A Warm Welcome to New Author Elizabeth Camden
Elizabeth has graciously agreed to give away a copy of her book to one fortunate person. Please leave your comment and addy!
It's so good to have you, Elizabeth. Tell us, what is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?
I write big, sprawling romantic epics with plenty of drama and emotional moments, but shot through with moments of joy, inspiration, and a good heart-pounding romance. This is my favorite genre to read, so that’s why I write it!
I love a good romance. Can you describe your writing style?
Romance is always front and center in my books. I think my writing would appeal to people who like characters who are fiercely intelligent, have a sense of humor, but like a book with a lot of emotional pull. I write about people who have huge dreams and are willing to risk everything in order to make them happen. When they fail, they do so in a spectacular fashion. When they love, it is with both hands stretched out and no-holds barred. So my ideal reader is someone who loves a good stormy romance, but also wants glimpses of wit, delight, and joy sprinkled in amongst the drama
Yep, that sounds great. Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?
The book is set in a small New England town in 1879. Libby and her father arrive home from their summer cottage to find that a family of strangers has seized their house. These people, newly arrived from Romania, have proof that the house was legally willed to them decades earlier. Matters are complicated when Libby falls hopelessly in love with the mysterious leader of the group who she does not know if she can trust.
What can you do in a moral dilemma when both sides are clearly right? And the stakes are huge? This is the problem that confronts Libby and Michael as they fall in love and try to untangle a mystery from long ago that has plunged both their families into a world of high drama. Libby and her father will be impoverished if they lose their home, but Michael’s family faces a far greater danger if they are forced to return to Europe.
Intriguing! 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?
Have you ever loved an art form so much you wanted to go from enjoying it to producing it? I think this is how most artists, musicians, and writers get started. I had been publishing nonfiction books and articles for decades as part of my day job, but I always wanted to try my hand at fiction. I came to a point in my life when I realized it was “now or never” if I wanted to tackle being a novelist.
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?
My goal in writing is to get as much down on the page as possible (which is usually around 2,000-3,000 words per day). Frankly, the first draft is a lot of heavy-lifting which I don’t always enjoy, but I love, adore, and savor every moment of revising a manuscript. By the time I finish my first draft I have gotten to know my characters, their motivations and weaknesses a lot better, so this is where the fine-tuning comes in. I believe it is in the revisions that we really draw out a great story. Polishing, tweaking, burnishing, rearranging…… this is sheer, unadulterated joy for me. This is why I try to plow through the first draft as quickly as possible. The faster I can get to the revision, the happier I am.
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?
Yeah, I thought about it a lot. Frankly, most people who have ambitions to write a novel never get into print, so you need to ask yourself why you are writing. If you love it and don’t mind the investment, keep going. Most people WILL confront a lot of rejection on the journey. The trick is to be humble enough to learn from it, smart enough to spot your weaknesses, and brave enough to keep going.
One of my favorite quotes is from
A League of Their Own, when Geena Davis has reached her breaking point and is getting ready to throw in the towel. Tom Hanks scolds her, saying “Of course this is hard. If it was easy, anyone could do it. It is the hard that makes it great.” I think this line is true in almost any endeavor that is really worthwhile … starting a business, raising kids, training for a sport, writing a book. It is the hard that makes it great. I tell myself that phrase whenever I need a quick pick-me-up.
Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?
Yup, that’s what I’m doing now as I sip a glass of red wine, enjoying the sunset from my vacation home in the south of France (cough).
Flipping back into truth-telling mode, very little change happens after getting published, except that now you have to get your manuscripts delivered by a deadline. The only practical difference in my lifestyle since getting published is that I have less time for cooking, so I treat myself to Chinese take-out now and then. It is all very glamorous.
Lol. Sounds glamorous! Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?
See the south of France comment above!
Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?
I blog about the romance genre at
www.elizabethcamden.com/blog
My professional training is as a librarian, so I also share ton of photographs from beautiful libraries I’ve collected over the years.
Carole, many thanks for letting me drop by your blog. As a new writer on the scene, I am really grateful to folks like you giving me a little airtime!
It's been a blessing, Elizabeth. May you have continued success in your writing journey.
Readers, a comment and email address will give you a chance to win her book!
Blessings!
The Rose of Winslow Street
