Interview With Christian Poet Liana Wendy Howarth

Liana Wendy Howarth

"Upon a tabletop in heavenly realm Your Savior lays gifts,

waits to welcome you home

And each bears a name amidst love, forgiveness

a name, a name that belongs to you only...

Priceless

a pearl...a pearl...of your very, very own... "

~Liana Wendy Howarth

Interview With Christian Poet 

Liana Wendy Howarth

Liana Wendy Howarth is an extremely gifted contemporary songwriter and poet. The author of two books of poetry, she writes for both children as well as adults.

For her song "When Hurt Can Hurt No More," The Song of the Year songwriting contest awarded Liana the "Suggested Artist" placement in their song contest.

Song of the Year receives entries from all over the world and only the top songwriters receive a Suggested Artist placement in the songwriting competition.

Liana maintains a popular poetry blog called Poetry Cottage which she updates almost daily with a brand new poem at poetrycottage.wordpress.com.

I was thrilled when Liana agreed to be interviewed on my blog, sharing her life and writing process in her own words.

 

Liana as a young child

 Where are you from?

Liana: I was born in Exeter, Devon, England and have been living in Australia since 1970.

How long have you been writing poetry?

Liana:  I have been writing for 16 years.

 What influenced your writing?

Liana: The love of children's picture books to begin with, which led to inspirational writing over the years.

 

Liana at age 25

 Who were your favorite authors to read as a child that shape your writing today?

Liana: I cannot really place any particular author. I don't remember books playing a big role in my life when I was younger.

  How many books have you written?

Liana: I've written two.

Liana's First Book of Poetry

 What is your first book?

Liana: My e-book, Fragrance from the Spring.

  What prompted you to become a writer & to publish your writing?

Liana: To be honest, I cannot remember how it all started. It just happened. I now know that it was and is of the Lord and I give Him all the glory. I always dreamed of being the author of a hardcover and this is now a reality.

How do you publish your books?

Liana: At present, through WestBow Press, a Christian self-publishing company in the US.

Sunrays and Lily Smiles, Liana's newest book of Poetry

 What is your newest book?

Liana: Sunrays and Lily Smiles which comes in e-book, softcover and hardcover formats.

 What inspires you most?

Liana: The gift of life. The beauty of nature. The sweet melodies of a songbird. A child's laughter. A purring kitten. Tears. Most of all, the love of God.

 Where do you get your inspiration from?

Liana: Often during prayer time I will be given the first line, particularly for my song lyrics and the verses just flow from there. I can look at a rose. The depth of its splendor deserves to be shared with those who cannot witness its glory.

 Your book Sunrays and Lily Smiles is a treasury of poems for children and adults. Would you ever consider writing a book of poems just for children?

Liana: Most definitely. Before the inspirational writing commenced I tried to publish a book just for children; but the timing wasn't right. Currently, I have a series for young children for which I am presently seeking a publisher.

What are in the contents of Sunrays and Lily Smiles?

Liana: Within the covers you'll find most of my work from way back in the beginning up until the end of last year. Inspirational and children's poetry, song lyrics, greeting card insert suggestion and words of encouragement plus a children's short story. It contains all of my first book plus much, much more.

 How did you choose that name?

Liana: The name is a combination of the following :-

Sun (my love for Jesus, (God's Son), rays (my father Raymond), and Lily (in memory of my beautiful mother Lilian and ly (Lee) short for my name), Smiles (in memory of my precious brother Miles). My childhood family.

 What are your hobbies?

Liana: My hobbies have been put on hold for a few years due to ill health; but I love to read, and sewing, patchwork, baking and playing piano have all had a special place in my life. Line dancing currently has my attention. I just need the energy to do it :-). Most of all I love the freedom of writing, being able to pour one's emotions out like a beautiful healing fragrance.

What do you do to market your books?

Liana: As far as promotion goes I have shared on Twitter, Facebook and my blog www.poetrycottage.wordpress.com and on my website www.poetrycottage.com.

Do you find it difficult to market your books as an independent author?

Liana: I must admit I do find it difficult re marketing as the expense is quite high for the packages that are available. Money never was the object for publication. I just wanted to share what I had been given.

 What advice would you give to aspiring authors and poets who want to publish their work and who have been motivated and inspired by your example of someone who has written and published two books of original poetry and maintains an inspirational blog that encourages people all over the world?

Liana: Be honest with yourself. Share from the depths of your heart to the level that you are comfortable with. 

If something you publish eg online has you worried, then maybe it's not meant to be shared or it's just not the right time. Try not to be discouraged. 

There are days where the sun shines vibrantly on one's work and others where the dark clouds are all too threatening. 

Don't compare yourself with others. You are unique and gifted with your very own style. 

Finally never give up. I was turned down by many when originally trying to publish a book of children's poetry. 

Everything is for a reason and all in God's time.

How might people contact you who are interested in getting in touch with you?

Liana: Anyone wanting to contact me can do so through my email poetrycottage@gmail.com.

 Thank you so much, Liana, for sharing your inspiration with us! Your life and your work are a beautiful blessing on this earth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing us through Your precious daughter Liana and her beautiful gift of poetry. May You continue to bless and inspire her to write beautiful poems and songs that bless and encourage others for the glory and honor of the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ, in His name we pray, amen.

There's A Hidden Name In Every Thorn
© Liana Wendy Howarth All Rights Reserved.

"Every time we hurt someone

Every time we turn away

Every time we distance ourselves

Causes more anguish...

We have an urgent need to pray

Every cruel, silent thought

And each little unseen smirk

Each little share in 'innocent' gossip

Causes pain in the everlasting Father's work

And we are all at some time guilty

And we have all caused others to mourn

So look very closely at the rose that presents

For there's a hidden name in every thorn."

~Liana Wendy Howarth 

Unto The Least of These: An Interview with Christian Poet Liana Wendy Howarth © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Poems quoted from Sunrays and Lily Smiles © 2014 Liana Wendy Howarth All Rights Reserved. Photos © 2015 Liana Wendy Howarth All Rights Reserved.