Lisa Lickel #3–Author Interview

Dear Friends, it’s my ABSOLUTE pleasure to welcome Lisa Lickel back to my blog. Lisa has supported me in so many ways! Not only is she a terrific author, she’s also a BLESSING!

Danele: Hello, Lisa! My readers and I are glad that you’re able to be with us today!

Lisa: Hi, everyone! I’m so pleased to return to dragonflydanele. Danele, your support and encouragement mean so much to keep me going in my career.

Danele: Your encouragement means a lot to me as well! I was just telling my readers how much you’ve helped me! I’ll never forget some of the excellent writing tips you’ve given me! They’re precious gems! I can’t wait to learn more about you! Where is your favorite place to pray?

Lisa: Everywhere, anytime! Prayer is an ongoing conversation, listening and talking, giving and accepting. Prayer is worship; prayer is an act of love and devotion. It’s an active, living devotion, and should be part of everything I am.

Danele: That’s so true! Prayer is awesome! I love the fact that the Creator of the Universe wants to spend time with us! Now, here’s a different question for you–how has being a Christian influenced your writing?

Lisa: When I first began to learn to write professionally, I didn’t even know there was a difference between faith-based and mainstream markets. I was a Christian who happened to write…little did I know! I’m glad there’s a market for Christian fiction, and I’m glad there are certain rules and obligations and boundaries about how to write faith-based material. When I see more and more writers getting not just close to the boundaries but crossing the line of using vulgarity or suggestive imagery, I am glad for those rules. Sure, and yes, I have gotten very close to those lines and my readers let me know it. In UnderStory, I walk along the cliff in a way, too, to suggest and show some depravity in order to contrast the light–the fight against too-common contemporary problems. Conflict is what drives every story, and if there is no struggle to overcome, to be better, there is no story. The challenge and the joy is in using grace to creatively share the problem without lowering the situation to the level of depravity or allowing the “bad stuff” to leave a bad taste.

Danele: That’s a wonderful way to put it, Lisa. Life is full of challenges, and some of those challenges belong in our stories. They make our books pertinent to our readers. But I agree that we need to keep the standard high. Like you, I want my books to always honor Christ. I want my stories to point people to God. Now, here’s another question for you, why do you think it’s important to go to church?

Lisa: Worshiping in communion with others is important. Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there, and I firmly believe that sharing the experience, the joy of worship, is what we are called to do. We don’t have to do every part of worship the same way, but certain communal acts like Holy Communion unite us in our faith. Sharing and reciting similar creeds shouldn’t be a rote repetition, but a unifying declarative experience. Singing the same hymns or worship songs brings us together as we practice a faith in one Lord, universal and catholic. We can’t get that from worshiping on our “own.”

Danele: That’s so true! Thank you for sharing your heart! Before I let you go, can you give us a list of the books you’ve written?

Lisa: Sure! First Children of Farmington (Early Reader historical series), Buried Treasure Mystery Series, Meander Scar, A Summer in Oakville, Healing Grace, Brave New Century (Anthology), The Last Detail, Everything About You (Novella), Innocents Pray, and UnderStory. 

Danele: I know that your newest book is UnderStory. Can you please tell us more about it?

Lisa: My book UnderStory is about perception and prejudice, how we look at the world based on our perceptions of self through our upbringing. We are all biased in some way and it colors our world. Our bias show how willing we are to see what we want to see, whether it’s another person’s outward appearance, or whether we want to believe in the purity of another’s actions when they seem to help yet we feel something is wrong. The underlying theme of UnderStory is prejudice—how we look and perceive others and judge them and ourselves by the way they look, whether we can see the physical or emotional scars. Lily Masters is born with a genetic condition, Poland’s syndrome, which colors her world, makes her feel unloved and unwanted, and although she’s learned to hide her condition and feelings, get a good job and function in public, she can never again connect with someone who would learn about her physical problem and reject her. When Lily is rescued by a biracial Literature professor, Cam Taylor, who is dealing with prejudice on so many levels, and they are stranded together, she begins to learn not to judge people and situations by what others say or even by her own standards. Lily and Cam’s journeys are about learning that shame is a reaction they choose based on others’ perceptions and standards, not something they have to accept. Learning to free herself from the bonds of self-loathing, Lily realizes how to be strong and fight for her family and how to accept love as well as give it. Cam comes to a peaceful place as he learns to see the world through what is, not through what he anticipates.

Danele: I know that UnderStory has received an endorsement from Lorilyn Roberts, an award-winning author and the founder of the John 3:16 Marketing Network. Can you please share what she said?

Lisa: Of course! “Lisa Lickel weaves together a masterful tale of intrigue and romance, and the multilayers of complexity will leave the reader turning the pages. The characters are well-developed, and overarching themes involving racism and prejudice will resonate with the reader. The story takes place in the Midwest—in a small town that harbors a big secret—perhaps more common than anyone dares to imagine. UnderStory is one of those rare books that’s not only a great read but makes a statement about what’s most important—in the midst of depravity, unfairness, and greed.” —Lorilyn Roberts

Danele: That’s fantastic, Lisa! Can you share a purchasing link with us?

Lisa: https://www.amazon.com/Understory-Lisa-J-Lickel-ebook/dp/B01N3JMMXQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479507598&sr=8-1&keywords=understory

Danele: Thank you so much for talking with us, Lisa! I’ve had such a great time chatting with you!

Lisa: I am grateful for the opportunity to share my work with your readers, Danele. Thank you.

 

Friends, Lisa is such a kindhearted person! If you would like to learn more about her, or her books, please follow the links below. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/lisalickel

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lisajlickel

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-J.-Lickel/e/B002D66ECC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1479505339&sr=8-1