#Interview & #Giveaway with Author Elizabeth Ludwig

I'm so excited to have Elizabeth Ludwig on our blog today. I loved her series from Bethany House Publishers, Edge of Freedom because it appealed to my historical romance side while overtly flirting with suspense too! But that's not all Elizabeth writes and it was so great to chat with her! :)

What authors do you like to read?
I have so many authors I like to read. A few of my favorites include Deborah Raney and Kellie Coates Gilbert for Women's Fiction, Michelle Griep and Julie Klassen for Regency Romance, Lynne Gentry and Stephanie Landsem for Biblical Fiction, and Ane Mulligan for Women's Contemporary with a touch of humor.

What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

Oh my...I think I would have to say The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers. Reading that book made change the way I think about Inspirational Fiction. It's not just a good story...it's the Gospel of Christ with a good story woven around it!

What’s more important: characters or plot?
Readers love believable characters. Of course, if the characters have nothing at stake, there's no reason for the reader to invest in them. I think both are equally important.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author and what would it be?

This question makes me giggle, because just about the time I say "never", God says, "Oh, really?" I don't think I would ever tackle any topic that wasn't from a Biblical worldview, but other than that...who knows?

How important are names to you in your books and how do you choose them?Naming my characters is just about as important to me as naming my children! I spend WAY too much time browsing baby name sites. Still, I know when a name isn't right, and I really don't get a good feel for my characters until I've chosen a name that fits them. A name says a lot about a person, don't you think? And the scripture says a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. So I guess that's why I agonize over selecting exactly the right one.


What secret talents do you have? Because here at the CCC blog we have all kinds of them ;)

Well...I'm kind of a computer nerd. Not like an Apple Genius or anything (snort). I know just enough to be dangerous.

What were you like as a child? Steady-going like our Anne, a tornado like Jaime, and adventurous soul like Erica, or an avid-reader like Gabrielle?
Oh, I was an avid-reader. Definitely. I used to spend hours under the covers reading with just a night light when I was a kid!

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what
did you do?
Several years ago, I was working part-time as our church's Youth Director. I was also working full time, parenting full time, and writing full time, so as you can imagine, my plate was pretty loaded. Still, I loved working with the kids so much that I really had a hard time letting go. And then my pastor started asking for me to take on more responsibilities. Though his requests were reasonable, I just knew I couldn't successfully do what he asked and still take my writing seriously. Though it broke my heart, I stepped down from youth ministry and trusted that God would grant me a greater audience to minister to through my writing. And He has!!

What’re your writing goals for 2016?

I've really set the bar high for 2016. This year, I'm hoping to complete a manuscript for Love Inspired, write a fourth book in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries Series, plus a novella for the same. I'd also like to dive into a new Historical Romance series. So yeah...I'll be busy. :-)

Lastly, will you leave us with a snippet from your book that is one of your favorites and gives us a glimpse into its pages?
You know that feeling you get when you write a line and know that it says just exactly what you wanted to express? That's how I felt when I wrote this passage from my latest book in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries series:

Cheryl re-read the last line slowly, her Aunt Mitzi’s voice a soothing whisper in her ear. God had indeed brought her through trials, but she’d never felt overwhelmed, and she had sensed His loving presence at her side the entire time.

As if to echo this sentiment, a light breeze ruffled a corner of the page then swirled up to tickle Cheryl’s neck, and down to stir the grass under her feet.

Truly, she had much to be thankful for.

Her lips parted in a sigh as Cheryl folded back the flap on the envelope and replaced the letter inside. Oh, how she missed Aunt Mitzi. It amazed Cheryl how her letters always seemed to arrive at just the proper time, but words on a page couldn’t replace the weathered lines of a loved one’s face.
Awesome sauce! Loved learning so much more about you, Elizabeth!! Thank you for being here!

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BIO:

Elizabeth Ludwig is the author of No Safe Harbor and Dark Road Home, books one and two in the popular Edge of Freedom series. Book three in the series, Tide and Tempest, was recently named a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Elizabeth was also named a finalist in the 2015 Selah Awards for her novella “One Holy Night”, part of the bestselling anthology collection, Christmas Comes to Bethlehem, Maine. Currently, she is working on a series called the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries available from Guideposts. She is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often attending conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Along with her husband and children, she makes her home in the great state of Texas. To learn more, visit ElizabethLudwig.com.