Author Interview: C.J. Peterson
1) How your
interest in writing originated? What inspired you to write your
first book? As every writer knows, a writer is generally a bookworm first. I
did have the opportunity in first grade to write a cute little book for an
assignment. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties did I think, ‘Hey! I can do
that!’ As Toni Morrison says, “If there is a book you want to read, but it
hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” …And, I did!
2) Is there a message in
your novels you want your readers to grasp? There are many messages that can be found within the pages of my
books. The main one is the message of Jesus Christ. I make sure the salvation
message is in each of my books. The other main message is that no matter what
you are going through, the Lord is going through it with you, and He’ll never
leave you, and that He has a massive plan for you! Sometimes it takes us going
through those storms to make us a stronger person, or allows us to help someone
else through. Regardless of which category you identify with, always keep in
mind Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Another
great verse that I often share is, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you a hope and a future.”
3) What books influenced you the most? If you choose a mentor who would it be
and why?
The main ones are the Bible, along with The Left Behind Series,
and The Chronicles of Narnia. Those particular books challenge me to think. I
like books that challenge the ‘norm’ and allow you to see things in a different
light.
I don’t really have an actual mentor, but there are quite a few
people who I would go to if I needed advice. That list is short, but I trust them,
and know they’ll give me an honest answer…whether or not it’s what I want to
hear, it’s honest, and I appreciate honesty.
4) Please tell us about your current work with us. I’m working on the Grace Restored Series. Katie MacKenna’s story
is one that is full of grace and overcoming her past. The Lord takes her
through many trials, yet never once leaves her.
The first book of this series is SEASONS OF CHANGE, which was
released in December. The second, WINTER’S VERDICT was just released, so I’m working
on books 3 & 4 of this 5 book series.
5) What is the hardest part
of writing your books? Were there challenges (research, literary,
psychological, or logistical) in bringing it to life? To me, writing is easy. I sit down, pray, and type, letting God
guide my thoughts and fingers. At this point, the biggest challenge is editing
– my arch nemesis! Thankfully, I have an awesome husband who reads each book
aloud with me, and I have a terrific editor who has an immense amount of
patience!
6) Did you have challenges in publishing your first book? If could go back and do it
again, what would you change in your publishing experience? The biggest challenge was in finding a publisher. My books are not
your ‘traditional’ Christian fiction books. My characters go through it all –
saved or not. As a matter of fact, most of my characters find the Lord along
their walk. Anyway, because I don’t ‘fit the mold’ of what a lot of traditional
Christian publishers want, I have opted to self-publish through the POD
(print-on-demand) company, Booklocker.com. Angela and Richard are great to work
with, and they paired me with a phenomenal cover artist, Todd Engel. This team
has worked with me in publishing all of my books.
As an Indie author, it has given me a benefit I never knew
existed. The Indie author world is getting bigger each day, and most of us know
that not every book is for every reader, so the support we grant each other has
also helped me in my success.
As far as what I would change? Ideally, I would love to go through
a Christian publishing company, but as I said, I tend to not fit the mold they
like their books to fit in. I have yet to find a publisher that would allow me
the opportunity to publish with them.
Having said that, the books have taken off in a gradual growth,
which is ideal. That tells me that they are getting passed
around via word-of-mouth, which is the best possible scenario. If someone likes
your work, they will tell their friends. To me, that’s an honor!
7) Do you use an outline or
do you just write? Oh! I am the poster child for a ‘pantser’ (a.k.a.: write by the
seat of my pants). I literally sit down with an idea usually triggered by a
song, pray, and start typing. While I have an idea of what direction I want the
books to go in, the characters tend to take over and the story goes a
completely different way than I originally intended. I love that I don’t even
know how the books will end!
8) Do you ever experience
writer’s block? If so, how do you combat it? Well, as I said, I sit down and type. I type until I can’t type
anymore. Then I put the book up for a few days before I pull it back down, read
the last portion written, and keep writing. So, to answer your question, nope,
I don’t get writer’s block. What I do as well, is continuously play the song
that triggered the book to begin with, along with a set play list. I can tell
you what songs triggered what books – they may surprise you!
