North Carolina multiple award-winning author, Lisa Carter was born into a rich cultural heritage when summer evenings were spent on wraparound porches affirming life, faith, and things that tie people together as family. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense and as a Southern writer likes to describes her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.”
“I come from a family of storytellers. My mom used to entertain my brother and I on long road trips by inventing epic adventures with us as hero and heroine.
My earliest memories involve telling myself a story to go to sleep at night. Didn’t everyone? Then, in my teens, I began to write my own stories. I imagined and created lots of fictional adventures involving whatever I happened to be watching on TV at the time. There was a Star Trek (the original) phase; Daniel Boone period; Little House on the Prairie, etc . . . And now ya’ll know how old I am.
As a young mother, I won a short story contest in MomSense, the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) magazine and was encouraged to pursue making my writing dreams a reality. Then at forty-five years old, God laid a story upon my heart and impressed upon me that it was the time to get serious about my secret dream of writing down the stories swirling in my head. These stories were to be used for His glory.”
Tap on image to order
It took Lisa about a year to write her first novel (95k) which was contracted and published within three years. She is currently completing a four-book contract with Love Inspired—books four, five, six and seven in the Blue Ridge Matchmaker Series series. “It is my prayer that each of my stories entertain, but of most importance, bring glory to God.”
Her advice for writers struggling with their first book comes from words that inspired her during the writing of her first novel—words from best-selling author Elizabeth George. “You will be published if you possess three qualities—talent, passion, and discipline. And the most important of these? Not talent, or passion. But discipline—perseverance. The ability to keep on keeping on. Writing one word after the other. Never quitting. Never giving up.”
Lisa said, “I have never forgotten them. They were transformative and became a huge impetus in helping me believe I could become a writer, too. For the first time, I thought, I can do this.”
”So can you.”
When not writing, she loves spending time with family and teaching writing workshops, as well as traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. She invites you to join the adventure by connecting with her on her website at www.lisacarterauthor.com and by checking out her books on her Amazon Author page. Her latest Love Inspired novel, The Twin Bargain, released this month.
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
“Home is more than the place where people love you. Home is the place where the people you love live.” —Ethan Green, The Twin Bargain
Lisa, we share some of the same favorite tv programs so I’m right there with you in the age category. My first truly self-published book was a Star Trek collector guide.
Thanks for sharing your story and writing passion with others. I liked the Elizabeth George quote and may use it in the creative writing class I teach.
Thanks for stopping by, Ben. Wishing you much success in all your endeavors.
What a wonderful summary of a sweet and genteel Suthin’ woman. I could almost picture myself sipping sweet tea and hearing her laughter as she told us a story on her wraparound porch. Am gently rocking as I am relaxing my mind through her words.
Thanks for joining the conversation. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Much of Lisa’s blog reminded me of myself. Making up stories in my head for years before I plunged into writing at age 67. I like that her new book is about twins. In my debut novel two sets of young twins played supporting roles while book three’s MCs will feature adult twin boys. I liked the quote from Elizabeth George, too. Discipline! Looking forward to reading her book. Thanks.
Your books sound great. Happy reading and writing.