The new JennessWalker.com is officially up! Not necessarily finished, but good enough to go live. I'm so excited! My husband is amazing, in my humble opinion. :-) So go check it out!
But first, a disclaimer. NO, I am not vain. I just couldn't think up more content at this point, so I posted pictures instead. lol. When I get more info on my book, and as I sell more, we can replace my face with lovely book covers. Ah...heaven. :-)
So go look it over and sign my guestbook. Then email Jason to have him build you a website, too. Everybody's doing it. :-)
www.jennesswalker.com
4/28/09
4/19/09
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)
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)
Interview with Susan May Warren
One of my all-time favorite authors is Susan May Warren. She’s also a former missionary, an awesome teacher, an incredible brainstormer, and just an amazing person all around. When I grow up, I want to be like her.
I asked Susan just a few questions to go along with the rest of the goodies from her Taming Rafe blog tour, so, without further ado, let me introduce the incredible Susan May Warren.
JW: As an author still trying to decide which genre is my favorite to write in, I find it interesting to see what the big-wigs do. So far, you’ve written in a couple different genres. Do you have a favorite? And are there any others you’d like to branch out to eventually?
SW: I’ve written in Romantic Suspense and Chick Lit. Next year, I’m branching out into more of mystery/thriller series with a PI named PJ Sugar, although it will have all the elements of a SMW novel – a strong heroine, a romance or two, suspense, intrigue and of course strong spiritual elements. I love writing Romantic suspense, so all my books will have varying degrees of suspense in them, even if it’s not the main theme.
JW: Tell me about your writing space and routine.
SW: I have my own office, overlooking our beautiful property in the north woods. I start work about 8am, and work until around 4pm, when the kids come home from school. I usually do email and other projects in the am, and write in the afternoon. And, I’m always listening to music – usually XM radio, the cinemagic station, or the message (Christian music).
JW: I can understand about doing other projects in the morning. My brain doesn’t wake up until lunch. Speaking of food…what are some of your favorites? Food, hobby, verse, whatever.
SW: Let’s see: Hot buttered popcorn topped with parmesan cheese, Romans 15:13, favorite phrase: "Lord, let me make a difference for you that is totally disproportionate to who I am" (John Piper). Hobby: Reading? *grin* Favorite current TV show: Friday Night LightsJW: Okay, I know you’re swamped, so just one more question for now. Or two, depending on how you look at it. Could you give us some words of advice?
SW: This world is not our home. It was never meant to satisfy us completely, but rather give us a foretaste of what is to come – heaven, eternity, joy. If you can spend your time on earth doing what you love to do, for the one you love, that’s an awesome thing. But even if you can’t, remembering that everything that happens is meant to push us into the arms of our Savior will help us not only stay upright, but run the race with focus and hope.
JW: Thanks so much, Susan. I appreciate the messages in each of your books and look forward to reading whatever you put out next!
If you haven’t read Susan’s books, put them on your must-read list! To learn more about Susan, check out her website at http://www.susanmaywarren.com. And if you’re an aspiring writer, check out Susan’s writing blog at http://www.mybooktherapy.com.
(Originally posted 3-7-08)
I asked Susan just a few questions to go along with the rest of the goodies from her Taming Rafe blog tour, so, without further ado, let me introduce the incredible Susan May Warren.
JW: As an author still trying to decide which genre is my favorite to write in, I find it interesting to see what the big-wigs do. So far, you’ve written in a couple different genres. Do you have a favorite? And are there any others you’d like to branch out to eventually?
SW: I’ve written in Romantic Suspense and Chick Lit. Next year, I’m branching out into more of mystery/thriller series with a PI named PJ Sugar, although it will have all the elements of a SMW novel – a strong heroine, a romance or two, suspense, intrigue and of course strong spiritual elements. I love writing Romantic suspense, so all my books will have varying degrees of suspense in them, even if it’s not the main theme.
JW: Tell me about your writing space and routine.
SW: I have my own office, overlooking our beautiful property in the north woods. I start work about 8am, and work until around 4pm, when the kids come home from school. I usually do email and other projects in the am, and write in the afternoon. And, I’m always listening to music – usually XM radio, the cinemagic station, or the message (Christian music).
