Today my guest is author Carie Lawyer, who writes under the name of Carie Lawson.
We’ll be discussing her writings and her exciting new release from Desert Breeze Publishing, “Beyond Summer”.
RA: Hi Carie, it’s nice to have you today. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
CL: Thanks for having me, Regina. A little bit about myself…I’m a mother of four kids. So I drive the SUV to soccer games and gymnastics practices knowing that if I encounter a mountain, I can take it. I homeschool the kids–that keeps me busy and sometimes fragmented. My husband and I have lived in four states in the last fifteen years, but we’ve made our home outside Nashville. I love that you have to pass cows to get to the interstate.
RA: How long have you been writing? What’s the most rewarding aspect of it?
CL: I’ve been writing seven years. It’s easy to keep up with the time, because I started writing when I was very pregnant with my daughter, who turned seven this summer.
The most rewarding aspect is someone enjoying one of my books. The simplest compliment leaves me glowing for days.
RA: You have a new release. For those who haven’t read the book yet, would you tell us a little about it?
CL: Beyond Summer is about Zane McCord, who has good reason to mistrust beauty. When former pageant queen, Carly Peterson is forced on him as his summer nanny, he keeps waiting for her to act like the spoiled brat she must be. Just when he starts to believe in her, trust her, love her despite his best intentions, he finds out she’s a thief. Can he find a way to set aside his past and see Carly’s inner beauty again?
RA: What was the inspiration behind your book?
CL: Forgiveness. In this book, both Zane and Carly have to find ways not only to forgive each other, but themselves. Zane is impulsive and hotheaded. His life hasn’t been an easy one. He made mistakes that hurt people he loved. Carly took the easy way out. In order to forgive herself, she has to right old wrongs and learn to live with mistakes.
RA: That’s so interesting! Could you tell us what to expect in any other books you’ll be releasing?
CL: I’d love to. Beyond Ever After is Haven McCord’s story. It’s coming out March 2011. Haven married her high school sweetheart, even though her parents didn’t approve. For five years they’ve made each other miserable. When she announces she’s going to the Democratic Republic of Congo on a mission trip, Brody insists on going with her. Can a change of scenery change their hearts?
Beyond Baseball is Jude McCord’s story. He’s never met a woman he didn’t love. Except the girl who moves into the neighboring ranch…the land he’s spent a decade buying from her grandparents…the place he’s building his dreams on.
RA: Do you plot your stories in advance, or just start writing and see where the story goes?
CL: The idea is there. I know where the characters are going, but not all the twists and turns that take them there. That’s the fun part, imagining what could be.
RA: Do you belong to a writer’s group? Have you in the past?
I have a wonderful writer’s group, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Jen Stevens, the author of the Heart’s Journey Home, invited me before either of us were published. MTCW has been blessed with Kaye Dacus, who’s dedicated to helping all of us become better writers. It’s a very encouraging, supportive group.
RA: What role does the geographical location play in your storylines?
Beyond Africa and Beyond Ever After are very much driven by location. They are both set in the Democratic Republic of Congo which can be a very dangerous country and that element pushes the stories along.
In Beyond Summer, the West Texas ranch is a nice place for Carly to hide, when she’s running from some very big secrets.
RA: For plot development, have your methods changed since you began writing? How?
I’m still a seat of the panster. But trying to add conflict into every scene has been something I’ve learned along the way.
RA: How does writing a series differ from writing a stand-alone title to you?
The series gives more depth to the characters. In Beyond Summer there are a few clues to the relationship between Haven and Brody. It’s also nice to visit the characters again in the next book. I hope readers enjoy catching back up with the characters from the previous book–I know I do:)
RA: Outside of your writing life, is there something you would like to advocate through your writing?
I’m a big believer in family. It’s one of God’s greatest blessings. What’s so nice is that the romantic love I like to write about is the foundation for families.
RA: Who is your favorite author and why?
Oh, it’s so hard to pick. I have to tell you that I read constantly, but one of my favorite books I recently read was from Deanne Gist.
RA: Thank you so much for sharing with us, Carie. Good luck with your release and please come back again soon!
Here’s a buy link to Carie’s books:
‘http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-106/Carie-Lawson-Twisted-Roots/Detail.bok
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