I’m happy to introduce you to author Liz Tolsma who I’ve been acquainted with for several years and has been part of starting up our local chapter of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She writes, edits, speaks and has been a delight to know personally.
When did you decide that you would be an author? Was it something you fell into, felt called to…
I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic and wanted to be an author. I got really serious about it after 9/11, because I realized then that my life wouldn’t last forever. I didn’t want to have any regrets, so I gave writing a shot.
What’s your pet peeve?
People who leave doors open.
What was your most embarrassing moment as a writer?
It just happened. I didn’t recognize one of my street team members right away when I met her in person. Thank goodness she had a nametag on!
What has been your most difficult challenge as an author?
Just finding time to write. With children to shuttle places, including one with special needs, and a house to run, and my editing business, it’s hard.
How do you process rejections and/or negative reviews?
I’ve really learned how to deal with them. For rejections, I trust God’s perfect timing. If He has meant for it to be published, he’ll send the right contract at the right time. And for negative reviews, I try to balance them against positive reviews. I just got a review for my first book that said the romance wasn’t very strong. The next review said they loved the romance! You can’t please all of the people all of the time.
What do you feel is the best success so far in your writing career?
Definitely being a finalist for the Carol Award.
What would be your top three pieces of advice to newer, up and coming authors?
1. Read as much as a can, both inside and outside of your genre.
2. Write, write, write. Once you have words on a page, you have something to work with.
3. Find a really good critique partner or even an editor who can see things you can’t and who can help you learn and grow as an author.
As a Christian author, what would you like your legacy to be?
That my books have touched many hearts for Christ.
Recently released!
What is your current work in process?
Right now, I’m writing The Song the Heart Sings. It’s the second book in my next WWII story. It’s set in Poland. What many people don’t know is that Hitler hated the Poles almost as much as the Jews. In fact, as many Polish Christians died as Polish Jews. So, the story takes place at a forced labor camp in southern Poland.
This is Liz’s latest release: Rails to Love.
Circus costume designer Ellen Meyers rides the rails from city to city with the troupe, but when mystery and suspicion fall on her, can her newfound love with trainmaster Will Jorgenson and their faith in God survive?
BIOGRAPHY
Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels and prairie romance novellas. The Rails to Love collection released in October 2016. The Matchmaker Brides collection releases in February 2017, and her next WWII novel, The Melody of the Soul, is scheduled to release in April 2017. She is a popular and an editor. She has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband and their two daughters. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog, The Story behind the Story, at http://www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), and LinkedIn. She is also a regular contributor to the Pencildancer blog and the Midwest Almanac blog.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.tolsma.9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizTolsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-tolsma-64992ab7?trk=hp-identity-name
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/liztolsma/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorliztolsma/
Buy links for Rails to Love:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Christianbook.com