JW: I can understand about doing other projects in the morning. My brain doesn’t wake up until lunch. Speaking of food…what are some of your favorites? Food, hobby, verse, whatever.
SW: Let’s see: Hot buttered popcorn topped with parmesan cheese, Romans 15:13, favorite phrase: "Lord, let me make a difference for you that is totally disproportionate to who I am" (John Piper). Hobby: Reading? *grin* Favorite current TV show: Friday Night LightsJW: Okay, I know you’re swamped, so just one more question for now. Or two, depending on how you look at it. Could you give us some words of advice?
SW: This world is not our home. It was never meant to satisfy us completely, but rather give us a foretaste of what is to come – heaven, eternity, joy. If you can spend your time on earth doing what you love to do, for the one you love, that’s an awesome thing. But even if you can’t, remembering that everything that happens is meant to push us into the arms of our Savior will help us not only stay upright, but run the race with focus and hope.
JW: Thanks so much, Susan. I appreciate the messages in each of your books and look forward to reading whatever you put out next!
If you haven’t read Susan’s books, put them on your must-read list! To learn more about Susan, check out her website at http://www.susanmaywarren.com. And if you’re an aspiring writer, check out Susan’s writing blog at http://www.mybooktherapy.com.
(Originally posted 3-7-08)
Interview with Tosca Lee
At the 2007 ACFW conference, I met Tosca Lee, a beautiful woman with a creepy-sounding debut novel. As I spoke with her, and later, read some interviews about her, I discovered we have much in common. Both of our fathers love music. My Suzuki and her Shar Pei share the same name: Attila. And we both have worked on novels dealing with the darker side of the spiritual realm. She finished hers, however, and Demon: A Memoir was published by NavPress.
Now, without further delay, let me introduce Tosca Lee, a talented novelist, runner-up for Mrs. United States, and a leadership consultant.
JW: Tosca, I have never met anyone with that name. How did your parents choose it?
TL: Well, my Dad is a Korean man who came from Seoul to do his master’s and PhD in business management here. But his first love was opera. He wanted to be an opera tenor once, and Tosca is his favorite opera.
JW: I love that. It’s so special that he named you after something he loves so much…but I’m glad my own father did not. I’d probably end up as “Cashew”. Speaking of which…what’s your favorite food? And other favorites: verse, color, whatever.
TL: Favorite food: splendidly cooked vegetables. And comfort food. And donuts. And pot pies. Sushi. Enchiladas in corn tortillas with some green sauce on them and not too much cheese. I’m suddenly starving. Color: dark red. Zech. 4:6 (“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord) is my favorite verse, because it is the theme that comes to me again and again in my life—that all the striving in the world cannot do what God’s spirit can. I have amnesia when it comes to remembering this. Hobby: catalog shopping. Guilty pleasure: watching the Contender series and picking my cuticles.
JW: Hm…well, in between the eating and picking your cuticles, what’s your writing routine?
TL: Routine? Uhm. Yeah. So, you see…. Did I tell you I have a really cool desk? It’s got claw feet and black stone top. Most of the time I’m writing in airports and on the sofa, sometimes in bookstores.
JW: The desk sounds awesome. If you ever want to sell it…But really, the sofa’s the way to go, in my opinion. Although I’ll probably be a hunchback by age 30. Word of advice to myself: get an ergonomic chair. Tosca, what are some your words of wisdom—one writing-related and one not?
TL: Writing advice: be honest. That means showing the ugly and embarrassing parts, too. Non-writing advice: hemorrhoid crème works great on under-eye puffiness. You laugh, but I tell you truth. Just make sure that you have, you know, a designated tube and others in your household aren’t using it as directed.
JW: Wow. Okay. Guess I’ll have to keep that in mind…One last question for you. Since you’re working on a story about Eve, what do you really think was hanging on the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden? I’m not seeing Eve being attempted to disobey God to bite into an apple. I think it must have been some sort of chocolate. You?
TL: It was definitely chocolate. Something of the Ghirardelli, dark variety, maybe with that creamy mint middle. That’s definitely condemnation-category confection.
JW: Ha! Thanks so much, Tosca. I’m looking forward to reading Havah: the Story of Eve. If you want to learn more about Tosca and her books, check out www.toscalee.com.
