Special Giveaway! Hidden in the Heart by Cathy West!

Welcome back to Writing for Christ Cathy West, I am excited to have you here for a second time. :-)

What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?

Well, let’s see. The biggest news is that we celebrated our daughter’s engagement in May! She is marrying the man of her dreams, handpicked by God, and we couldn’t be happier! A May 2013 wedding is planned. In other news, which you’ll probably find more interesting…J…I’m also celebrating the release of my second novel, Hidden in the Heart! This story is very special to me, as it is about a young woman’s search for her birth family, and is loosely based on my own experiences as I searched and found my birth family over ten years ago.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

Wow. Toughie. I’d have to say Julie Cantrell’s Into The Free. It was pretty outstanding and I’m not at all surprised it did so well. I really enjoyed her writing and can’t wait to read the next book. She’s also a pretty awesome person!

Do you have favorite authors?

I do. All my friends!! Well, okay…seriously, I love Susan Meissner and I’ll read any book of hers any time. Same with Susan May Warren. I blame her for my recent conversion to joining the Historical Romance fan club! I enjoy Rosslyn Elliott, Olivia Newport, Jody Hedlund to name a few. Of course there’s Lynn Austin, Dan Walsh, Deborah Raney, Julie Lessman…I could go on for hours really!

What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?

When I’m ‘in the zone’ without distractions, totally into the story and the characters, that’s when the magic happens. I find my characters suddenly take on a life of their own and off they go, sometimes surprising me with what they say or do. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen every day, but when it does, I bask in it.

I LOVE to hear from my readers. It’s so important to me to know that I’ve made a connection with someone through the words I’ve written. All my stories deal with forgiveness, healing, restoration and hope. If I hear that a reader has experienced even one of these as a result of my book, I’m so blessed. It’s why I do what I do.

What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? :-)

I’m definitely NOT a coffee shop writer. I’m way too distracted for that kind of atmosphere. I prefer the quiet of my study, sometimes with music playing, most often not. I’m fortunate to have a spectacular view of the ocean, which I enjoy when I need to just stop and think about what I’m doing. I am spoiled by my surroundings, that’s for sure!

Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?

Oh, wow. I’m not sure I’ve ever done that!! I’m a pretty fast writer though, so I can pop out a book in a few months, but then I take a long time with the editing process. As much as I’d like that first draft to be perfect, it never is. :-)

Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels. 

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Cathy's latest book!

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

Isn't this little girl ADORABLE??? I want
to sit and stare at her. ;-)

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Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on October 5th.

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com