Author Q&A: Lyn Cote

Today we're interviewing author Lyn Cote, who writes contemporary Christian romance, Christian mystery romance, and historical novels.

Cote has written fifty romances over the past twenty-plus years. She lives on a beautiful lake in a forest in the northwoods of Wisconsin with her real-life hero and two rambunctious but adorable cats.

SADYE: How did you come to see yourself as a writer, and what inspired you to seek publication?

LYN: I began to get encouragement from teachers in grade school and that continued in high school.

There they gave us a test to see what our strengths were and suggested careers. I filled mine out and it said — you should be a teacher and a writer. And I’ve done both!

SADYE: What have been the most surprising, rewarding, and challenging parts of your writing career?

LYN: I love hearing from readers. I write a story and think that I’m entertaining them (and in my historicals informing them), but many times, I hear that they have found something deeper that I didn’t know I’d included!

SADYE: What period of history would you most like to travel back to and why?

LYN: I write authentic historicals, and that has made me appreciate being born in the 20th century!

I love history and try as much as possible to portray the period realistically and that means not sugar-coating life then. And I appreciate indoor plumbing and water heaters!

SADYE: What has been the most touching or memorable piece of reader feedback you’ve received?

LYN: I saved a letter from a woman who told me in the midst of reading my The Carlyle Women series that she burst into tears and called her seven children and FOR THE FIRST TIME told them she loved them. WOW.

The series was about four generations of women in one family. Each generation kept secrets from the next and this caused misunderstandings and separation.  

This woman said she saw that in her own life and she made a positive change.

SADYE: What message or theme would you like readers to take away from your work?

LYN: That there is always hope. That looking inside ourselves and seeking God can change a life, lifting us from difficult circumstances.

I am struggling with vision problems which makes my writing more difficult, but I keep hope, and so far finding good doctors and refusing to give into worry or despair has helped me keep seeing and writing.

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Learn more about Lyn Cote on her website, where her books can also be purchased; like her page on Facebook; and follow her on Twitter. 

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