I met debut author Elizabeth Goddard several years ago at an ACFW Conference where we were both pitching our work, hoping someone would show interest. Beth told me about a publisher who was interested in Biblical fiction, so I did my best to connect with the editor. While nothing came of that contact, the connection between Beth and I grew to a friendship that has remained. This past year (2007) we rejoiced together when we both sold our first books! Beth sold hers earlier in the year and has had the privilege of holding the book in her hand – and so can you now that it has released!

Beth obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from North Texas State University in Computer Science. After spending several years in high-level software sales, she retired to become a full-time mother. She has since discovered that her job as a home schooling mom of four is much more stressful than anything she encountered in the corporate world.
When she’s not writing or home schooling, she’s serving with her husband as he pastors a local church in Southern Oregon. She enjoys hiking in the Redwoods or camping on the Oregon coast with her family.

Beth’s debut novel is Seasons of Love published by Heartsong Presents and released in this month, January 2008:

Be still and know that I am God. (Jill says: That’s one of my favorite verses displayed in my house.) :)

Riley O’Hare knows she needs to slow her life down, so when Grandpa Sanderford asks her to give up her climb on the corporate ladder, move cross country, and take over the family farm, she actually considers it. When her brother dies and she becomes the guardian for his child, her mind is made up. With hardly a backward glance, Riley packs up and moves to Massachusetts, hoping to find the peace and stillness she desires.

With the death of his business partner and computer programmer, Zane Baldwyn’s company has nowhere to go. As he looks to replacing John, strange things begin happening. Computers are stolen, someone follows him, and his offices are broken into. Zane begins to wonder if John’s death was really accidental.

You can find Seasons of Love through the Heartsong Presents Book Club available here:

Heartsong Presents, or you can also go to Barbour Books website and search for the book by title or author. The book number if #777. (What a perfect number, eh?) :) In a few weeks, Beth’s book will also be available on Amazon and CBD so check back with them if you can’t find it at these other sites.

I asked Beth to give us some insight into how God is using her and her writing.

Jill: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Beth: I think that like many authors, I knew I wanted to write at a very early age. Maybe I should rephrase that to say I was writing at a very early age. I have to laugh at this but this week I remembered a post-apocalyptic story I wrote at around age ten. At fourteen I started my first romance novel. Throughout high school and college I repeatedly excelled, won contests and caught the attention of my instructors. But I never focused on writing as something I could actually do as a career. Now that I look back, I can see that my desire to write cycled around every five years in which I would take a class or attempt to write articles. But I had no direction until God led me to join ACRW in 2001. I could sum all of that up and say that it’s been a burning desire inside since I was very young. <big grin>

Jill: Can you share with me some of the highlights of your writing journey – something particularly memorable or humorous?

Beth: I have fond memories of the first critique group I joined through ACFW. We stayed together for years and even though the official critique group has disbanded, several of us are still close friends. I was new to writing novels and writing a chapter a week to submit to this group was a great way to break me in. But I learned that the saying “No pain, no gain” can also be applied to writing. I learned quickly how to deal with one particular crit partner’s opinion of my work. I always planned to have at least a gallon of dark chunk chocolate ice cream at the ready for when I finished reading her critique of my chapter! I’m not kidding! Add that it took me a week to get over her comments. Still, I managed to do whatever it took to make it through, no matter how painful. I think sometimes people want to write, but for some reason, they’re not able to handle the criticism.

Jill: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope/plan to write in the future. Do you have a favorite genre?

Beth: When I first started writing novels, I wrote historicals because at the time, that’s what I loved to read. I spent five years writing historicals, but my first novel to sell was a contemporary romance. I also love suspense so no matter what I’ve written, I always include at least an element of suspense. I’m currently working on a cozy mystery but I’m planning to work on a romantic suspense and a speculative fiction thriller in the future. These are projects I’m currently brainstorming. Years ago I would have been quick to answer that the historical was my favorite genre but my interests have broadened to include speculative fiction and thrillers.

Jill: Do you consider your writing the work God has given you to do for a lifetime or for a season of your life? Can you see yourself pursuing something outside of writing for His glory?

Beth: God actively pursued me for several years to answer His call to write before I responded. But I have no way of knowing if this will continue for a lifetime or a season. Right now, as a homeschooling mother and pastor’s wife, I can’t put as much time into writing as I’d like. I keep reminding myself that years from now, if the Lord still wants me to write, I will have plenty of time to do it. Right now, focusing on my family is my priority.

Honestly, I can’t think of any other interests, because in a way, writing allows you to study a variety of things, taking you into any world you can imagine.

Jill: I totally agree, Beth. I homeschooled my boys for 12 years and while I did write and produced several books, the pursuit of publication took a back seat during most of those years. I don’t regret a minute of that waiting because God was honing my character and my craft while I focused on my family.

Are there people in your life who encouraged you, who are responsible for you becoming a published author?

Beth: I’m fortunate to have a supportive family. When I was growing up, my mother always said that she would “send my work in.” At the time, I wasn’t sure what she meant and now I’m not even sure she ever did send something I wrote to a publisher. Still, she encouraged me with her words. Thankfully, my husband has always been supportive as well.

Jill: Can you share one struggle that entered your life as a result of writing and how God helped you to overcome it, to make you more like Christ?

Beth: The biggest struggle I have as a writer is balancing the writing with family and life. I also have a tendency to be obsessive, so when I begin working on a story that’s all I want to do. Well, that doesn’t work when you have others depending on you. I would go so far to say that obsessing over something like that can be considered an idol. I’ve struggled with this for years. It’s not been until this year that I have struck the right balance. This answer only came after I forced the writing to take back seat to everything that is more important in my life. I also had to trust God to direct my path and just be at peace, knowing that if He desires it He will make it happen. This attitude has replaced my tendency to be driven. I have to tell you that it’s working! One would think that I wouldn’t have enough time to get it all done, but with God all things are possible.

Jill: Likewise, is there a particular joy in this writing business/ministry that God has used to remind you that He is, in fact, using your words to His glory?

Beth: I feel like I’m one of those people who never has a ready response or a “come back” until two days later. LOL. But through writing, God can use my words. I’m not sure how many members that the Heartsong Book Club boasts, but it occurred to me that many people would read my book and in that sense, I have a much greater audience than my pastor husband who preaches every Sunday. That humbles and reminds me to make sure I’m writing what God wants me to write.

Jill: Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

Beth:: I haven’t established any official speaking engagements based on my writing. Though I have had the opportunity to talk to people, counsel with them as a result of writing, the most amazing part of it all is the writing friends I’ve made. That has opened up a whole new world in which to minister to believers. After all, who can understand me better than another wife, mother, and writer?

Jill: Absolutely! :)

You can visit author Elizabeth Goddard and get to know her better by checking out her website or her blog.

Thanks Beth, for joining us this month on Spotlight!