Interview with Cathy Bryant, author of TEXAS ROADS

I’m a daughter of the King, wife, mom, Nana, musician, teacher and writer. I enjoy just about anything outdoors, including hiking, canoeing, camping and gardening. I also enjoy creative activities—home improvement projects, scrapbooking, painting, composing, and of course, writing. I love watching movies and reading books, though since becoming a writer, I can’t stop analyzing what I’m watching and reading. I’m a HUGE reality TV fan, my favorites being Survivor, The Amazing Race, Dancing With The Stars, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, and Design Star. Believe it or not, I like to use these shows as research to see how people interact—great novel fodder!!

I’m reading The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello. Next in my teetering to-be-read pile is Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs. I’m a big believer in reading as a means of improving my writing. Even though it’s time-consuming, it has been invaluable. I review books on a regular basis and then pass my copies along to my blog readers. )

I definitely like to write the same type of books I enjoy reading. I love romantic comedy that tugs at your heart, and I think that comes across in my writing. I also enjoy a dark women’s fiction novel every once in a while, and have a few book ideas simmering in the back of my mind in that genre. Biblical fiction and allegorical fantasy are also areas I’d like to explore someday.

My century-old Texas farmhouse is big on charm and short on space, so my “writing room” also serves as our music room, library, and guest bedroom. I’m a cheapskate at heart, so I used two bookshelves we already had to flank the front windows, painted two beat-up (but entirely necessary) file cabinets, and purchased eight wooden boxes to serve as extra drawers. I topped the “drawers” and file cabinets with a cut-out piece of MDF to create my desk-top. My makeshift desk overlooks the front yard, complete with white picket fence, and a garden-full of flowers, birds, and butterflies. (I’ll leave out the ginormous late-summer mosquitoes!)

TEXAS ROADS is a 2009 Genesis finalist and tells the story of a disillusioned woman’s quest for home. Here’s the back-cover copy:

The theme of the story really came from my own desire to put down roots. For several years, my family and I moved from one small Texas town to another. Just about the time we’d start to feel like we’d found home, God would move us somewhere else. Through the process, He helped me realize that home isn’t a place, but a person. Jesus. Nothing else will ever satisfy that home-sized hole in our hearts.

I’m a visual person, so I based Dani’s character on Reese Witherspoon–petite and bubbly on the surface, but on the inside, hurting and seeking. She has all the outer trappings of success, but her life has been full of personal tragedy. Dani’s desire to belong, to find connections and home is what endears her to me. My heart grieves for her.

Steve Miller is a hunky cowboy with marshmallow filling. He struggles with forgiving himself over something that happened in his past, and with entrusting his heart to a woman—convinced he’ll never find the quality of woman he’s looking for. The main thing that endears me to Steve is his desire to help the town and its people, and his heart for God.

I also should point out a cast of colorful secondary characters who are the townspeople. I want people to read the story and say, “I know someone just like that!” =)

My favorite scene in TEXAS ROADS is when Dani uncovers the devastating secret that drives her to her knees and helps her discover the true meaning of home.

Without a doubt the answer would have to be Mama Beth, the wise woman in TEXAS ROADS. (She’ll also put in appearances in the other Miller’s Creek novels.) She is everything I want to be—wise, kind, loving—though imperfect, and holding on to a tragic secret.

First and foremost, I want to touch people’s heart with the truth of God. I want my struggle and spiritual growth to be a source of healing and learning for them. Truthfully if one person is touched and moved closer to God as a result of my writing, then the hours of hard labor, sweat and tears will be worth it to me. I had one early reader of TEXAS ROADS tell me the story brought healing to her life. I can think of no higher compliment.

I also hope to give them a brief escape from the pressures and problems of living in this fallen world, and to make them smile and laugh. I want them to get lost in Miller’s Creek, and feel like they’ve arrived in a place that’s vaguely familiar.

The best place to reach me is at my blog, WordVessel or my website, www.CatBryant.com. You can also find me at Twitter, Facebook, and ShoutLife. I love, love, LOVE connecting with readers!

Read half of the book for free via e-book or purchase in print at Amazon.com or Cathy’s e-store. If you would like an autographed copy you can contact Cathy at catbry1 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Read a free chapter of TEXAS ROADS every week on Cathy’s TEXAS ROADS blog, where readers can also find a corresponding Bible study, discussion questions, Mama Beth’s recipes and more!

Thank you Cathy for offering one lucky reader a print copy of TEXAS ROADS!

Go poke around Cathy’s TEXAS ROADS blog then come back here and leave me a comment telling why you think you’d like to read this book.

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Rules: Follow the directions above! Giveaway open to U.S. & Canada and ends March 31st, 11:59 est. Winner chosen by Random.org and must reply to email within 48 hours or I will redraw.