Interview with Anita Higman + GIVEAWAY

Please welcome the delightful Anita Higman today! Anita is a best-selling and award-winning author of both fiction and non-fiction, with over thirty books published. I understand that Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends - so pull up a chair and visit with her!

Anita will also give away two copies of Winter in Full Bloom, a novel that I greatly enjoyed and recommend highly. Please see my review here.


Q:  Anita, tell us a little about the woman behind the books, the "real" Anita Higman, including a little about your spiritual journey.

The real Anita is a Christian mom, wife, writer, and hopefully friend, but there are other parts to me too. Don’t we all have “other” parts? You know, those little corners of our lives that we keep to ourselves? Anyway, at times, I still feel like a scared and lonely little kid growing on a farm in Oklahoma. So, what do I do with those feelings? I put them into my books. It entertains you while helping me to deal with the past sorrows of my youth.

Now about my spiritual journey. I accepted Christ when I was a child, but my journey continues, and it will continue until I meet Him face to face.


Q:  What are three things that hardly anyone knows about you?

1. I LOVE dark moist chocolate cake with tons of gooey frosting. But because of the calories and the high sugar content, I very rarely allow myself to have this marvelous treat. Sigh…

2. I have a bird phobia that I’ve had almost all my life. But I also love birds—that is, at a distance. So, talk about unusual, huh?

3. I LOVE autumn. It’s so very wonderful. It means a bit of dry cool air, which always feels miraculous when you live in Houston. And it’s a reflective time. It seems that life slows down in the fall, giving us time to breathe and get refreshed.

Q:  Tell us about the story we're featuring today, Winter in Full Bloom.

Winter in Full Bloom is a love story, but it’s also a story about family reconciliation. I believe forgiveness and reconciliation is beautiful and blessed. God is not only in the midst of it, but He must surely smile every time he watches it unfold. That theme is at the heart of Winter in Full Bloom.


Q:  That title is unique. How did you come up with Winter in Full Bloom?

Sometimes I brainstorm titles, and then sometimes I use a phrase I find within the manuscript that works well as a title. Winter in Full Bloom was created during one of my brainstorming sessions. As a side note, there are a couple of meanings to this tile. The heroine’s name is Lily Winter. Also, half of the book takes place in Houston at the advent of winter, but when she flies to Melbourne at the same time of the year, Australians are experiencing the beginning of spring. So, even though Lily has begun getting ready for winter, she suddenly enters into a season of springtime—literally and in her personal life.


Q:  I loved the way you brought so much of the flavor of Melbourne into the narrative, especially St. Paul's Cathedral. Do you travel a lot, and is Melbourne one of the places you've visited?

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the way I described Melbourne. My husband was there on business, and I traveled to Melbourne to be with him. I loved the cathedrals, especially St. Paul's. We travel much more now that we have empty nest. Last year we went to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. This year we’ve been to Mexico, California, and right now as I type this answer, my husband and I are waiting at the airport to fly to Ireland. Can’t wait. I’m hoping to set one of my future novels in Ireland.


Q:  Your heroine, Lily Winter, is experiencing empty nest. Why did you add that element to the story?

I was going through this same rough phase of motherhood, and I thought it would be good to add this to the story. I hope it added an element of authenticity to the tale. And too, forcing myself to write about the pain surely helped me deal with it better.


Q:  How long have you been writing?

I’ve been in this profession for about thirty years. It’s been a long, stumbly kind of journey. I’ve had some dark hours—those moments when I really didn’t know what I was doing or why I was doing it. Moments when rejection swept me under like a scary undertow. Moments when getting published seemed pretty much impossible. But I never gave up, and I’m glad I didn’t. I’ve had thirty-four books published in many genres, and even though it’s been a rough ride, it’s also been deeply satisfying.


Q:  Why do you write, Anita?

I have a real need to express myself creatively—guess I was born that way—and writing and I fit well together.


Q:  What novel or projects are you working on now?

I’m working on a sequel to A Marriage in Middlebury. It’s just a novella, but I’m hoping it will satisfy those readers who’ve asked for a bit more to the story.


Q:  What are some ways in which we, as readers, can support and encourage you?

Buy all my books! Just kidding. Actually, prayer is powerful, and so if you’d pray for me in my writing ministry I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!


Q:  What do you hope readers will take away from Winter in Full Bloom?  Any final words for your readers?

If you have ever taken the time to read one of my novels, I thank you with all my heart. I sincerely hope that Winter in Full Bloom inspires you and makes you laugh, and when you come to the last page and close the book, I hope your heart and your step feels just a little lighter.

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GIVEAWAY

Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Anita! We have enjoyed getting to know more about you and your writing journey. You can also meet Anita at:
anitahigman.com
Facebook

Anita has graciously offered two copies of Winter in Full Bloom this week, so please leave a comment or question for her, as well as your e-mail address in a safe format. Here are the contest guidelines; simply share what you've done in your comment:

Required entry - Comment or question for Anita

Bonus entry #1 - Follow my blog (new or current followers)

Bonus entry #2 - "Like" my Facebook page, The Power of Words Reviews

Contest ends at midnight on Sunday, March 2.
Winners will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Monday, March 3.
Due to postage costs, US address only.