Writer’s Window–Elizabeth Goddard
Joining us today for Writer’s Window is mystery- and romance-author Elizabeth Goddard.
One lucky commenter* will win a signed copy of The Camera Never Lies, part of the Hometown Mystery series from Barbour. Deadline for leaving a comment to enter the drawing is Friday. To enter the drawing, you must answer the question posed by Beth at the end of the interview. Only one comment per person will count toward the drawing. You do not need to include your e-mail address in the body of your comment—just make sure it’s correct when you sign in to leave your comment. Congratulations to Mary-Louise Johnson who won last week’s drawing for Annalisa Daughety’s book Love Is Grand.
- *U.S. residents only, void where prohibited. If you win the drawing, you will be ineligible for the next three drawings, though hopefully you will still come back and join in the discussion.
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The Camera Never Lies
Crash the wedding and meet photographer Polly Perkins who zooms in on a murder victim. As she studies an endless line of potential suspects from safely behind her camera, Polly finds love staring back at her. Will her uncanny ability to read emotions through a camera lens help prevent another murder—while exploring her own potential for romance?
Welcome, Beth!
What do you like best about being a writer?
- Being a writer gives me a sense of accomplishment. I’ve achieved a dream and there’s no limit to how far I can go. The best thing, though, is that I get to be creative, allowing my imagination to go where it will, and then share that with others through story.
What do you like least about being a writer?
- The long hours are tough and that makes me hate opening my computer. I also have strong negative feelings about the fact that I hardly ever capture on paper my expectations for the story.
Pop, Soda, or Coke? What do you call it, and what’s your favorite variety?
- Soda—for years, though, I think I called it coke. Diet Dr. Pepper has been my favorite for decades—I won’t drink anything else, preferring water or tea if there’s no Diet Dr. Pepper. 🙂
What’s your favorite dessert?
- Today, I choose turtle cheesecake, but it’s among many other favorites.
What’s the most fun/interesting/crazy/scary/unique hands-on research you’ve done for a book?
- To date, I’ve written from previous experiences rather than doing research for the story. I visited Crater Lake National Park—one of my favorite plates and created a fictional setting based on a real place for my novel, The Camera Never Lies. That really is one of the most beautiful places.
What’s your favorite movie from childhood?
- The Wizard of Oz. Loved it as a child and now I appreciate how many times the writer was rejected for this story before someone bought it.
If you were to write a novel about what your life would have been like if you’d become what you wanted to be at eight years old, what kind of character would the story be about?
- From a very young age well into my teens I wanted to be an astronaut. My story would perhaps be about a character who wants to explore the final frontier of space, and it would definitely be science fiction because that would give the character so much more to explore!
What makes you happy?
- My kids.
What makes you nervous?
- I can’t think of anything that makes me more nervous than speaking to a group other than perhaps pitching to an editor.
What’s your biggest dream for the future?
- I have a lot of big dreams like losing fifty pounds, building a new house, and where writing is concerned, to write bigger and better books that really resonate with readers.
Tell us about your newest release and what you’re working on now.
- The Camera Never Lies is a mystery romance set at Caldera National Park—a beautiful backdrop for a photographer to discover who killed a man from her past she’d wished dead.
- Photographer extraordinaire Polly Perkins runs her family portrait business in a small town on the Oregon coast. Though it is her primary source of income, there are limits to how many mismatched jackets, earrings, and shoes she can take. Still, people fascinate her—their smiles might brighten with the flash of the camera, but their eyes never lie. When Polly is hired to photograph a friend’s wedding at Caldera National Park, she captures a murder victim instead. Will her uncanny ability to read emotions through a camera lens help her prevent another murder—and find romance for herself?
Where can people find out more about you/connect with you online?
Now it’s your turn to ask the question. What question do you want to ask the commenters to answer?
- How many books do you read in a week, and do you frequently try new authors? (I know, that was two) 🙂
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Elizabeth Goddard is the author of five contemporary romance novels and two novellas, including a romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies. Two more novels release in 2011, including Freezing Point, a romantic suspense, and Under the Redwood Tree, a contemporary romance. Elizabeth is a member of ACFW and has served as a board member in her local RWA chapter. She is a seventh-generation Texan who lives in East Texas with her husband and four children. She and her family recently spent five years in Oregon, which serves as the setting for several of her novels, but in 2010 they returned to Texas to live near family again.
