Author Chat with Angela Ruth Strong on her New Release, Hero Debut
I’m so excited to resume the author chat series with an interview with Christian romance author Angela Ruth Strong. Her writing voice is clear, sincere, and contagiously entertaining, and although I haven’t had the privilege of meeting her in person, I have a feeling it is a natural reflection of her personality. Please join me in welcoming Angela to the blog today.
Q: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?
In 4th grade we had to write tall tales. One of the kids in my carpool read mine aloud and everyone laughed on the ride home. So I wrote another one for the next ride home. That’s when I knew I loved to write. After that, I worked for our school paper in high school, sold my first article to a national magazine when I was sixteen, and went on to study journalism in college.
Q: What inspired the idea for this story?
I attended a citizen’s police academy as research with another writer friend, and it was too fun not to share.
Q: Your back cover copy grabbed my interest when it talked about a screenwriter who must learn the difference between love in movie scripts and love in real life. Did any texts from Scripture influence a theme for this story, and if so, which one(s)?
I’d say my Love Off Script series isn’t so much about falling in love but learning to love well. I’ve given the main characters in each story a different heart issue that holds them back. In Hero Debut, my characters battle anger and envy. They must overcome those struggles in order to create a healthy relationship, so the scriptures I use apply to anger and envy. I learned a lot.
Q: What message do you hope readers will take away from Hero Debut?
Love is worth the work.
Q: What is something you enjoy, aside from writing, that makes you a better writer? How would you encourage other writers (or creatives in general) to fuel their passion?
I’m also a flight attendant, so I meet new people, see new places, and hear new stories all the time. It not only inspires me but helps me better understand where people are coming from (pun intended) and what they need. It really makes me think deeply about what I have to offer, and that seems to be stories about my own heart issues I’ve had to overcome. The tough and important part of writing is to let ourselves be vulnerable in telling our stories. It’s not about success but about love.
Q: How can readers connect with you?
I’d love for readers to sign up for my newsletter on my website at www.angelaruthstrong, but if you don’t want to miss a moment of my crazy adventures, I’ve got a really interactive reader group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongreaders
Q: Can you share about what next project you have in the works?
There’s a third book in this series, Fiancé Finale, which is currently going through edits, so watch for an upcoming cover and release date. The next book I plan to write is about flight attendants because, again, it’s too fun not to share. Then ironically, I’m also learning to write screenplays, so I’m adapting some of my novels into scripts. Wish me luck!
About the Author
Angela Ruth Strong’s books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been nominated for a Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon best-sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky filmed on location in Montana and aired on UPtv in 2022. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho and blogs regularly for My Book Therapy. Visit her at www.angelaruthstrong.com.
About Hero Debut
Gemma Bennett is the leading lady of her own life, and her true love is writing screenplays. With her trusty pink notebook in hand, she signs up for the Citizen’s Safety Academy to research her newest blockbuster hope, a rom-com with a police officer as the hero. And the fact that the handsome and heroic Lieutenant Karson Zellner is the one leading the training? Well, who can blame her for wanting to spend evenings with the man she swooned over months ago when he responded to a call at her apartment?
Karson already has his fair share of problems before Gemma shows up, and he’s not exactly a fan of the ditzy blonde who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The last thing he needs is a damsel in distress to rescue; there are plenty of people in real need of his help. The fact that she seems to think his job makes him a superhero is just one more strike against her. This isn’t a movie, and he feels like the furthest thing from a leading man.
Gemma can’t seem to stop doing the worst, most embarrassing things at just the wrong time. And as time goes on, Gemma begins to realize that the scripts for a perfect screenplay and a real-life happily-ever-after are two very different things. Can she step out of her own way to find the hero her story needs?
2 Comments
Angela Strong
Thanks for having me!
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
It was my pleasure! Happy release day to Hero Debut!