Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
My family is awesome. My husband is a professional musician/professional fundraiser for Christian radio stations. We have two children who keep me busy and constantly on the go with all of our activities and homeschooling.
As for the call to write, I have always loved the printed word. I aced High School and College English but never felt the need to actually write a book until my daughter was almost 6 months old. That’s when I started. I’ve always WANTED to write one, but never felt the NEED to write one until that point in my life. So, I got on the computer and just started writing. Eight years later, God is allowing my dream to become reality. It’s a very surreal and awesome thing.
How did you get your first “writing break?â€
I would say my first writing break came in the form of my “mentorâ€, Dee Henderson. And I put mentor in quotes because she was never officially my mentor, she just answered any and all questions I had about writing. She really cut my time learning the basics in half, if not more. She also edited my entire first manuscript (one that was completely awful, but she turned it into a wonderful learning experience).
What do you write and why this genre?
I write Inspirational Romantic Suspense for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense Line. I write it because I love to read it. I’ve always gone for the mystery, the edge of your seat stories. So, I decided to try my hand at writing one and it’s finally paying off.
Do you have any recent contracts and up-coming releases?
In September (I think) I sold my third manuscript to Harlequin. I sold on proposal, so had to write the thing after selling it. I just finished it and sent it in a few days after Christmas. It was the third in the series. The first book will be out in February, the second in August and the third in November. I also just sent a proposal to my agent to look over and send to my editor, so I’m waiting to hear back about that.
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
My goal, first and foremost is to tell a story the reader can’t put down. And through that story to present God in a way that makes the reader hunger to know more about Him. I desire that my writing glorify Him and for Him to be pleased. As long as He’s pleased, my editor will be pleased…ha.
And now for the tough questions… Oh boy…okay, I’m ready.
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?
It’s a constant juggling act. Seriously. My children and husband come first, of course. I do my best not to write when I should be spending time with them. We homeschool, so that’s our first priority in the morning. After school, then lunch, I shoo my kids off to run off energy, play, etc. I set up my laptop where I can see them in the yard and I go to work. Of course, there are numerous interruptions, but I’m blessed with the ability to work through the confusion…ha. My kids also go to an after school/karate program twice a week which gives me several hours in the afternoon to write while they have fun with peers.
Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, homeschooling, writing, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?
Um…yes, I do, I just don’t. I pretty much do the first three, but staying in shape is the one that’s taken a back seat.
When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?
I write when I can fit it in. Sometimes I get surprised by a block of time due to my children going over to a friend’s house for the afternoon or my mother-in-law or mother offers to keep them. Those days I write like crazy and have been known to get up to 4,000 words down. I also write after they’re in the bed asleep. So, no, I definitely do not feel like I’m neglecting them. I spend so much time with my children, I don’t think I could ever consider doing something for myself a couple of hours a day as being neglectful.
How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?
I just try to go with the flow and know that while I’m in God’s will, He’s going to provide the time to write. The interruptions are expected, even welcomed sometimes, so like I said, I just try to go with it.
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?
You know, I don’t think I ever really get out of the flow of writing. The story is always in my head, the characters are constantly in the background, so even when I’m cooking supper, or answering questions, cleaning house (which is a rare occurrence), doing whatever my kids need me to do, I never really have any trouble just picking up where I left off. It’s weird, I know, but that’s me. J
What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every homeschooling mom has?
I just tell myself, this too shall pass! Ha. And sometimes, if the day is too stormy, we put away the books and do something fun. Or take the books to a different location like the library. Or we do school at night. That’s the beauty of homeschooling, you don’t have to follow a rigid schedule and can always take a break and catch up later. If the problem is me and I need a break, I either call my husband and tell him I need some alone time and expect it at his earliest convenience, or I call my mom and ask her to keep the kids for me while I regroup. If none of the above is available, we go to the library or just go do something fun like play at Chick-Fil-A!
How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?
I have to admit I have to work on this. It usually happens either late at night or early in the morning when everything is quiet and I finally have a chance to sit down and process “stuffâ€. And then I just start talking to God, praying, seeking His face, His will, etc. And then I just sit and or start reading His word. It’s at that point that I’m able to glean what He wants to say to me.
If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?
Oh, this is a daily thing. I have my priorities and I truly try to keep them in order, but I’m human and things slip through the cracks. When I realize what’s happening, I back up and go, okay, I need to reassess and regroup. I pray a lot during the day, too. Ha.
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?
Nope, I’ve never had this happen to me. That’s not to say it won’t happen sometime in the future. I just pray that if/when God tells me to do it, I’ll behave like a grown up and not pout about it or get an attitude about it. J Seriously, if God tells me to do it, I think I’m a mature enough Christian to say that I’ll do it. No, I may not like it, but I do know for a fact that God knows best and I’ll be much happier following His direction.
Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed†God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?
No, I can honestly say I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing at this time in my life. I’m a wife, a mom and an author. (Along with all the other hats moms wear.) And I’m content to be where I am. That is not to say I don’t have ambitions and don’t have any more goals to accomplish because I’ve been published. No way! I just mean I’m secure where I am now, but look forward to what God’s got in mind for the rest of the journey and where He plans to take me next…J
What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?
Don’t give up. Keep focused. Keep your priorities straight. And when you mess up, get rejected, discouraged, and feel like quitting, pick yourself up, take it to God and get back in the game. Also, network with other published authors. Learn something new every day about writing if possible. And if your husband or other family understands your passion, then get ‘em to babysit! Also, don’t feel guilty about spending money on someone to clean your house, babysit your kids for a few hours, etc. You NEED this time. Consider the money an investment in your future and your career. Your sanity (and probably your kids) will thank you.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you so much for allowing me to be here! I love to share about writing, and encouraging others in their journey. I also love the opportunity to give the credit to God. He’s such an awesome Heavenly Father and I just pray we can keep our eyes on Him and realize that without Him, we would have no reason to write. Again, thank you!
Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 600 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family’s story have garnered national media attention for many years, but most recently her family was chosen for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER. Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy, released from Tyndale House Publishers this month. In addition to her non-fiction, she also writes romantic suspense and children’s books. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children in their truly “extreme†home.
Overwhelming trials . . . met with overcoming joy. 
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He really encouraged me a lot. Anyway, the book he loved, ironically, is the one I retitled “It’s Not About Me.†Is that a hoot or what. I’ve since lost touch with this editor (who shall remain unnamed) but if he sees this I hope he gets my book so he can see that it made it out there and is now being read by people. Yay!
How does writing while unpublished differ from writing under a contract? 
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