Welcome to another edition of Writer's Life! Every Wednesday features a writer of inspirational or sweet romance novels. I'm excited to share some of my favorite authors and hope you'll find new books for your to-be-read pile!
Today we have the oh-so-encouraging and talented Beth K. Vogt!! You know how some people just give you the warm fuzzies? Well, Beth is one of those people. She goes out of her way to make everyone around her feel special, and she's SO gifted as a writer. Her latest inspirational contemporary romance, Somebody Like You, sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. Yes, I cried! My review is posted below.
Let's get to it!
1. What about writing makes your heart sing?
There are times when writing makes my heart grumble –
usually when I’m lost in rewrites. But the days when the words I’ve written
turn into scenes that match the vision I have for a novel – that’s when writing
creates music inside of me. Or when readers tell me they connect emotionally
with characters and can’t stop thinking about them … or when a spiritual truth
experienced by one of my imaginary characters also touches the heart of a real
life reader … those are times when writing “sings” for me.
2. What is the biggest hurdle you're facing right now as a
writer?
I’m launching my newest book, Somebody Like You, starting
the fast draft of a new novel, and waiting for edits of a novella. Balancing
all those #1 priorities is a challenge. Some days I manage better than others.
3. What do you do to fill your creative well?
Two disparate things help me be more creative: silence and
music. I’ve dealt with insomnia for several years now and, as much as I don’t
like the loss of sleep, I treasure the quietness of the house when I’m the only
one awake. I spend time in the Word, pray, journal – all three refresh my soul.
I also enjoy creating musical playlists on Spotify. Some are geared to the
novels I’m writing and some are just personal favorites. Listening to music often
helps me tap into the mood of the scene that I’m writing.
4. What are you working on now?
I’m brainstorming my next novel. I’m part of the My Book
Therapy leadership team and I love to use The Book Buddy, a worktext developed
by best-selling author Susan May Warren, to plot out my novel: themes, Story
Question, characters, subplots, spiritual thread – things like that. Once I
have these elements developed, I’ll dive into my fast draft and discover what
this novel is about.
***
Sounds like you're super busy, Beth! I'm with you on getting lost in rewrites--it's difficult to change the story, keep the threads together, and strengthen the book. Insomnia--yuck. I'm impressed you found a way to make it positive. I usually sit there while the same thoughts race around my head. Your way is better! Congratulations on your upcoming novella, and happy first-draft-writing!
***
SOMEBODY LIKE YOU ~
Can a young widow find love again with her
husband’s reflection?
Haley’s three-year marriage to Sam, an army
medic, ends tragically when he’s killed in Afghanistan. Her attempts to create
a new life for herself are ambushed when she arrives home one evening—and finds
her husband waiting for her. Did the military make an unimaginable mistake when
they told her Sam was killed?
Too late to make things right with his estranged
twin brother, Stephen discovers Sam never told Haley about him. As Haley and
Stephen navigate their fragile relationship, they are inexorably drawn to each
other. How can they honor the memory of a man whose death brought them
together—and whose ghost could drive them apart?
Somebody Like You is a beautifully rendered, affecting novel, reminding
us that while we can’t change the past, we have the choice to change the future
and start anew.
***
About Beth ~
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the
doors marked “Never.” A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never
write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational
contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after
than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her
website or check out her blog on
quotes,
In Others’ Words.
***
My review: 5 Stars!!
I’ve been anticipating this book for months. What can I say?
I’m a sucker for any identical twin drama. This one lived up to its premise and
then some!! There’s so much to love about this book—the tension of not knowing
how Haley and Stephen can get past the death of Stephen’s twin brother, who was
Haley’s husband, to forge a future, then there was the serious but warm tone,
the heartbreak of giving birth as a widow, the sweet, sweet acts of kindness
Stephen showered on Haley. I could go on and on. I loved this book. Did I cry?
Of course I did! Do yourself a favor and buy Somebody Like You! It’s
wonderfull!
**I received an advanced reader copy of this book with no
obligation to review it. All opinions are my own.**
***
Thank you, Beth, for being my guest today!!
Do you love stories featuring identical twins? And how many of you read the Sweet Valley High series? (Guilty!!)
Have a terrific day!