9) What do you consider to
be your best accomplishment? My best accomplishment in what? In writing, it’s getting the books
published. It’s the lives and hearts that are touched by the words in the
books. In life, it’s the blessing I get in having a wonderful, supportive
husband who honors Jesus Christ. I also have a blessed opportunity to be a
youth group leader. While my husband works with the 9th and 10th grade
boys, I get to work with the junior high girls (my current group is 7th grade
girls). I love that we both get to pour into the lives of the young adults in
our church and community!
10) Is there anything you
would like to say to your readers and fans? Yes! I consider it an honor that you picked up my books and took
time to read them. THANK YOU!! I pray they have touched your heart and life,
and love to hear from you! When I get a message from any of my readers, I
cherish them, knowing they took time out of their lives to get in contact with
me. If you would like to contact me, all of my contact information is on:
cjpetersonwrites.com home page.
Also, thank you so much
Paula, for having me on your blog! I appreciate the opportunity you have given
me, and pray that the Lord blesses you, as much as you have been a blessing to
others, including me! J
C.J.
Peterson Biography:
C.J. Peterson grew up in a
Christian military home, but it was far from tranquil. Many of life’s lessons
were hard ones. Like many people, she walked with God, wandered away from God,
and back again, finally landing in her adopted home, where she finally found
out what the real love of a family felt like.
Also, after a long time of
searching, C.J. found her husband, a 24-year Navy Veteran. His support and love
was the encouragement she needed to rekindle the creativity she thought she
lost long ago. With her first release in NOV2012 a stand-alone, she continued
on to produce the first book of The Holy Flame Trilogy, released AUG2013,
called THE CALL TO DUTY. The other two books, OPERATION A.N.G.E.L. and ANGELS
AMONG US followed closely after. Then, in DEC2014, the first book in the Grace
Restored Series, SEASONS OF CHANGE came out, followed by the new release,
WINTER’S VERDICT just in the last week. The next three books should be out by
year’s end.
A portion of the trilogy
and the Grace Restored series go to various charities, allowing her to give
back. To learn more about how to get a great read and their links, along with
the information of the charities she is donating to and their web sites, click
on the ‘Books’ tab of her web site.
To learn more about C.J.
Peterson, feel free to check out her web site on:
http://cjpetersonwrites.com/
‘While the stories are
fiction, the journey is real.’
Online
Links:
Books:
THE HOLY FLAME TRILOGY:
A portion of the proceeds from THE CALL TO DUTY, OPERATION
A.N.G.E.L., and ANGELS AMONG US go to: http://www.airborneangelcadets.com/
For more information on what the men and women of AIRBORNE ANGEL CADETS OF
TEXAS do for our military, check out their web page.
THE CALL TO DUTY:
"We all know
emergencies never take a day off. We all know for each one of us claimed,
another has to step up to continue taking care of our fellow citizens. Our job
is to protect and to server. Our job is to care for the injured, to help those
who need it, and to take down the beast known to us as fire. This beast tries
to claim whatever and whomever it can. We all have a call to duty, which we
have sworn to perform."
Courageous. Brave.
Fearless. Valiant. These synonyms are often used to describe firefighters/paramedics,
police officers, and military personnel. They face danger and lay their lives
on the line when they leave for work. What are their struggles? Could that
hinder their job proficiency? Who is taking care of those who are taking care
of the citizens of this country?
Casey Carter is a
'newbie' to the firefighting family of Engine Company 15. Not only does she
have to prove herself as a probationary firefighter, but she also has to battle
misconceptions of females within her newly chosen profession. As situations
begin to arise, can she count on the firefighter brotherhood to have her back?
Will she be able to pass the tests placed before her, or are there aspects that
she was not even aware existed?