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KayeDacus.com 
Hmm…it all depends on what kind of mood I’m in and how busy I am. I probably read three books a week. As for new authors, no I don’t frequently try their books. I do some if I have read lots of good reviews of their work. I tend to read my favorites over and over. I’m not particularly adventurous in other areas either. I LOVE a routine and schedule.
This book sounds interesting partly because of the photography angle. I do like some photography and enjoy a good mystery as well!
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Now that I think about it I guess I do try new authors. It mostly depends on these factors: a) Lots of people are raving about how good the book is; other reviews b) the cover of the book c) the back-cover blurb
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This book sounds great!
Even if I don’t win I’ll be reading it,(but it sure would be nice to win!)
I think two or three books a week.
If I am really bored, and I have a stack of books that I have been DYING to read, then I will maybe read four a week.
Yes I do try new authors, not often, but I have been trying to read more books by new people.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Leah~
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I love romance-mysteries, and I did professional wedding photography for many years. Sounds right up my alley! Please enter me in the giveaway, and THANKS!
I read about two or three books a week, and most of the time it’s new authors. I love discovering a new writer. Thanks for sharing today!
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I love mysteries with romance and this one sounds particurly intriging.
I usually read about two books a week. I usually have read a lot of new authors.
Sometimes, I like an author so much that I put their other books on my wish list. If the book is wonderful, I try to send a e-mail of thanks to the author.
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I’m sorry to say I can barely finish two books a month, but I also listen to one or two more on audio. This week I’m FINALLY getting to “Ransome’s Honor” and I’ve been looking forward to it each night.
Astronaut, huh? Nowadays they have space camp. Wouldn’t that be exciting? When I was eight I was probably wanting to be someone on tv- Ellie May Clampett or Marianne from Gilligan’s Island. Making up my own scripts, I suppose!
Elizabeth Goddard, your name sounds like an Austen character but now I know you’re real, and I enjoyed learning more about you. Congratulations on your release!
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If I’m in a reading mood (or if I’m stressed out) I can go through 3, 4, 5 books a week, but I try not to do that. (I read two books this past weekend – but I didn’t get anything else done) Sometimes if I’m really busy with other things I can read only a book or two in a month.
I’m constantly trying new authors – I read several writers blogs and blogs that feature book reviews, and every time I read a review it seems like I have to go request it from the library. I also browse and pick stuff up kind of randomly. I don’t hesitate to send stuff back to the library unread though, if the author’s style (or the story, or whatever) doesn’t do it for me.
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This book sounds very intriguing! I’m doing good at the moment if I can get in a few PAGES of reading a night! Since I don’t get a lot of reading time, I’ve been sticking with authors whose books I’ve previously read, not branching out to new authors–though I’m sure their books are good, if I got around to reading them!
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I generally read one to two books a week, depending on the length of the books and how busy my week is. Lately, I’ve been reading mainly Christian fiction. I do like discovering new authors but since I also want to keep up with the new books that my “old” authors publish, it makes my reading stack grow! So many good books, so little time.
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Wow, you guys do a lot of reading. I’m glad to hear that some of you are interested in trying new authors, but I admit, I wish that all of you would give a new authors a chance, or maybe even two. Still, I know time is key–I’ve got a giant TBR pile myself!
Beth
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I love reading and sometimes I can polish off 4 or 5 books in a week, that’s if I have the time. My library of books keeps growing and I have actually run out of room! 🙂 I love discovering new books by authers I have never heard of before. I think that’s an important thing to do when looking for new books, if we stick to the same authers we may miss out on exciting adventures or great lessons! Can’t wait to read your book Beth! I loved the ones I read before! God Bless!
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How awesome to see you here, Whitney! I hope you win Camera! LOL
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Hi, Beth. Enjoyed the interview. I read 2-3 books a month, and I love to read new authors!
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I try to read a book a week, but I usually only have time for two a month. I do enjoy trying new authors. In fact, I like to look at the new releases section first. Seems like a good time for a new romance, right around Valentine’s day. I’d love to read it. 🙂
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Hi Beth and Kaye, this sounds like a great book so sign me up! I read an average of 2-3 books a week–kept track last year and found I read 114. And as a new author myself, I try to read both well-established authors and new ones. I don’t think I would have done this if I hadn’t joined ACFW and found all the great Christian fiction I had been missing!
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i know the deadline is over but i just wanted to comment anyways. i read about 5 books a week. i’m a nanny so the kids sleep alot and im a fast reader. also i stay up late at night! 😉
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