Getting to know Elizabeth Ludwig
Welcome to our first Getting to Know you corner. Today Elizabeth Ludwig has graciously agreed to be the first cab of the rank so to speak.
Welcome Elizabeth.
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Sure! I could give you the long version, but why do that when you can read all about me on my bio page (http://www.elizabethludwig.net/Biography.html)? The short version is much simpler…and probably more interesting. LOL!
Basically, I was just a kid who loved to read. I had a voracious appetite for books, and it was not unusual for my mother to catch me reading at two or three in the morning…on a school night! Since that got me into trouble, I took to reading with a small nightlight under the covers. My poor eyes! I’m surprised I can still see.
Anyway, fast forward twenty…um…thirty years, and that love of reading changed into a love of writing. I still daydream characters in my head, but now, that transfers onto paper.
In 2006, I signed my first contract with Barbour Publishing. It was a cozy mystery titled Where the Truth Lies, which I co-authored with Janelle Mowery. We wrote two more books in that series, Died in the Wool, and A Black Die Affair, respectively.
Later this year, I have a Christmas anthology due out called Christmas Homecoming. I’m really excited about this book. It’s a fantastic collection, with stories written by Debby Mayne, Paige Winship Dooly, Elizabeth Goddard, and me!
2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
I did! It was a tiny little book called No Flying in the House, and it was about a little girl who didn’t know she was a fairy princess. An evil fairy told her, and proved it by telling her if she could kiss her elbow, she would know that she was a fairy.
Well, you can imagine how, as a ten-year-old, I took that to heart. I tried for months to kiss my elbow, to no avail (sigh).
3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?
Hmm…I love to read historicals, but writing them is so difficult! There is SO much research that has to be done, which is definitely not my strong suit. Still, I’m preparing a proposal for a historical I’d like to write, so I’m learning.
4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
Not really, though I did go through a Katherine Kurtz phase—during which I read everything she wrote. For you Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans, you would probably recognize her Deryni Chronicles.
5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Pretty early, actually, though I didn’t get serious about it until much later. I had a fantastic fourth grade teacher who always encouraged my love of reading. In fact, she often let me sit quietly and read to myself when everyone else was doing homework. One day, she asked if I might be interested in entering a science fiction contest for young authors because she knew that was what I was into at that time. I did, and though I didn’t win, I knew then that I wanted to write.
6. How did you go about becoming an author?
I made the mistake of thinking I had to be published in order to consider myself an author. The fact of the matter is, when you write, you become an author, published or not. Still, writing consistently and well took a lot of time, study, and dedication. These days, I make it a point never to leave a manuscript sitting idle for long. I try to take time to write every day, whether it be on a book, an article, or a blog.
7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?
A fulltime youth minister. Right now, I do that part-time, but I love the kids and I love the work. Someday, I may just leave my day job at a public school and just do that…well…and write, of course.
8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
Ski! I love the snow, the air, the mountains…it’s all just gorgeous. And I love to travel. There are so many places I’d love to visit.
9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
LOL! I wrote the answer to that last question before I saw this one.
My husband took a trip to Europe back in 1995. We visited France and Germany. Ever since, I’ve had such a desire to go back, but this time, I’d like to visit Scotland, or maybe Ireland.
10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?
Why…YOU, Jenny! J (Do I get bonus points for that answer??) (Jenny here Yes you get bonus points)
Actually, I would choose my parents first. I live 1200 miles away and only get to visit with them a couple of times a year, if that. So, anytime I can have a chance to visit with them and talk, I take it!
Second, I think I would like to meet George W. Bush. He was painted as an incompetent and an idiot by our media. I would love to know how he handled that, and meet the true man behind all of the negative publicity. Knowing that he is a man of faith, he must have many lessons that God taught him during his time as president.
For my third choice…are you sure it has to be a living person? I would love to have just one more meal with my mother-in-law, who passed away several years ago, just before Thanksgiving.
Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.
My main website is located at http://www.elizabethludwig.com/, but a list of all of my books and ordering information is available at http://www.elizabethludwig.net/books.html. Readers can also find me at http://www.elizabethludwig.blogspot.com/ or on my Christian Authors Network page at http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/index.php?/CAN/more/elizabeth_ludwig/ig/.
Sure! I could give you the long version, but why do that when you can read all about me on my bio page (http://www.elizabethludwig.net/Biography.html)? The short version is much simpler…and probably more interesting. LOL!
Basically, I was just a kid who loved to read. I had a voracious appetite for books, and it was not unusual for my mother to catch me reading at two or three in the morning…on a school night! Since that got me into trouble, I took to reading with a small nightlight under the covers. My poor eyes! I’m surprised I can still see.
