To make this fun I thought I’d play a little game and see if you can name the people in these photos. The person who gets the most answers right wins…books. I’ll probably keep the contest going until I get home!
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6. Please ignore the REALLY bad picture of me and concentrate on the person in the middle!
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Well, this will have to do for now. Internet connection is very slow!
TRISH PERRY lives in
Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
I have two fantastic kids: my adult daughter, who has grown to be one of my dearest friends; and my teenaged son, who is one of the most grounded Christians I know. I also have a gorgeous grandson from my daughter’s marriage. All three of them crack me up constantly.
And my family has always honored and supported my writing efforts. I started writing seriously twelve or thirteen years ago, while I earned my Psychology degree. The Lord helped me do well with my degree work, and I could tell I was in His will. But mere months before I graduated, I experienced a specific moment when He made clear to me that He wanted me to focus on my writing once I finished my degree. I assumed I would eventually go to grad school and become a counselor, but that wasn’t what He had in mind.
How did you get your first “writing break?”
I have a hard time pinpointing which event was “the” break. But certainly getting that first contract was a huge step, made possible through the efforts of my hardworking agent, Tamela Hancock Murray. I had just finished a spiritual warfare novel and was working on a romantic comedy. Tamela judged a writing contest in which I entered the first three chapters of my new novel. She called the contest organizers and asked who the author was, saying she was interested in representing her. That was the start of a wonderful relationship for me. Within months after I completed my manuscript, Tamela won a two-book contract for me.
What do you write and why this genre?
As I mentioned, my first novel (as yet unpublished) is spiritual warfare. I wrote it because the Lord put that book on my heart first. I actually expect to publish it someday; I think it’s a good story. But I’m sure it needs significant tweaking. My next two books were chick lit, and that’s what I’ve published so far. I was so ready to write something light and fun after that spiritual warfare story, the chick lits came fairly easily to me. I know all about branding, and I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to develop a solid reader base, but I’m also open to other suggestions and ideas from my publishers. I just love writing and would like to do it forever, regardless of the genre.
Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?
Yes, my third novel releases July 2008. The title is Beach Dreams, and it involves several characters from my two published novels (The Guy I’m Not Dating and Too Good to Be True). In an interesting twist, the book will release as the third book in the Sally John Beach House series. It’s a contemporary romance with a strong dose of chick lit. Ideally, my readers and Sally’s readers will cross over and discover another author’s works. I must say I’ll get the better end of that crossover, should it happen. Sally has quite a following.
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
I never set out with a message in my stories, but themes present themselves through the interactions between my characters. I love that about Christian writing. I think God is behind those theme developments. And it’s such a blessing when a reader writes to me and tells me how a particular facet of my book was exactly what she needed to read at this point in her life.
But what I hope to accomplish when I write is to entertain. As a reader I enjoy a book because the story and the characters make me laugh, cry, or become otherwise emotionally invested in the outcome. I hope to have that effect on readers, too.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?
I’m only a mom and a writer at present, which probably makes life a little easier for me than for some other authors. I always put my family before my writing, so when my kids were younger, I didn’t get much writing done. Danielle Steele I ain’t. I remember reading about how she managed to do it all, and I knew her methods would never sit well with me (she said enviously). But now that my kids are older, they need my time less, and they respect and understand my work and what I need to give to it. If I’m under a tight deadline, life simply gets less flexible here at home, and my kids know the rigidity is temporary.
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?
Absolutely not! Well, let’s amend that. If you’re under a crazy enough deadline, chances are you’ll have to put something on hold. Not only can you make yourself crazy trying to accomplish it all, you risk doing a lousy job in all three areas.
You listed the three tasks in exactly the order I would have, if asked to prioritize. As I mentioned above, I sacrificed much of my earlier writing time to raising my kids, and I don’t regret a moment of that. I have phenomenal relationships with my kids, and that doesn’t happen without an investment of time.
If I’m under a tough deadline, I do what I can to stay in shape. But the day’s writing comes before working out. There’s a svelte, well-toned vision of beauty trapped inside this squishy, deadline-reaching writer’s body. I remember what it was like to have a tight tush. Maybe that will happen again some day.
When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?
There was one point a couple of years ago when I felt I wasn’t there enough for my son. I figured it out when he said, “You’re never here when I need you,” or some such subtle comment that just about ripped my heart out. I was also involved with leading a women’s Bible study and singing on the worship team at that time. I dropped out of the worship team and stepped back from a leadership role in the Bible study. Those changes freed up enough time that I was able to write and be there for my son when he needed me. I remember his comment whenever church organizers request volunteers and my hand gets itchy to get on up there. I’ve learned to say no—or to keep my mouth shut—to keep my priorities straight.
How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?
I screen all of my phone calls through my answering machine, and I bring a hard copy of my current project with me if I have to leave the house on an errand. I’m never frustrated waiting in a line at the Post Office, for example, because I work during that time. And I try to group all of my errands together in one day, to minimize time away from the computer. My son is old enough to know when I need to be alone with my work, and I schedule my writing time so that I mostly write when he’s gone, regardless of what time of day or night that might be.
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?
I usually read the tail end of the chapter before my new one, or I read what I’ve done so far on a current chapter. If I don’t fall right into the flow, I literally drop my head into my hand and pray. Sometimes I have to wait awhile, but if I just start hammering away after prayer, not worrying about perfection, the chapter starts to fall into place. Then I go back and clean up what I started with. It’s a little like batting warm-ups. I go back and remove the warm-up.
What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?
I mean this with all my heart: If I ever find myself getting down or stressed about my life or my writing career, I remember Who is running my life and career. I know where my blessings come from. I remind myself that He’ll continue to help me write entertaining books that will occasionally touch a chord for particular readers. That assurance and those rewards are what encourage me.
On a more practical level, when I’m going through a stormy day, writing is a great escape. If I need help to get into my characters’ environment, I find it through movies and books in the same genre as mine. So I’ll watch a movie scene or read a few pages to get into the mood.
How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?
Every morning, when I’m the only one up, the first thing I do is sit and wait, without praying, just for a few minutes. I usually don’t “hear” anything from God, but I firmly believe He blesses me with thoughts and ideas that emerge later in the day. Sometimes the ideas emerge through the noises of life swirling around me. I hear a comment or see an interaction between two people, and I recognize something that would translate well into my story (or a future story).
