With us today is Carol Steward, successful inspirational romance and romantic suspence author. Shield of Refuge, the latest book in her series, In The Line of Fire, is out now and a very gripping read. Carol lives in Colorado where by day she's a mild mannered university employee, but during all the free time she can scrape together, she's a brilliant author and informational speaker. Please join me as Carol opens the door to the highs and lows of her writing life.
IN THE LINE OF FIRE is a series about three siblings working in different areas of the justice system who find love while struggling to keep peace in their communities and in their family. Drugs, assault, and corruption are all part of the Matthews family’s daily battles. Someone is terrorizing Northern Colorado communities throughout the series; assaulting, kidnaping, and killing female victims and threatening even the heroes’ and heroines’ safety. Will the forces against the Matthews siblings break through their armor of faith (Ephesians 6: 10-17), or will they overcome the enemy, allowing God’s light to shine?
Good morning, Carol! Thank you for joining us!
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
1. I wish I'd learned to set daily goals earlier in my career.
2. Had more faith in my writing.
3. Found a better way to balance family time and writing time. I always wrote late at night and into the morning when my three children were young. It worked well then, but now that they're grown and gone, I have a tougher time staying up that late.
What should a new writer know about the publishing business.
Publishing and writing has a lot of highs and lows. Just because one story doesn't work doesn't mean you shouldn't work on the next book. I think that's one thing I've seen pay off the most with this group. Perseverance is critical. It's important to not take anything for granted and always keep writing.
Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
That's a tough question! Intentionally, I don't write anything of myself, but I do write what I know, so that means a lot more of what I believe and respect filter into my writing. Such as my love of God, family and a few of my hobbies and interests. I guess it's impossible to say I don't write myself into my characters, isn't it? As far as the characters personality, that isn't me. I am not nearly as witty and positive in real life. :o(
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I guess that depends on who you ask. My sisters think writing is pretty quirky. My children think I'm pretty quirky all the time, but especially when my husband and I go crazy and have a "trading spaces" weekend and redecorate a room in our house. We love bringing something back to it's original beauty or transforming and bringing new life to an old space.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
When I was writing my first book, I asked God to take away the desire to write. He clearly said, "No, keep writing." I never dreamed that I would sell so quickly when I said "Okay, show me the way, Lord." Suddenly, I found writers groups and critique groups, and conferences. It wasn't easy to let go of my lucrative cake business for something I had not even gone public with yet. Not only am I thankful that God showed me the way in writing, but how to let Him guide me in life and with my family. It gets pretty chaotic at times, and I could not do it alone.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Letting go of the need to revise constantly. With the first book, I was just learning, and I had time to revise, and revise, and revise. Once it sold, and I was selling on partials and trying to finish a book in 6 months or less, that was no longer an option. I had to keep moving through the book and learn to edit differently, after the story is told. It was really tough to do this with my last contract because I was working full time and writing four books, with 5 months per book and no time to regroup in between. I had several hurdles to jump with them, but figuring out where the story had to go and quickly letting go of things that didn't work was all I could do. I know that they could have been better books if I'd had more time, but I also suspect I would have wasted a lot more time second-guessing myself, too. I think the writing process is full of these kind of hurdles – and what's worse, is just when I learn to handle one challenge, another challenge comes up. I've learned how it's not only important to keep trying different techniques and styles, but that my writing can even get better through the challenges. I'm not afraid to let go when something doesn't work. Sometimes I think writers need to just write the full story, then go back and layer in the character development, the red herrings, and analyze how to improve the story. A lot of times, if you stop spinning your wheels on one scene, a scene or two later you will probably figure out what went wrong in the problem scene. But again, don't stop and let the wheels spin again in the new place, take notes and keep moving.
What would you like to tell us about the featured book?
I loved writing about Amber Scott and Garrett Matthews, and all of the characters in the In the Line of Fire series, actually. Amber had a lot of self-appointed expectations for herself and like Garrett, had a strong determination to succeed, no matter the cost. They're a lot like each of us, we don't know how much we can do until we run into a roadblock. It's then we find out how deep our faith really is.
What themes exist in Shield of Refuge that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?
I try to work with themes, but it's hard for me to start with one in mind. Even when I do, it often changes. I let that develop as the story does, but for "Shield" I think forgiveness. It's so easy for bitterness and resentment to poison our lives. Both Amber and Garrett wear a shield to keep distractions away. Neither one wants to jeopardize their goals. It was that much more rewarding when they were able to let God take over the job of shielding them and guiding them toward one another.
