family, much less another hypocritical Christian chick. He's certainly not masochistic.

Time is running out for Lex, and no matter what she does, she can’t find the right guy. Especially when she keeps running into Aiden everywhere. If only the list would stop getting longer and longer...


DON'T FORGET to leave a comment to WIN A COPY of Camy's Sushi for One?, out now from Zondervan.