But I don’t write full-out in the midst of life’s noises. Many writers talk about writing in the middle of a coffee shop or while listening to mood music. Not me. The noises of life shut my “write” hemisphere down if I have to hear them for long. Earlier I mentioned writing while in line. I’m like Rain Man during those brief periods. I strain to guard my delicate focus, to the detriment of the humdrum events happening around me. I usually have to be prodded out of my characters’ world to do the real-life thing for which I’m in line. If I’m too aware of what’s happening around me, visually or audibly, I simply can’t exist in my characters’ world. And let’s face it, when we write, we should be right there in our fictional worlds, either inside our characters’ hearts or observing them closely. Unless my heroine is facing her conflict in the middle of Starbucks, I’m blown back to reality when I hear a barista yell “Vente-Double-Shot-Soy-Caramel-Macchiato!”
If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?
I pray, of course, for guidance. And I determine if I’ve allowed anything to encroach upon my valuable time—isn’t all of our time valuable? Even the time I lounge with my son in front of a silly movie; that’s valuable to me. And, of course, my writing time is valuable. My time with God and my time at church are also valuable. If I find my priorities slipping, there’s usually something extraneous that has to go. After all these years, I know what’s most important in my life. It’s a short list. Everything else is luxury. Sometimes I have room for luxury; sometimes I don’t. Again, it’s a matter of knowing when to say no.
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?
Certainly. As I mentioned before, I wasn’t able to give much time to my writing when my kids were younger. They were my focus. I simply had to think long-term and accept that the day would come when I could write more than I did then. And it did.
This past year required a hiatus, as well. Within the span of one week, my second book released, my parents both experienced significant health crises, and my husband turned 49, stated he wanted “to start over,” and left us. It didn’t take much prompting from the Lord to get me to step away from my writing for a while. My loving agent, my understanding publishing house, and many dear friends blessed me during that time of transition.
If we continually turn our writing over to the Lord, the experience is an amazing blessing. One of the greatest things about writing is the ability to look back over your efforts of the past week, the past month, or even several years and relive the results of the work you did for Him. And those results are like snapshots of your heart at given points in time. Even when the story is about fictional characters, it tells much about you, too.
Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?
One of my favorite revelations was with regard to this very issue. The day my first book released, I suddenly got nervous. What if my friends hated my writing? What if my family was disappointed by my book? What if I misread God’s guidance?
Within an hour God blessed me by showing me that fear didn’t come from Him. He reminded me of the joy I have in writing. He reminded me that I felt similar joy while pursuing my Psychology degree. And then He reminded me that, rather than His guiding me by making me fail and feel inadequate with my Psychology efforts, He simply drew me toward a desire for writing. When we seek His will, God doesn’t guide us by crushing us. He guides us by drawing us. I know as long as I feel this joy in writing, I’m in His will. If He ever wants me doing something else, he’ll lovingly draw me there.
What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?
If you feel the kind of joy I just described, just hang in there. Don’t fret about the time that passes you by while you do the mom thing. The mom thing is the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life. Write when you can and know that easier writing times will come.
I have always felt blessed that the Lord didn’t give me a contract while my children were very young. My contract came once my kids understood the time I needed to devote to my writing. He knows when you’ll be able. When your family will be able. Trust Him.
There wasn’t enough time to spend with Amy on Monday, so she’s back again!
Why did you choose the genre of Christian Fantasy for your first published book?
I love fantasy and grew up reading anything I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, most of that was secular fantasy, which really caused some corruption to my soul. Although I was raised in the church, I began to question what I knew was truth as a young teen and found myself beginning to believe in Druidism, witchcraft, occult and other harmful teachings. God rescued me in college, and I gave up all of what I had surrounded myself with. In writing Seed of Seerling, I wanted to give Christians the option of enjoying a purely fantasy novel but also develop a deeper love and understanding of God.
The characters in Seed of Seerling struggle with personal and spiritual sacrifice. How can their struggles help us?
We live in a fast paced society that puts great emphasis on personal success. To achieve that success that we yearn for, even as Christians, we will often sacrifice the things that are most important. Abortion, neglect of children and even neglect of service are the penalties Christians often pay to “get ahead” in the game of life. My characters learn that true sacrifice is giving up our own wants and desires to serve the higher calling of the One True God.
What do you want readers to gain from reading Seed of Seerling?
It is my greatest desire that anyone who reads my book will question their own walk with Christ and their own calling for the Lord and dedicate themselves entirely to Him.
You have said that your goal is to help bridge the gap between Christian fiction and self-help books. How do you plan to go about this in your own writing?
I am an avid reader and have recently been disappointed with the amount of Christian books that are being produced purely for enjoyment. I believe that God has called writers to a higher mission, and we should all use our platform to teach His word. I believe a fiction book can also be a book where the reader is taught something solid and walks away changed forever for God. That’s the type of book I like to read.
I understand that you had a kidney transplant in 1999. How did the four and a half years of bad health change your Christian Walk and ministry?
It came a huge shock to me and my family when, after giving birth to my second son, I became ill with renal failure. Of course I questioned God about why I had to do dialysis for four and a half years without any matches of a kidney. But, I can honestly tell you that He changed me in that time and used me in powerful ways that humble me to this day. One example is when in 1996 I was diagnosed with Vasculitis. My entire vascular system shut down. I remember the day when the doctor came into my hospital room and told me and my husband that he did not believe I would live beyond the weekend. At that time my children were four and two years old. God healed me. It was hard and painful, and I endured a years worth of chemo therapy and many weeks worth of painful procedures while still doing hemo dialysis, but God healed me.
The miracle is that almost an exact year later, a seven year old girl whom I was acquainted with through dialysis became very ill and was hospitalized. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong with her. I shared my story of Vasculitis with her mother, a nurse since our symptoms were so similar. The doctors refused to do the expensive tests on Jessie since they said the disease was almost unheard of in children. Her mother persisted, and they found that she did in fact have Vasculitis. If it were not for my own near death experience a year before, that little girl might not be alive today. We praised God that I had almost died, so Jessie could have life. She is now happy and healthy with her own new kidney in North Carolina. This is only one example of God’s faithfulness in what I perceived to be my tragedies.
Were there any moments during the long time of illness that you felt God close to you/speaking to you? Oh, yes. When I was told that I would not live past the weekend in 1996, I began to sincerely pray that God would send a Christian woman to be the wife of my husband and mother to my beautiful boys. God clearly and audibly spoke into my heart while I sat in my hospital bed and said, “My foolish, foolish child. You are that woman that I have sent.” From that day on I knew my doctor was wrong and am hear today, alive and healthy because of God.
