Author Betsy St. Amant

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

I’m married to a super hunky fireman, and we have a three year old daughter I dub “Little Miss” 🙂 She keeps me busy and inspired and humble and daily reminds me of God’s grace and unconditional love toward me.

How did you get your first “writing break?”

My agent sold my first novel to Love Inspired just a few months after signing me. My 6th Love Inspired novel is releasing Spring 2012, and my first YA novel with Barbour Publishers is releasing January 1st, 2012.

What do you write and why this genre?

I write contemporary adult romance for Love Inspired and YA for Barbour, and I love the mix of both. I love being able to express myself, my faith and share the stories of my heart in these two different genres that to me, aren’t that different from each other in regards to matters of the soul. Teenagers and adults alike both have faith struggles, life crisis, and desire romance – all of which ultimately points us to the Lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.

Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?

My YA novel, Addison Blakley: Confessions of a PK is out now, and I’m waiting hear back on some proposals still out right now, but my next Love Inspired novel releases March 2012 and is called HER FAMILY WISH. I’m really excited about this story of a single dad, junior high principal and a female photographer. It’s a story of internal and external scars, unfulfilled dreams, romance, and the unconditional, unchanging presence of our Lord.

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

I hope that my readers will always be drawn closer to Jesus after reading my books. In whatever way their spirit needs at that time. That’s the coolest part about how God works, in my opinion – He can take anything and use it for anyone, anywhere, anytime, and be exactly what they need in the moment. I’m so blessed to be a tool for Him!

And now for the tough questions…

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

I don’t know that I do! Ha! Some days it feels like I’m spinning a bunch of plates and right when everyone starts to applaud my tricks, I crash and burn. It takes prayer, discipline, and a lot of patience, and some days I only have one or two of the three going for me! But God is good, and grace is great, and we make it through 🙂

I think the most important thing to remember is priorities. I’ve taught a workshop before on Time Management for the Busy Writer, and I think a lot of people don’t realize they have more time in their day than they think. But they waste it on things that don’t matter. I’m married to a fireman, as I said, so he’s gone a LOT working his odd schedule plus a side job. I have a 3 year old, a part time job outside of the home in the oil and gas industry, a part time job with the ACFW as List Hostess, a part time job freelancing for my local newspaper (www.theforumnews.com) and its sister magazine, a critique/editing business on the side, I strive (don’t always succeed, but try) to keep my priorities as God, my family, and then my writing. If the first two aren’t first, nothing works out well. NOTHING.

Wow! You’re a super busy working mama!

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?

It’s hard, but I think it’s possible. It goes back to priorities. For me, keeping in shape would take a backseat but I don’t let it, because I’m not happy when my jeans are snug! Moms sometimes assume that if they don’t have money or time for a gym membership, it’s not worth it and there is nothing they can do. NOT true. I’ve stayed in shape these past 3 years since childbirth by counting calories, and just playing with my kid. Jumping jacks in her room while she dances to her music player. Long walks outside pulling her in a wagon or pushing a stroller. Playing chase around the house. Any movement is good, and if you take 15 minutes a day either first time in the morning or last thing at night to do some crunches and hand weights, you will see significant results.

So it just goes back to what we’re willing to do and how much it means to us. If we’d rather crash on the couch and watch Cupcake Wars and eat cookies when the kids are in bed, than write or exercise, well, that’s a choice and there are consequences for it. (But sometimes, that mindless break and treat IS needed and IS a good thing. All things in moderation)

I agree!

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

I write whenever I can. There is no schedule for me because of all my part time jobs. I do what I can, when I can, whether that’s 30 minutes during the morning, an hour during her nap, or 30 minutes at night. Sometimes I do feel like I’m neglecting my kid when I get her working on a project and sit at my laptop, but I’m learning that it’s GOOD for her to have alone time, it’s good for me to work, it’s good for her to see me working and managing my time, it’s good for her to entertain herself occasionally, etc. I make time for us together and make sure I tell her and show her my attention as much as possible, but I think if I devoted my entire waking hours to her, and her alone, my marriage would suffer, my writing ministry would suffer, etc. and that’s not a good lesson longterm to teach her. Moms feel guilty about too much.

How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?

Sometimes not well! Sometimes I get yanked out of my writing zone and get really grouchy but that’s something God is working on in me 🙂 I’m learning patience. Yikes.

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

This usually isn’t too hard. One good sentence or line of dialogue will pull me back in. It’s a matter of focus and concentration and a strong dose “want to”.

What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?

I think there’se a storm or at least a cloud or two EVERY day when it comes to toddlers ::wink:: We just have to ride it out, do the best we can, pray, repent, and then repeat. We’re too hard on ourselves. Yes, God obviously called us to be mothers if we have children, but He also put the dream of writing and the desire to further His kingdom in our hearts. It’s not wrong to pursue those dreams too.

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

It takes dedicated time for Him, even if it’s ten minutes in the morning with a “Busy Mom’s Devotional Book.”  Any effort, however small, can still be used. It’s just a matter of inviting God into our day and remembering to keep Him in it by talking to Him while changing diapers, washing dishes, folding laundry, writing, cooking, or playing hopscotch. When we talk to Him regularly, we are more in tune to HEAR Him as well.

If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?

Just breathe. And usually eat chocolate. ::wink:: And start over. I remind myself tomorrow is a new day, and I will pray and commit to try harder the next time. Remember, CONVICTION is from God……GUILT is not.

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

Don’t give up. I know it gets hairy and hectic and you think it’s never going to happen, but you know what? If you quit, you’re guaranteeing it won’t happen. If you keep trying and keep trusting in God’s timing (not your own), however, then you are giving Him the chance to accomplish your dreams. He didn’t put them in you to be wasted. And while publication might not be every writer’s ultimate end, you’ll never know until you keep writing, keep persevering, and keep your heart right before Him. And if publication is NOT your end, your words and effort were not wasted. God will use them even if it wasn’t in the way you ultimately hoped. I think God works the biggest in our lives when we get to that level of acceptance in HIS will and plan.

Betsy, thanks so much for sharing your life and heart with us today! It’s been an encouragement to me and I’m sure will be to others!

Make sure you check out Betsy’s newest release!

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

Sixteen-year-old Addison Blakely has tireless played the role of PK—preacher’s kid—her entire life. But after Wes Keegan revs his motorcycle into town and into her heart, Addison begins to wonder how much of her faith is her own and how much has been handed to her. She isn’t so sure she wants to be the good girl anymore. Join Addison Blakely as she attempts to separate love from lust, facts from faith, and keep her head above water in her murky, fishbowl existence.