Elizabeth Goddard

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I’m a 7th generation Texan and a home schooling mother of four. After getting my degree in computer science, I spent my twenties working in high-level software sales and traveling the country.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I’ve always been writing even since an early age so the desire to be a published writer has always been there. My guess is that’s probably true for a large number of writers. But I didn’t know what I wanted to write—articles, a non-fiction book or fiction, which I loved to read—and struggled with various writing courses for years. It wasn’t until 2001 when I joined ACFW that I started writing a novel that I could submit for publication.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. I joined with Lisa Harris and Lena Nelson Dooley in submitting a three book proposal to Barbour/Heartsong presents to Tracie Peterson, who was the acquisitions editor through 2006. It was still another two-three years after my first book, Seasons of Love, released that things really started picking up. In 2010 I had five books release—and that because I never stopped writing and submitting. I sold my first LIS in 2010 as well, and it released in October of this year along with my fourth Heartsong. Finally, I won the 2011 Carol Award in the mystery category for The Camera Never Lies.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release?
Here’s the blurb for FREEZING POINT: Secrets Under The Ice
Casey Wilkes didn’t realize her simple human-interest story would put her life at risk—again. After fleeing her home and journalism job in Portland, she wanted to live under the radar for a while. But when her interviewee starts dodging her questions, her reporter instincts kick in and she finds herself in over her head…
Homeland security agent Jesse Mitchell has been undercover as an ice sculptor for months, trying to infiltrate a smuggling ring. He wants to avoid trouble, and that’s just what Casey brings. Now someone has a target set on Casey. Saving her could blow his cover, but leaving her unprotected endangers him even more—especially his heart.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for FREEZING POINT?
A: Wired Magazine had an ice sculptor on the cover several years ago and an interesting article to go with that. I tucked that away in my idea file, knowing I would use that somehow.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: While researching for this story, I learned just how deeply undercover agents can get involved with the people they are investigating—and that those people often have wives and families, and sometimes the agents can become like brothers to them or the closest of friends. My hero has to work through living a double-life and continually questions how he can walk the Christian walk and do his job. The point is that no matter where we are in our lives, our Christian walk, we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) In the end, God is faithful to us, more faithful than we can ever be—He will never leave us.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?
A: I actually like the opening chapter a lot. Here’s the first few lines:
Beautiful…but dangerous.
Jesse finished shoving the last block of dry ice into the back of the specially designed truck—well insulated, yet ventilated to allow for sublimation—the melting that would give off deadly CO2 gas.
The solid form of carbon dioxide would be used to create the snow effect around the ice sculptures along with fog—a mysterious yet stunning display.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. Other great stories, novels that I’m reading or a movie that I really enjoy.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?
A: I didn’t expect to still remain this insecure about my writing!

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?
A: Attending a conference can make all the difference in your craft and in the connections you make that will ultimately help you to get published.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I just turned in a proposal to my agent and I’m waiting to hear on that, of course, and I’m writing the last book in a three book series for Heartsong before I quickly start on my next Love Inspired Suspense. My writing projects often overlap, but that’s good—never a dull moment.

Q: What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?
A. I do not enjoy shopping.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. LOL—Make artisan bread! Seriously, I enjoy hiking, playing with the kids, jogging, and traveling.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. I give all the glory to God.