What words would you use to encourage someone today who is close to giving up on their dreams of ministry? Never give up, even when things seem at there worse. I have dreamed of and believed God had called me to be an author since I was 12 years old. It took many trials and several turns in the road, but I am now living that dream and thanking him daily for every chance He has given me. Everything is in His timing!
How does your family motivate and challenge you in writing? I have the best family in the world. My house may be full of testosterone, but it is also filled with caring, loving men who encourage and lift me up when I am down. My husband and two sons have been the greatest encouragers and reminders of God’s love.
What are your goals for future books? Seed of Seerling is the first book of the Crossroads trilogy. I am currently finishing the second book King of Harkan and am working on two Christian children’s books. I also write skits and plays and will eventually be compiling them all into several books for sale. However, the book I know God is calling me to write is the story of what He has done in my life. I am currently waiting on His timing and His inspiration.
Who are the authors that have inspired you? I have been most inspired by the Old Testament stories of the Bible. My favorite authors are Frank Peretti, Francine River, Jane Austin…oh the list goes on and on and on.
Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
I knew at the age of 12 I was called to be a writer. God kept giving me ideas for characters and full stories that I played with and developed but never had the ambition or knowledge of how to publish. When I was in high school I constantly had girls and boys coming up to me and asking me to write stories about them. We’d sit in typing class where I would read the short stories that I had come up with. It seemed to entertain them.
Growing up, I don’t think my family understood me. I know they thought I was strange because I preferred to read a book or write a story than do anything else. My husband, of 18 years, also says that he thought I was strange when we first met. After we got married he would get so angry with me for not doing dishes or laundry and instead reading and writing all day. He also thought it was weird when I would jump out of bed in the middle of the night or early morning and run for my journals, but he patiently endured all my strange ways. Now that I have finally done something with my stories, he is very proud of me. He likes to tell his friends that he’s married to a woman who has four or five worlds living in her head. I tell him it’s more like ten. Our two sons are also an inspiration in giving me ideas and helping me with scenarios when I get stuck.
How did you get your first “writing break?”
After years of poor health, I finally got a kidney transplant in 1999. We moved from southern
What do you write and why this genre?
I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t write down what God gave me. I feel that I would unfaithful with the gift He has given me if I kept everything bottled up for myself as I used to do. I chose the genre of Christian Fantasy for my first published book because as a teen I delved heavily in fantasy stories. Unfortunately, the only things around were secular and very bad for my spiritual well being. It is my prayer that God will use my writing to bring adults and teens to a deeper relationship with their heavenly Father as well as good, clean entertainment.
Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?
My book Seed of Seerling is scheduled for release
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
I am an avid reader and have recently been disappointed with the amount of Christian books that are being produced purely for enjoyment. I believe that God has called writers to a higher mission, and we should all use our platform to teach His word. I believe a fiction book can also be a book where the reader is taught something solid and walks away changed forever for God. That’s the type of book I like to read.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, writer, and working?
I have to admit that it isn’t as easy as I would hope at times. When I sat down to write the first book, my family did take a back seat for about a month. Something they did not like. Now, I’m learning to write in my spare time or when my family is busy elsewhere.
I am blessed to have two children who communicate even though they are boys. I love to ask them questions and hear about their lives. We take time almost every day to just sit and gab. I also stop everything I’m doing when they walk in from school or when they sit next to me and start talking. Those are the best times.
My children are teenagers now, and my husband and I have more time alone, which really helps our marriage. We take time to go out on special lunch and breakfast dates when they are in school, and we go for long walks in the evenings. It also helps that we both like sports, especially volleyball. We’re on adult leagues together. This helps build our relationship, relationships with our friends and keeps us both in shape.
I have the best full time job in the world. My boss is understanding about my writing and supportive. When I need time off, I get it. It’s the best of both worlds.
Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, working, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?
Yes, I do believe that you can be a great mom, get the stuff you need to get done and also meet your own goals. However, I feel everything needs to be kept in perspective in order of importance. My most important goal outside of my own relationship with God is my family. God gave them to me, and it’s my responsibility to make sure they get my best. I find that when I honor the Lord with my life, He makes it possible for me to have the rest. Keeping in shape does take a back seat, but only because we live in a very cold state, and most of the things I like to do require good weather.
When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?
I did feel as though I neglected my family when I sat down to write my first book. It was hard to find a balance between my family, writing and working full time. Praise the Lord that with the second book, I’m finding a better balance even though it means that this book is taking me twice as long to write.
How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?
I may be strange, but interruptions really don’t bother me much. My stories live in my head. All I have to do is write them down. If I have to stop and do something else, it’s okay because I’m carrying the story with me. If I forget an inspiration, I just chock it up to God must not of wanted that there anyway. He always gives me what I need when I need it.
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?
See above for answer.
What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?
My biggest storms come in the form of self-doubt. That’s where my husband comes in. He always reminds me why I’m writing and keeps me grounded in reality by reminding me that it’s okay if someone doesn’t like my stories. My children are also huge supporters. They give me ideas for stories all the time and even help me come up with characters at times.
How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?
I’m an observer and always have been. Traveling in a car, sitting in a café, watching people in a mall…these are all ways that I stop, listen for God’s voice and observe what is going on in life. Inspiration also comes when I’m reading my bible or worshiping. The best inspiration for my stories has come when I’m actually sleeping.
If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?
I believe that everyone needs to be in a home church where they can minister and be ministered to. Helping people gets me out of my head and back into the reality of what God wants from me.
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?
Yes, I had four and a half years of illness where I did dialysis. My health was very bad, and I had a few times where my doctors didn’t think I would survive. With my health so poor and trying to mother two small boys, I felt as though God had taken away my creativity. I went most of that time without writing anything. I felt as though a piece of me was missing, but I couldn’t figure out how to get it back again. It was difficult for my spirit to give that up, but I look back and understand how vital it was that I concentrate on my family and health. I just didn’t have the energy or ability to do more than that during that time period.
Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?
No! This is what I’m called to do right now, and I want to do it all for God’s glory. I’ve been through a time in my life where I thought my gift had been taken away. Now that it is back, I’m going to do it all for Him. If He decides to point me in a different direction one day, then I pray I will be listening to follow His path.
What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?
Don’t give up! No matter what is going on in your life, keep writing and put the effort into trying to find a publisher. Writing always came easy for me, sharing it with others was hard. I was afraid of rejection, but my husband constantly reminds me that rejection is a part of life. Not everyone is going to like, read or want my work, but someone may. Keep at it!
