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Interview with Lisa Jordan

Where did the idea for Lakeside Romance come from?

The original idea came when I saw a random guy with a ponytail and a leather-bottomed green canvas backpack walking down the sidewalk while I pumped gas. I wondered what he did and where he was going. Then I thought about how people make assumptions based on appearances and that sparked a story idea. Since then, though, Alec and Sarah’s story has evolved many times since I wrote it initially during NaNoWriMo in 2005!

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I loved brainstorming with my son who attended culinary school about different recipes and cooking techniques. Plus, Alec and Sarah were two of my first characters, and I was thrilled to finally tell their story. I pulled in Emmett Browne, a minor character from Lakeside Family, my second book, and loved showing the dynamic between he and Alec.

What was the hardest thing about writing Lakeside Romance?

I experienced a painful event in my life that mangled my heart. The tangle of emotions took a long time to resolve to the point where I needed to forgive the people involved. Digging into those dark recesses of my heart were painful, but so necessary in order for the reader to understand the depth of Alec’s pain. Writing Alec’s story was therapeutic for me.

Did you do anything special to research this book?

I binge-watched a season of Worst Cooks in America to see how people who couldn’t cook would handle simple kitchen tasks. And I loved researching about molecular gastronomy.

What type of cook are you? Like Sarah or more like Alec?

I’m definitely more like Alec. I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I learned from my grandma—a farmer’s wife—and my mom, who cooked from scratch.

Since were talking about food, what’s your favorite writing snack?

Well, it used to be peanut M&M’s, but that’s one love affair I had to break in order to cut back on sugar. Now it’s almonds or air-popped popcorn. The crunch helps me think.

Who or what inspires you to write?

Who: My readers are my greatest inspiration, especially when they send emails about what my stories mean to them and ask when my next book is coming. What: I’m inspired to keep writing because this is my dream and God has opened the doors for me.

Who or what has been the biggest influence to your writing career?

I’ve loved books as long as I can remember. The authors I’ve read took me on adventures and romances that I longed to emulate in my stories. When I read The Promise by Danielle Steel, I knew I wanted to write romances to give my readers that heart-sighing happily ever after. As an adult, having my family’s support helps me to stay strong when the writing gets hard, which is like every day.

What authors do you look up to and why?

That’s like asking me which of my sons is my favorite. Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, Beth K. Vogt, Melissa Tagg, Mindy Obenhaus, Cathy West, and Denise Hunter write amazing stories filled with God’s Truth and strong characters whose journeys inspire me to improve my craft.

Can you share one resource, piece of advice, or book that you’ve found helpful in your writing career?

I wouldn’t be where I am today without My Book Therapy. Getting involved with MBT and learning from Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck helped me go beyond the foundations of craft. They taught me how to dig deeper into my characters to write real stories that will influence readers.

What are you currently reading?

I have a stack of books going right now:

  • Susan May Warren’s Where There’s Smoke on my iPad
  • Rachel Hauck’s The Wedding Chapel by my living room chair, and
  • Cathy West’s The Things We Knew next to my bed.

Any parting words?

Writing is hard. Some days I wonder why I even bother, but then I remember that dream God laid on my heart when I was sixteen.

If you want it badly enough, you’ll push through the writer’s block, the unruly characters, and the rejections because when you hold your book in your hand, it makes all the tears and tantrums worth it.


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Emilie Hendryx is a freelance writer and photographer living in the heart of Washington, D.C. She writes romantic suspense while dreaming up YA Sci-Fi dystopian worlds on the side. She’s got a soft spot in her heart for animals and a love for the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. In her spare time you can find her playing guitar or reading a book all while drinking too much coffee. www.eahendryx.blogspot.com





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