Our Guest, Hannah Conway, author of A Wounded Warrior's Wife

On September 2nd I posted a review of A Wounded Warrior's Wife, a thoroughly enjoyable book.  Today it is my pleasure to interview our guest, the author, Hannah Conway.  After reading the interview, please post a comment and you will be entered for a chance to win an eCopy of Hannah's debut novel, or amazon gift cards, or a free photo book from groovebook. A winner will be chosen at random on September 18th. Hannah will contact the winner soon after.  

Hannah, thank you for taking the time to share with us about your journey as a writer and your debut novel.

Q: Please tell us about the inspiration behind your pursuit of a writing career.

A: With all my heart I believe God gave me the inspiration to pursue writing as a career. He’s behind it all! Since I can remember, writing has always been fun for me. Definitely a dream of mine to be a writer, but I guess life got in the way. Maybe I forgot that desire, put it on hold, or simply stopped dreaming, but for whatever reason, writing left my radar. Six years or so ago I felt God leading me to write again and to write with a specific purpose. So here I am.

Q: How does your writing work as a part of your ministry?

A: I've thought about this often. For many years I thought I needed some skill to be a missionary and work for God. I’m a small-town Kentucky girl. What could I do? Should I go to med school? Be a nurse? Should I teach? All of those things are wonderful ways to serve God, but I tuned out that little voice telling me to write. Words are powerful. God says His Word is living and active. God used words to form the universe and all of creation. Words tear down and build up. When God showed me that truth I no longer viewed writing as some hobby—though it’s a good one. He’s given me an assignment to write…to create stories that tell the truth of His love, forgiveness, healing, and redemption to anyone who picks up one of my books. That’s ministry. I’m not really an author, I’m a missionary.

Q: What posed the greatest challenge as you moved from idea to publication?

A: Ha! Learning to write. I had a desire and drive to write, so I wrote the first draft of The Wounded Warrior’s Wife and was so proud! I joined a critique group, got some feedback from seasoned authors and they told me, “You’re definitely a storyteller, but you need to learn to write.” What a blow, but at the same time it was encouraging. For two years I studied the writing craft, read so many books on writing my eyes almost crossed, and wrote two more drafts of The Wounded Warrior’s Wife before publication.

Q: Many authors focus on a particular genre while others write across several genres.  Where do you see yourself along that spectrum, and why?

A: Good question. I had to stop and think a bit! I write in Women’s Fiction which has strong elements of romance. However, I have all sorts of science fiction and historical fiction stories swirling in my head. I’m going to have to say I’d like to be able to eventually write across several genres. If there is a story in my head I have to write it no matter the genre and I think other authors would lean toward agreeing with me.

                                             

Battles Raging Within Are The Ones You Must Fight To Win

Army wife, Whitleigh Cromwell, struggles after an unexpected deployment during the height of the Iraqi war sends her husband, Collier Cromwell, away for another year. Their lives tumble down a path marked with strife, and fatalities, crippling their faith when Collier brings home a war of another kind leaving Whitleigh wondering if some wounds are beyond God’s ability to restore.

Q: Do you think we will meet Whitleigh, Collier, and Linc again in a future novel?  How attached are you to these characters?

A: You know, I think that is very likely. J I am crazy attached to these characters. I know they are fictional and I made them up, but they’ve become very real to me, and I hope readers will feel the same.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

A: Join the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and find a critique group of two or more writers or create your own. It’s good to be able to share your work with others you can trust, who will give you honest feedback in a loving way to help you grow as a writer. I also encourage writers to read. Read books in the genre you want to write and read books about the writing craft.

Q: What would you most want your readers to know about Hannah Conway?

A: Know that I am a follower of Christ. I’m someone who said yes to what God wanted them to do. I’d like for my readers to ask God how they can serve Him—no matter how big or small they think it may be—and then go for it.   

 

Q: Tell us when and where we can get our hands on a copy of The Wounded Warrior’s Wife?

A: Right now you can preorder an eCopy on Amazon.com and Smashwords. The novel will release on Sept. 22^nd anywhere fine books are sold! Bookshelf space at local bookstores is a battle, so if you don’t see The Wounded Warrior’s Wife at your local bookstore or library simply request they stock it! Simple as that!

To order, click here.  

We really appreciate Hannah's taking the time to be with us here.  If you would like to learn more about Hannah and her current projects and  speaking engagements, check out her blog at http://www.hannahrconway.com/.

You can connect with Hannah via

Email:             authorhannahconway@gmail.com

Web:               www.hannahrconway.com

Twitter:          www.twitter.com/hannahrconway                 #thewoundedwarriorswife

Facebook:      www.facebook.com/authorhannahconway

Pinterest:        www.pinterest.com/hannahrconway

Goodreads:    www.goodreads.com/authorhannahconway

Don't forget to comment below to have a chance at those great prizes!

I have to include my favorite Hannah picture.