Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?
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Heather Woodhaven interview with Susan Sleeman
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August 17, 2015
A: I used to say 18 years (most of it nonfiction), but I’ve lost track. Other jobs: Travel agent, Preschool teacher, Substitute elementary teacher, Aerobics instructor, Administrative Assistant, Children’s Minister Q: Do you write in only one genre and if so which one and why? If not, which ones and why? A: Because I love to read more than one genre, I love to write in more than one genre. So far romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Humor and romance seep into everything I write though! Q: How does your faith play into your writing? A: In my own life, it seems God works on me in certain areas over and over despite the situation. Years ago, I was learning to fight fear. Now, he’s teaching me discipline and joy. I never set out to write a certain spiritual message. For me, whatever the characters are wrestling with have a natural tie-in to how they’re growing in the Lord. Q: How do you choose your settings for your books? A: So far, places I’ve visited! Surviving the Storm is set in a fictional town but inspired by the beauty of Cannon Beach, Oregon. Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up? A: Totally made up. I take a personality test for each character to try to solidify how they think/react to situations. Now if we are talking embarrassing situations then sometimes they’re based on things that have happened to me. Not telling you which ones!
A: A true beach read! After witnessing her boss’s murder, Aria Zimmerman isn’t sure she’ll make it to safety. She would already be dead if it weren’t for her ex-boyfriend David McGuire. Now she and David are in a race for their lives on the rugged Oregon coast. If their enemies don’t get them, the elements will. With a lethal tsunami bearing down on them, Aria has no time for regrets and little hope of reconciliation with her former love. Her only wish is that they live long enough to avenge an innocent man’s death… Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story? A: With all my stories, it starts with a scene in my head. Then I keep asking myself questions—how’d they get there, etc. For Surviving the Storm, it was a combination of visiting Cannon Beach and learning about some lesser known scams the FBI is tracking that helped me put all the pieces together. Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story? A: The bunnies! Just kidding. The special meaning a Sand Dollar can have (no spoilers) and no matter what’s going on in your life you can do the next right thing. Q: Tell us what you like about the main characters of this book. A: I love that Aria is resourceful and thinks outside of the box. She’s almost like a female MacGyver. She is very gifted but humble enough not to brag. Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now? A: I’m wrapping up a book about a heroine who discovers her mother had run away from the mafia. Then diving into writing a Christmas sequel for The Secret Life of Book Club. Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why? A: Europe. I have a story I’d love to write about a heroine who works in Human Resources who works with a business overseas. Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done? A: Susan, I said I didn’t want to admit to those. 🙂 Here’s one I can share: When my eldest daughter was in first grade, she enjoyed the spotlight, so she fibbed and told her whole class that I called her to dinner by opening the front door and singing “come to dinner” in an operatic voice. When her teacher told me in a conference that she’d love to hear me sing opera sometime (and relayed the story), I knew I needed to confront my daughter. But I did so by making her story come true to the tune of “Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes.” I’ve never seen her run home so fast. Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done? A: Not sure I can pinpoint one thing, but I’m sure it would involve being a Wife & Mother Q: Where can readers find you on the internet? A: TeamLoveOnTheRun.com, WritingHeather.com, Facebook, and Twitter Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us? A: If you like the hero in this story, he has three brothers. I hope to share their stories soon. |
Heather Woodhaven earned her pilot’s license, rode a hot air balloon over the safari lands of Kenya, assisted an engineer with a medical laser in a Haitian mission, parasailed over Caribbean seas, lived through an accidental detour onto a black diamond ski trail in the Aspens and snorkeled among sting rays before becoming a mother of three and wife of one.
Now Heather spends her days celebrating laughter, adding to her impressive list of embarrassing moments, and raising a family of aspiring comedians who perform nightly at her table. She channels her love for adventure into writing characters who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances–whether running for their lives or battling the insanities of life.