Mary Connealy is the author of Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon, Alaska Brides, a three book series including Of Mice and Murder from Heartsong Presents Mysteries, and the South Dakota Brides series from Heartsong Presents. She has recently signed an exclusive contract with Barbour Publishing for eighteen books through 2012.
Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
I just seem to have always tended toward expressing myself with the written word. I always wrote too long on the essay tests. I have writing
I wrote my first romance novel at age 12, long lost. Probably for the best!
I think God just gave me this love for writing. I don’t really think about being a writer as something I do. It’s something I am. That’s kind of odd but it seems to be true.
I’ve got four daughters. I was a stay at home mom for twenty-seven years and I did almost all my writing with the girls underfoot. I didn’t really start writing seriously until the youngest was in school.
My husband is a farmer. He milked cows for those twenty-seven years and, about the time he was going to crack-up for exhaustion, we decided the girls were old enough and I went to work and he sold the cows. Now he has beef cows instead and row crops, corn and beans mainly. I teach GED. The baby graduated from high school last spring, three months after Petticoat Ranch released. I didn’t see it those ten years I was writing without being published but now I can be very content that God gave me a new season in life.
How did you get your first “writing break?”
I won a contest. I won the Noble Theme Contest sponsored by ACFW. Because I was a finalist, I worked up the nerve to take the first trip of my life without my husband and get on a plane for the first time every. It was the
Because of the attention of placing first and third, I got a lot of requests for submissions and caught the interest of my agent. Of all those requests only Barbour Heartsong wanted to see more. They didn’t buy the book I subbed to them but they did say they liked my writing. Cathy Marie Hake was my real break. She asked me to come in on a three book series set in historical
At the 2006 ACFW Conference in
What do you write and why this genre?
I write in three different genres but primarily historical western, romantic comedy suspense…yes Gina, it is
LOL! Hey, it’s selling, isn’t it!
Besides
I love writing in the different genres but I always come back to historical. There’s just something that soothes my heart about a tough cowboy looking in confusion and a pretty little lady, as they try to figure out why they can’t stop coming back to have another fight.
Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?
Oh, man do it. Use whatever of this you want.
Of Mice and Murder (cozy mystery)
Clueless Cowboy (Heartsong) November
Bossy Bridegroom (Heartsong) December
Then in 2009 Gingham Mountain the third book in the series that started with Petticoat Ranch, as well as two more longer books and two more cozy mysteries. It’s a really exciting time for me.
You are one busy and blessed lady. I guess all those years writing without publication is finally catching up to you!
What do you attribute your 18 book deal to?
Well, for one thing, I’d never EVER had been able to say yes to all these contracts if I hadn’t had twenty finished books on my computer before I signed the first contract. I’d have never made such a commitment.
So, write adn keep writing. Do NOT write one book adn commit years of your life to trying to get it published. I mean sure, commit your life to trying that, but also keep writing.
Of the eighteen.
One HP that was part of a three book series written by three separate authors. That’s my first book.
Then a contract came through for Petticoat Ranch. Petticoat Ranch, when the contracted it, they asked if I could have the manuscript to them in TWO WEEKS. That is unheard of. I suspect some opening popped up, someone reneged on a contract somehow…death maybe???
If I hadn’t been able to say yes, sure, no need to wait two weeks. HERE, I attached it to this email…hey might have passed me over
Petticoat Ranch, Bk #2
Then they bought a cozy mystery, the line was just starting, and they wanted a three book series Bk #3, 4, 5
Then Petticoat Ranch sold well enough they wanted a second book…I say, “It’s a three book series adn all three are already done. They bought one and said maybe on the next one. Bk 6.
Then they bought a three book HP series, two of which were done Bk 7, 8, 9
Then Barbour decides to expand their fiction line and I’m here with my arm waving saying, “I’ve got a third book in this series done adn I’ve got two more already done in the next three book series and a solid proposal for the third.
My agent met with BArbour’s president, I think at ICRS last summer and here comes this offer for a nine book exclusive contract…18.
So there was luck, being in a good place to react when Barbour starts expanding. And there was preparation, having all these books ready and proving … by having them ready … that I am capable of writing more.
How important do you think entering contests are? I’ve had mixed feelings about contests especially since every time I enter the Genesis I get two really high scores and one really low score. It’s turned me off from contests, but I’m considering entering one more…deadline is tomorrow! I just wonder if it’s better to spend my $30 getting a good synopsis critique by a fiction editor instead.
I consider contests to be the thing that led me to publications. Winning the Noble Theme Contest in 2005 led in a pretty direct way, to HP offering me my first contract. I believe in contests. And if you hate the criticism, then just consider it part of growing a thick hide. You need one to survive.
I think you learn from the critiques, even the ones you don’t think are fair, because you can get an idea of where people lose their way in your book. So if they make some mindless comment and you say, “You didn’t understand my book, moron.” You can also ask yourself, why didn’t they understand. If someone doesn’t understand whatever your heroine’s career is and says in their judges comments, “You know NOTHING about synchronized swimming.” well, there’s something to be learned from that because of course you know all about synchronized swimming. But the reader missed your point, so make your point BETTER.
I’m sure this is somewhat my ego talking, because I’ve had those wildly divergent scores too, but I like to think that if you’ve got a really unique, strong, different voice, you will have a strong affect on people, and not always a good affect. So someone is just unhappy with your book because it’s so different. But different is good. But that’s also why it takes a while to get published because you need the right editor in the right mood with the right needs to get that contract.
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
I want to make people laugh while being faithful to the gift God gave me.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?
I’m afraid my answer isn’t going to please writing moms? Uh oh. I didn’t exactly balance it. I did the writing for all those years while the kids were in school and now they’re grown up.
I think it would be incredibly tough to be doing the things I’m doing now, lots of weekends at book signings, traveling, not a lot, but some, late nights writing and doing promotion online. I see people do it but I’m not sure how. I feel like, at least for me, God gave me a season of motherhood (a LONG season) and now He’s giving me a new direction, a new ministry.
Did you write when your children were at home? Why or why not?
At school. I did some after they’d come home at night, but my children were always my priority. Well, that sounds noble, honestly the noisy little monsters wouldn’t leave me alone, so yes, they were my priority whether I wanted them to be or not!
