Rene Gutteridge is the author of twelve novels, including the Boo series, the Storm series, and the novelization for The Ultimate Gift, as well as Scoop and Snitch, the first two Occupational Hazard novels. She lives with her husband, Sean, and their two children in Oklahoma City. You can read my original interview with her here.

How does writing while unpublished differ from writing under a contract?

It’s not all that different, if you’re just talking about the writing part itself. I think there is pressure both ways. Either way, you’re asking yourself, Am I good enough?? There are very few writers who have full confidence in their abilities. Writing under contract does give you access to a lot of constructive criticism, though! It’s a delight to work with great editors, though. They work their magic in remarkable ways!

Do you miss those days of writing in obscurity?

Ha! Well, I still feel like I’m writing in obscurity! Writing is so solitary, even when you’re published. It’s so nice to hear from fans through my website. I love it. It makes me feel more connected to my readers.

I’m afraid of writing under a deadline. Afraid I’ll loose the joy of writing. Afraid my work won’t be as good because it will be rushed, and afraid my priorities will be skewed. Do you ever feel this way and how do you handle this?

My first deadline was CRAZY! My son was five weeks old when I got the contract for a book that was just in proposal form. It took me several years to get everything adjusted in my life. This is really the first year that I don’t write on weekends, but that’s because my kids are in school and I don’t have little ones around anymore. It’s helping so much. Deadlines are good, though, in that they really make you finish the project and write with a goal in mind. You’re under contract and you have to deliver. I tend to work well under pressure, but if you sense it’s going to be difficult for you, make sure that you talk to your publisher about the length of time they’re giving you. If they say six months and you need nine, definitely bring that up.

Are there any more books in the future for this series?

Not as of right now. I’m working on a new romantic comedy and a new suspense. But I may return to the Hazards. They are a fun bunch to hang out with.

How did you land your agent?

I had published three books by the time Janet came on board. I was in desperate need of her, though. I was having a difficult time with two young ones writing the books, not to mention the business side of things. I had met her at Mt. Hermon the year before but it wasn’t until the next year that we seriously talked about it. It was nice to meet her face to face, and I think nice for her too. We clicked right off, and that was helpful in making me decision. She also had a stellar reputation among publishers.

What would you tell writing moms and dads looking for that agent who will sell their first book?

You have to look at it like publishing. It’s going to take some time and you’re going to get rejected. Don’t be discouraged, but also try to step back and look at the reason for rejection. If you’re getting several letters stating your writing is not up to par, look at it objectively and see where you can improve. If possible, meet agents at writers conferences so you can get a feel for their personality. And remember, it is still possible to be discovered from the slush pile!

What will do if the next contract never comes?

Well, that’s every writer’s nightmare! First, I’d cry. A lot. It would be a hard thing to swallow. Then I’d probably enjoy being a non-working mom and wife. At least for a little while. But I am an artist, so I would need to find some outlet for that, whether it’s oil painting, which I used to do when I was younger, or screenwriting. Something! At the end of the day, though, I’d simply have to trust God and know that He has not abandoned me. He has a purpose and a plan for my life, plans to prosper me!

Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a co-pilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage.

On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled in-flight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of “What Would Oprah Do?” will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard, whose unusually polite but constant requests–prompted by his covert role as a spy for the airline–test the limits of the crew’s customer service.

But as Lucy and the rest of the crew discover, Hank’s odd behavior is linked to a quiet faith that may play a key role in the fate of everyone on board. Especially when an unexpected traveler sets this already bumpy flight on a course toward the unfriendly skies.

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