Please join me in welcoming Andy Carmichael as she guest blogs about how a research journey can impact and inspire our novels. I totally agree Andy from personal experience. My visit to the Laura Ingalls Wilder House and Museum in the Ozarks was not only a bucket list accomplishment for me, but wow did I come back inspired to write and to be the very best writer I could be. Thanks for being here today, Andy. Readers, if you haven't been to Andy's blog yet, you are missing out on a real treat! Keep your eye out on this amazing writer and enjoy her post below. Details for the fun giveaway are at the bottom of this insightful post. - Lisa
Bio
Andy enjoys writing Inspiring Fiction, Romantic Suspense, and Sweet Romance from a Christian perspective. Her characters are able to find renewed hope and strength in God after experiencing immeasurable hardships. A lover of bygone times, her contemporary stories usually contain a spark of history with a hint of mystery. A writer for years, Andy is now beginning her journey to publication. She hopes you will accompany her.Questions
Tell us about your author journey or share a writing or research tip or techniques, or a research experience.
My family and I took a fantastic journey to the Indian God Rock located on the shores of the Allegheny River. Since the rock plays an integral role in one of my novels, I felt I just had to see it for myself. I’m so glad I did because it was an amazing experience. The boulder stands a soaring 22 feet high and is about as wide as a large backyard shed. The rock is covered with engravings, some dating back to as early as 900 AD. Many of the prominent markings are tags left by more recent visitors. Of course, there are a few carvings present from local teens and visitors throughout the past decade or so, but there’s also explorer engravings from the 1930’s going all the way back to the 1700’s! Being a lover of history, I think it’s needless to say it took my breath away.
The reason it has such an interesting name is that the Native Americans who travelled the area had a sort of spiritual reverence for the rock. To this day, one can still see animal petroglyphs engraved into the surface. If you ever want to visit, it’s located on the Allegheny trail and is totally open to visitors (my daughter climbed all over it!). It’s a beautiful place with wildlife galore and nothing but the sweet static of silence to soothe your soul.
How do you share your Christian faith in your writing?
I try to let my faith sort of bleed through in my character’s struggles. I have a really hard time with outright saying things, I’m always fearful it will sound too preachy or that I might somehow send the wrong message. My hope is that in the character’s journey to the light…the reader might identify with that and find their way as well, if they haven’t already! I also think it’s important to write about topics that might not be ‘cookie cutter’ comfortable. For instance, in the novel which includes the Indian God Rock (working title- The River Beautiful), Lena’s thoughts are darkened by grief and bitterness over the loss of her father. It isn’t pretty and she’s not exactly lovable from the start. She struggles, as we all do from time to time. But when confronted with the promise of something better, she can’t help but wonder if she’s wasting her life in the shadows.
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
I know, one verse off from the ever-popular 3:16! Which I love as well, but seriously, 3:17 speaks to me. It reminds me of God’s love and compassion for us all. Whenever I am speaking to someone on the fence about Christianity, it is one of my favorite verses to hopefully spark their interest in God. It speaks of His nature and an immense love and effort on His part to bring us to Him, in few words.
Check out Andy's Links below and then sroll down to enter an awesome fun giveaway!
Social Media/Website (4 links)
www.andycarmichaelblog.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/andycarmichaelwrites/
https://www.instagram.com/andycarmichaelwrites
Thanks for being on my blog Andy! Below, readers can check out the TWO BOOK Victorian series I'm giving away to one blessed recipient!. This is a clean and wholesome, yet romantic love story with settings at the turn of the century. Hannah is orphaned and later adopted into a large and busy family who embrace her-- in spite of her attempts to make them not love her. A burgeoning artist, Hannah is determined not to fall in love with anyone or ever get married!
The second book in the series picks up with the story of Hannah's sister in a quick novella. Just think preacher's kid in distress, Downton Abbey style. Both of these books highlight great evangelicals from the era. Oh and also, I'm giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift card with these two books to the winner who will be randomly chosen by the Rafflecopter! I will gift a 100% off coupon code for each of these ebooks which can be redeemed in a format of your choice at Smashwords. They offer a kindle format, mobi, and much more.... take your choice. Have fun racking up the points in the Rafflecopter! - Lisa
P.S. The winner of the gift card and eBooks must live in the Continental United States of America.
