I’m honored to have inspirational author Elaine Stock as my guest today sharing about her writing and offering a GIVEAWAY!! Stick around for your chance to enter after the interview!

~ What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Once I get past the very first blank page, I enjoy the whole writing process. I’m an extreme seat-of-the-pants writer. All attempts in the past of first outlining and/or drawing up a synopsis of a novel before writing had only led for novel-abandonment. There’s so much fun in letting the characters explode on a page. They surprise me by their motivations, conversations, inner thoughts, and things like what they find beautiful and funny. And the opposite—what they take seriously. I also enjoy the editing part and believe that is where the story becomes alive.

~ What a wonderful way to create! I love watching my characters develop and change as well. How have you sensed the Lord’s hand on your writing journey?
I’m awed over where He is taking me as well as the readers who find my novels. I might have written stories for years, but it wasn’t until I turned over my stories to include how God can shine bright in one’s life did I make the leap to published author. I’m still relatively a new author in a very crowded market, but my novels have been blessed with awards (3 for Her Good Girl) and I’m grateful. I’m also blessedly awed when readers have shared with me how my novels have touched their hearts; the best comment was learning that a proclaimed atheist had opened his heart and mind to God again after reading my debut novel, Always With You.

~ Oh how wonderful! I can think of no greater reward as an author than knowing the Lord has used your writing to touch readers’ hearts. Now tell us, what does a perfect day look like to you?

I was born a horrible sleeper to parents who never slept well either. So, a perfect day for me would begin upon waking up from a sound sleep of 7-8 hours (which I actually accomplished last night!) Then, I’d meet cheerful people wherever I would go, work or errands would go smoothly, no bad news on either the home front or worldwide…and no bills in the mail that day.

~ LOL! Sounds like a plan! If you could travel to any time or place, where/when would it be? Why?
I live in a small hamlet that is steeped in Native American history named after David Brainerd, an early 1700s missionary who lived here. When I take walks and feel the touch of a breeze against my face or hear the squawk of a bird I often wonder what it was like for Mr. Brainerd. I do know he suffered through some horrific winters in this area. I’d love to have a peek, though maybe in the springtime!

~ Interesting! What take-away value do you want readers to gain from your most recent novel?
I hope readers of Christmas Love Year Round finish reading the story encouraged that by forgiving others and one’s self that amends can be made into “amens”. Also, that it is never too late for unexpected love or ever too late for the healing between family members.

~ I love it! All great messages. What can we expect to see from you in the future?
In 2019 I’m aiming to have Book 2 and Book 3 of the Kindred Lake Series out. In 2020 I’ve been invited to participate in a boxed set novella collection…and I’m really hoping to have this other story, one that is brewing in my mind and I’m researching on, out that year as well. Whatever or wherever God leads me to, I’m game!

~ A great game plan. May the Lord bless your journey. Thanks for joining us!

Elaine Stock is the author of the novels Her Good Girl, winner of the Outstanding Christian/Religious Fiction in the 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards, 2018 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal in Christian Fiction and the 2018 American Fiction Awards in the Christian Inspirational category. Her debut novel, Always With You, won the 2017 Christian Small Publishers Association Book of the Year Award in fiction. She has since published a romance novella, And You Came Along, and Christmas Love Year Round, Book 1 of the Kindred Lake Series. In addition to Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, she hangs out on her active blog, Everyone’s Story, dedicated to uplifting and encouraging all readers through the power of story and hope. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Elaine has now been living in upstate, rural New York with her husband for more years than her stint as a NYC gal. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and of course, a good book.

Links:
Website:
Everyone’s Story blog:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:
Amazon:

*Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia Roemer’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.

UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE

~ She thought she’d lost everything ~ Instead she found what she needed most

~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO

~ Beyond shattered dreams lies a realm of possibilities ~

**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter. Read more of her writing at: Putting on the New Blog.

Now for the GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to unlock several chances to rack up entries!

The winner will have their choice of either a Kindle edition of Christmas Love Year Round OR And You Came Along,

a Rafflecopter giveaway