It’s been quite a few year since I’ve had some authors over for an interview, and I thought it was time to start that up again. We’re going to start with Author Erika Mathews.

Welcome Erika! Why don’t we have a seat over here by the windows.

I think I need to cover visit you. As a writer, if you had the chance to go and spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you go? And why?

If this is simply a free vacation, I’d enjoy going to New Zealand and seeing God’s beautiful creation in that country. Photos I’ve seen of the scenery are breathtaking! If this is a writing getaway, I’d love to stay at a cabin in the Smoky Mountains for two weeks and enjoy the trees, mountains, and views while working on my next books. I love the area, the seclusion, and the atmosphere.

Oh, both of those places sound wonderful. If you get a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, can I come stay nearby? When you hear the word “spring” what things come to mind?

Spring . . . new life. Growth. Flowers. Warmer weather. Hope. Warmer breezes. Fresh air. Resurrection Sunday and the joy we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lovely! Now I’m sure you have many ideas for stories. Have you ever had to deal with which story to work on first? How do you handle that situation?

I have not had to deal with this situation in my writing very much. In 2014, I wrote Promise’s Prayer, which became book one of Truth from Taerna. Each year following, I’ve written the next book in the series, and now that the series is drafted, I’m working on editing and releasing each book in turn. The only “which book to work on next” decisions I’ve made are questions such as which one to edit or rewrite first. Usually, once I look at my proposed schedule logically, the answer becomes clear. However, I’m also learning to pray and ask God what He wants me to work on next. It isn’t always the logical answer, but it’s always the right one.

Wow, I’m impressed. That would be neat to have an entire series drafted. Okay, even though it is still winter, and the weather for most parts of the country is quite cold, do you ever write outside (when it’s warmer)? If so, where? If not, why not?

Yes! Barring sun glare on my computer screen, I love writing outdoors. I sit on our deck or on the bench swing hanging from a tree in our yard.

That sounds delightful! What is the biggest distraction for you when you are writing? Social Media? Goodreads? Family members? Dreaming of chocolate? That book that you want to read? Your mind wandering to who-knows-where? Something else?

All of the above? 🙂 Usually the two biggest distractions are family needs (children needing something or meals to be made – or other household necessities) and other tasks on the computer. 

Aw, yes, I’m sure the needs of a family can be quite distracting if you are trying to write. What book have you read recently that made you just read another page?

Most recently, I read Fanny’s Hope Chest by Sarah Holman, and I couldn’t put it down! It was such an excellent story about singleness, contentment, trusting God, and selflessness. I loved it and would recommend it highly to everyone, married or single!

Any last thing you want to share before you leave?

Thank you, Rebekah! I enjoy connecting with the reading and writing communities! I love helping create books that are completely family-friendly, clean, and God-honoring. If you’d like to connect further, check out my website restinglife.com, sign up for my newsletter, or follow me on Instagram and Goodreads for the latest updates on my books. (Victory’s Voice, a powerful novel about the power of spoken words in the spiritual realm, releases in March!)

Thank you so much, Erika, for joining us today!

While I haven’t read all of Erika’s books, I have read some and really enjoyed her style of writing as well as the stories. Have you read anything by this author? Is there an author you would like to have interviewed here? Have you read Fanny’s Hope Chest?