Honestly, Gina, I see my life now and we’re not as well off financially as a lot of people we know. People who had both parents working all the years the kids were growing up. Our house isn’t fancy. We drive old cars. We don’t take fancy vacations and our idea of a great date night is Taco Tuesday at Barney’s Bar in
But those are just passing feelings and we KNOW the choices we made were the right one. Our daughters are wonderful people. Not perfect, but I feel like they’ve grown up to be their truest best selves. I feel like a mom at home, making the children and family the center of her world gives kids a great view of what’s important, relationships over money. To me, when I see people who are really prosperous and care so much about their children and who have raised great kids WITH Mom working, I think they’re sending a bad message. They’re saying to those kids you are so, so, so important to me. And guess what? Money’s got you beat. So how important does that make money and things?
All you’ve got to do is look around at the rampant materialism and almost desperate chase after cool toys and great clothes and surface appearance and know these kids have been raised with a distorted view of money.
I understand what your saying. I struggled with sending my kids to school this year (we homeschooled for the privious three) because I didn’t want the school to have more time with them than I did. So I’m bringing my 1st and 3rd grader home next year. My 6th and 8th will be in school, where they need to be!
When did you find the time to write, and did you ever feel like you were neglecting your children when you write?
I wrote while they were in school mainly. I feel like attending that conference put me over the top, seriously, to getting published and I never once considered doing that when the girls were young. But I needed time to develop as a writer so that’s okay.
I don’t know about neglecting them. I think a mom always feels like she could have done more, don’t you?
Definitely!
I think guilt is the primary motivator of my mothers.
I do know that when my youngest daughter moved out of the house for college my main reaction was this weird, looming sense of failure.
She is a fine young lady. Salutatorian of her class, Dean’s List at college, beautiful and ambitious and faithful. All my girls are wonderful. But for a mom I don’t think it can ever be enough. I think that’s just part of being a mom. I just knew it was too late.
Everything I wanted to say to her.
Everything I wanted to share with her about my faith.
Every lesson I wanted her to learn.
She either had it or it was too late, too late, too late. Oh, wow, I’m going to make myself cry now. I’ll stop.
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?
Keeping in shape? What sick impulse made you add that to the list???
Sure it’s possible. Although ‘fully’? I’m not sure what that means. I definitely had to make choices. So maybe not. You can give all you’ve got but in the end you have to make choices just limited by the hours in the day. Keeping in shape went by the way side about baby number three (oh, who am I kidding…baby number two).
Is it any easier writing now that your children are grown?
Absolutely easier. My evenings are my own—well, my husband is there but he’s no trouble. I can travel. I don’t have to share the computer…the little hogs always wanted a turn.
Is parenting your grown children easier than raising them while they were young?
Way easier. I still am very involved and I worry of course, but it’s no where near the level of worry or work.
What would you say to moms who can’t wait until their children are older so they can write more?
Don’t blame you. And I look back on those days when I had all four girls running around biting my ankles and long for it. But you know what? All the stages of their lives are so interesting and wonderful. I wouldn’t want to wish them back to babyhood.
I had a friend who’s sons graduated with my two middle daughters. Or just about the same years as them. I worked with her. She was so young! She got married right out of high school and had her two kids immediately then stopped. She was 37-ish when the first one graduated and 39 or so when the second one graduated. She cried like a lunatic. I’m not kidding. She just cried and cried and cried.
But you know what? She was so young and she was DONE with children.
I was pretty young when I got married but not children for two years, that’s not THAT long of a wait, then I had four over ten years.
What interruptions in your writing didn’t you expect once your children were older and out of the home?
Having a job interrupts me. But it’s really routine so the interruptions are a surprise. Having about eight Saturday book signings scheduled in August and September is pretty overwhelming. I’d like a Saturday free now and then but that’s not gonna happen!!!
How do you handle these interruptions in your writing life?
I scowl and complain and make my husband miserable. NO! I roll with the punches. I think after you’ve been a mom as long as I have, you get used to changing your plans when someone comes up with a fever. It’s pretty easy to handle interruptions for me.
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?
I have no problem. I usually try to make a note at the point I’m being pulled away (I learned that from the kids) about where I’m going with this scene. That helps me get back into it.
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?
No, not really. But I did learn, by looking back, that God had my career planned on his time schedule not mine. Wow, that is so easy for me to say as a published author. Those are words that I remember making me feel pretty bad when I was unpublished. So I’ll shut up about that.
Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?
No, this is what I’m meant to be. I’m so amazed that I’m a published author. Just so beyond amazed. I always wrote with my eye on publication. I submitted so many manuscripts and got rejected so many times. But at some point I developed a sense of hopelessness. And I think that was good for me. I expected to get rejected. I expected to lose contests. I expected agents to turn me down. I found that far less painful than sending out my queries then sitting around hoping only to have my hopes dashed. I strongly encourage a sense of hopelessness in all your readers. Hey, if you DO get a contract, you can always get perked up then. In the mean time, keep WRITING. That was always my solution to everything. Start another book. I had twenty books finished on my computer when I got my first contract. Some of them stink. But a lot to them, with some revisions, have now sold. Which is thrilling. I think, if I never got another contract after the ones I’ve got now, I’d still just keep writing for the rest of my life. I just entertain the heck out of myself.
What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?
Grow a tough hide. Put your kids first…they’re gonna make you anyway, might as well adopt it as a lifestyle as if it is YOUR IDEA. And above all keep writing and remain hopeless (okay, I’m trying to be funny—sort of—it’s a bad thing when I need to label my jokes)
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Through this all I’ve been thinking of this wall hanging I needle pointed when I had little ones. Yes, I can do needlepoint, I knit and crochet like a genius, too, although I haven’t for a long, long time
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait ’til tomorrow
For babies grow up, we’ve learned to our sorrow
So, quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep
I’m rocking my baby, and babies don’t keep
(I did NOT write this-but I could have-I have the dust and cobwebs part down pat)
That is a so true and by the look of my house, I could have written it as well. Thanks so much, Mary for sharing your encouraging journey with us! Even if we don’t see publication while our children are little, there’s a season after waiting for us! If you’d like to win ONE of Mary’s books. Then leave a comment!
Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
My husband and I have four children ages 16, 9, 8, and 4. While he serves as pastor of a church, I do my best to home school, write, clean house and any pastor’s wife responsibilities. That list didn’t even include being a mother and a wife, did it?
I’ve been writing on and off for as long as I can remember, but never seriously. I never had a clear direction until 2001. Though God had pursued me for years to write, I’d come to a point where I actually laughed at the very idea God would call me to such a purpose. But he didn’t let go, and I ended up reading Marlene Bagnull’s Write His Answer bible study for writers. I did this in order to know for sure that God had called me. Before I finished reading the study I knew. Call it a divine appointment, I then met DiAnn Mills who got me started in ACFW (Then ACRW) where I met my wonderful critique partners. Most of us still crit each other’s work today and several of us are published.
