We’re doing things a little different today. Today’s post is an interview with my friend and inspirational author Tanya Eavenson. She recently released her first novel, Unconditional. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes. Comment below for a chance to win a FREE copy!
1) How do you find the focus to write in the midst of a busy life?
As a writer, I heard time and time again that I needed to write every day to be successful. I used
to beat myself up when I couldn’t meet that goal. It took two years fighting with this idea when
I finally gave up. So I decided to do something different, I set a word count goal each week, and
it’s worked. Some weeks I write 3,000 words and others 7,000 depending on what’s going on
during the week. Flexibility is the key for my writing success.
2) What do you want people to take away from Unconditional?
It is my hope through this story, that no matter the circumstances the reader is facing, a loss of a
child, anger, emotional hurt, infidelity, abandonment, etc., they will know there is hope in Christ.
I grew up in a family were divorce is common, like most people today, with the idea once you
“fall” out of love, and you can’t get along anymore, it’s time to get a divorce. It was almost
engraved in me witnessing everyone in my family get divorced one time or many times. I, too,
almost went down that route with divorce papers in hand. I told myself many things at the time,
but the truth. I was focused on our failures, not the hope that with God, all things are possible.
The question was, were we willing to save our marriage at all costs? Would we fight for each
other, whether we felt like it or not?
The story opens in a situation some married couples might find themselves in, losing a child,
being in a loveless marriage, and experiencing hurt by feelings of abandonment, adultery. Faced
with the choice to fight for the marriage at any cost or give up. In my story, as in real life, there
is a choice.
Here is the blurb to Unconditional. He will fight for her at any cost…
Elizabeth Roberts can’t remember her past, and the present is too painful. She turns to nightclubs
and drinking to forget her infant daughter’s death, her husband’s affair.
When his wife’s coma wiped out the memory of their marriage, Chris Roberts found comfort
elsewhere. He can’t erase his betrayal, but with God’s help he’s determined to fight for Elizabeth
at any cost.
She wants to forget. He wants to save his marriage. Can they trust God with their future and find
a love that’s unconditional?
3) What resources do you use to help with planning your books?
I’m a “Seat of the Pantster,” a writer that doesn’t really know what’s going to happen from one
scene to the other, so I never know what type of research I need until I need it. My research for
Unconditional mostly concentrated of gathering information for a cruise Elizabeth and Chris, my
heroine and hero, took during the novel. I’ve never been on a cruise so I asked several friends
about their experiences. I was grateful for them sharing their memories and pictures. For others,
like my Historical Romance, I’ll use the internet to find out information about the 1800’s.
4) What was the hardest part for you to write?
While writing Unconditional, my emotions were on a roller coaster. I laughed at times, cried
several times, became upset, and felt my heart take off like if it was in a race. I love “feeling” my
characters and their emotions, but sometimes that’s the hardest part.
5) How did it feel when you found out that your book was going to be published?
I honestly didn’t know how to feel. I was in shock because I never thought of myself as a writer.
Even in 2011 when Unconditional semi-finaled in the ACFW Genesis contest. I still didn’t
believe I was really a writer but I keep plugging away, learning the craft. It wasn’t even when
I signed my first contract. It happened when my husband told me he was proud of me and that
I trusted God and never looked back. That’s when I became a writer and an author at the same
time.
Now that the book is out, everything is so surreal. I’m busier than ever, but I love every minute
of it!
Note from Tessa: I love how Tanya shared her struggles with writing this book. It truly goes to show that dreams do come true. Thanks to Tanya for sharing.
If you’d like to find out more about Tanya, head over to her Facebook page or follow her on Twitter.
GIVEAWAY: Leave your name in the comments section below for a chance to win a FREE copy of Tanya’s book. Good luck!
