Courtney Walsh is a published author, scrapbooking expert, theatre director and playwright. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was released in February, 2012 by Guideposts Books, and will be followed by two additional novels in the series. She has also written two papercrafting books, Scrapbooking Your Faith and The Busy Scrapper and is currently working on her third, The Scrapcrafter’s Idea Book (F&W Publications, February, 2013.)
Courtney has been a contributing editor for Memory Makers Magazine and Children’s Ministry Magazine and is a frequent contributor to Group Publishing curriculum, newsletters and other publications. She has also written several full-length musicals, including her most recent, The Great American Tall Tales and Hercules for Christian Youth Theatre, Chicago. Courtney is a member of ACFW and is the current PR Manager for Webster’s Pages, a scrapbooking manufacturer. She lives in Colorado with her ultra creative husband and three children.
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Savanna: Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Courtney. Congratulations on your newest release, Paper Hearts. What an adorable cover, by the way! 😉 Which character in this story do you most relate to and why?
Courtney:Â Ha. If I say the crabby, old Ursula Pembrooke, will you think less of me? Just kidding…I think I relate to my heroine, Abigail the most. She is at a crossroads in her life, one she didn’t expect or ask for, and the way she responds to these challenges and the things she learns as a result are very much a part of my own journey. Plus, she has a dream she’s been shoving to the background, waiting for “the right time”…only to discover that in all her waiting, that dream is fading farther and farther away…
Savanna: 🙂 Describe your favorite place to write. What’s your ideal setting for inspiration?
Courtney:Â I spent my first year out of college as a newspaper reporter, and I think one of the very best things I took away from that job was the ability to write just about anywhere. You sit in a noisy room filled with other reporters who are often on the phone, and you HAVE to write because you’re up against a deadline. As a result, I am able to block out noise pretty easily (much to the dismay of my children…ha.) I wrote my first book sitting at a table in my local Barnes and Nobel, but now I actually prefer to be home, in my writing chair with my headphones in and my Pandora tuned to a station that only plays instrumental movie music. That music has become an integral part to my process…
Savanna: Ah, I admire that ability. I wish I wasn’t so easily distracted myself. 😉
What is your favorite genre to read and what was one of your favorite books of 2014?
Courtney: My favorite genre is Contemporary Romance. I am a sucker for the love story. Even though there is always a predictable element, I LOVE them. If they have some humor, even better. One of my favorite books of 2014 was “Meant to be Mine” by Becky Wade. I have loved all of Becky’s stories, and this one was no exception. I don’t open them unless I can afford late nights and a day or two of shirking responsibility. 😉
Savanna: I love Becky Wade – both the author and her books! 😉
What’s one of your favorite writing quotes? There’s so many good ones out there!
Courtney:Â I have many: “Fill the paper with the breathings of your heart.” and “Don’t get it right, get it written” are two that stick with me most!
Savanna:Â Great quotes! What is one of your most unforgettable moments from your writing career to date?
Courtney:Â When my agent told me my first book made the New York Times e-book bestseller list. I was at an arts & crafts trade show with the company I worked for at the time and I got a text that said “Number 19 on the NY Times Bestseller list.” I was so happy for whoever she was talking about and texted by “WHO?” (thinking it was one of her other authors.) She wrote back “YOU!” and I lost my breath. It was perfectly surreal and such a gift from God at the time. I’ll never forget it!
Savanna:Â Wow! What a surreal moment!
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Courtney: I just turned in the first draft for the second book in this series and have some really fun things planned for the official release, which will be happening over on my blog. 🙂 I love to chat with readers too and try to stay up with them on my Facebook page.
Savanna: I’m looking forward to reading your books, Courtney! Thanks so much for being with us today. It’s been great having you as our guest.
Courtney: Thank you so much for having me, Savanna!
GIVEAWAY!!
Courtney has graciously offered a copy of Paper Hearts to one lucky reader! Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends January 13, 2015. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody! 😉
I have read all of Courtney’s Sweethaven books and love them. Paper Hearts is a wonderful story!
Hi Jean! Thanks for stopping in. It’s great to have you here!
Historical Romance is my favorite genre. 🙂
Mine too, Grace! 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
Usually christian fiction that is either romance, suspense, or a mix of the two!
Exactly! 😉 Thanks for joining us, Samantha! Happy reading!
My favorite genre is romantic suspense! Courtney is a new-to-me author. I would LOVE to read “Paper Hearts”. 🙂
psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Caryl! I hope you get to read Courtney’s book as well. 😉 Good luck to you in the drawing!
First & foremost….it HAS to be Christian, all others fall short. Secondly, my most favorite is Historical Inspirational Fiction, especially the Regency period! Anything with romance is good in my book (no pun intended, lol!)I love how authors can weave historically correct information with a fictional twist(or vise versa). I have to agree with you Courtney, I am a sucker for a love story & especially if the characters have a sense of humor. I tend to think God has a sense of humor too so why shouldn’t we? I’ll definitely sign up to receive your blog, I love meeting new-to-me authors & hearing their life stories or leaning more about them. Thanks for a great interview & for the chance to win a copy of “Paper Hearts”. Savanna, it’s so nice to get “caught back” up with you after a hectic holiday season. I hope to get back into a somewhat normal routine, whatever that may be 😀 Thanks for another great author interview, blessings my friend!
Hi Trixi! Thanks so much for always leaving such nice notes. I totally agree with everything you said too. I definitely think God finds delight in fun love stories. 😉 He’s the first Author, after all! So happy to share these interviews with you. Hope you get to read Courtney’s book too. Have a great weekend!