I've found that each book has taught me something as I wrote it. What did you take away from writing this book?
Like He did Amber & Garrett as life hit them in the gut I was reminded that God can sustain me through everything life throws at me. And like them, I don't learn much about myself, or life, or faith when life is going smoothly. The more I need to rely on God, the more I'm learning, about myself and God's plan for my life.
How do you balance family life with writing?
I don't. I'm compulsive with everything. I work long hours. I developed terrible sleep habits as a teen, and have always worked more than one job, no matter what it might be. It's catching up with me now and I'm trying to learn how to reprioritize to take better care of myself.
I sold this series when my house was empty. My kids were all living out of town. I have a day job that I really love. I was going to fill the quiet evenings with writing again. By the time it sold, one family had moved to from Arizona back to Colorado. Then both of my sons and their families moved back into town. One moved in with us for the remainder of my deadline. My granddaughter was 1 ½ when they moved in with us, and when I finished my last book, she looked at me after dinner and told me to go to the basement (where my office is.) I've found how absolutely inspiring it is to have children around and how much I took that for granted. It was a huge blessing to have them close enough that I could share even the few minutes a day that I had with her. They've moved back to Phoenix because of the economy, and I miss them terribly, and realize how precious the time we had together was. Now I have a little more time to spend with my two grandsons and treasure quality time with them. That is, until the next book series consumes me…
I don't recommend my "balance" with others aspiring to write. Learn to say no to what isn't important in your daily life. Let go of what you can give up, and let God help you focus on what He has planned. I cook huge meals and eat leftovers, multitask too much, and put off the housework until company is coming.
What are a couple of your all-time favorite books?
That's an impossible question to answer! Absolutely impossible.
Do you have a day job, too?
I work at the University of Northern Colorado Graduate School with masters and doctoral students as they finish up their theses and dissertations. I love helping others reach their goals and see that gleam in their eye when they finish it. And I think having someone who struggles with deadlines helps us make a great team to get to the end of their degree.
What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?
My favorite has to be telling stories that encourage the readers, that may help them forget their problems for a while and take a little while to relax and laugh a little.
My least favorite part is that there's just not enough hours in my day to get it all done. When an idea hits, I'm usually in the middle of something else that I can't put off.
Plot, seat of pants or combination?
1. I wish I'd learned to set daily goals earlier in my career.
2. Had more faith in my writing.
3. Found a better way to balance family time and writing time. I always wrote late at night and into the morning when my three children were young. It worked well then, but now that they're grown and gone, I have a tougher time staying up that late.
What should a new writer know about the publishing business.
Publishing and writing has a lot of highs and lows. Just because one story doesn't work doesn't mean you shouldn't work on the next book. I think that's one thing I've seen pay off the most with this group. Perseverance is critical. It's important to not take anything for granted and always keep writing.
Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
That's a tough question! Intentionally, I don't write anything of myself, but I do write what I know, so that means a lot more of what I believe and respect filter into my writing. Such as my love of God, family and a few of my hobbies and interests. I guess it's impossible to say I don't write myself into my characters, isn't it? As far as the characters personality, that isn't me. I am not nearly as witty and positive in real life. :o(
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I guess that depends on who you ask. My sisters think writing is pretty quirky. My children think I'm pretty quirky all the time, but especially when my husband and I go crazy and have a "trading spaces" weekend and redecorate a room in our house. We love bringing something back to it's original beauty or transforming and bringing new life to an old space.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
When I was writing my first book, I asked God to take away the desire to write. He clearly said, "No, keep writing." I never dreamed that I would sell so quickly when I said "Okay, show me the way, Lord." Suddenly, I found writers groups and critique groups, and conferences. It wasn't easy to let go of my lucrative cake business for something I had not even gone public with yet. Not only am I thankful that God showed me the way in writing, but how to let Him guide me in life and with my family. It gets pretty chaotic at times, and I could not do it alone.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Letting go of the need to revise constantly. With the first book, I was just learning, and I had time to revise, and revise, and revise. Once it sold, and I was selling on partials and trying to finish a book in 6 months or less, that was no longer an option. I had to keep moving through the book and learn to edit differently, after the story is told. It was really tough to do this with my last contract because I was working full time and writing four books, with 5 months per book and no time to regroup in between. I had several hurdles to jump with them, but figuring out where the story had to go and quickly letting go of things that didn't work was all I could do. I know that they could have been better books if I'd had more time, but I also suspect I would have wasted a lot more time second-guessing myself, too. I think the writing process is full of these kind of hurdles – and what's worse, is just when I learn to handle one challenge, another challenge comes up. I've learned how it's not only important to keep trying different techniques and styles, but that my writing can even get better through the challenges. I'm not afraid to let go when something doesn't work. Sometimes I think writers need to just write the full story, then go back and layer in the character development, the red herrings, and analyze how to improve the story. A lot of times, if you stop spinning your wheels on one scene, a scene or two later you will probably figure out what went wrong in the problem scene. But again, don't stop and let the wheels spin again in the new place, take notes and keep moving.
