Interview with Christy Barritt

Part 1

I had the honor of being an influencer for Christy Barritt’s debut novel. I’d never been an influencer before and wasn’t sure what all it involved, but I did know it meant a free book. With a heroine who does cleaning jobs—okay, crime scene clean-up, but that’s pretty close—how could I resist? So I didn’t. Hazardous Duty, a humorous mystery, was a really fun read, and Christy is an amazing writer.

So, without further ado, let me introduce Christy Barritt.

JW: How did you get into writing?

CB: Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved stories. I’ve always had a great imagination and I spent a lot of time spinning tales. I remember writing my first “book” when I was in elementary school. It was about a turtle named Myrtle. In high school, I wrote my first complete novel! I continued pursuing my passion to write when I went to college and studied communications. After graduation, I got a job at a Christian publishing house. After working there three years, I left and began to work on my own writing again. I’ve been doing that ever since.

JW: A turtle named Myrtle? Now that sounds like a great read. Do you have a specific purpose for writing?

CB: Lately, it’s been impressed on me that I need to write in order to express truths. I’ve got a big heart for Christians who have been hurt by the church and I think my writing reflects that. I want to portray Christians honestly, so we can look at ourselves and realize the areas that need improvement. I also write to bring a sense of adventure and humor to those who read. Most of all, I write because I know that’s what God’s called me to do.

JW: Tell me about your writing space and routine. And how has having a child changed that routine?

CB: I wish I had some great and inspiring stories to tell you about my awesome writing space and routine. HOWEVER—my routine right now is mostly that I write on Tuesdays and Thursdays while my mother watches my 16-month-old, Eli. He’s banned from my cluttered little office, you see. At first, he just went through my drawers and disorganized them, pulled books off my shelf and gleeful poured dirt from my potted plant onto the carpet. The other day, however, he turned off my computer. The hard drive is on the floor and someone brilliantly designed it so that the “on” button lights up.

JW: Oh, no. Please say no…

CB: Well, little Eli just couldn’t resist. He pressed it. In doing so, I lost pages of work. Now, HE’S BANNED! I’m still trying to figure out how to balance writing with having a child. It’s challenging.

JW: I hear ya. It’s hard enough babysitting a dog who likes to poke his head in front of my screen and press mmmmmmmmmm. Okay, got a little carried away there. Challenging or not, you do a great job! Now, you do articles, novels, and non-fiction books. Do you have a favorite?

CB: Fiction is definitely my first love. I love the whole story world and creative process. Non-fiction helps to pay my bills, though!

JW: So how do you get ideas for your stories?

CB: Everywhere! And honestly, one of the reasons I love writing for the newspaper is that I get so many “ideas” from the people I’ve interviewed (not directly, mind you). For instance, my next book (Suspicious Minds) deals with an Elvis Tribute Artist. I got the idea after interviewing an Elvis impersonator for a story. When I saw how ga-ga some women were going over this man, I knew I had to use a fake Elvis in one of my stories. Usually, I have so many ideas that I don’t know what to do with them all. It’s hard to narrow them down. But somehow, I do. I usually pick the one that I can’t get out of my mind!

JW: I definitely hear you on that. So, Christy, you are one busy woman, but when you’re not writing, what are some of your favorite things? To do, to eat, whatever.

CB: My favorite things…I love singing and playing the guitar. I love musicals and dogs (I even have two!). I also love watching people and being a student of human behavior. My favorite thing in the whole world lately is just watching my son learn. It’s amazing! Really!

JW: My dad tried to teach me how to play the guitar. Those lessons went about as well as the stick shift lessons. I could give advice from that, but I’d rather hear some from you. Two bits of random advice—one writing-related and one not.

