Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from the last Author Spotlight giveaway is ELAINE BREAULT! Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com with your mailing address to claim your prize.
Welcome Amy Lillard, author of Caroline’s Secret, to Author Spotlight! Leave a comment below for the chance to win a copy of Amy’s latest release!
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
I’ve been married to my husband forever. Okay, just twenty-five years. ☺ We have one son, two spoiled cats, and a lazy dog. I write full-time these days. It’s fun, but a little different than I imagined it would be all those years when I was working full-time and writing on the side.
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest . . .
I have many interests. (Doesn’t that sound better than I’m ADD and can barely focus on one thing long enough to see it through before I head off to something else?) Seriously, though, I love writing Amish romance, but I am also branching out a little with Amish and non-Amish mysteries, inspy historicals and even an inspy contemporary.
After you started writing seriously–how long was it before you were published?
I’m almost embarrassed to say that it took nearly twenty years before I was published. But if there are any writers out there who are struggling to get their work published, keep going. I had so many close calls over the years. I even sold a book but the publishing house went under before it made it to print. You can’t let things like that ruin your dream. I’m not going to say that it’s easy, but you just have to keep going.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
Have I mentioned how ADD I am? Where I write, what I write on (sometimes I resort back to notebook paper and pen), how much I write, and what I work on vary from day to day and book to book. I can get in a rut really easily. The key is shaking myself out of it and moving on. The hardest part is realizing I’m stuck
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
All of the above. For any authors out there aspiring to be published, remember this: if you are writing, you are an author. Not an aspiring author so stop calling yourself that! Get Stephen King’s book On Writing. He talks about a writer’s tool box. You need all of these in your tool box. So don’t cut yourself short by limiting your tools.
What are your biggest distractions?
Facebook, email, Twitter, Facebook. Oh, wait, I already said Facebook. Seriously, aside from my family who think I ‘just write books,’ the internet is a terrible distraction and time drain. It’s invaluable as a research tool, but there has to be limits. Unfortunately I haven’t figured out what they are yet.
What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst?
One of the best moments was when my first book Saving Gideon won a Carol Award for romance. It’s been almost a year and I’m still a little stunned. The worst was . . . was . . . well, there have been some bad patches, but no real ‘worst moments’. I’ll take that as a plus.
What advice would you give to new writers?Don’t give up. Keep an open mind and be true to yourself. That’s not to say that you write to a trend, but it means you can make those trends work for you.
What’s on the book horizon for you?
All sorts of things. Historical novellas, a contemporary Christian romance, and there’s even some talk of an Amish Christmas novella. But that’s still top secret. 😉
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
My website address is amywritesromance.com. All my books are listed there with links to Amazon and other online retailers. Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million brick and mortar stores should have them. And best of all, I’m hearing reports that my latest book is available in Wal-mart. I’m AmyLillard~Author on Facebook and @AmyWritesRomnce on Twitter. Come find me!
[Tweet ” If you are writing, you are an author. Not an aspiring author! @AmyWritesRomnce #amwriting”]
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Great interview! I love being introduced to authors I haven’t read yet. Your book looks really good. I like books where someone is hiding a secret – I love a good secret! But you know they always come out in the end. I would love to win your book!
Love your interview Amy and Suzanne . Amy I love your books and so glad you did not give up . Keep writing those awesome books .
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
I really like your book cover and this looks like a awesome read. I love being introduced to new authors and read their bio. Thanks for that info. and Blessings to you and your book!
Seen this book before And I think it looks really good!
Great interview by the interview I want to read her books. I love books about Amish , so I tend to search for Amish stories at the library, I will check out this author.
Great interview with Amy. I enjoy reading the questions n answers. I have read several of Amy books. Loved them. Would love to be entered for a chance to win a wonderful book. Wishing both of you a wonderful day.
So much fun spending time with an author or two.
Would love to win! 🙂
Always looking for new authors and books to read. Love reading about the Amish.
What a fun interview! I, too, agree that the internest can be such a time drain! It is definitely a love/hate relationship with me. I look forward to reading your book.
Blessings!
Great interview! I need to find her books.
Thank you for sharing! Do you cats try to get involved in your writing?
Another new author for me to read. The title has my attention.
Truly enjoyed the interview. I would be thrilled to win a book. Thank you for giving all of us the opportunity to enter .
always love to read books by authors I haven’t read their books or reviewed their books. would love chance to read and review your book.