Often in life there are two realms in play. There is the physical realm - what
is right before you; the other is the spiritual realm - what is unseen. Each
can directly affect you, whether you believe they exist or not. Can Casey keep
them in balance when she is not exactly sure what she is fighting? Can a group
of men help her see what cannot be readily seen, hear what cannot be readily
heard, and be able to overcome what she never knew existed? Will they be able
to show Casey her true Call To Duty?
Ephesians 6:12-13: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Links:
OPERATION A.N.G.E.L.:
This is the second book in a trilogy
that follows firefighter/paramedic Casey Carter and a special ops unit known as
Angels. As their worlds collide, Casey has to figure out how to live two lives
at once, balancing her firefighter family with her military family.
Unbeknownst to her, things had gotten
‘hot’ around Casey.The Angels have stepped in to cover where Jack and Mac could
no longer be, by providing safety and security for her on a twenty-four hour
basis. But did she find something more than security within their ranks?
See how the Angels, with help from a
unique band of characters, were able to heal not only Casey’s body, but also
rescue her mind and soul. See how events completely turn Casey’s life
upside-down once again. Did it end up being for good…or will these events
finally do her in? Will the Angels be able to protect Casey from those hunting
her?
I Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour.
Links:
ANGELS AMONG US:
This is the third and
final book in The Holy Flame Trilogy, which follows the life-changing events
that surround Casey Carter (a firefighter/paramedic from Engine Company Fifteen
of Denver, Colorado) and an elite, special operations unit called A.N.G.E.L.
(Available to Nurture God’s Eternal Love).
With
help from a unique band of characters in the Outback, Casey Carter was able to
work through her past. However, would it prepare her for what was to come? The
battle is forming. Both sides are amassing their troops as allies align, but
will there be enough remaining Angels for them to win? Without knowing the day
nor the hour, will they be prepared?
What
kind of battle would this be if the Angels of flesh and blood were battling
against the unseen powers of darkness? This may be the deciding factor in
Casey's struggle for freedom, but will the remaining Angels survive or will it
be their final battle?
Revelation 12:12 12 Therefore rejoice, ye
heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of
the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Links:
GRACE RESTORED SERIES:
A portion of the proceeds from SEASONS OF
CHANGE and WINTER'S VERDICT go to Hope’s Door, whose mission
is to offer intervention and prevention services to individuals and families
affected by domestic violence and to provide education programs that enhance
the community's capacity to respond. To learn more about them, check out their
web page:
http://www.hopesdoorinc.org/
SEASONS OF
CHANGE:
Katie MacKenna experienced one storm after another
in her life. When Leukemia stole her mother from her and her father, Katie was
only seven-years-old, and her father didn’t know how to cope after such a
catastrophic loss. His response was to shut down and become abusive. The
overwhelming devastation which surrounded Katie throughout her journey in life
forced her to shut down just to survive as well.
Trust is a
difficult thing for many people, but for Katie it’s virtually impossible. Every
life has Seasons of Change. Will those seasons open Katie to new opportunities
or will they forever isolate her in survival mode? Will she be able to overcome
the storms that have surrounded her to answer a call for help?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4: 1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to
pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to
heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a
time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Links:
WINTER'S VERDICT:
Winter’s
Verdict
is the second book in the Grace Restored Series. After graduation from
high school in the small Oklahoma town of West Springs, Katie MacKenna decided
to start her life over in Cleveland, Ohio. Taking into account her roommate and
closest friend over the last couple of years in college, Jillian Shaw, was
murdered by a serial rapist on campus just before break, Katie chose to stay on
the nearly deserted campus instead of returning home to her abusive father.
During break, she is approached with an opportunity that may affect her
aspirations to be an FBI agent. In the meantime, she also builds a friendship
with Giovanni, the mafia leader’s son. Things around her are confusing at best.
Can she trust what is right before her when everything is not as it seems? Will
her heart experience a winter thaw or will she forever be known as the Ice
Queen?
John 3:19-21 19 This
is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness
instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who
does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their
deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes
into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has
been done in the sight of God.
Links:
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