(Originally posted 1-25-08)
Now, without further delay, let me introduce Tosca Lee, a talented novelist, runner-up for Mrs. United States, and a leadership consultant.
JW: Tosca, I have never met anyone with that name. How did your parents choose it?
TL: Well, my Dad is a Korean man who came from Seoul to do his master’s and PhD in business management here. But his first love was opera. He wanted to be an opera tenor once, and Tosca is his favorite opera.
JW: I love that. It’s so special that he named you after something he loves so much…but I’m glad my own father did not. I’d probably end up as “Cashew”. Speaking of which…what’s your favorite food? And other favorites: verse, color, whatever.
TL: Favorite food: splendidly cooked vegetables. And comfort food. And donuts. And pot pies. Sushi. Enchiladas in corn tortillas with some green sauce on them and not too much cheese. I’m suddenly starving. Color: dark red. Zech. 4:6 (“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord) is my favorite verse, because it is the theme that comes to me again and again in my life—that all the striving in the world cannot do what God’s spirit can. I have amnesia when it comes to remembering this. Hobby: catalog shopping. Guilty pleasure: watching the Contender series and picking my cuticles.
JW: Hm…well, in between the eating and picking your cuticles, what’s your writing routine?
TL: Routine? Uhm. Yeah. So, you see…. Did I tell you I have a really cool desk? It’s got claw feet and black stone top. Most of the time I’m writing in airports and on the sofa, sometimes in bookstores.
JW: The desk sounds awesome. If you ever want to sell it…But really, the sofa’s the way to go, in my opinion. Although I’ll probably be a hunchback by age 30. Word of advice to myself: get an ergonomic chair. Tosca, what are some your words of wisdom—one writing-related and one not?
TL: Writing advice: be honest. That means showing the ugly and embarrassing parts, too. Non-writing advice: hemorrhoid crème works great on under-eye puffiness. You laugh, but I tell you truth. Just make sure that you have, you know, a designated tube and others in your household aren’t using it as directed.
JW: Wow. Okay. Guess I’ll have to keep that in mind…One last question for you. Since you’re working on a story about Eve, what do you really think was hanging on the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden? I’m not seeing Eve being attempted to disobey God to bite into an apple. I think it must have been some sort of chocolate. You?
TL: It was definitely chocolate. Something of the Ghirardelli, dark variety, maybe with that creamy mint middle. That’s definitely condemnation-category confection.
JW: Ha! Thanks so much, Tosca. I’m looking forward to reading Havah: the Story of Eve. If you want to learn more about Tosca and her books, check out www.toscalee.com.
(Originally posted 1-25-08)
Interview with Trish Perry
On the first day of my first writers’ conference, I wandered into the hotel feeling a bit lost. A couple hours later, I found myself eating a late lunch and chatting with Cathy, my critique partner and Trish Perry, a Harvest House author. Trish sold out of her debut novel at the conference, so I had to pick it up elsewhere. Believe me, it was worth the extra effort. So, without further ado, let me introduce you my sweet friend, Trish Perry.
JW: Hey, Trish. Thanks so much for letting me interview you. My first question is the typical one: How did you get into writing?
TP: Without taking much note of it, I dabbled in writing as far back as elementary school. A poem here, a short story there. But I was so far from being self-aware, I didn’t pay attention to how much I enjoyed myself when I wrote. I swear, sometimes it seems I walked around in a child-shaped fog for most of my childhood. Many years later, when I worked on my Psychology degree in college, I was a tad sharper. When assigned creative writing projects in my required English courses, I finally noticed how much fun I was having. I took as many creative writing courses as I could after that, and by the time I earned my degree, I had changed my mind about what I wanted to do!
JW: Psychology, huh? Guess I won’t tell you about my crazy dreams next time we meet. I’m sure they mean something, but I’d rather not know. So, moving right along. Do you have a specific purpose for writing? Besides, of course, the rich and famous aspect. Ha.
TP: Too late, Jenness—I’m already keeping a file on your psychological quirks, LOL! Writing is just my favorite thing to do. I know the Lord gave me this as my gift, because He blesses me with such pleasure while I’m doing it. I might balk at parts of the process from time to time, but I can’t imagine ever walking away. I don’t think I’ve spent a day not writing something since those days in college. Another assurance God gives me about His will is that readers write to me and tell me how positively my books have affected them. What a fantastic blessing and honor.