I enjoy contemporary romance, I read all except for paranormal and scifi
Contemporary romance stories are so much fun! Thanks for visiting, Jennifer! Good luck in the giveaway.
I love to read romance, both historical and contemporary! Thanks so much for sharing Courtney’s interview and the chance to win a copy of PAPER HEARTS!
Hi Britney! I’m glad you could stop in. Good luck in the giveaway and happy reading!
I am a lover of romance! Thank you for the great giveaway .
It’s hard to beat a beautiful love story, huh? 😉 Thanks for visiting, Melanie. It’s always great to have you here.
Amish fiction.
Thanks for commenting, Lisa! Have a great day and good luck in the giveaway!
I can’t pick just one favorite genere to list. I enjoy reading a large variety of books including, Amish fiction, historical fiction, Contemperary fiction and romance,true crime,true animal stories,true history, biographies, autobiographies, fantasy and more. I enjoy lots of different types of books.
Love to hear that, Deanne. It can be rather hard to narrow down your favorites. 😉 It’s great you love such a variety of genres. You’ll never run out of options. 😉 Good luck!
My favorite genres are historical romance, contemporary romance and romantic suspense – inspirational, of course. Thanks for the giveaway!
Welcome to the blog, Loraine! Thanks for visiting and good luck in the giveaway! 😉
I loved all her sweethaven books, and can’t wait to read the new book.
I can’t wait to read it too, Tonya! Thanks for stopping in. Have a great weekend!
Historical fiction is probably my favorite but I enjoy everything except sci-fi!
Hi Joan, another reading heart after my own, I see. 😉 Glad you could join us. Good luck in the giveaway!
I’ve never read a book by Courtney before. Thanks for bringing her to my attention. This book looks good.
I’m happy to “introduce” you, Angie! We’re glad you could join us. Happy reading! 😉
I’m definitely a romance reader!!! thanks for a chance to win!
Yay! Another romance reader! 😉 Good luck in the giveaway, Kelly!
Enjoyed the interview and I love Courtney’s books. I would love to win a copy of this one. Thanks for the give-away.
Hi Ann! I’m glad you enjoyed our interview. Hope you get to read this latest one by Courtney.
I like historical fiction, especially Christian!
You and me both, Deanna! 😉 Thanks for reading. Good luck in the drawing!
I love to read romance. I have never read any of Ms. Walsh’s books.
Then now is a great time to start, Sonnetta! 😉 Good luck to ya!
Great interview! I would love to win copy of your book. Thanks for the chance.
We’re glad you enjoyed it, Tona! We appreciate you visiting. Happy Reading!
I love Christian Fiction and I also enjoy Christian devotionals. So happy that this genre is becoming so popular and so glad to “meet” Courtney. Thank you for this interview and giveaway!
Me too, Connie! Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s always nice to see you here. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
Historical is my favorite, but will read just want anything that is clean.
Great to have you here, Amy! Good luck in the drawing. 😉
I love to read historical fiction, mostly romance. But I have been reading a lot more comtemporary fiction lately.
Both are great genres! We appreciate you stopping in, Patty. Hope you enjoy lots of great new books this year. 😉
I enjoy fantasy ans Sci-fi! But I also read a bunch of other genres:)
That’s great, Sierra. I’m not a big fan of fantasy and Sci-fi myself…. yet, at least. 😉 That may change, though, the more I read new things. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway. Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy reading both contemporary and historical romance.
Hi Meagan! Great choices! 😉 Good luck in the drawing!
I love historical and contemporary romance
Great to have you here again, Heidi! Hope you enjoy lots of new books this year. Happy 2015!
Regency is my favorite genre but I have discovered some books from contemporary authors that I highly enjoy.
Yeah, I’m really starting to like Regency novels too, Anne. I’m glad you could join us. Hope you get to read Courtney’s book soon! 😉
I love anything with romance, contemporary, historical or suspense.
All good ones! 😉 Thanks for visiting, Merry. Here’s to a lot of happy reading in 2015!
I love to read Historical fiction–mainly Janette Oke 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway…would love to read Courtney’s book 🙂
Hi Micaela! Thanks for reading. I like a lot by Janette Oke as well. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
My favorite genre to read is either Contemporary Christian or Historical Christian – it just depends on what I am in the mood for. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Paper Hearts – it is already on my TBR LIST for 2015
Yay, Sharon! Glad to hear it’s on your list. Hope you get to read it soon. 😉 Thanks for stopping in.
I love a little of everything but always love a dose of romance in the books I read! Thanks!
Me too, Erika! 😉 Aren’t books fun?! Have a great weekend and good luck in the giveaway!
Christian suspense, romance, Christian Historical, Christian drama, Amish, Amish historical…well, I just like to read! Books about quilting (because I quilt) And, “how to be” a better Christian…THANKS for a nice Giveaway!
So many good ones in there, MS Barb! 😉 Thanks for sharing and commenting. Good luck to you in the drawing!
Christian romantic suspense is my favorite. Thank you for the interview and giveaway.
I’m really starting to like that genre as well, Melissa! 😉 Thanks for joining us!
I love to read historical fiction because I love to learn about history and times gone by.
You and me both, Jennifer! Gotta say that’s my personal favorite. 😉 Happy Reading!
I’ve enjoyed the Sweethaven series. Thanks for the chance!
Wonderful, Marilyn! Then you came to the right place. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway! 😉
I like the sounds of this story. I love scrapping, also. Considering writing a book with a heroine that scraps? Thanx for the giveaway!!!!
Love the idea, Jennifer! 😉 Thanks for stopping in. Good luck and happy reading!
contemporary
Contemporary ones can be a lot of fun! Good luck in the giveaway, bn100! 😉