When I started my writing journey in 2014, people came up to me all the time to talk about other local authors they know. One day, my aunt and uncle told me about the wife of my uncle’s co-worker who had also published a book who was also a fellow Believer and that we should meet. I told them to pass on my number because I was eager to meet other Christian Authors who lived in my area.
Enter Elizabeth Wehman. Our first meeting took place at a little book shop in town and we talked for hours. We shared writing stories and character ideas. That lead to the discussion of forging a local writers group, now called Shiawassee Area Writers, and we have been friends since as we help one another with various writing tasks like formatting and brainstorming.
I have shared reviews of Elizabeth’s books before, but have yet to host her for an interview. So, grab your favorite warm “wake-up juice” and pull up a seat and join us for a chat about her writing journey and her new book, When the World Shouts Loud.
Welcome, at last, to the Back Porch, Elizabeth. I am beyond excited to share your writing journey and book series with the Back Porch Readers.
First, share with us a little bit about your writing journey.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and once wanted to be a copywriter, but one day I had the opportunity to be a reporter for a local newspaper. For twelve years I covered stories from city council meetings to school board meetings. I covered winter parades that made me freeze and buck poles holding dead deer. I loved being a newspaper reporter but it just fueled me more to want to do what I’ve always wanted to do…write novels. I quit the newspaper job two years after starting my novel writing career. I haven’t looked back yet.
And you are on quite a roll – with 9 books and several anthologies under your cap.
How do you typically approach the writing process? Do you have a specific routine or ritual?
I usually start writing after lunch and keep going until I have nothing left to write. Some days that takes me to three in the afternoon to nine o’clock at night. It depends on the fuel and where I’m at in the process. I also winter in Florida and that is where I can write best and be undistracted in the process.
Sounds like heaven.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting out?
Learn your craft well. Study fiction writing and not just basic writing but what makes a good book. Read, read, and read the genre you want to write. Meet other writers and find a team to push you forward.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you find yourself returning to in your writing?
God! I want to show God’s attributes and His working in our lives through my writings. I want all of my writings to point others to our Creator. Show His goodness and the reasons why we all need Him in our lives.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Lynn Austin, Jan Karon, Susan Meissner are some of my favorite ones. I’ve just recently found Gabrielle Meyer, too.
I, too, recently discovered Gabrielle Meyer. She is an amazing story teller.
What kind of impact do you hope your writing will have on readers?
Taste and see that the Lord is good is the verse I use underneath every autograph I write. That’s what I want. I want readers to see God and His goodness in all that I write.
AMEN!
Okay, lets talk about When the World Shouts Loud
What was the initial spark or idea that inspired this book?
My book started off as a dream I had in the winter of 2022. I also had been watching Christmas movies and I wondered how I could figure out something new with the premise of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Between the dream and the movie…I came up with When the World Shouts Loud.
What research did you conduct, if any, while writing this book?
I had to research some personality traits of demons from the Bible. I knew quite a bit about Satan himself but wasn’t sure what the limits God had allowed a demon to have. How did it influence the story or characters? I didn’t want the demon in my story to have authority or abilities that God wouldn’t allow. I also looked up names that could be associated with a demon. I decided to name my demon, Doyle. Doyle means, Dark Stranger.
Were there any unexpected plot twists or character developments that surprised you while writing?
My protagonist slips into a new dimension of time throughout the entire book. I did this in many different ways. From a push on an outdoor swing to falling asleep in bed to only wake up to a new era. Slipping on a new dress takes her into another new phase as does closing her eyes at a beauty salon. It was fun to create new ways in which a woman could slip through time quickly. It was great fun.
Did any real-life experiences or events influence the narrative of your book?
I’m in the time of life when most women question their lives. Have I lived a good life? Would I have done anything different? Have I done all that I should have or wanted to? So many questions. But above all, I knew I wasn’t alone in those thoughts. Reactions from the book’s premise seems to hit most women the same. They want to see what could happen if they would have the possibility of living their life all over again.
What do you hope readers will remember most about your book when they finishing it?
They’re alone unless God is the center of their lives. If God is the center or even gets put on the side for a bit…He never leaves us. We leave Him. We succumb to the lies if we aren’t close to God every moment of the day.
He is the creator of it all, why not make Him the center of our existence.
Thank you so much for sharing When The World Shouts Loud and your writing journey with my readers, Elizabeth.
Readers, please be sure to read more about Elizabeth Wehman and her books. Also be sure to comment below 👇🏻.
Blessings,
Melissa
When the World Shouts Loud
When the World Shouts Loud
This book sounds intriguing. I enjoyed reading this interview with Melissa Wardwell.
This sounds like such an amazing book! Thank you for sharing this post Melissa Have a Blessed weekend!
What an opportunity. I would take it.
I love your inspiration for this book. I’ll have to pick one up when I see you. Thanks for sharing. I love to read or listen to interviews with different authors. Great job to both of you.