What would you like to tell us about the featured book?
I loved writing about Amber Scott and Garrett Matthews, and all of the characters in the In the Line of Fire series, actually. Amber had a lot of self-appointed expectations for herself and like Garrett, had a strong determination to succeed, no matter the cost. They're a lot like each of us, we don't know how much we can do until we run into a roadblock. It's then we find out how deep our faith really is.
What themes exist in Shield of Refuge that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?
I try to work with themes, but it's hard for me to start with one in mind. Even when I do, it often changes. I let that develop as the story does, but for "Shield" I think forgiveness. It's so easy for bitterness and resentment to poison our lives. Both Amber and Garrett wear a shield to keep distractions away. Neither one wants to jeopardize their goals. It was that much more rewarding when they were able to let God take over the job of shielding them and guiding them toward one another.
I've found that each book has taught me something as I wrote it. What did you take away from writing this book?
Like He did Amber & Garrett as life hit them in the gut I was reminded that God can sustain me through everything life throws at me. And like them, I don't learn much about myself, or life, or faith when life is going smoothly. The more I need to rely on God, the more I'm learning, about myself and God's plan for my life.
How do you balance family life with writing?
I don't. I'm compulsive with everything. I work long hours. I developed terrible sleep habits as a teen, and have always worked more than one job, no matter what it might be. It's catching up with me now and I'm trying to learn how to reprioritize to take better care of myself.
I sold this series when my house was empty. My kids were all living out of town. I have a day job that I really love. I was going to fill the quiet evenings with writing again. By the time it sold, one family had moved to from Arizona back to Colorado. Then both of my sons and their families moved back into town. One moved in with us for the remainder of my deadline. My granddaughter was 1 ½ when they moved in with us, and when I finished my last book, she looked at me after dinner and told me to go to the basement (where my office is.) I've found how absolutely inspiring it is to have children around and how much I took that for granted. It was a huge blessing to have them close enough that I could share even the few minutes a day that I had with her. They've moved back to Phoenix because of the economy, and I miss them terribly, and realize how precious the time we had together was. Now I have a little more time to spend with my two grandsons and treasure quality time with them. That is, until the next book series consumes me…
I don't recommend my "balance" with others aspiring to write. Learn to say no to what isn't important in your daily life. Let go of what you can give up, and let God help you focus on what He has planned. I cook huge meals and eat leftovers, multitask too much, and put off the housework until company is coming.
What are a couple of your all-time favorite books?
That's an impossible question to answer! Absolutely impossible.
Do you have a day job, too?
I work at the University of Northern Colorado Graduate School with masters and doctoral students as they finish up their theses and dissertations. I love helping others reach their goals and see that gleam in their eye when they finish it. And I think having someone who struggles with deadlines helps us make a great team to get to the end of their degree.
What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?
My favorite has to be telling stories that encourage the readers, that may help them forget their problems for a while and take a little while to relax and laugh a little.
My least favorite part is that there's just not enough hours in my day to get it all done. When an idea hits, I'm usually in the middle of something else that I can't put off.
Plot, seat of pants or combination?
I'm mostly a plotter. I do a lot of planning at the beginning, but then the story takes over and it ends up a little different than I planned.
Key advice for other writers?
Be grateful for each day and enjoy it fully. Life is just too short to spend so much time doing something you don't love.
Key advice for other writers?
Be grateful for each day and enjoy it fully. Life is just too short to spend so much time doing something you don't love.
Thank you, Carol Steward for taking the time to visit the Five Scribes! Shield of Refuge was a Novemeber release. If your local bookstores no longer carry it, please ask them to order it or check out your favorite online book source.