How did you get your first “writing break?”
As I’m sure you know, the writing “game” isn’t for the faint of heart. I’ve come to believe that you must be driven and completely out of your mind to pursue it. That is, unless you’re a Christian and you know the Lord’s telling you to do something. That’s the wonderful advantage we have as Christian writers—we have the God factor. (maybe I need to start a blog on that one. he he) I said all of that because your question reminded me of how hard it is. I’ve had plenty of things fall through due to just plain bad timing, so the term writing “break” really is appropriate. In 2005 I partnered with Lisa Harris and Lena Nelson Dooley (both crit partners and close friends) to propose a states series to Heartsong Presents. We heard from the editor in January 2006 at which time I wrote the manuscript. Did not hear they had selected the series until October of 2006. My book did not release until December of 2007. It’s a very long process!
What do you write and why this genre?
Funny thing is that I never planned to write romance. I loved reading historicals so wanted to write that genre. But I learned to write by writing romances. I spent several years writing historical romances but my first book to be published is a contemporary romance—the first contemp I’d written. Still, I love thrillers and suspense and I couldn’t write the romance without an element of suspense. What has surprised me is how many readers comment on the mystery. Now that I consider it, I put a puzzle to solve into the story. I love new and interesting settings, action and adventure and a strong spiritual element. All of those can be put into any genre, perhaps creating a sub-genre.
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
My favorite novels always bring up and answer some deep question. I love nuggets and I love to dig for them. But most importantly, I hope to bring glory to God and in some way be “a planting of the Lord” – allow Him to use the work for his purpose. I hope my novels carry an important spiritual thread—but not preachy. Hopefully being a Christian writer means that the spiritual thread will grow organically from the story, rather than me trying to force a message into the story.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?
Oh. Ack! You had to ask this. Well it’s a tough question and the answer is tough—to find, that is. This is a continual struggle and it causes me to question God, not his calling, but why in the world He would call me to this. I think I’m doing much better at the balancing than I was. First and foremost is to not allow yourself to become obsessed with the writing. Stories come from living, spending time with your family, being the wife you want to be and the mother you want to be. I’ve done my share of ignoring the family to get that all-important manuscript written. At this point, I have a to do list and while I spend some time on writing, a good part of my day is spent on my family. I have to make a conscious effort to do that. I used to spend evenings on the computer but now I try to watch movies with my kids or we play board games.
I think, too, we spend too much time on non-writing related internet things—like IM and emailing. Networking is important, but just think how much time you would have if when you opened up your computer you did nothing else but write.
I don’t have a good answer to your question but I’m continually trying new things. Right now, I’ve been considering how much time I spend trying to market myself, blog, join endless social networks. I’m praying for divine appointments so that maybe I don’t have to do so much of that work myself.
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?
No. SCREAM. I personally don’t think it’s possible though I’m sure there are those who would disagree. Let me know when you interview someone who can do it all. The first thing to take a backseat is exercise. I try to get them started on the home schooling and then squeeze in time on the treadmill or exercise bike while someone will read to me. I want to be available. But there are always so many unexpected interruptions. If I wait until later in the day to exercise it never gets done.
When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?
I try to write in the afternoon after school is done and house is clean. The struggle is that it takes me a while to get into the story and sometimes, my writing time has ended by the time my head is there. But to answer your other question, yes I always feel like I’m neglecting them, especially if I end up writing through the evening. I sometimes will picture what it would be like if I weren’t a writer. I could play endless games with my kiddoes or do other meaningful things. But I know that they’re proud of me and each of them has asked for a copy of my book. My middle son asked if he could help me come up with ideas. My teenage daughter writes, too, so I know there are good things about the writing.
How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?
Not very well. It depends, too, on what type of interruption your referring to. I mentioned I have a four year old. He seems to be in constant need of attention. Wants me to hold him or get him milk or or or. . .It’s frustrating. I’ll admit there are times when I’m in a well-balanced state of mind and I’ll drop everything to answer his needs—as it should be. But other times I become frustrated.
Again, though, as I mentioned before, I’m learning to handle things much better. I’m learning to live one day at a time and to accomplish what I can, not worry about the rest. Sometimes I want to compare myself to others. For instance, it takes me a long time to put together a proposal, but I see others whip them out in an afternoon. I wonder what it would be like to have uninterrupted writing time which never happens. Never for me.
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted? Sometimes I don’t. I’ve heard that it helps to have a certain type of music you listen to while working on your project, then you can quickly get back into the story. For me, though, if I’m truly into the story, I don’t come out so fast because the characters continue to live on in my head. Sometimes, an interruption is just what I need because while I’m getting someone milk a new idea or scene comes to mind.
What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every homeschooling mom has?
Well I usually start calling all the local Christian schools to see if they have openings! Seriously, I do that. Then I end up feeling good about the fact that I’m home schooling. It helps too, if you vary what you’re doing. Make schooling fun for everyone. Put on geography songs and dance to them. Anything can be a learning experience. When we have the stormy days the best cure is for Mom to relax, get happy and do something fun. I tend to become too serious and make us all miserable.
How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you? That can sometimes take DAYS. It really is a condition of the heart even more than noises swirling, but the noises can affect that condition. For me, putting on my favorite worship music, even though it might take hours, will pull me back to that place where I can hear His voice.
If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?
Pray, pray, pray and work on my to do list. I’ve become fanatical about that list. As long as something is there I can organize when to get it done. I don’t worry about doing it until that moment. It’s the same with laundry. It took me a lifetime to learn how to keep up with laundry. Here I am in my forties with six people to wash for and I had to come up with a plan out of desperation. What did I do? I made a list! Each person has their own basket and their own day that their clothes are done. I stick to that list that way I don’t ever feel overwhelmed because all the laundry isn’t done. It’s the same for the priorities. Give priorities their days or times of day and stick to that.
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?
Not in a big way, no. I keep waiting for him to do just that so I can have a break! But lately, He is showing me that I can put my writing aside to enjoy my family, to focus on Him, and then go back to it later that day or on another day.
Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?
I think we all have nagging doubts at times. Even though I’ve run from Him on the issue of writing in the past, and I know that I know that I know that he’s called me to do it, yes, sometimes I begin to doubt, thinking I’ve missed Him.
What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?
