Elizabeth is offering to one randomly chosen commenter a paperback edition of her novel NO SAFE HARBOR, book
#1 of the Edge of Freedom series. The winner will be announced here on Friday, June 14th, between 7-9 AM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
Check out Elizabeth's video:
Questions for Elizabeth Ludwig:
Elizabeth,
I’ve watched you blossom as a debut author writing cozy mysteries and novellas
to a multi-book author for Bethany House. Congratulations! Has your publishing
journey been as easy for you as it looks to us?
Oh,
my…no. Writing is never easy. There have been many pitfalls along the way, some
of which made me question if I was really doing what God intended! For example,
I wrote for nearly 7 years before I landed my first contract. Then, there was a
long stretch from 2009 to the early part of 2011 during which I was unable to
land any new contracts. God carried me through those months and years with bits
of encouragement planted along the way, but the main thing I had to keep going
back to was His initial command and His promise, which came to me long before I
sold my first book. It’s from Habakkuk and it says:
2 Then
the Lord
answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run
who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
God’s
plan for my writing did tarry, but in the end, He proved He is faithful!
Why
the switch from contemporary to historical fiction?
Actually,
I started out writing historicals (seven manuscripts total) but I was unable to
sell them, because publishing—like so many other industries—follows trends. I
was told repeatedly by different publishing houses and editors that historical
fiction just wasn’t selling well. Faced with this dilemma, I had to reevaluate
what I was doing and whether or not I was willing to write for the current
market. Shortly after, I learned that Barbour Publishing would be venturing
into the cozy mystery market, and that a friend and colleague of mine would be
stepping into the role of acquisitions editor. Now, there may be differing
opinions on this, but I believe publishing it just too competitive not to take
advantage of every opportunity. I saw this new cozy mystery line as a chance to
get my foot through the publishing door, and I jumped at it! Though it wasn’t
my first love, writing the cozy mysteries taught me a lot about
plotting—something which I wasn’t familiar with and never really enjoyed—but
something I needed to learn in order to write longer, more complexly developed
novels. This is just my opinion, but I believe nothing is ever wasted, so long
as I learn from the experience.
You
also do speaking engagements. Peeking at the topics listed on your website, one
has me curious: overcoming page fright. Can you share what page fright is?
LOL!
Page fright is just another term for writer’s block—something I think afflicts
every author at one time or another. But since I also do a lot of drama and
theater, I couldn’t resist the urge to use a play on words.
I
enjoyed NO SAFE HARBOR, Book 1 of the Edge of Freedom Series. Does this
historical novel have any links to your own family’s history or did the impetus
to write it come from your love of the era?
Hmm...I think I would have
to say both. To start with, family members on both my side and my husband’s
emigrated from Europe in the early 1900’s. Some of my ancestors were from
Spain. My husband’s ancestors were from Holland, Ireland, and Germany. These
brave men and women who risked everything in search of a better life were the initial
inspiration for this story, but aligned with that was a love for the period,
the history, even the city and setting.
Did
you originally write the first book of the Edge series as a stand-alone,
followed by cultivating it as a series with Book 2, or did you sell it as a
series to begin with?
It’s
funny that you ask this, because initially, Edge of Freedom was a two book
series. It was only after some in-depth conversations with David Long, the
Senior Acquisitions Editor at Bethany House, that I expanded the idea into a
three book series. I’m so glad I did, because of the three, TIDE AND TEMPEST,
the third and final book, was the most fun to write!
Will
there be a Book 3 that follows DARK ROAD HOME, the 2nd Edge series
book releasing this August?
Oops…I
think I answered that in the previous question. LOL! Book three is titled TIDE
AND TEMPEST, and it follows the story of Tillie McGrath, the youngest boarding
house resident. Along with telling her story, TIDE AND TEMPEST finally resolves
all of the unanswered questions regarding the mysterious Celt, and brings to a
close the conflict between the Turners and the Hamiltons.
Now
that you are a multi-book author, do you approach your writing and promoting
from a different perspective compared to a debut author? Any advice to share
from that hindsight knowledge?
I
absolutely do. In fact, I would say changing my perspective on marketing and
promotion has been a must! I really had no idea how much work was involved in
marketing a new book, or that all of that had to be done while I was working on
other things. For me, discipline has been the key. I’ve had to approach my
writing responsibilities much like I would any other career—with dedication,
commitment, and ingenuity. While there are many things that are outside my
control—like sales numbers or book reviews—some things are not. I made a
decision, therefore, that while I can’t control sales number, no book of mine
would ever fail because I didn’t work hard enough. There may be other authors
out there more talented or more creative, but I can’t control that. What I can
say is nobody out there is willing to work harder.
In
addition to writing you’re also a freelance editor, host a successful blog, The
Borrowed Book, speaker—and all this on top of family responsibilities. What’s
your balancing trick?
Are
you ready for this?
I
wake up around 6:00 or 6:30. I feed my dogs, and get ready for work all within
an hour. If I have time, I throw in a load of laundry before heading out the
door.
From
8:00-4:00, I work as a superintendent’s secretary at a public school. I have an
hour off for lunch, so I try and answer email, write blog articles, and make
changes to my website during that time.
Once
I get home, I usually have two or three chapters to critique. I try and do
those before starting supper, unless I’m on a deadline. In that case, I work on
my own stuff first. After that, I clean up in a hurry and either cook (or buy)
something for the family to eat. Then it’s back to the computer for an hour or
two more. Usually, I try and split that time between writing and
marketing/promotional obligations.
Bottom
line: housekeeping doesn’t carry the same urgency it used to.
For
fun: want to share what you enjoy the most during downtimes?
Well,
let’s see…aside from reading and writing, I love to ski and I have a ridiculous
number of dogs. Someday, I’ll write a book about my life and call it Downhill Dachshunds: Keeping up with the
Pack.
Thank you so much for
hosting me, Elaine! Readers can find me at:
Website: www.elizabethludwig.com
Elizabeth's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Meet
author Elizabeth Ludwig on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
God’s
plans for your writing? Elizabeth Ludwig wondered too. See what happened. (Tweet This)
The
key to writing, promo, outside job, and Life 101? Elizabeth Ludwig shares on
Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
Author Bio:
Elizabeth Ludwig is the award-winning author of No
Safe Harbor, Book One in the Edge of
Freedom series. Her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoys a
wide readership. Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often
attending conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction
writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful
editor/agent interviews. Along with her husband and children, she makes her
home in the great state of Texas.
