I'm Thrilled to Announce prolific writer Lisa Lickel is on my blog this week! 

Join us as we learn more about her writing life, and leave a comment and email address for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. Nice.

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

Hi, Carole, thanks for having me back. I’m not a lifer. I colored the walls with crayons when I was three, and even though maybe I had tried to tell a story, I didn’t entertain more than a passing fancy for writing professionally until I took the Apprentice program of the Christian Writer’s Guild in 2002.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I have published in a couple of different genres. Cozy mysteries, which are lighter, not gory, crimes solved by an amateur sleuth. I’ve also published romance, which I enjoy, but I dream of being taken…um, forgive me, but—literarily, so to speak.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I don’t have strict schedules because I’m an at-home housewife first. I’d like to get more serious about getting back into article-writing where the income is, and I’m an editor and like to help people when they ask. As a mentor and magazine editor, I also have responsibilities. Marketing is a huge chunk of time and sometimes I have to watch to jump on opportunities as they come. I do book reviews and network by doing interviews also, as well as blog in several places. When I’m in writing mode, I do the research first, then by the time I’m writing, it goes pretty fast – usually six weeks or so.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

I’m excited about the re-release of my cozy mystery series. MuseItUp from Canada bought the second book of my Buried Treasure series, re-did the cover which I adore, and put it out electronically December 1.

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

The theme of The Gold Standard is about how money, or the love of it, destroys people—a pretty old theme, but one we never seem to “cure.” There are more important choices in life than building up treasures on earth. How we treat others, even the suspects, shows our real character.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

More often than I’d like to admit. It feels wasteful, with so much sitting, typing, staring into space, researching, the constant learning curve, even networking and marketing, and especially the reading we must do. It’s one of those jobs that demands both working with people, and being alone. At least, I do my best work when I’m in a quiet environment. Each time someone says “no thanks” to your work, you have to learn to not let it sink you. A real author gets right back on the keyboard and goes to work.

Who’s inspired you the most?

Ann Schrock, my longest-term writing pard. She’s had a lot to deal with, including getting another job experience outside her home, but she’s still writing, still being a great mom and wife, still managing to get published by Barbour and work on proposals for her agent, and find time to celebrate Guy Fawkes day. Now that’s class.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

My first publisher, Barbour, offered a cozy mystery line, so I tried it and was contracted. Authors should be careful to study the market, the publisher’s guidelines, the types of material and other authors they represent before submitting. Success is very loosely and liberally interpreted in this business. Some authors are happy to hold a book with their name on the cover, some define success as reaching best-seller status; some as getting into their favorite magazine, some by number of copies sold or money earned. You can relax in your coffin, but until then…get to work!

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I’m not much of a pink person. I like dragons, watching movies and cinnamon raisin toast. I’d like to travel to Great Britain someday.

I like that! Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

Sure, Carole: my web site has a lot of information on it, and all my links to social networking and my blogs: http://www.lisalickel.com/.

I have workshops, writer’s tips and links to the organizations I participate in, as well as information about my editing business and an online store. As I mentioned above, The Map Quilt, the second book of the Buried Treasure series releases in April, and deals with an old family story of the Underground Railroad. I enjoy working with a small cadre of authors around southeast Wisconsin who travel together for programs at book stores and libraries and writing conferences.

My second edition of OtherSheep magazine released this month. OtherSheep is a Christian world-view science fiction/fantasy/monsters magazine of short fiction, essays, interviews and reviews, poetry and games from Written World Communications. I’m always looking for contributions.

Thanks so much for  visiting, Lisa!

Readers, comments and email addys, please.

Blessings!