JW: I know what you mean. Especially the balking part. (Can anyone say “revising?”) So where and how do you work your magic?
TP: When my daughter left for college years ago, I turned her bedroom into my office. Ah! Seclusion! I love it. But the place is a total mess, with papers everywhere. That’s why it took me so long to get around to answering your questions, Jenness! I need a secretary, and she needs a whip. My routine depends upon my deadlines, I’m sorry to say. I think that particular character facet (flaw?) runs in my family, because my older brother actually composes some of the seminar talks he gives while flying to the seminars.
JW: And I thought I was a procrastinator. Wow.
TP: If I’m given six months to write a book, I’ll take six months. If pressed to produce more quickly, I manage to prioritize and get it done. But I have yet to develop the discipline of someone like Colleen Coble, who writes a chapter a day, I think. People like Colleen are my inspiration. I hope to become that productive with time. And a whip.
JW: How do you get the ideas for your stories?
TP: That always varies. Kara’s story (The Guy I’m Not Dating) came about because of a young woman I met who had originally lived with her boyfriend. He found Christ and broke off their relationship. She was devastated. Later, she accepted Christ, and in time she and her old boyfriend became friends. Eventually the friends committed to a courtship, rather than a dating relationship. I think they’re married now. I liked the story and humor potential in the nondating approach to romance, so that was my idea there.
For the follow-up story, Too Good to Be True, I knew some of the character relationships I wanted to work with—particularly between the heroine and her mother. And I knew I wanted humor and romance. I simply let that germ of an idea cook in my imagination for a while, and characters and incidents started to fall together.
Another book I’m working on, set in Washington, D.C., is based on completely new characters. Part of the D.C. story actually emerged during a dream.
JW: Speaking of dreams…Ha!
TP: Excuse me just a moment. I need to make a few notes in your file.
The overall concept of the D. C. book came from my editor at Harvest House. You see, in Too Good to Be True, the heroine—Ren—reads a book that doesn’t really exist. We decided it would be fun if I actually wrote the book that Ren reads in Too Good to Be True.
JW: That is too cool! Sounds great.
TP: Future projects being discussed would be influenced by setting (a West Coast beach story), audience (a young adult romance), and theme (a series of five loosely tied stories).
I can’t say too much about it yet, but I’m excited about the beach story possibilities. I might end up wedding a couple of my characters from The Guy I’m Not Dating and Too Good to Be True with this new undertaking, but that’s just a thought right now. I’d love prayers for clarity on that one!
JW: Sounds like you have lots of ideas. I’m looking forward to reading the finished products! Which reminds me…My husband came into the room where I was reading The Guy I’m Not Dating, and he just stopped and laughed at me. When I asked him why, he said the book must be good, because I was smirking at it. Well, he was right. It was a great book, and I was wondering if some of the crazy incidents in your books are based on real-life? If so, care to expound?
TP: Actually, I based Mo and Stan’s skunk incident on personal experience. But Kara’s circumstances are all fictional. I’m not saying I’m the picture of grace, but I think I’ve fared a bit better than Kara has, accident-wise. I do pay attention, though, to embarrassing things that happen in my life, and I make note of them for future heroines. Don’t you find it’s easier to laugh off your foibles when you know you can use them for fodder? I do.
JW: Okay, here’s my favorite question, or at least the one about favorites…(Courtesy laugh, please.) List some of your favorite things, doesn’t matter what. Food, hobby, author, book, verse…
TP: I love all food except cooked celery and lima beans. That’s kind of scary, isn’t it? Imagine the possibilities in being so readily pleased. Oh, and okra. Take that one off the list, too. Way too mushy. My favorite pastimes are reading and watching movies. (Wow—aren’t you picturing me sitting in front of the TV, eating everything except celery, lima beans, and okra? What a lump!)
JW: Well, I didn’t want to say anything…Just kidding!
TP: I don’t have a favorite author, but I love many of them (both Christian and secular), including Lisa Samson, Francine Rivers, Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Weiner—oh, I have to stop. I can’t even begin to list them all. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:3, and although I’m an NIV gal, I like this one in the KJV: “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Isn’t that a great verse for an author? I first noticed that in one of Jan Karon’s books.
