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?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2keLB-U07d8z6bgehyPc75r3YxXkn6nzEjWUg48kllxyS8paYBl-s7A-585x2MfU2ijDRkmk9CMuc4UmlBWZbr1_RR8I9HZR_MRxqO9CMQnKxE0IW7QzFWt_g995FzUZ4xpXcbPoJLk/s1600/9781602903296_FRONT.jpg)
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. ;-) |
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
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
Hey, Cath --
ReplyDeleteSUPER CONGRATS on the upcoming wedding and the new book, girl!!
And you can "pop out a book in a few months"??? Okay, there went our friendship ... ;) Seriously, that blows me away, but you redeemed yourself with the long editing process, which is exactly what I do.
Hidden in the Heart has an absolutely beautiful cover and I already know the inside will be beautiful too!!
Thank you for the shout-out above -- you are a true blessing and if I don't get to endorse your next historical romance, you will be in BIG trouble, my friend!!
Great interview, Case, as always!!
Hugs,
Julie
Well thank you!! LOL! I have two books coming down the pike, but they're not historical. I think Yesterday's Tomorrow will be my only venture into that realm. Contemporary is much easier!! But I know you love romance, so don't worry, I will be hitting you up! :) Missed you at ACFW. :(
DeleteI agree with Julie Lessman. I would buy the book, "Hidden in the Heart" just for the cover alone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering me in the contest.
Janet Estridge.
von1janet@gmail.com
I've never read a book with this story line and look forward to it! And yes, I agree the little girl is adorable!
ReplyDeleteDoreen
priviesandprims at yahoo .com
Congratulations. I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteCasey and Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI just saw a blurb about this book on another site! You're getting your book out there - excellent!
I'd love to win a copy - what a darling cover.
beckydwriter(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a little like you, Cathy. I fly through the first draft, get everything down, then go back and fill in all the missing links... but that's because I'm a pantser and if I stop mid-way, I'll never get through it. I suppose once I get rich and famous and can sit around eating bon bons on my chaise lounge while someone else does my housework and my editing (primarily the housework!), I might change my methods.... HA!
Blessings, you two!
Becky
Congrats on the engagement and the book! I follow via email.
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling picture of this little girl on the cover!! I would love to win a book that speaks of being "Hidden in the Heart." I know it is a winner already! Please enter my name in the drawing and, I am a subscriber to this blog. Blessings! Darlene
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the reason I took this out above is that somehow it didn't post the first letter of my email. So, here it is: spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com
Great Giveaway and Interview! Congratulations to your daughter! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and a subscriber.
Thanks for the giveaway! God Bless!
richmond.abigail@gmail.com
Thank you for offering these giveaways and for sharing the author's stories with us!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
I am a subscriber.
missionwife@hotmail.com
I love the cover and I've heard about this book receiving great reviews. I'd love to win a copy of "Hidden In The Heart".
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Judy
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a follower!
ReplyDeleteJudy
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a subscriber!
ReplyDeleteJudy
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a subscriber!
ReplyDeletedancealert at aol dot com
Sounds like you really wrote the book quickly, if I only could do that!
ReplyDeletedancealert at aol dot com
Lovely interview, ladies! Thanks for the info and encouragement. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda, no I didn't write this book quickly. What I was trying to say is that I can usually do a first draft of a novel pretty quickly - but then it takes months of editing to get it to a point where its ready for submission. Would be nice to have it ready to go in one shot, but no! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy! Hope you win!
ReplyDeletea wonderful posting/interview...would love to read cathy's novel...and i,too, love the cover :)
ReplyDeletei'm an email subscriber & follower, too
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Congrats on your daughter's engagement. Nice interview.
ReplyDeleteI follow via email.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Beautiful cover! So happy for your daughter. You are going to have so much fun planning the wedding!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Email subscriber
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
GFC Follower
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Great interview! Sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
GFC Follower
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
E-Mail Subscriber
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance! makeighleekyleigh@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love to read books that are based on true experiences . I would love to win a copy of this book Please .Blessings to your daughter and your soon to be son- in -law marriage. I been married for 25 years after only dating 3 months .Crazy I know we have had our up and downs and we're still here .Thank you again for the contest .Dana
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine and Casey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving me a chance to win your book" Hidden In The Heart" the little girl on the cover is so adorable, a great cover. Great interview. God bless you and have a great week.
n38stanforth[at]gmail[dot]com
Great interview! I would love to read the book.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a subscriber!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Great interview! I would love to read the book.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Looks great! I'm a follower and subscriber. shopgirl152nykiki@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete