Elisa Mayo is a full-time accountant pursuing my dream of writing and ministering to women. She has a 9-month old daughter and is married to the man who believes in her more than anyone else. In short, she is blessed growing up in a small town in rural Mississippi, she lives just 15 miles from my childhood home. She love animals and have dogs, cats, chickens, cows, and one lone duck! She also enjoy reading and meeting all the wonderful Christian writers the Lord has blessed this industry with.

Synopsis of Let Me Fly (women’s Christian fiction):

Celia Martin struggles with the decision to escape her hometown of Clear Creek and leave behind the ghost of young, lost love while she is pursued by the dangerous, handsome business partner. Her decision to step out on her own, reaching for the fruits of the world’s success, will prove to be a path of heartache. Heartache that leads to redemption once she turns to seek the Lord’s will and lay her past to rest in a shell of forgiveness.

Interview

Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.

Even in my grade school keepsake book, one of the careers I aspired to have was a writer. Or as I wrote it in that book, AUTHOR. I dabbled in writing from grade school through college, from beginnings of fiction books to children’s book, which I wrote for my younger brother, to songs, and so forth. Finally, fresh out of college, an idea for a fiction book came to me and I began to write. I didn’t get far, just a few chapters and hit a brick wall! Looking back, I know why I hit the brick wall. I knew the Lord was calling me to write a Christian fiction, but at the time I was afraid to. So through a long season of growing in the Lord (six years+) I learned a lot and finally came back to that story, picked it up, and accepted the Lord’s call on my life. From that original start, came the finished book, Let Me Fly. During those six years of having Let Me Fly on hold, I continued to write short stories as I felt led and my husband supported me, maybe never knowing that I would take it this far!

Now, I have a daughter who I can say I am proud for her to read my writing when she’s older because I have the clear conscience that I followed the Lord’s guidance for the book.

How did you get your first “writing break?”

“Writing break”—has that happened yet?? Seriously, my path to the publication of Let Me Fly was nothing short of Spirit-filled. I had not yet completed the book, but had the desire to begin looking for a publisher. I started searching via the internet and was directed by the hand of God to my publisher’s website. I submitted what I had and waited……a few days. (smile) I had an overwhelming desire from the Lord to call and talk with the president of the publishing company. Not being a very brassy person myself, I tried negotiating with the Lord, but the pressure from Him was so strong that I reluctantly agreed to make the call believing the entire time that I would never make it to the president.

I did. The secretary patched me right through (which has never happened before—mind you) to the president and I explained to him that I had recently submitted a manuscript. He told me that they would stop accepting manuscripts for that publication year within a few weeks and probably wouldn’t make it to read mine by the deadline, so my book would probably have to wait at least another year. However, since I made the call, he agreed to pull the manuscript. And the rest is to God’s glory because the book was accepted AND published.

What do you write and why this genre?

I have a longing to be able to inspire women in their relationship with God, each other, and their husbands. I truly believe that the world has skewed God’s definition of what women should be and I yearn for us, as women, to be able to follow his perfect will for our lives, regardless of what the world may have us believe about ourselves.

The heroine in Let Me Fly, Celia Martin, is a perfect example of this as she grapples with measuring her success against the world’s yardstick and yielding to the Lord’s call on her life

Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?

No, I am still working on my second book, The Mourning of Clear Creek, but hope to finish by Christmas. I am currently seeking an agent and publisher for my children’s book series.

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

I trust the Lord will accomplish His will through my writing. I cannot know whether my writing is meant to touch one person or millions of people or only me. I only know that regardless of the outcome that it is enough for me when it is enough for Him.

And now for the tough questions…

How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?

I’m still learning! I work full-time and spend every possible moment with my daughter that I can, so no writing takes places until she is asleep. That leaves me about two hours per day to work on writing or promotion. The key that I have found is I always have to ask God what He wants me to do for that day. Otherwise, I’ll end up chasing my own self in a whirlwind of anxiety.

Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?

Yes, I do! With God, anything is possible! I exercise on my lunch break at least three times a week. I know that many writers get more written in a shorter time period than I do; however, I do what I can and don’t worry about what I can’t. After I work my eight-hour day, I pick up my daughter from her grandmother’s and head home for cooking supper, play-time, bath-time, and bed-time. Then, it’s time to make the decision about what’s next—writing, research, and promotion. If anything has taken a backseat, it’s my ironing! (GROAN)

When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?

I feel strongly that my daughter and husband come first. I never want them to begrudge my writing. In my life the Lord is first, followed by my family. While my ministry highlights the Lord’s principles, the raising and keeping of my family also reflects Him—because through my job as a wife/mom the world sees Him. And not only the world, but through my job as a wife/mom, my family sees Him. It’s my choice and when I am eighty I want to know that my family got the best God had for them.

How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?

I just go with the flow. Right now I do not feel any pressure to write everyday. I know that I have responsibilities to clean my house, wash clothes, etc. and I do that as I need to. Following the Lord’s call everyday helps to keep me from feeling overwhelmed or defeated.

How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?

For me, that’s the hardest thing! I usually end up having to re-read everything that I have already written, so I can get the feel for where I am in the story.

How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?

I stop, literally. I take some time to sit and open His word, even if it is just two minutes. Or on my commute, I turn the volume up on K-Love and let the songs minister to me. And sometimes, I turn the volume down, way down, and let Him talk to me. And sometimes, I just talk to Him

Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?

Sure! I do it because I know my writing will suffer if I am not doing just what He needs me to do. The writing will come, maybe not as quickly as I would like it to, but I trust Him to guide me on this path. After all, He is the one who started all of this.

Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?

Never! These stories did not just come to me. I know that God gave them to me and I cherish that.

What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?

Never close a door that He has opened, even if it doesn’t align with your plans. Remember that He can see how your future unfolds and you cannot. Trust Him.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I have met so many wonderful people on this journey who have just blessed my heart. I want to thank them for taking the time to call me, e-mail me, comment on my blogs, etc. because their words were water for my drenched soul. I needed each and every one of them and I thank God each time I hear from them, whether they are fellow writers, readers, moms, or just new friends—I know that God sent them to me.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I know others will be blessed!

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