Laura Hilton {Writer Wednesday}

It's been a whirlwind of a week (and yes, I do realize it's only Wednesday). I'm looking forward to the giveaway that Patti Shene is offering here through my blog though! Don't forget that today is the last day to leave a comment on her interview post to be given the chance to win! I'll announce the winner tomorrow so make sure to keep an eye out. 

Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to {Writer Wednesday} author for today...Laura Hilton! 

A little bit about Laura...

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. And the Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love. Surrendered Love releases April 2013, and the third book will release September 2013. A nonAmish book The Appalachian Ballad Quilt will release November 2014 from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

How to connect with Laura...

Check out her blog: http://www.lauravhilton.blogspot.com/

Connect with her on Goodreads

Find her books on Amazon

 

Author Interview | Laura Hilton

You & Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself:  How did you start writing?  What has kept you writing?  

...I started writing when I was old enough to hold a pencil and make words. Always been fascinated by story. I kept writing because it is my God-called passion. It keeps me sane. Maybe.  :)

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?  If so, why? 
...My favorite two books of mine so far are A Harvest of Hearts and Surrendered Love.  Those characters reached me on a deep level.  

What was the hardest thing about publishing?  The easiest?  ...My books are published by Whitaker House and I have one contracted by Abingdon.  The hardest thing about writing is when things or people interrupt the flow in some way.

Your Writing
Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why did you write it?
...The book I’m promoting is Surrender Love. 

Janna Kauffman loves grocery shopping for the homebound in her Amish community. When Janna’s sister washes her hands of her rebellious daughter, Meghan, and sends her to live with her Amish relatives, Janna is spending less time shopping and more time explaining Meghan’s actions to police officer Hiram “Troy” Troyer. Formerly Amish, Troy becomes a regular part of Janna and Meghan’s lives as Meghan continues to act out due to her Englisch mother’s rejection. Could God tame a headstrong teenager and help Janna and Troy find love in the midst of it all?

...Surrendered Love releases in April 2013.

Do you have a favorite character in this work?  If so, why? 
...Troy. I fell in love with him.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with? 
...I am not going to try to venture to guess what God intends to reach readers with. But what He reached me with was “I’m accepted in the Beloved.”
Writing
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing? 
...Not to make anyone mad at me, but: Learn the business.  Do what it takes to get noticed by agents and publishers. Don’t just take the easy way out and self-publish lackluster, poorly edited books. . .
 

You
Do you listen to music when you write?
...No, don’t listen to music when I write.

What is your favorite season and why?  

...Winter. I love snow.  That said, there is very little winter in Arkansas. It’s mostly rainy and muddy here. That isn’t so fun. Here, I like Spring, especially the first jonquils and daffodils of the season. 

What is your favorite genre to read?  Why do you enjoy it?
...I don’t really have a favorite genre.  I have favorite authors . . .  Susan May Warren.  Suzanne Woods Fisher.  Beverly Lewis. Mary Ellis. Colleen Coble. Denise Hunter. Kristin Billerbeck. Melody Carlson. Etc.

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Thank you so much for the interview, Laura! Your latest release, Surrendered Love, sounds like it's going to be a good one! I'm also with you on the favorite season - I love the snow in Winter but, unfortunately, we don't get much (any, really) down here in Southern California! Thanks for sharing your favorite authors as well, we have a few in common. 

Well, Thinking Thoughts readers - make sure to check back in on Friday for my review of Hidden in the Heart by Catherine West. Until then...have a fantastic rest of the week!