19 comments:
Audra and Carol, very nice interview! Carol, these are my kind of books. I love your message(s) and you're so right, there aren't enough hours in the day. I love that you see blessings in everything that comes your way. Thanks for joining us here today. I would love to pick up these books. Remember if you have a 2008 copyright, the Daphne has an Inspirational Published category too. www.rwamysterysuspense.org. Inspirational is one of my favorite genres to judge. Well done and best of luck with this series!
Good morning, Carol!
Brr, it's cold this morning, so I've brewed some Southern Pecan coffee and hot chocolate. Pour yourself a cup and defrost : )
Great idea, Donnell! I'm so impressed with the LI line of Suspense! Glad the Daphne has a category. Hope you're entered, Carol!
Great interview ladies! I have been excited for these books to come out.
Cheryl Wyatt
I liked the interview and the books look really great.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Brrrr isn't even close, Audra! It was -17 when I drove to work this morning and the coffee IN the office is already cooling off too!
With a full week of this frigid weather expected, hopefully it will kill some of the germs floating around so everyone can enjoy a healthy holiday.
Brr is right. My son and I were up at 6am this morning hoping the county and schools would say too cold to go out, LOL!
Carol, I forgot to mention that in addition to all the other stuff you do, you're also the unofficial (or is it official) co-leader of the Front Range Christian Fiction Writers. Don't see how you have so much extra time in your life, LOL!
Morning, Cheryl and Mary! Glad you could stop by! I know it's just as cold in Nebraska and Illinois so please pour a cup of goodness before you face the world today : )
We've got 50 degrees in upstate NY, a calm before the bitter cold hits us...
So then I can whine with the rest of you!!!
:)
Audra, gimme some of that coffee, girlfriend and I'll pass out a plate of fresh, warm, cinnamony snickerdoodles. So good.
And soup. I brought soup, warm and beefy, with barley. And crackers.
This was a great interview. Good questions and strong answers. Thanks for the insight, Carol.
Ruthy
Yes! The only thing better is if we could all sit around the fire, sip the brew together and talk writing shop.
Cheryl
Grand idea, Cheryl! Can I take the day off and play??
Ruthy! I didn't think you had power in UNY. So, are living in a golden triangle or something?
Glad you could stop by, ladies. Keep the goodies coming, Ruth! : )
Carol and Audra et al, I would love to here more about the Front Range Christian Writers, do you have a link? or could you expand here. And if I miss any of you before Christmas, Merry Christmas!!!! Thanks again for sharing your insights.
Donnell,
Front Range Christian Fiction Writers is an informal group. We started in September as a support group. We have speakers every other month and hope to build upon that with discussions the other months. We are meeting at the Barnes & Noble at Centerra Promenade Shops right now.
Fifty degrees sounds absolutely wonderful, Ruthy. And Snickerdoodles with my coffee is a warm thought. I think I'm going to have my leftover potato soup for lunch today.
I love that response to balance in your life, Carol.
Too often we even punish ourselves for not finding balance.
And come on, it's a myth. You just have to do as you suggested and smile and nod and be at peace with the chaos. Would we have it any other way? Well, probably not.
Okay, a maid once a week would be good....
I love your books Carol and just picked up another at my KS this weekend.
It's great to hear from everyone. Thanks for picking up my book, Tina. Let me know what you think!
As for balance. I hate sugar-coating the truth. :o) I get through the rough times thanks to faith that God will see me through. Looking back at the last two years, I know there was only one set of footprints in that sand.
And I know the good days far outnumber the tough ones.
Carol!
How wonderful you could join us on Five Scribes. Audra, great questions...and I thought I knew Carol ;)
I'm thrilled with your successes, Mz. C. Congrats on another great release. Keep writing Dear One, so I can keep reading.
~LA
Great interview, Audra and Carol!
Carol, I used to write late into the night, too (2 or 3 a.m. was common). But the last couple of years I've decided I'm too old for this! LOL
Missy
Missy, thanks for chiming in : ) Missy, btw, has a great blog up at The Seekers site seekerville.blogspot.com. She talks about layering in the story. Ha, she dissected how I think -- spooky thought : )
Thanks Carol for the insight into you and your work. Let us know when the next book is out, K?
Leslie, it's freezing out and by your picture, you look like you're sunning in sunny Florida : )
Many things about Carol most of us don't know....
Thanks again, Carol for visiting with us!!
Thanks again for the invitation, Audra. Hi Leslie! It's great to see you looking awesome as always. We need to catch up one of these days. Where does the time go?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Carol
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