Collecting Tickets: Indie Christian Authors Blog Train – Elaine Baldwin

I started a Facebook group called Indie Christian Authors almost two years ago with the desire to fellowship with other Indie authors who are also Christians. The group has grown to almost 500 members with a strong sense of community as we help each other with advice and prayer. . We decided to feature a blog train with the authors in our group. I get the honor of featuring Elaine Baldwin, a co-administrator of the group, a talented author, and a dear friend. So let us begin!

Which author, either living or dead, would you most like to meet? What one question would you ask them?

I would like to meet C S Lewis because his books were the first that moved my soul to be a more determined and better informed follower of Christ. He did this in both his fiction and non-fiction writing which is what I am doing and aspire to keep doing.

I want to ask him about the book he didn’t write. (I think everybody has one) I want to know what it would’ve been about and why he didn’t write it?

What or who inspires you to write? Is there a “real person” you pattern either your protagonist or antagonist after?

My main inspiration is my kids. I guess it’s because I know them best and understand their psyche, idiosyncrasies and dreams better than anyone else I know; maybe even more than I know myself. LOL!

I embarked on writing my first non-fiction book decades ago because I wanted to be a better mom and I knew the only way I could do that was if I figured out how to truly love someone else. It was a long arduous journey but I finally finished that book one year ago. I am still not sure I have this love thing down! But I pray I have a small grasp of its foundation and power.

My fiction series is seeded in the life of my daughter as a single adult. In college she stopped reading Christian fiction because the standard plot line of damsel in distress, boy saves damsel, they marry and live happily ever after was nowhere to be seen in her future. These books depressed her; not entertain her. I wanted to write a series where the female protagonist remains single and still has a wonderful and fulfilling life living out her purpose in God.

I also wanted to write fiction; fantasy to be specific and, of course, I wanted to be like C S Lewis. Who doesn’t, right?! And that is where one of my sons comes in. He lives and breathes speculative fiction and fantasy and he pushes me to write this genre to its fullest potential. He doesn’t let me slack. He also helps me with the battle and fight scenes to make them as realistic as possible. He doesn’t even know this but one of the good guys is patterned after him.

What are some of your writing quirks?

I am a strange mix of an organized plodding writer and a seat of the pants (write it as it comes to you) kind of writer. I think it has something to do with being a little ADD and easily diverted!

I also use multiple types of media for my writing; notebooks, scratch pads, journals, computer and even my phone! Of course it all has to get on the computer eventually if I want anyone else to read it.

Where do you want to be in your writing career five years from now?

My heart’s desire is to be an author/speaker in ministry with my daughter! Way back in the late 1980s and early 1990s I had a small ministry and Valerie would often join me. She was between 3-7 years old at the time. Of course she stole the “show” with her beautiful chubby cheeks and adorable child’s voice.

I am convinced she will still steal the “show” though the chubby cheeks have been replaced with a beautiful young woman’s smile and the child’s voice is now a classical powerhouse. But more than anything I believe we can serve Christ in His church by sharing how we navigated a complicated mother/daughter relationship and lived to tell about it!

My dream is that in five years One Another Living Ministries will be a thriving organization that serves others in Christ’s Name and, just being real here, helps support us both financially.

What book project/s are you working on right now?

In light of the five year goal, I am working a several projects right now. The main one is finishing up the second book in the series The Books of Allelon. Of this, I need to eliminate all distractions and focus Elaine!!

I also have another Christian Living study book that I really want to complete and publish before some speaking gigs that are scheduled for late 2015. It is called The Art of Forgiving One Another and follows the first book of this series, The Art of Loving One Another.

For fun I am currently writing a blog series called Puppy Lessons which will be turned into a small devotional book in 2015. And just because I want to I hope to write a helpful book on how to survive moving your family. I am writing this with my sister-in-law and between us we have moved more than 50 times and have lived in 20 states and overseas!! We plan to call the book, Beyond the Boxes.

We, my daughter and I with techo son’s help, are working this fall on a new website design incorporating my daughter’s piece of the ministry and announcing her addition to One Another Living in January 2015. We plan to write at least one short book together in 2015 to help market our ministry and story. But, we have a wedding to plan for March of 2015, so that whole roll out may be delayed!!

Thanks so much for having me, Vicki! You truly have been a good friend and not just an author contact. I really do thank my God upon every remembrance of you! May God richly bless the work of your hands!

Vicki here – Thank you, Elaine! You have been such a blessing to me in many ways. Please check out Elaine’s books! I’ve read “If One Falls,” and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  [image error]

Those interested in connecting with me can find me as Elaine H. Baldwin at the following:

Ministry Site: www.OneAnotherLiving.com

Book Site: www.TheBooksofAllelon.com

Buy my Books: Amazon

Facebook: Author Page and Independent Christian Authors

Twitter: Author Page

Pinterest: Author Account

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