Sarah Forgrave

Inspirational Author

in Interviews

Meet and Greet with Author Courtney Walsh

I’m so excited to welcome Courtney Walsh as my guest today! I’ll never forget when I first met Courtney at a writers conference last year. My friend Wendy Miller introduced us and said, “Courtney has an awesome blog and is fabulous. You should follow her.” So I did. And I discovered Wendy was right. I love Courtney’s sincerity and down-homeness (is that a word?). Anyway, let’s get to know her and you’ll see what I mean…

Courtney Walsh is a published author, scrapbooking expert, theatre director and playwright. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, will be released in February, 2012 by Guideposts/Summerside, 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, August, 2012.) Courtney has been a contributing editor for Memory Makers Magazine and Children’s Ministry Magazine and lives in Colorado with her husband and three kids where she consumes entirely too much coffee.

You can connect with her at her website, her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Welcome, Courtney! Now on to the fun…

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Creative, encouraging, obstinate, sarcastic, hard-working, persistent, a really bad cook (does that count?) 🙂

Sure, we’ll count it!

Either/Or Questions:

1)      Prince Edward Island or Beverly Hills? Prince Edward Island! I’m a HUGE Anne of Green Gables fan, so always Prince Edward Island! I’ve never been anywhere in Canada, but I remember the first time I saw the movie version of that book, I was 100% smitten. Besides, I don’t think my yoga pants would be a good fit for Beverly Hills!

2)      Indoors or outdoors? I HATE to say it, but indoors. I am a homebody. Probably the worst one ever. I LOVE to be home, in my little nest, with my family. That said, I moved to Colorado a little over a year ago and the weather here is SO nice that I’m finding myself outside more than I used to be! Maybe this one will change in another few years!

3)      Herbivore or carnivore? Carnivore, baby! Truly, I’ve thought about becoming a vegetarian because I don’t eat that much meat anyway, but then I think “gosh, where would I get any protein?” Then I eat a steak.

4)      Run a mile or run a bunch of errands? Oooh. Can I say “neither”? I always think I should become a runner. There’s a part of me that wants to prove to myself I can do it, but the fact is, I hate it. I enjoy exercise that’s fun, usually in a class setting. But when I think of running errands, I have to groan. I can’t think of a bigger waste of time!! Unless there’s shopping involved…then I choose the errands! 🙂

5)      Tacos or lasagna? Mmmm…lasagna!! I do enjoy the occasional taco but nothing beats a great lasagna. I also like making lasagna…it’s like a casserole without the stereotype. (And generally, it’s one dish I don’t mess up!)

6)      E-reader or paperback? Paper! I’m a scrapbooker with a severe paper addiction to begin with. I also stare at a computer screen 24/7, so calling reading on a screen for “enjoyment” just doesn’t jive with me. Plus, there is something about the smell of a library, a book store, a new book. Being able to flip through the pages or write in the margins…there’s nothing like it.

7)      On the slopes or in the lodge? Ha. First of all, this conjures up the image of me trying to ski, which, if you know me, is beyond hilarious. One time in high school I decided to try roller blading. I didn’t think it’d be that different from roller skating, but I was wrong. I was amazed by the speed I picked up heading down a hill and panicked when I realized there was no way to stop myself. I aborted the mission halfway through and threw myself into a pick-up truck so I wouldn’t fly out into oncoming traffic. Little did I know, this would result in major blood and supreme humiliation. Especially when my high school math teacher had to cart my pathetic self back to my car because I couldn’t walk. Safe to say I’m choosing the lodge!

LOL, Courtney, what a story! (I was about to say “fun story”, but I’m guessing it wasn’t so fun for you, huh?) And I’ll stay indoors with you too…unless we’re going to Prince Edward Island. Then I’ll run through the Great White Way of Delight and paddle across the Lake of Shining Waters with you. Is it a date? 🙂

Thanks for being my guest today!

A Sweethaven Summer

Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter wrote letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne’s three friends—Lila, Jane, and Meghan—haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers.

