Interview with Cathy Bryant

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve written since I was a child, but it wasn’t until I faced the empty nest that I decided to write professionally. I tried writing books when my children were little, but the time restraints of caring for kids kept me from ever finishing a novel. I’m hoping to one day dust off those old manuscripts and see if there’s true story material there. 🙂

How long does it take you to write a book?

By the time I do research, pre-write the story, write the first draft, do edits and re-writes, and get the book ready for print and eBook formats, it usually takes six to seven months.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve completed six novels and a Bible study book. I’m currently working on another Bible study on assurance of our faith, which I hope to have available either later this month or in May. Although each book I’ve written is special to me in some way, my favorite novel that I’ve written is Pilgrimage of Promise. That particular book flowed from me in a way that I can only explain as God doing it through me, and I loved learning more about Mama Beth (the matriarch of Miller’s Creek, Texas, where all my novels are set) and how God grew her faith through keeping His promises.

How much research goes into one of your books?

LOTS! Not only do I want to make sure that I get physical details correct, such as in careers, illnesses, etc., but most importantly, I want to make absolutely sure that I get the spiritual aspect of the book correct. As an example, the third book in the Miller’s Creek novels, The Way of Grace, was the most difficult book I’ve ever written because I wanted to make absolutely sure that I correctly handled the aspects of God’s grace, mercy, and justice. I probably spend two-three weeks in research alone. Obviously, if I wrote historical novels that amount of time would increase. And because of the historical aspect of Pilgrimage of Promise (the 1960s with the Vietnam War, the Kennedy Assassination, etc.), I had to do quite a bit more research.

Have you ever woken up at night and had to write something down for a book that you are working on?

Yes! I always have a pen and notebook handy so I can write down ideas. Unfortunately, I tend to have more lose scraps of paper with scribbled notes than anything else. My desk area is a mess!

What is your favorite beverage and snack when writing??

I always have water and salted peanuts nearby when I write, but I’m noticing more and more empty coffee cups on my desk. And I’ve also been known to have chocolate in the vicinity of my laptop. 🙂

Who is your favorite author?

This is a tough one for me. Honestly, there’s no way I can limit it to just one. From my childhood, I’d have to pick Lucy Maud Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott. But it was the writing of Francine Rivers that nudged me toward writing Christian fiction. I especially loved her Mark of the Lion trilogy, and my all-time favorite Christian romance, Redeeming Love.

About the Book

CROSSROADS

a Miller’s Creek novel and Christian contemporary romance

A former soldier battles for the soul of a prodigal…

After a devastating divorce, a bitter single mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. And her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her beliefs about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?
An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house-search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong Realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?
Purchase link for Kindle eBook – http://www.amazon.com/CROSSROADS-Christian-Contemporary-Romance-Millers-ebook/dp/B00U8KE12K/

Purchase link for print copy – http://www.amazon.com/CROSSROADS-Christian-Contemporary-Romance-Millers-Volume/dp/1941699057/

Book trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AhXfa1pKs

Book Launch Party (April 30, 7-8:30 p.m. CDT) – https://www.facebook.com/events/714654335299203/

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About Cathy
Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet, and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons. All the Miller’s Creek novels have been on the Amazon Best-Seller list and are rated at 4.5 stars or higher on Amazon. Her debut novel, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist. Since then five other stand-alone novels have been added to the series, one of which was a reader-nominated 2013 Grace Award nominee (PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE). Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.

A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico with her minister husband of over thirty years. She’s written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books in collaboration with other Christian authors, and for online sites. She also has released a Bible study book, THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping, romping in the great outdoors, and mini-farming. To learn more about Cathy and her books, visit her website at http://www.CatBryant.com or make contact with her in these places:
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Thank you to Cathy Bryant for doing an interview for me. Keep up your wonderful writing! God Bless.