I would be very interested in reading a new author. I love her sense of humor and love anything having to do with Amish. Now that I am retired, I am finally finding time to read, read, read, instead of grading papers most of my evenings and weekends. 🙂
wonderful interview Amy and Suzanne.I am looking forward to reading Caroline’s Secret.Thank you for the opportunity to win.Have a wonderful week.
Would love to win your book. Love the Amish books and I know I would love reading yours. Thanks for sharing some of your life with us.
Lovely interview. Looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for a chance to win. ~ Blessings ~
I would love to win! The book sounds wonderful!
Wonderful interview. Captivating and memorable book. Thanks.
Always glad to hear of an author I’ve not yet become familiar…the book and the ideas for upcoming books sound wonderful…will be on the lookout for books by Amy …
Great interview, I have to read this book.
Can’t wait to read Caroline’s Secret, it would be awesome to win a copy!
Would love to read and win one of your books. Great honest interview!
I’d love to win a copy of this novel. Thanks so much for introducing me to yet another new author.
Great interview. I am an Amish Fiction addict! I just downloaded a couple of Amish stories last night because I haven’t read one in a while and needed my fix. (And a cup of tea to go with it) I am now off to check out Amy Lillard’s books. Thank you for the suggestion of a new name.
love to read about amish authors
I’m always looking for new authors. I would love to read her book.
I couldn’t agree more about time wasters such as Facebook. I’m struggling with this, as well.
Congratulations on your latest book, Caroline’s Secret.
Love, love, love Amy’s books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
So grateful you never gave up for those twenty years Amy, You have truly inspired me. Can’t wait to read your books…
Love her books. Would love to win.
I would love to win, I am always looking for Amish books to read.
What a great interview Suzanne with Amy Lillard.
I love Amish fiction books. I also love spreading the word about new books releases.
Great interview… would love to win a copy of your book 🙂
I love to learn more about the Amish. The books I have I pass around to other people for them to read too. I would love to win.
would love to win.
Thanks for sharing with us Amy. Would love to read your book!
I love reading Amish fiction. Thanks for the chance to win your book.
It is fun to get to know authors!! Thank you. I love reading Amish fiction too! chris_bures@bellsouth.net Thanks for the giveaway too! Blessings.
I’m always on the lookout for new authors and I do really like Amish fiction. Will be checking this one out. Thanks for the chance to win and for the introduction.
I have been seeing this young woman around but have not read her books yet, I love to read amish stories so am sure I will read some of her work when I can. would like to be in your drawing.
thanks for sharing info on the interview of little about her and her work.
Nice interview. Loved reading Saving Gideon. Would love to win this book
Alot of good information with the interview. Would like to win the book.
Love reading, and Amish fiction is my favorite. Thank you for the chance to win Amy’s new book. Really enjoyed the interview.
I like learning about authors that are new to me. I want to know what Caroline’s secret is. Have a great week!
Love to find new-to-me authors and Suzanne’s Author Spotlights are so helpful. Amy’s new book Caroline’s Secret looks like a good read…would love to win, thanks for the opportunity! Linda
Very interesting interview! Always looking for new authors and books to read. Love amish stories but read a variety of books. Would love to win your book.
Would love to win this book!!!
I love reading these interviews and learning some background about authors. I would love to win your book!
Great author. I really enjoy her books.
The interview is great love to learn more about the authors.I am addicted to Amish books would love to win.Thank you for the chance
I love discovering new authors. Thanks for the great interview. I would love to read this book.
I don’t think I have read any of Amy’s books yet, so I am going to have to add her to my list of authors to read. I try to read everything I can about the Amish. Thanks for the giveaway.
It’s in fact very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus I simply use world wide web
for that reason, and get the hottest news.
I would love to win this book..thanks
HHello Suzanne. Thanks for inviting Amy. Don’t let her fool you. She can write good books. Amy don’t worry how long before being pubblished. I have read a number of authors had waited that long or longer to be published. Just keep up the good work. I would love to win this book. Maxie
Love the cover and title!
From this good interview, Amy sounds like she’d be a lot of fun to be around!
I’d love to read her book so I can discover her writings!
would love to win this book
I would Love to win,Thanks
Sure hope our local library has this book.
Informative and entertaining interview. Love the book cover and would be thrilled to win a copy of this book. Please accept my entry. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway.
I so enjoyed reading that interview! Amy I think FB, Twitter and internet is a distraction for everyone so your not alone. Would love to win your book!
oh my would love to win a kindle im almost done reading carolins secret so good i want to get the river next so many to choice fromm most are so good