With the help of a handsome local man and her mother’s three friends, Campbell hopes to finally uncover her mother’s twenty-five-year old secret. In the process, she discovers a family she never knew and the home she’s always wanted. 

As the women reconnect over the pages of the old scrapbook, wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored—just as Suzanne intended.

Blog Readers: Let’s talk…If you could travel to any location from a book, where would it be? Do you have any favorite scenes from Anne of Green Gables? Or how about outdoor adventures…If you spent an entire day outside, what would you do?

*flower photo by Twigy Posts

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Preston says

    I’ve always wanted to visit the stately manors & castles of some of my favorite Regency reads. I would, of course, be above stairs & waited on hand & foot. (I get enough of the scullerymaid in my everyday life.)

  2. Bekah says

    I just started reading Courtney’s blog not long ago and LOVE IT. I even quoted her on mine a couple of days ago – great stuff! And I say ditto to everything she said in her interview. Obviously we could hang out and get along famously. 🙂

    PEI is on my list of places I want to go sooner rather than later and just as soon as I strike it rich, I’m going. Sometimes I look up the stuff to do on their visitor website and make dream lists just for fun. (Because I’m a dork that way.)

  3. Heidi Chiavaroli says

    Thanks for the interview, Sarah!

    If I had to spend a day outside, I’d want to hike with my family. A perfect day would come complete with enthusiastic (not whiny) kids. 😉

  4. wendypainemiller says

    Yeah! What a fun read. What a fun interview! I love both of you! Yeah. Courtney, I’m convinced it’s because you can make the indoors look like the outdoors w/ all of your snazzy craft techniques that you like it better.

    Carnivore baby! Love it!
    ~ Wendy

  5. Karen Lange says

    Fun interview! I appreciate the intro to Courtney. Her book sounds like a winner – Congrats, Courtney!:) Hopping over to check out your interview. Happy Monday!

  6. Cynthia Herron says

    Wendy, so great getting to know you! I can’t wait to read A Sweethaven Summer!

    Sarah, a fave location to travel from a book would be somewhere “beachy” or small-town America. Of course, my tastes may change from time to time when I read my favorite authors books, too! 🙂

  7. Lindsay Harrel says

    Loved this interview!! Courtney, you and I have a lot in common. I ran a 4.2-mile race last year for the first time…and haven’t really run since. I think I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. LOL

    And I LOVE Anne of Green Gables. The scene where she cracks her slate over Gil’s head is one of the best. Or when she mouths off to Rachel. Or when she walks the rooftop and falls off. So many good scenes…one of my dreams is to visit PEI someday.

    • Sarah Forgrave says

      Oohhh, Lindsay, all those Anne scenes make me want to watch it right now! The slate over Gil’s head is the best…and then when she dies her hair green afterwards. 🙂

  8. Cindy R. Wilson says

    Oooh, LOVE this interview! And yay for another writer from Colorado. Anne of Green Gables is awesome – especially the setting! And Courtney, your book sounds wonderful!

  9. naomirawlings says

    I would probably travel to wherever I’m writing about. We’re allowed to go back in time, right? So I would be on the north coast of France in 1795, but only as an observer. Too much war and gore going on back then for me to want to get involved personally. 🙂

  10. Loree Huebner says

    Fun interview, Sarah! Nice to meet you, Courtney!

    A day outside? I would go to the Dunes at Lake Michigan – spend the day in the sun and water. Hike the dunes. Have a picnic lunch and grill dinner on the beach. Then, watch the sunset and star gaze at nightfall.

  11. Keli Gwyn says

    Thanks for the fun interview. Courtney had me at “really bad cook.” I can sooo relate.

    I’d spend my day outside up at South Lake Tahoe, which is only an hour’s drive from where I live in the Sierra Foothills of California. It’s a beautiful alpine lake, and the drive through the forest en route is wonderful.

  12. Jill Kemerer says

    Sarah, great interview!

    Courtney, this is so timely, since I was looking for your book about scrapbooking and faith at my local library this weekend. What a cool concept! Oh, and you’ll be interested to know there’s a wait list on A Sweethaven Summer at the library too! Congrats!