JW: You’re right. The writing (and revising) goes so much better when we turn it over to God. (Which I keep having to remind myself.) One last question. Well, actually two. I would love to hear two bits of random advice—one writing-related and one not.
TP: Writing related: I’ve shared this one before, in several places, not because I can’t think of other advice—do any of us lack advice we’d like to hand out? But this revelation felt like such a gift from God when I was feeling doubtful, I know He wants me to share it often.
Shortly after my first book was released, I suddenly felt a wave of doubt about the whole shebang—my future in writing, my abilities, even whether or not God truly meant for me to be doing this. The experience was a bit like buyer’s remorse, you know? And I feared that I might learn God’s will about my writing by failing miserably. By having family and friends read my books and wonder how in the world I got published in the first place. By having my books horribly reviewed. By never getting another contract in my life. I knew these thoughts were coming from a baaaaaad place, so I stopped stressing and prayed. Very quickly the Lord impressed upon me the fact that He is not a God of discouragement. I realized He would never use rejection to make me quit writing. He hadn’t used rejection to get me here; He had blessed quite a few other endeavors of mine. Yet He drew me to writing. He appreciates our efforts to glorify Him; He’s not going to stomp on them.
So my advice about writing is to pursue it as long as you feel drawn to do it. When you receive a rejection, don’t consider it God’s way of forcing you to give up. If He wants you to do something else for Him, He’ll draw you to that other thing. That’s the way our God works.
Non-writing related advice: If you must read in the tub, make sure the book is riveting or you are well energized. Books get so puffy after they’ve been dipped in bathwater.
JW: Ha! Been there, done that. Great advice Trish, on both counts. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to reading another book of yours soon, even if my husband does make fun of me for smirking.
To learn more about Trish and her books, check out her website at http://www.trishperrybooks.com/.
(Originally posted 8-5-07)
JW: Hey, Trish. Thanks so much for letting me interview you. My first question is the typical one: How did you get into writing?
TP: Without taking much note of it, I dabbled in writing as far back as elementary school. A poem here, a short story there. But I was so far from being self-aware, I didn’t pay attention to how much I enjoyed myself when I wrote. I swear, sometimes it seems I walked around in a child-shaped fog for most of my childhood. Many years later, when I worked on my Psychology degree in college, I was a tad sharper. When assigned creative writing projects in my required English courses, I finally noticed how much fun I was having. I took as many creative writing courses as I could after that, and by the time I earned my degree, I had changed my mind about what I wanted to do!
JW: Psychology, huh? Guess I won’t tell you about my crazy dreams next time we meet. I’m sure they mean something, but I’d rather not know. So, moving right along. Do you have a specific purpose for writing? Besides, of course, the rich and famous aspect. Ha.
TP: Too late, Jenness—I’m already keeping a file on your psychological quirks, LOL! Writing is just my favorite thing to do. I know the Lord gave me this as my gift, because He blesses me with such pleasure while I’m doing it. I might balk at parts of the process from time to time, but I can’t imagine ever walking away. I don’t think I’ve spent a day not writing something since those days in college. Another assurance God gives me about His will is that readers write to me and tell me how positively my books have affected them. What a fantastic blessing and honor.
JW: I know what you mean. Especially the balking part. (Can anyone say “revising?”) So where and how do you work your magic?
TP: When my daughter left for college years ago, I turned her bedroom into my office. Ah! Seclusion! I love it. But the place is a total mess, with papers everywhere. That’s why it took me so long to get around to answering your questions, Jenness! I need a secretary, and she needs a whip. My routine depends upon my deadlines, I’m sorry to say. I think that particular character facet (flaw?) runs in my family, because my older brother actually composes some of the seminar talks he gives while flying to the seminars.
JW: And I thought I was a procrastinator. Wow.
TP: If I’m given six months to write a book, I’ll take six months. If pressed to produce more quickly, I manage to prioritize and get it done. But I have yet to develop the discipline of someone like Colleen Coble, who writes a chapter a day, I think. People like Colleen are my inspiration. I hope to become that productive with time. And a whip.
