Our interview today is with Cathy Bryant. Thank you Cathy for being here today and for agreeing to do this interview.
What genre(s) do you write? And why or how did you chose them?
All the Miller’s Creek novels are faith-based and have a romance element. Two books, THE WAY OF GRACE and A BRIDGE UNBROKEN, also have a suspense element. The most different book in the series is PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE. It’s a love story that spans from the 1960s to present day.
When you write, do you plot everything out or not? Why does that work for you?
I’m a huge plotter. To me writing is like taking a trip. I don’t set off on a journey without knowing where I’m going, how long I’m gonna stay, and what I’m going to do. It’s the same with my stories. I spend four to six weeks doing what I call “pre-writing,” where I plot out the story according to classic three-act structure and subject my poor characters to extensive interviews and personality testing. This makes writing that first draft so much easier for me.
What is the best thing a reader or reviewer has ever said about you?
One reviewer for PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE, a 2013 Grace Award nominee, mentioned that the book was: “…Karen Kingsbury meets Nicholas Sparks.”
If you could go to one place and write, where would it be and why?
Mexico Beach, Florida. Mexico Beach is a quaint seaside village of the Florida panhandle. It has the powdery white sands and turquoise waters of Destin, but without all the high-rises and crowds! Beautiful and relaxing spot, and my favorite beach in the U.S.
What is your favorite verse in the Bible? Why?
I have many favorites, but my absolute favorite is 2 Corinthians 5:21 because it tells about the greatest exchange program ever! “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
To think that God would take my sin in exchange for His perfect righteousness astounds me!
What is your favorite quote? Why?
I came across a couple of really great quotes in my research for A BRIDGE UNBROKEN that have become my favorites. The first is from Mark Twain: “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the hell that has trampled it.” The second comes from C. S. Lewis: “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
What is your favorite book? Why?
Without question, the Bible. I mean, where else can you get drama, romance, suspense, action, songs, wisdom, and prophecy all rolled into one book? In all seriousness, I couldn’t make it without God’s Word as instruction and a road map in my life, nor would I want to.
What other hobbies do you have?
I enjoy hiking, canoeing, gardening, homesteading, reading, home improvement projects, Bible study, rummaging through thrift stores, and feeding my reality TV addiction (AKA writer research).
How did you break into writing?
I’ve written ever since I was a child. During my youth I won several writing contests on the regional and state level. I even worked at the town newspaper for my after-school job and started a school newspaper. When my children were young I started several novels, but never finished one. About the same time that the empty nest hit, I was diagnosed with several rare medical conditions and lost a friend to cancer. I knew that if I were ever going to realize my dream to become a writer, I needed to get started. I snatched every book I could find on the craft of writing and treated them like college textbooks. My first completed novel, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis contest finalist. Since then I’ve added four more books to the Miller’s Creek Novels line-up.
Where can people find you on the Internet?
Website: http://www.CatBryant.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cathy_
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/
Tell us about your book.
A BRIDGE UNBROKEN tells the story of a frightened runaway who wants her painful past to disappear. Her plan to start afresh is derailed when she co-inherits her late grandfather’s farm with the man responsible for the scars on her heart. But Chance isn’t the only ghost from the past. Someone else is out to get her and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will Chance and Dakota lay aside their grudges to restore the old farmhouse and bridge, or will evil forces sabotage their attempt at forgiveness?
The book is a Christian romantic suspense, the fifth standalone book in the popular Miller’s Creek Novels. All the Miller’s Creek books are rated from 4.5 – 5 stars at Amazon.
Pose a question for our readers to answer…
What spiritual theme would you like to see addressed in a Christian novel?
Thanks for being here today, Cathy. Before we go you are having a Facebook event and here is the link for readers to join in: https://www.facebook.com/events/315502748601792/
Cathy Bryant
/ May 2, 2014Beautiful post and fun interview. Thank you! 🙂
chris granville
/ May 2, 2014a spiritual theme addressed in a book
On letting your light shine for our Lord and leaving a positive legacy when you are gone.
God bless u
Chris
Cathy Bryant
/ May 3, 2014Thank you for that wonderful reminder, Chris, of why I do what I do. I hope to use up every ounce of ability He has given me for leading others to Him, both while I’m here and after I’m gone. God bless you, too! 🙂
Diana Montgomery
/ May 3, 2014Nice interview I enjoyed it
Cathy Bryant
/ May 6, 2014Thank you, Diana. And thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Sherlee Grinstead
/ May 4, 2014Always learning something new about you, Cathy. Great interview. Good luck with A Bridge Unbroken, which I loved!!
Cathy Bryant
/ May 6, 2014I hope familiarity doesn’t really breed contempt, Sherlee! 🙂 Thank you for the kind words and for stopping by!