LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist and winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. She and her family are missionaries in Africa where she home schools, leads a women's group, and runs a non-profit organization. She loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari.
SS: What do you
consider to be the highlight of your writing journey?
Finishing my first book was a huge highlight and
accomplishment for me. That story will never be published, but for me it ended up
being my first plunge into my writing journey. The other highlight was
receiving a nomination for a Christy award for my novel, Blood Ransom.
SS: As a professional writer, how do you juggle writing with other
responsibilities and family?
Wow, this can be tough,
especially during times like right now where I have a rewrite and a manuscript that
are due on the same day. Thankfully, that doesn’t normally happen. I try to
stay organized and plan out what I have to do every day so I don’t get
overwhelmed with deadlines. I’ve also made a decision that family and ministry
have to come first. Writing is important but I don’t want to miss what is
happening around me—like my kids growing up—so while it can be tough, I’m
constantly trying to ensure that I’m there for them. And they are there for me
as well, helping around the house and picking up the slack when I have a lot to
do.
SS: Tell us about
the moment you finally felt like a “real author”?
Getting that first call a decade ago that someone actually
wanted to buy my story.
SS.: Growing up,
what books and authors did you love most?
I read and loved all of Victoria Holt’s books and remember
deciding that I was going to write gothic novels when I grew up. I think the
mystery and suspense underlying her stories made an impact on what I write
today.
SS: How does your
faith play into your writing?
While I always want the
spiritual thread in my stories to be natural and not forced, it is very
important to me to have my characters grow or be challenged in their faith. I
also often it’s a thread I’m grasping with in my own life.
SS: In addition to becoming a writer, what other dreams do you hope
to accomplish in your life?
For me, my biggest job is
raising my children. Raising children for me has been a challenging and
beautiful journey and to see them one day as well-adjusted adults with their
own families will be a wonderful accomplishment!
SS: Tell us about your current release.
Stolen Identity is a story about a widowed mother who gets
caught up in a dangerous game when her identity is stolen.
Danielle Corbit doesn't understand why someone would want to steal her identity. A single mother running a small business—nothing special, right? But after discovering a dead body on the Oregon coastline, she's attacked by a dangerous hacker who will stop at nothing to frame her. Only her former fiancĂ©, Jason Ryan, is willing to help. Years ago she broke his heart, but he can't walk away from a woman in need. He'll do anything to protect her from their unseen adversary. But is there enough time to work together and untangle this twisted web of fraud and deception?
SS: How did you come up with the idea for this story?
I had received a number of scam letters in my inbox and
started researching how this worked. This led me to write Final Deposit for LIS
several years ago, but I knew I wanted to delve into this topic again. Identity
theft is on the rise with millions of people affected each year and criminals
are making billions.
SS: What’s the story’s takeaway?
One, when life spins out of control, remind yourself that
your identity isn’t tied to the securities of this world. Hold instead to the
hope found in our Heavenly Father.
Two, do what you can to avoid identity theft. Here are some
practical ideas to avoid being a victim of identity theft from the US Department of Justice:
SS: What
are you working on now?
Right now I’m finishing up two books, both due on June 1st.
It’s keeping me just a little busy. J The first one is my
next LIS set in South Africa on a game reserve. (Ever wanted to go on a
safari?) The second book is the first in a brand new romantic suspense series set in Atlanta, Georgia. This series revolves around the Hunt family who have served their country through the armed service or police department for generations. Despite conflicts that arise between them, they are close knit, stick together, and do whatever it takes to stop injustice.
safari?) The second book is the first in a brand new romantic suspense series set in Atlanta, Georgia. This series revolves around the Hunt family who have served their country through the armed service or police department for generations. Despite conflicts that arise between them, they are close knit, stick together, and do whatever it takes to stop injustice.
SS: Now let’s get a little personal. When you have
the chance to relax and enjoy life, what do you do?
We live about forty minutes from
the Indian Ocean, so as a family we try to take our days off at the beach just
hanging out together. When we have a few days to get away, we love going to
Kruger Game Park in South Africa. I find driving through the bush and seeing
the animals.
SS: What is your dream
vacation?
I love to travel and have been
blessed to have visited a lot of different places in the world. Two years ago I
went on a cruise with my husband for our 20th anniversary and loved
the fact that I didn’t have to cook, do laundry, or clean for a week.
Definitely a dream vacation for me!
SS: If you were a billionaire, what kind of charity or foundation
would you start?
My husband and I actually
started a charity three years ago called The ECHO Project, so I’d definitely
want to grow this ministry. After living in Mozambique for a couple years, we
started this non-profit to enable us to help more people and meet their physical
needs. We distribute vitamins to children, help with educational needs like
school supplies and uniforms, build houses for the elderly, help with micro
loans and business guidance, and much more. You can read more about on our
website, theECHOproject.org.
SS.: Wow! I guess you don't have to be a billionnaire to start one. Where can readers find you on the internet?
Would love to have you stop by
my website www.lisaharriswrites.com
or my blog myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com.
SS.: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
There are so many options
available today for writers, but while there are many changes in technology,
learning your craft is still just as important. Read books about writing, go to
conferences, learn all you can, and most importantly write!
Thanks so much for joining us, Lisa!
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