Welcome to The Cross & The Pen, Crosswalk.com’s author-to-author interview column!

Ever met someone and just “hit it off” right away? Ever read a book and thought, “If I could meet the author, I bet we’d be really good friends!” Well, that’s what I thought when I first read Lisa Samson’s work. And, if you’ve never indulged yourself to read some of her writings, let me encourage you to do so … starting right now!

Recently Lisa and I got together to talk novelist-to-novelist! We had way too much fun! Wanna listen in?

Eva Marie:  Good afternoon, Lisa!

Lisa Samson:  Hi, Eva Marie!

Eva Marie:  How are you this bright and sunny day?

Lisa Samson:  Wonderful! Gorgeous here in KY!

Eva Marie:  Here in Florida, too! 

Lisa Samson:  Hot yet?

Eva Marie:  Yeah, it's hot, but not yet horribly humid. So, are you ready to talk "turkey club?" First, Lisa ... tell me a little bit about yourself ... you know ... wife, mother, etc.

Lisa Samson: Okay … wife and mom, number one responsibilities. Writer stuff fits in around the edges.

Eva Marie:  When you did "decide" to be a writer and what started the um ... madness?

Lisa Samson:  (laughing) One day, at 27, I just "decided to write a book!" I'd never done anything like that. But I've always loved, loved, loved to read. And always fiction. There's nothing like a good book. I started the process, and sent the book off to two pubs two months later (it was lousy), but my first publisher bit and here I am a dozen years later.

Eva Marie:  Who were your inspirations?

Lisa Samson:  I love Anne Tyler and Larry McMurtry. Well-developed and interesting characters just suck me right in.

Eva Marie:  Oh! Don't you hate to go back and read that first stuff you sent off?

Lisa Samson:  I hate that first stuff! If I knew then what I know now, I'd have never been brash enough to send it to anyone. It's one of those "foolish things of this world" examples!

Eva Marie: How funny! Going back to Anne and Larry ... do you recall a particular book that made you go, "I can do this!" or "I should try this?"

Lisa Samson:  I'm not normally a romance reader, but my sister had "Outlander" sitting around, and I picked it up and it drew me right in. That book really was the impetus for me to try writing a book. And it was the right time in my life. It's funny how that works. The things that normally wouldn't affect you have a huge impact at a certain time.

Eva Marie:  And your first book? What was it called?