Author Interview: E. A. West

I’m so pleased to introduce a fellow Pelican Book Group author. E.A. West! This lady wrote one of my very favorite short stories, THE KEY TO CHARLOTTE. In this novella, E.A.’s tagline, “Providing journeys of hope, one story at a time,” came to life for me. This author captures readers’ hearts from the get-go, and retains firm command of them throughout the storyline. Come along…let’s get to know E.A. West…
E.A., I’m thrilled that you’ve come to visit us on “Living the Write Life.” I’m eager to find out more about your writing journey, but first, I’d like to introduce my readers to E.A. West, the gal next door. Who are you outside the writing world?
I’m a knitter and crocheter, as well as a reader and occasional book reviewer. I absolutely love to be outdoors in warm weather, especially if it’s sunny. Dog training is something I’m constantly learning about in an attempt to find the key to working around my mutt’s stubbornness. Picture an obtuse teenager, and that’s about what I have to work with a lot of the time.
Such fun! :) I love THE KEY TO CHARLOTTE, but I know you’ve written many other stories. What is your favorite book so far? Why is it your favorite?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. I think every book I’ve written has been my favorite at one time or another. Each set of characters and storyline are special in their own way. For my current favorite, however, it’s a toss-up between Bogotá Blessings and Trust of the Heart. I love the heroes in both books and their stories tug at my heart. Even though they’re fictional men, they became real to me while I was writing their books.
I think our characters have to become real to us, as writers, in order for them to do so for our readers. So that’s a good thing, right? Tell us about your latest release. Include a blurb if you’d like.
My latest release is Bogotá Blessings. It’s part of the Passport to Romance series from Pelican Book Group.
When Kayla Shaw travels to Bogotá to help renovate a house for a mission to street children, nothing can prepare her for the ever-present mission employee Mateo Luis. He looks like he could be one of the rebels who have caused so much fear throughout Colombia. Then she begins to see him with her heart instead of only her eyes.
Mateo Luis Gómez Días has dedicated his life to the mission, and he's determined to help as many street children as he can. Unfortunately, he can't keep his thoughts off the beautiful American helping renovate the new children's home. Although he would love to have a relationship with Kayla, his past and the bad neighborhood God has called him to serve in prevent him from pursuing her.
Has God truly led Kayla and Mateo to each other, or does He have something else in mind for their lives?
Well, you’ve got my attention already! What can we look forward to next? 

Several things, actually. I have a short story in a Valentine’s anthology from Astraea Press. Sometime in the coming months, the prequel to Battlefield of the Heartwill release (also from Astraea Press). Plus I recently signed a contract with for my first YA novel. I can’t wait to share it with you all!
E.A., I’m aware that you’ve been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. First, what exactly does that mean? Does this disorder affect your writing in any way? What do you do differently as a writer than other writers might do?
Well, autism is a neurological disorder that affects the way a person experiences and interacts with the world around them. Difficulty with social interaction is one of the symptoms, as well as being adversely affected by environmental factors that wouldn’t bother anyone else (think fluorescent lights). Although autism is something most people associate with children, those children don’t outgrow it and eventually become autistic adults.
Having autism does affect my writing, at least a little. For one thing, everything I do is colored by autism because that’s what makes me the way I am. My imagination may go in directions others wouldn’t expect. Writing emotions and social interactions between my characters can be a challenge at times. Because autism makes communication difficult for me, there have been times when I’ve struggled to find the words to describe the scene in my mind in a way that would make sense to others.
I’m not sure what other writers do since I’m not them, but I do know that having an autism spectrum disorder has made it essential for me to study body language and how people react to one another in certain situations. Most people may be able to draw on personal experience or intuitively know what people would do, but non-verbal social cues have always been something of a mystery to me. In order to write believable characters, I have to venture into unfamiliar territory and hope like crazy all my research into social interaction will pay off.
Well, I’d say you’ve done a wonderful job of researching all of that. Your writing is amazing, and a reader would never guess that you have any kind of problem. What advice do you have for those just starting their writing journey?
Learn everything you can about writing. If you think you know everything you need to know in order to write a book, you’re probably wrong. Good writers never stop learning, no matter how many years they’ve been writing or how many books they have published. One of the best ways to learn how to write great books is to read great books. Take note of what pulls you into the story and how the author did it. Also note what put you off about the book. Don’t try to copy the style of the authors you read. Learn their techniques and use them to create your own unique stories in your own unique way. Your future readers will appreciate the time and effort you put into studying the craft of writing.
Amen! Favorite scripture?
I have two, actually. Both have gotten me through many difficult times.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Both excellent, encouraging verses. And now, just for fun…if you were a Crayola, what color would you be?
You know all those little bits of crayon you always seem to have left over? Melt them all together into a conglomerate of color, and that’s what I am.
LOL! I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone give me that particular answer. You are unique, aren’t you? :) Where can we find your books?
A full list of my books can be found on my blog and my website as well as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Thank you for visiting Living the Write Life, E.A.! I’ve enjoyed chatting with you. 

Thank you for having me here! It’s been fun.


About the Author: 

E.A. West, award-winning author of sweet and inspirational romance, is a lifelong lover of books and storytelling. In high school, she picked up her pen in a creative writing class and hasn’t laid it down yet. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, knitting, and crocheting. She lives in Indiana with her family and a small zoo of pets.
Connect with E.A. West and learn more about her books in the following places:
BlogWebsite FacebookTwitter                                                      Goodreads                                                      Amazon