It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Elizabeth (Libby) Smith, author of The Coin Flip
Author’s Bio: Elizabeth Smith, who goes by Libby,
lives in Parkville, Maryland
with her husband Dennis.
Her previous book, Twin Strokes, is about a
young girl who suffered with a rare illness called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Smith, who enjoys writing children’s stories, senior jokes, articles
and essays, has three
children and two grandchildren. Her
hobbies include, reading, writing, baking, walking, swimming, and listening to a variety
of music. Among her favorite authors are Jan Karon,
Adriana Trigiani, Matthew Kelly, Francine Rivers, and the
late, Erma Bomback.
While
growing up in the country, a treasured time during the summer was hiking to the
nearby bookmobile. “I have fond memories of walking inside and smelling the
fragrance of the books and slowly feeling the crinkly plastic covers like they
were gold,” said Smith. “It was intoxicating.”
Smith
also enjoyed teaching Faith Formation to school children, working for a
pediatrician and helping kids as a paraeducator. A few years later, after
reading an article about her great-grandfather, it became her mission to write
this book, The Coin Flip. “I feel the Holy Spirit was my co-author in
both works,” added Smith.
She
belongs to the Maryland Writer’s Association, the Capital Christian Writer’s
Fellowship, and Writing 4 Kids.
Deliah
Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?
Elizabeth
Smith:
I was inspired to
write my book, The Coin Flip, after
reading an amazing newspaper article from my cousin. It was so impressive that I felt moved to turn
it into a book so others could appreciate the benefit of the story.
DL: What
elements do you think make a compelling story?
ES: To me, a compelling story is one that I can
relate to, a story that is filled with emotions, and also has humor, and is
sprinkled with some spiritual input. It
is one you just don’t want to put down.
DL: What obstacles
did you encounter while writing this book?
ES: I don’t care for
researching. It takes lots of time and I
am a little impatient.
DL: What was the most valuable writing advice you’ve
ever been given?
ES: The most valuable
advice I have been given is to never give up.
DL: What
are three books you’ll never part with?
ES: Three books I
won’t part with are the Bible, a book called, He and I, and a book my
son wrote twenty years ago that is now out of print.
DL: What’s
your favorite line from a book?
ES: A favorite line
would be “You can’t live a joyful life if you’re paralyzed by fear.”
DL: What are three fun facts about yourself?
ES: Three facts about myself are: I can laugh at myself, I am always losing my
glasses and keys, and I enjoy playing a variety of games.
DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from The Coin Flip?
ES: Sure, here you go:
I told
McDermott how I would always dream about becoming a priest.
“Well,
well…you would never guess Quigley, that I too have the same desire. Let’s talk about what jobs might pay the most
Money so it doesn’t take us so long to enter the seminary.”
“I don’t
think we will know until we arrive in America and investigate it.”
“True, but
I don’t feel like waiting ten years to enter.”
“Neither do
I.”
There was a
long pause. Suddenly, McDermott squealed
and jumped into the air, snapping his fingers.
“I got it Quigley! How about if
we flip a coin? The loser will get a job
and pay the winner to go to seminary.
That way, at least one of us can afford to become a priest right away.”
“I don’t
know McDermott.” I answered with
trepidation, rubbing the back of my neck.
“That’s going to be hard for the loser.”
My chest tightened and I felt tense all over.
“It’s the
only way we can help each other with the same goal. One priest is better than none. Ok, who calls first?”
“I don’t
care,” I answered, my heart pounding rapidly in my chest.
He handed
me his shilling. “Call.”
I called
heads.
Tails
appeared.
“Oh dear God, I don’t believe what just
happened. How can it be? Why God did I lose? I thought it was my vocation to be a priest. What do you want me to do now?
DL: What new projects are you currently working
on?
ES: I would like to perfect some children’s
stories I have written, so they can be published.
DL: Where can readers learn more about you and
your book?
ES: Readers can view
my website: www.thecoinflipbook.com,
and they can check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other retailers.
DL: Thanks so much for being
here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your
work.
ES: Many thanks!
Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com
