[E.A.] I love the creative process of creating new characters and plots. I don’t write outlines, so every story unfolds as I write it. It is so much fun to learn about the characters as I work my way through the story. I rarely know exactly where the story is going when I first start writing it, so I get to watch the story unfold the same way a reader will, although I do usually have a little more insight into what happens next.
[Anne] Have you always wanted to be a writer?
[E.A.] Although I’ve always been a voracious reader, I haven’t always dreamed of being an author. Believe it or not, I went through most of my school career hating writing and doing everything I could to avoid it. It wasn’t until high school that I fell in love with writing and knew that was what I wanted to do with my life. It’s been a crazy journey since then, but I have no doubt I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do by writing.
[Anne] Where do you get ideas for stories?
[E.A.] I find ideas and inspiration everywhere. From a snatch of conversation to a photograph to a newspaper article, the world is filled with ideas waiting to be found. I once heard that everything is fodder for a writer. The longer I write, the more I learn the truth of that statement. Everything I observe, everyone I meet, goes into what I fondly refer to as the blender of my mind. All of that information gets blended together and is poured out into countless stories and characters, many of which have little or no basis on true events or people.
[Anne] Who is your biggest supporter?
[E.A.] I would have to say my mom, although my little sister is a close second. No matter how many rejections I receive, how many times I write myself into a corner or get stuck on a manuscript, they encourage me to keep going. They believe in me even during those rare times when I doubt myself. My mom and sister are like my own little cheerleading section.
[Anne] Where can readers find you and your books?
[E.A.] You can learn more about me and my books on my website http://eawest.mcphitty.com and my blog http://thewestcorner.wordpress.com. If you’re on Facebook, please “like” my author page for periodic updates and thoughts from my writing life http://www.facebook.com/pages/EA-West/34280264617. I’m also on Twitter http://twitter.com/eawest and ShoutLife http://www.shoutlife.com/eawest.
My inspirational romances The Key to Charlotte, Healing in Haven Falls, and Dreams Do Come True are all available from White Rose Publishing (http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec). Riley’s Mission is available from The Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildrosepress.com). Copies of my books can also be purchased through Amazon.com’s Kindle Store.
BLURB & EXCERPT
Charlotte Harris can't speak due to a quirk in her autistic brain, but that doesn't stop her from communicating with others. Unfortunately, it prevents her from achieving two of her dreams--to praise God through singing and to carry on a simple conversation with her own voice.
Zakaria Rush is the new Director of Children's Ministries at Charlotte's church, and he can't keep his thoughts off the partially mute blonde with a love for guitar music. Her innocence and love of the simple things in life intrigue him and make him long to give her what she wants more than anything: her voice.
Can Zakaria help Charlotte find the key to unlocking her ability to speak, or will his attempt to help her only lock away their chance for love?
Excerpt:
Charlotte switched off the vacuum and breathed a sigh of relief. The silence in the small church was pure bliss. She pulled the plug from the wall and coiled the cord around the top of the vacuum, then returned it to the janitorial closet in the basement. Turning around, she pulled out her cell phone and checked for reminders.
Take the rag bucket home.
Yes, she needed to wash the rags and kitchen towels. She returned the phone to her pocket and grabbed the bucket handle. As she headed upstairs, she heard the sound of a guitar coming from the sanctuary. Was someone playing a CD? It sounded like live music, but she’d never heard anyone in the church play a guitar.
Drawn by the soothing strains of the strings, she turned right at the top of the stairs.
No one ever came in the church while she was cleaning. The entire congregation knew her schedule—Tuesday and Saturday afternoons—and they always made sure to come at a different time. Charlotte had never been sure if it was because they didn’t want to get in her way or if her parents had talked to them about the importance of routine for her. When she was little, she’d gotten upset by people showing up unannounced, but now that she was twenty‐three, she liked to think she could handle surprises a little better.
She peered through the open doorway and saw a man sitting on the edge of the platform by the plain wooden altar playing a battered acoustic guitar.
Her breath caught in her throat and her heart raced as she studied him. Not only was he a talented musician, he was gorgeous, more gorgeous than anyone she’d ever seen in this small Indiana town. His black hair was a little shaggy but stylish; his straight nose, high cheekbones, and tan complexion made her think of Native Americans and Italians; his lean build clothed in faded blue jeans, an olive green T‐shirt, and worn‐in sneakers made him look laid back. Peace filled his face as he strummed his guitar. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, making Charlotte wonder if the sound of a guitar brought him as much joy as it did her.
Suddenly, he stopped playing and looked up at her. She tightened her grasp on the bucket handle.
He studied her with the most beautiful, warm brown eyes she’d ever seen. His smile caused her heart to flutter. “Hi there. Are you Charlotte?”
She nodded.
He didn’t seem to mind that she shifted her weight back and forth. Just as well. If she didn’t rock to release it, the nervous energy building under his gaze would make her cry.
“Pastor Ed told me I might run into you if I came this afternoon. I’m Zakaria Rush, the new director of children’s ministries.” He laid his guitar across his knees and chuckled, a deep, rich sound that warmed Charlotte clear through. “It’s a fancy title for a guy who didn’t want to grow up and found a way to turn it into a career.”
E.A.'s BIO: E.A. West, author of sweet and inspirational romance, is a lifelong lover of books and storytelling. In high school, she discovered the wonders of sharing her stories with others through writing. She picked up her pen in a creative writing class and hasn’t laid it down yet. Her love of writing encompasses not only the romance genre but also a variety fiction and non-fiction styles.
Born and raised in Indiana, she still resides there today with her family and a small zoo of pets that includes the typical dogs and cats, and the more unusual African water frogs and a ribbon snake. Her interests are as varied as her critters. She has been known to carry on conversations about everything from politics and current events to gardening and theology. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her working on her latest knitting or crochet project.