Anyway, fast forward twenty…um…thirty years, and that love of reading changed into a love of writing. I still daydream characters in my head, but now, that transfers onto paper.
In 2006, I signed my first contract with Barbour Publishing. It was a cozy mystery titled Where the Truth Lies, which I co-authored with Janelle Mowery. We wrote two more books in that series, Died in the Wool, and A Black Die Affair, respectively.
Later this year, I have a Christmas anthology due out called Christmas Homecoming. I’m really excited about this book. It’s a fantastic collection, with stories written by Debby Mayne, Paige Winship Dooly, Elizabeth Goddard, and me!
2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
I did! It was a tiny little book called No Flying in the House, and it was about a little girl who didn’t know she was a fairy princess. An evil fairy told her, and proved it by telling her if she could kiss her elbow, she would know that she was a fairy.
Well, you can imagine how, as a ten-year-old, I took that to heart. I tried for months to kiss my elbow, to no avail (sigh).
3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?
Hmm…I love to read historicals, but writing them is so difficult! There is SO much research that has to be done, which is definitely not my strong suit. Still, I’m preparing a proposal for a historical I’d like to write, so I’m learning.
4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
Not really, though I did go through a Katherine Kurtz phase—during which I read everything she wrote. For you Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans, you would probably recognize her Deryni Chronicles.
5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Pretty early, actually, though I didn’t get serious about it until much later. I had a fantastic fourth grade teacher who always encouraged my love of reading. In fact, she often let me sit quietly and read to myself when everyone else was doing homework. One day, she asked if I might be interested in entering a science fiction contest for young authors because she knew that was what I was into at that time. I did, and though I didn’t win, I knew then that I wanted to write.
6. How did you go about becoming an author?
I made the mistake of thinking I had to be published in order to consider myself an author. The fact of the matter is, when you write, you become an author, published or not. Still, writing consistently and well took a lot of time, study, and dedication. These days, I make it a point never to leave a manuscript sitting idle for long. I try to take time to write every day, whether it be on a book, an article, or a blog.
7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?
A fulltime youth minister. Right now, I do that part-time, but I love the kids and I love the work. Someday, I may just leave my day job at a public school and just do that…well…and write, of course.
8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
Ski! I love the snow, the air, the mountains…it’s all just gorgeous. And I love to travel. There are so many places I’d love to visit.
9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
LOL! I wrote the answer to that last question before I saw this one.
My husband took a trip to Europe back in 1995. We visited France and Germany. Ever since, I’ve had such a desire to go back, but this time, I’d like to visit Scotland, or maybe Ireland.
10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?
Why…YOU, Jenny! J (Do I get bonus points for that answer??) (Jenny here Yes you get bonus points)
Actually, I would choose my parents first. I live 1200 miles away and only get to visit with them a couple of times a year, if that. So, anytime I can have a chance to visit with them and talk, I take it!
Second, I think I would like to meet George W. Bush. He was painted as an incompetent and an idiot by our media. I would love to know how he handled that, and meet the true man behind all of the negative publicity. Knowing that he is a man of faith, he must have many lessons that God taught him during his time as president.
For my third choice…are you sure it has to be a living person? I would love to have just one more meal with my mother-in-law, who passed away several years ago, just before Thanksgiving.
Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.
My main website is located at http://www.elizabethludwig.com/, but a list of all of my books and ordering information is available at http://www.elizabethludwig.net/books.html. Readers can also find me at http://www.elizabethludwig.blogspot.com/ or on my Christian Authors Network page at http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/index.php?/CAN/more/elizabeth_ludwig/ig/.
My newest release is the anthology I told you about called Christmas Homecoming. My novella is titled “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” and it’s the story of a young woman who finds her way home after many years away. Basically, it’s a re-telling of the parable of the prodigal. More than that, it is very near to my heart in that it deals with the pain of separation, and the joy that comes with forgiveness and reconciliation. I hope very much that readers find peace and promise through this story.
Thanks again for your time and agreeing to be on my blog.
Thank you, Jenny!
4 comments:
Thank you for the interview, ladies :)
Great interview, ladies. I'd like to meet Geo W Bush as well. I'm also looking forward to "Christmas Homecoming".
Looking forward to future installments of this feature, ausjenny. *smile*
Thanks for having me, ausjenny! Your blog looks great.
How nice to find my good friend and favorite author guesting on one of my favorite blogs! Jenny, thanks for giving us a chance to know Lisa better.
Bless you, ladies.
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