  13. Courtney Walsh says

    The Great White Way of Delight…ooooh, Sarah, it IS a date!! 🙂

    thank you sooo much for hosting me here…I can’t wait to read through all the comments and meet your wonderful readers!!

  14. Melanie N. Brasher says

    Courtney,
    Okay, you’re a kindred spirit. 🙂 Anne of Green Gables is my all time favorite. I actually went to PEI for my honeymoon.

    Sarah, my favorite scene from the movie…oh my, there’s too many. But I would have to say Anne falling in the mud after chasing the cow is one, and of course the first kiss. 🙂

  16. Melissa Tagg says

    First of all, Sarah, thanks so much for stopping by my blog! 🙂 And I loved your interview at Jess Patch’s blog too. Fun fun!

    Prince Edward Island is absolutely in my top five “must go there” places. It is quite possible I have the both Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea memorized in their entirety. The bridge scene at the end of the second movie…ahhh, sigh…

    Anyway, great interview and I loved getting to know Courtney Walsh. And p.s. Courtney, I’m with you the running-hate!

  17. Judy Burgi says

    This was a great interview with Courtney. She is a new author to me and it was fun getting to know her. I would love to win a copy of “A Sweethaven Summer”. I lived 28 years in Michigan before moving back to Indiana. I have battled cancer and my Mom just died 3 1/2 weeks ago. I don’t think she left any secrets.

    Blessings!
    Judy
    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

    • Sarah Forgrave says

      Hi Judy! Michigan has beautiful land, doesn’t it? The coastline there is one of my favorites. I’m sorry to hear about the tough time you’ve had lately. Hopefully you might win something here to bring a smile to your face. 🙂

    • Judy Burgi says

      I forgot to add that I would love to spend time at the beach again with my children (even though they are grown now!) I miss hiking through Warren Dunes in Bridgman, Michigan, swimming in the lake, and picnicing by the waters edge. Oh…those were the good old days. Can you ever go back?

      • Sarah Forgrave says

        I have a lot of great memories in the Boyne and Mackinac areas. Unfortunately, my family that used to live up there have since moved away, so I don’t have the convenient excuse to drive all that way anymore. 🙁

  18. Stephanie says

    Hey Sarah! Long time, no chat, but when I saw that you were talking about Anne of Green Gables, I just had to come & see what was going on. It’s absolutely my favorite movie/book series of all time. Next in line is the British version of Pride & Prejudice (6 hours – LOVE it!). Joel & I have talked about going to PEI someday. I’m just afraid that I would get there & the people wouldn’t be dressed in early 1900’s outfits & my dreams would be dashed. I also wanted to name Wesley “Gilbert” because I love his character so much (plus it’s Ivor’s middle name), but Joel vetoed it. I think it’s such a sweet name attached to such a sweet guy. Anyway, just had to leave a comment to a kindred spirit.

    • Sarah Forgrave says

      Hi Stephanie! So nice to see you here! 🙂 I know what you mean about Prince Edward Island. I’ve wondered that too…if it would feel weird to see a bunch of tourists walking around with their cameras instead of people in the Anne days.

  19. Susan J. Reinhardt says

    Hi Sarah –

    Courtney and I share a love of home. We must be “kindred spirits” to use an Anne of Green Gables phrase. Her book sounds interesting, and I’m already wondering what the big secret is all about.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

  20. Beth K. Vogt says

    Oh, I love Anne of Green Gables — and i would love to visit PEI!! Too many favorite scenes: Anne breaking her slate over Gilbert’s head … the Lady of Shallott re-enactment …

    Going to tweet this now!

  21. ccgevry says

    My sister has been to PEI and I would love to go. She found a white house with green trim and a mailbox that read Paul and Cheryl (my and my hubby’s names).

    My favorite scene comes from Anne of Avonlea, where Anne finally realizes how much Gil means to her. Marilla brings Anne the first copies of her book from the post office and the conversation turns to Gil as the dedication is read. Even though I know how it turns out, I always get misty-eyed.

    Thanks for the chance to win. Cheryl Malandrinos has shared this on Facebook and Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/ccmalandrinos/status/171987815947698177

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