Lisa Harris Interview

You live in Mozambique, Africa. Does this pose a challenge to your writing? If so, how?

Many of the challenges I face are not any different from any other writer. Finding time to write as much as I’d like is a constant challenge, but I’ve learned the importance of setting personal goals and taking one day at a time. And of course, in living so far away, I’m not able to promote as much as I’d like face to face with my readers, but thankfully, with the Internet, I can do much of it online.

How did you come to be in Africa?

I first visited Africa about twenty years ago and knew then that God was calling me to return. My husband and I have now lived there for over seven years now, and while it has it’s challenges, I know with out a doubt that we are where he wants us. We work with leadership training, church planting, and orphan aid.

Tell us about your latest book?

My latest cozy is also the last in my Cozy Crumb series. CHEF’S DEADLY DISH wraps up yet another one of Pricilla Crumb’s latest mysteries as well as her romance with Max. In this book, one of Pricilla’s former students from the Willow Hill Private Academy for Girls is in trouble. Arrested for murder at the prestigious Rocky Mountain Amateur Chef Competition, where Pricilla is the honorary emcee, things are looking grim for the young chef, until Pricilla follows up on a batch of clues.

How did you come up with your cozy character, Pricilla Crumb?

I started thinking about Pricilla and her story about two years before Barbour started their mystery club, so by the time I decided to submit something to them, Pricilla was already well developed. I wanted a fun, semi-retired woman, who was full of quirks and ready to fall in love again.

Tell us about your publishing journey.

I began writing almost twelve years when my oldest was a baby. He slept a lot and I decided to do what I’d always wanted to do–write a book. It took me another four years, and a lot of learning about the craft, until my first manuscript was published. And the learning in this journey is far from over. Yesterday, I signed my nineteenth contract for an international suspense series with Zondervan, so I feel incredibly blessed and excited to see how God will continue use my words for Him.

Can you tell us a little known fact about yourself?

I love licorice, Mexican food, and chocolate mint ice cream. Will that work?

Any advice for the pre-published?

Keep writing. Join a writers group like ACFW. Find a crit group. And pray a lot for God’s guidance. You can find out more about my books and life in Africa at www.lisaharriswrites.com