Beth K. Vogt: I’m a novelist who said she’d never write fiction – but I like to say that I’ve discovered that God’s best is often behind the door marked “Never.” God used a season of burnout to move me from the nonfiction side of the writing road over to what I call the “Dark Side.”
ib4b: Ha! Well, I for one, am glad you took the plunge into the "Dark Side!" What was the inspiration behind Wish You Were Here?
BKV: Wish You Were Here asks the question: Can the wrong kiss lead to Mr. Right? While that question sets up a fun romance, the kiss-gone-wrong is a symbol for the mistakes we all make. Do we truly believe that God redeems our mistakes – that he can bring good out of our wrong choices?
ib4b: What message or lesson do you hope readers will take away from reading it?
BKV: There are several different messages woven through Wish You Were Here. I think one of the most compelling lessons is the one the heroine, Allison, learns: that she is not the sum total of her mistakes – that God is more than she ever imagined him to be, and that with him on her side she can be fearless.
ib4b: How do you see yourself in the book?
BKV: If you’re asking if I wove any of myself into Wish You Were Here, then the answer is yes, I did. I think every author tucks a bit of themselves into their books. While I’m not Allison, I did give her one characteristic that I understood: her fears. I struggled with fear for years and it’s only through my relationship with God that I found peace and hope and release from fear.
ib4b: The more I read, the more I appreciate the research that authors do to deliver a realistic story. Tell us about your research process for this book.
BKV: The book is set in Colorado, where I live, but I did travel to Estes Park to ensure I got some of those scenes right. And I also had to research the llamas. That involved going to a local llama ranch and spending several hours talking to the owners, taking pictures, and then doing additional research online.
ib4b: Oh the llamas! That was a rather unique (and funny!) addition to the story. :) It seems like most authors have quite an interesting journey to getting published. What did you do in your "former life"?
BKV: In my former life I was a wife and mom – and I still am. But before writing novels I was a nonfiction writer and editor. I edited Connections, the leadership magazine for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) International. I also published a MOPS-brand book, Baby Changes Everything: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35.
BKV: I have an office that is three-quarters mine. There’s a desk in one corner that my husband uses to pay bills and my daughter uses for homework. But the room is painted and decorated to my taste, complete with one deep red wall – and when the door is shut, the family knows not to interrupt me.
ib4b: What were some of your favorite books growing up?
BKV: I read and re-read Little Women–and cried every time Beth died. I also loved The Secret Garden and anything written by Georgette Heyer or L. M. Montgomery.
ib4b: Little Women is one of my all-time favorites, too. I'll confess, though, it's my one fave that I would change the ending too. What was the last "must read" Christian fiction book that you read?
BKV: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck – absolutely exquisite writing.
ib4b: Oh, The Wedding Dress was so good! Do you have a "life verse" or favorite Scripture?
BKV: Psalm 115:1 – Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
ib4b: Write your memoir in six words or less.
BKV: God waits behind the door marked “Never.”
ib4b: What bands/artists make your concert wish-list?
BKV: Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum … oh I could go on and on …
ib4b: Yes, to all! Great list. :) What's your favorite movie?
BKV: The Magic of Ordinary Days (It’s a Hallmark Special.)
ib4b: If you painted every room in your house only one color, which color would you choose?
BKV: Green – variations of green.
ib4b: Can you tell us a bit about what you're working on now? When can we expect to see it in stores?
BKV: My next novel is titled Catch a Falling Star and will be released May 2013. It’s a contemporary romance set in Colorado Springs. It tackles the question: What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Do you keep pushing for Plan A? Pull Plan B out of your back pocket? Or do you just settle?
ib4b: Oooh ... sounds like an interesting storyline to tackle. I look forward to reading it! Beth, thank you so much for joining me today!
Beth K. Vogt Online
My review:
I love The Magic of Ordinary Days. I might have to watch again. GREAT interview y'all! Thanks for the mention, too!
ReplyDeleteRachel
Wonderful interview, ladies. I'm thankful Beth came over to the Dark Side too. Otherwise, I never would have met her!
ReplyDeleteRachel & Lisa - Thanks so much for stopping by and saying "hi"!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed visiting today. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa and Rachel. Only wish we could all watch The Magic of Ordinary Days together.
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