CB: Writing advice: Keep at it! Writing requires a lot of determination and perseverance. Use your setbacks to make you stronger. Rejection letters can often offer good advice to make you a better writer. Pushing ahead in seasons of dryness will strengthen your character. Learning the basics of the craft will make you more knowledgeable. One bit of non-writing related advice would be to enjoy the journey and not get distracted by whatever your end goal is. Life is short and we have to make the most of each day. I recently found myself in a situation where I’d taken on too much, and I was just miserable. All of the things I was doing would led me steps closer to where I wanted to be professionally, but it wasn’t worth it to feel so tired, lonely and overwhelmed.

JW: Thanks so much, Christy, for sharing with us. Folks, check out Hazardous Duty, a chick lit mystery that will keep you guessing…and laughing.

(Originally posted 11-6-07)

Part 2 -- 6/15/08

A few months ago, I was privileged to be a first reader for Suspicious Minds, the second book in Christy Barritt’s Squeaky Clean series. Though it was a different experience reading the story in manuscript format, I loved it just as much as her first funny mystery, Hazardous Duty. Suspicious Minds is now out, and you don’t want to miss it!

Christy kindly consented to answer some more questions. So, without further ado…

JW: In your Squeaky Clean series, who is your favorite secondary character?

CB: It’s so hard to pick! I have to say, I really like Sierra. I’ve had a lot of fun with her. She’s an animal right’s activist and she’s always getting herself into some sort of trouble. I based her character off of some people I met while doing a newspaper interview at the headquarters of a really large animal right’s group.

JW: I do love Sierra. Of course, the new guy in Suspicious Minds…Well, yeah. It’s definitely hard to pick! Here’s another tough questions for you. Hazardous Duty or Suspicious Minds—do you have a favorite?

CB: I like them both in different ways. I probably couldn’t pick a favorite. I will say I had a lot of fun in Suspicious Minds because I already knew the characters. Writing that book was like sitting down to coffee with old friends and asking them, what’s been going on?

JW: Can you give us a sneak peak at what Gabby’s next adventure might be?

CB: It’s a mystery that involves Sierra and her friends. She actually starts to date
someone who’s a freegan. No, I did not make up the word freegan—they’re real. Freegans are people who feel like the U.S. is wasteful so instead of buying things, they go dumpster diving to find what they need for free. That’s where they get their food, their clothes, almost everything. Anyway, this freegan that Sierra starts dating ends up being trouble. The book also addresses the “Going Green” trend that is so popular in our culture right now.

JW: Another must-read, I’m sure. Sounds great. Hurry up and finish it! Meanwhile, I have just a few questions about your writing journey. First, where do you see God leading you?

CB: I know I have a lot of stories in me that I would love to write. I honestly feel like writing is what God has called me to do. But I also feel that God has brought me to a place where I have to be willing to lay it out if he says so. It’s too easy to base your self-worth on your successes or failures. I think God wants me to be content in him.

JW: What has been the hardest thing so far?

CB: The past year has probably been the hardest, to be honest. I think people are surprised to hear that, because I’m published. I like to compare being published to being married. Before people get married, they think about wonderful marriage will be. They dream about finding their soul mate. And then they get married and realize (hopefully) that marriage is wonderful--but it’s also a lot of hard work. Being published is similar. Before getting the big contract, you dream about how wonderful it will be. But after you’re published, you realize the amount of work you have in front of you. There’s pressure coming at you from different directions. Being published is wonderful, but also challenging.

JW: That’s really interesting (and a little hard) to hear. Thank you for sharing that. I’ll keep it in mind since I hope to, um, sign the knot? soon. Ha. Last question. What is your favorite part about the writing life? The biggest reward?

CB: I love the creation process. I love getting to know my characters and seeing where they’ll take me. I love dreaming up plot twists and making life miserable for my story people. The biggest reward for me is when someone really “gets” my book—I don’t mean purchases it and reads it, but when they really connect. When my story has given them a temporary escape from their life. When they can relate to my characters and their conflicts and hurts and triumphs. That’s the biggest reward.

JW: Thanks so much for sharing, Christy. If you want to learn more about Christy and her books, check out her website at http://www.christybarritt.com. You can purchase the Squeaky Clean series on Amazon or the Kregel website.

(Originally posted 6-15-08)