That is a tough place to be. I’m there, too. Once you achieve publication, you have to keep achieving it. The struggle never ends. That’s why it’s most important
to put writing in its place. You don’t want it to become an idol. Remember that where you heart is there your treasure is also. But if God has told you to do a thing, do it with all your heart, and do it unto Him, then you can never go wrong. Your validation comes from Him, not from publishers. It’s a hard truth, but isn’t He the one that gives the desire? When you’re discouraged just pray for the Lord’s guidance and comfort and I promise He will give it along with encouragement in your writing. Every time.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Balancing anything is always hard. In fact, before I finished this interview two of my little guys climbed into my lap and wouldn’t let me keep writing! I thought it was strangely appropriate, though. Home schooling moms who write are special. I wrote an article last year on my blog called the homeschooling-multi-children-novel-writing-mom syndrome. You can read it for fun.
http://bethgoddard.blogspot.com/2006/08/homeschooling-multi-children-novel.html
Thanks Gina for this opportunity. Blessings!
Thank you! I can really relate to you and your writing journey! And I’m sure other writing moms can as well!
I can’t remember how Tina and I first met online, but she soon became a kindred spirit. Then I heard her share her testimony at ACFW and I became an instant fan. This is Tina’s second interview here at Portrait. Be sure you don’t miss her first!
How does writing while unpublished differ from writing under a contract?
Ruby Among Us is the first novel I wrote, so I was writing it without too much thought of publication or anyone outside of loved ones reading it. Hardly anyone knew I was writing it for a long time, so there was a sense of purity to the process of writing the story. I had no censor inside or out to tell me I was doing it wrong. Maybe first novels all have the earmarks or mistakes of a first novelist, but there is nothing as innocent and pure as writing the first book.
Many people write a first book like this, but never get it published! What a testimony to the gift God has given you.
Writing with a deadline changes everything in that it can be hard to focus and get back to that place where the story is pure and true. It’s not impossible, obviously since novelists do it all the time, but the second time around takes more diligence. You no longer have just the writing to worry about. Suddenly there’s business to
concentrate on whether it’s publicity, marketing, or a long list of other things to do that are related to the contract.
One really has to step back from all the business stuff to focus on the writing or it can go by the wayside.
Do you miss those days of writing in obscurity without a looming deadline?
Yes! I miss writing without pressure to achieve and the risk of failure. I am so worried I am going to be a big
flop now that my book is going public. I have stopped reading reviews until my husband or sister reads them first because the negative ones make me feel so much pressure. I’m happy to say that I’ve had way more good reviews than not-good, but even just one less than stellar review really gets me down.
I am sure that it won’t always be like that once I get used to people reviewing my work. I really do appreciate an honest review, but for awhile, I just don’t need to read them. They’re for readers anyway, right? Not for the authors! If I were still writing in obscurity, there would be no reviews.
But having said that, I certainly wouldn’t trade in my contract. My publisher is phenomenal and it’s exciting to
get Ruby Among Us in front of readers. I always told myself that I would be okay if nobody outside of my family ever reads it, but now that the possibility is here for it to reach further, I’m glad for it.
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?
Yes, all the time. It’s hard not to feel rushed and to organize priorities in an efficient manner. Sometimes I take a little break, but on the most part I just write through it. I know it sounds easier said than done, but it’s
really the only thing you can do. I have a junk file that I write in when my brain just won’t focus. It keeps me
writing while giving me permission to write really, really bad. I got the idea from an article I read once about Sue Grafton who does something similar.
Are there any more books in the future for this series?
My next book comes out in 2009. While it focuses on a sister-sister relationship, readers will get to see what happens to some of the characters in Ruby Among Us, including my favorite character, Kitty.
Do you have any other books coming out or in front of an editor?
I do have a handful of proposals that are in front of my agent now.
How did you land your agent?
I was blessed that a family member who knew a literary agent went behind my back and put my manuscript
on his desk. Thank goodness he liked it and offered to take me on; otherwise I would have been humiliated for my family member – and myself!
Did you get your agent before or after you sold your first book?
I found my agent before I sold my first book.
What would you tell writing moms and dads looking for that agent who will sell their first
book?
I would highly recommend having an agent to help sell your book. They know people. They know the ins, outs, and where your book will work best.
Look for agents at writer’s conferences where you can meet them face to face at appointments. Take the opportunity to sit by them at meal time to see if your personalities connect. Pay close attention and ask around the conference to see what other writers think of agents you are targeting for your projects. Ask the published authors you know to see what they think.
Be sure to ask for several references and also check them out on Preditors & Editors at http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/ or other watch groups before you sign on. If a potential agent reacts negatively to your request for references or to questions you have, then they probably are not legitimate.
Another bit of advice I would give is that agents and editors rarely pursue unknown novelists, so if you are approached out of the blue by an agent wanting to represent you, consider steering clear of them. Good agents especially usually have their hands full and don’t need to aggressively pursue potential writers.
What will you do if the next contract never comes?
Keep writing, just like I did before I had a contract. I love the act of writing so much that even though I love the idea of reaching real readers and sharing my stories, I would never stop writing just because I’m not contracted. I have to write!
People say write what you know? Was this true for you and A Ruby Among Us?
As writers, we mine our own experiences in order to know how a character would feel or what they might say or do. That doesn’t mean what we write is true. In fact, sometimes writing about a true situation can really end up quite boring because we are too close to it.
Ruby Among Us was influenced by experiences in my life or by situations I have seen. Once I put them on paper those situations changed to something new and became larger than life. It’s true that I was a single mom for awhile, so I know what it’s like. During that time in my life I also met other single moms in situations worse than mine, so I didn’t have to reach far to write about that experience for my characters even though the story is fiction.
So my answer is yes and no. It’s okay to write what you know, but you need to have some distance from it when you write fiction. It helps if you are willing to turn reality upside down and write the hypothetical side of it.
I’ve read several chapters of Ruby Among Us and I’m enjoying it very much, but it’s very different from the genre fiction I’m used to reading. How would you classify it? The first thing that comes to mind is it’s more literary than anything else in CBA.
Shhhh…I heard that’s a term for fiction that doesn’t sell! LOL. My publisher classifies it as Women’s Fiction. I don’t want to write something obscure that most readers can’t relate to. I want to write about emotions that are universal, but I want to approach it in ways that I can’t do in genre fiction.
There are other writers like Lisa Samson, Francine Rivers, Elizabeth Berg and Mary E. DeMuth (DeMuth endorsed Ruby Among Us) who I think do a better job than I do, but are very successful at mixing literary and commercial writing. After I wrote Ruby Among Us and started attending conferences, I was thrilled to discover Samson and DeMuth.
