Welcome contemporary Christian fiction author Heather Greer to my blog.

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Contemporary Christian romance writer Heather Greer joins us on my Thursday blog today. Heather, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. 

What prompted you to become a writer?

I’ve always loved stories. The idea that an author can create people and even worlds that others relate to, learn from, and are encouraged by is amazing. I can’t count the number of times a book’s characters and story have impacted my life and my faith. I wanted to pass on those kinds of experiences to others. 

Tell us about your book Faith’s Journey. What is it about, and what gave you the idea for it? 

Faith’s Journey is Katie McGowan’s story. Like so many, Katie felt stifled by the faith she grew up around, and as an adult she went her own way. After having her heart broken, she returns home and finds maybe she didn’t have to run from God when His people didn’t seem to live up to their professed beliefs. Katie struggles to reconcile with God while dealing with conflict with her parents, caring for her injured mother despite the conflict, and finding a friend and maybe a little more in a man named Austin. When the man who broke her heart comes back into her life, Katie’s slowly developing faith is put to the test. 

The inspiration for Faith’s Journey came from considering the difficulties faced when someone is betrayed in heartbreaking ways. I thought this would be the main theme as I began the story, but Katie intervened and took it a different direction. The betrayal she faces is the catalyst to a revisiting of her faith, and the path she takes to reconnect with God ended up the major theme of Faith’s Journey. Grasping Hope, the second installment in Katie’s story, which comes out in March 2019, will deal more with the effects of her fiancé’s betrayal. 

Can you tell us a little more about Grasping Hope?

I can’t get into specifics because I don’t want to spoil details of this book or Faith’s Journey for those who haven’t read it. What I can tell you is that Katie finds herself dealing with unexpected and painful effects of her fiancé’s betrayal. The results threaten to steal the joy she’s found, put an impenetrable wall between her and God, and cause her to push away from those she loves most. 

I have had several writers as my guest on my blog. Each one has a different routine or system that works best for her. What is yours?

Faith’s Journey started with an idea. Grasping Hope simply built on the story I had already started. I asked myself, “Where would Katie be now, and what would she be facing?” I’m working on the third book now, and I started it from a particular scene. The inspiration for each one came a little differently. And that seems to sum up my writing system. I don’t plot things out from beginning to end. Although, as I get into writing a particular project I do end up making time lines so I can keep my details consistent. I edit as I go until I have each scene the way I want it. Of course there’s always more editing to do at the end, but I don’t leave a scene until I’ve got it the way I want it. 

How do you develop characters?

I think about who they are first. Then, I come up with a photo of someone who looks like them. I use Pinterest to make boards for each book and put things that remind me of each character in each one. It helps keep me on track with the character’s likes and dislikes, personality, and physical characteristics. As I write I try to think about not only where they started but what is going to change and grow in them over the course of the story. Doing this helps me gradually, naturally move them from point A to point B through the story. 

What advice would you give a writer who has not yet succeeded in being published?

Keep reading, keep writing, keep learning your craft. No isn’t the end. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your work before sending it out again.

I admit to incorporating real events into my fiction, events that either I or someone I know experienced. How much does real life impact your fiction writing, if at all?

I don’t think an author can help putting something of themselves on the page. I do try to keep from modeling my characters after people I know, but in Grasping Hope I did create a character based on a very special “aunt,” The character is not the person, but I tried to think of the things I love about my aunt and incorporate them into Gigi B. Oh, and I guess this is the part where I admit Katie’s fall and slide down the creek bed at Giant City Park was inspired by true events. Let’s just say I know exactly what Katie felt like, but I didn’t have Austin waiting at the bottom for me. I had my three sons laughing at their mother’s lack of grace!

People read fiction to be entertained, but do you see Christian fiction as only entertainment or something more?

I believe the best Christian fiction should entertain well with a strong story and relatable characters. But I also believe it is an outlet for Christians to use the gifts and talents God gives to minister to others. I feel God has called me to encourage and challenge women of faith in their understandings of and relationships with God. He’s also given me a passion to write and the ability to learn and practice that craft. The way I bring honor and glory to Him is by using my passion and gifts for the ministry focus He’s given me. It’s showing truth to others in a relatable way that’s sometimes easier to accept than a Sunday School lesson. 

Do you have a favorite Scripture or “go-to” chapter from the Bible?

I love Jeremiah 29:11. I’m big on purpose if you haven’t already figured that out. But even in the purpose there is a correct way to live it out, and I find that in Micah 6:8. “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” And my favorite “go-to” chapter would have to be Philippians 4. There’s a lot of practical truth in that chapter when you’re facing troubling times. 

Just for fun, tell us your favorites in:

Book(s) as a child: I loved Berenstain Bears as a young child.

Movie or TV series: There are so many, but I’ll go with “Doctor Who,” especially the David Tennant episodes.

Restaurant or type of food: Mashed potatoes or chocolate, just not together.

Music: I can’t begin to choose a favorite type of music, but my all-time favorite Christian artist is Rich Mullins.

Vacation spot: I’ve only been on two vacations in my life, one as a child and one as an adult. So, I’ll go with Charleston, South Carolina. I got to introduce my children and husband to the ocean for the first time. 

Animal: Anything cute. But I do love horses. 

Hobby: Baking. It helps me de-stress after a long day.

Where can readers purchase your books?

Faith’s Journey can be purchased through Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

Faith’s Journey in paperback format can be purchased through www.barnesandnoble.com and www.booksamillion.com. 

Please share any links we can access to keep connected and anything else you’d like for us to know.

I love to hear from readers, and you can contact me through email at bythebook724@gmail.com. Or connect with me on social media using any of these links.

Contact Info/Social Media Links: 

Website: https://heathergreer.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Heather_Greer1

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/1heathergreer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1heather.greer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeatherGreer/

Thanks again, Heather, for taking the time to answer my questions. Best wishes for much writing success in 2019!