But I don’t think people write literary on purpose (do we?). It’s just something that happens when you sit down to write and it probably is also reflective of the kind of fiction we love to read the most.
Did you study the craft of writing before you wrote Ruby Among Us? While reading it, I have a hard time analyzing it (which is good) because I’m drawn into Lucy’s world, but I notice the first couple of chapters are heavy with narrative and back story, but it works. Why do you think that is?
Thank you. And yes. I am an English Major and in college I focused mostly on literature and writing, although getting a B.A. in English is really just breaking the ice in the field of literature. I wouldn’t say it qualifies me for anything spectacular, but I really think I began to find my voice when I was attending
When I wrote Ruby Among Us, I just wrote my heart thinking I could fix things later. I didn’t plan up front to write a lot of back story. I would never recommend a writer do that, but it just seemed to fit for this particular story.
Later, when I became contracted, my editor helped me to tighten the manuscript, but she let me keep the integrity of the story. I don’t know why it worked, except that the story came from my heart and my editor respected that. Everyone needs good editing and an editor who believes in the story without trying to shape it into something it’s not.
If you would compare your style to another author, who would it be?
I don’t dare. J But what I will say is that I love certain authors like Sue Monk Kidd, Mary E. DeMuth, and Elizabeth Berg.
What authors influenced your writing?
I’m sure every author I’ve ever read before writing Ruby Among Us has influenced me and anything I’ve read since will influence me in the future. I’m a book person rather than favorite author person and some of my favorite books I read before Ruby are The Hundred Secret Senses, Jane Eyre, Gone With the Wind, The Shell Seekers, Madame Bovary, and The Mark of the Lion Series, to name only a few that I loved. I guess the traits all of those books have in common are probably a strong sense of, or desire for, family connections and the search for redemption.
I’ve also read a lot of historical fiction and suspense, but I’m not sure how that plays into that. I think everything we read influences our writing, so it probably has affected me in some way that I don’t know!
Thanks for having me on again, Gina! I love your site!!
www.tinaannforkner.com
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.
Buy Skid today or enter to win a free copy!
Sherri Sand is a wife and mother of four young children who keep her scrambling to stay ahead of the spilled milk. When she needs stress relief from wearing all the hats required to clothe, feed and ferry her rambunctious brood, you’ll find her sitting in a quiet corner of a bistro reading a book (and surrounded by chocolate). Then to elude that calorie consumption you might see her running on the trails throughout Eugene, a city considered to be the running capital of the world. Sherri is a member of The Writer’s View and American Christian Fiction Writers. She finds the most joy in writing when the characters take on a life of their own and she becomes the recorder of their stories. She holds a degree in psychology from the University of Oregon where she graduated cum laude.
Welcome Sherri Sand to Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted. Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.
Most writers I know have always wanted to write, even from early childhood. I am no exception. I can remember telling people when I was about eight that I was going to be an author when I grew up.
My husband and I are a bit unique in that we had four kids in 4 ½ years (not recommended for the faint of heart). When I was on bed rest with our twins and my mother-in-law was taking care of our sixteen-month-old, I felt that old urge to write surfacing. With nothing but time on my hands, (though that became a scarce commodity a few months later) I started a story in a notebook and the journey began.
How did you get your first “writing break?”
I can’t say that I’ve gotten any “breaks,” but at my very first writer’s conference, a well-respected agent was flipping through the opening pages of my manuscript very quickly—too quickly to be reading, I suspected. Already nervous and wondering what I was doing thinking I could ever get published, he stated, “You must have a lot of people interested in this.” It was a huge confidence builder. I began to look at myself as a legitimate writer at that point.
What do you write and why this genre?
Women’s fiction with strong romance. I write what I love to read.
Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?
I am currently working on a collaboration series. I met with my agent and the writer a few weeks ago to brainstorm and do some character development. I can’t wait to dive into it.
What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?
I want my novels to bring hope to people. I want readers to be uncover nuggets of wisdom and truth that give them an “aha” moment in the midst of the story.
And now for the tough questions…
How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?
It’s something I think about all the time. It’s tough, as it is for any working mom. I’m fortunate that I work from home, but that is also its own drawback, in that I can easily be distracted by dirty dishes or the telephone. Generally, I make sure my work day ends by the time I pick up the kids from school. I make an effort to be fully present when they are home. I haven’t always been this way, but I’ve learned that relationship with my family is more important than anything else in my life. So I try to set boundaries on when work begins (and not let those distractions creep in), and when it ends. Of course, there are exceptions, say when a deadline is looming. But that is part of the flexibility of being a family and pulling together to help each other meet their obligations. (My kids actually like it when I’m on deadline because they get to watch more movies.)
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?
I think it is possible, but it also means making each of those things a priority. I have to plan how many days I’m going to run each week and where I’m going to fit them in around my writing schedule. If I waited for the time to find me, I’d probably never exercise. I’m a pretty structured person, but I’ve found that if I’m not flexible, the relationships around me (primarily the ones with my kids) will suffer, because my structure will take precedence over people. Relationships are eternal. What I can accomplish, in terms of writing, isn’t.
When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?
I actually wrote a book while I homeschooled several years ago. Evenings, when the kids were in bed, were a great time for me to write, as well as their nap times. And my husband was great about letting me go to a coffee shop for a few hours to write every weekend. But I think there were definitely times that I made writing a priority when it shouldn’t have been. At that period in my life, I was looking for value in what I did. My goal was to get published and I was putting all my worth into that. Fortunately, God in his wisdom didn’t allow publication to happen during those years. He took me on a different journey and walked me through healing and gave me revelation about who I am in him. That has made a huge difference in how I balance family and writing.
How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?
Flexibility hasn’t been my strong suit, but I’m learning to go with the flow.
How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?
It’s kind of like unstopping a clog. If I keep trying to push through and get those words down on paper, even if they aren’t very good at first, eventually I get back into the groove of writing. I think like anything we do, there are times it is easy and fun, and days that it is drudgery, where you have to fight for each word. It helps to have a word count goal for each day. On those tough days, each word I get onto the page is one word closer to being done for the day.
What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?
Call a friend. They are my voices of reason and help get it all back into perspective.
How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?
Each morning I try to take time to be still with Him and just listen. I may not hear anything, but I notice that just taking that time, and then getting into the Word attunes my heart to his gentle nudges throughout the day. My kids can tell when I’ve gone a day or two without those moments with Him. They’ll smile and say, “Maybe you need to go spend some time with Jesus.”
If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?