JW: How do you get the ideas for your stories?
TP: That always varies. Kara’s story (The Guy I’m Not Dating) came about because of a young woman I met who had originally lived with her boyfriend. He found Christ and broke off their relationship. She was devastated. Later, she accepted Christ, and in time she and her old boyfriend became friends. Eventually the friends committed to a courtship, rather than a dating relationship. I think they’re married now. I liked the story and humor potential in the nondating approach to romance, so that was my idea there.
For the follow-up story, Too Good to Be True, I knew some of the character relationships I wanted to work with—particularly between the heroine and her mother. And I knew I wanted humor and romance. I simply let that germ of an idea cook in my imagination for a while, and characters and incidents started to fall together.
Another book I’m working on, set in Washington, D.C., is based on completely new characters. Part of the D.C. story actually emerged during a dream.
JW: Speaking of dreams…Ha!
TP: Excuse me just a moment. I need to make a few notes in your file.
The overall concept of the D. C. book came from my editor at Harvest House. You see, in Too Good to Be True, the heroine—Ren—reads a book that doesn’t really exist. We decided it would be fun if I actually wrote the book that Ren reads in Too Good to Be True.
JW: That is too cool! Sounds great.
TP: Future projects being discussed would be influenced by setting (a West Coast beach story), audience (a young adult romance), and theme (a series of five loosely tied stories).
I can’t say too much about it yet, but I’m excited about the beach story possibilities. I might end up wedding a couple of my characters from The Guy I’m Not Dating and Too Good to Be True with this new undertaking, but that’s just a thought right now. I’d love prayers for clarity on that one!
JW: Sounds like you have lots of ideas. I’m looking forward to reading the finished products! Which reminds me…My husband came into the room where I was reading The Guy I’m Not Dating, and he just stopped and laughed at me. When I asked him why, he said the book must be good, because I was smirking at it. Well, he was right. It was a great book, and I was wondering if some of the crazy incidents in your books are based on real-life? If so, care to expound?
TP: Actually, I based Mo and Stan’s skunk incident on personal experience. But Kara’s circumstances are all fictional. I’m not saying I’m the picture of grace, but I think I’ve fared a bit better than Kara has, accident-wise. I do pay attention, though, to embarrassing things that happen in my life, and I make note of them for future heroines. Don’t you find it’s easier to laugh off your foibles when you know you can use them for fodder? I do.
JW: Okay, here’s my favorite question, or at least the one about favorites…(Courtesy laugh, please.) List some of your favorite things, doesn’t matter what. Food, hobby, author, book, verse…
TP: I love all food except cooked celery and lima beans. That’s kind of scary, isn’t it? Imagine the possibilities in being so readily pleased. Oh, and okra. Take that one off the list, too. Way too mushy. My favorite pastimes are reading and watching movies. (Wow—aren’t you picturing me sitting in front of the TV, eating everything except celery, lima beans, and okra? What a lump!)
JW: Well, I didn’t want to say anything…Just kidding!
TP: I don’t have a favorite author, but I love many of them (both Christian and secular), including Lisa Samson, Francine Rivers, Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Weiner—oh, I have to stop. I can’t even begin to list them all. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:3, and although I’m an NIV gal, I like this one in the KJV: “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Isn’t that a great verse for an author? I first noticed that in one of Jan Karon’s books.
JW: You’re right. The writing (and revising) goes so much better when we turn it over to God. (Which I keep having to remind myself.) One last question. Well, actually two. I would love to hear two bits of random advice—one writing-related and one not.
TP: Writing related: I’ve shared this one before, in several places, not because I can’t think of other advice—do any of us lack advice we’d like to hand out? But this revelation felt like such a gift from God when I was feeling doubtful, I know He wants me to share it often.
Shortly after my first book was released, I suddenly felt a wave of doubt about the whole shebang—my future in writing, my abilities, even whether or not God truly meant for me to be doing this. The experience was a bit like buyer’s remorse, you know? And I feared that I might learn God’s will about my writing by failing miserably. By having family and friends read my books and wonder how in the world I got published in the first place. By having my books horribly reviewed. By never getting another contract in my life. I knew these thoughts were coming from a baaaaaad place, so I stopped stressing and prayed. Very quickly the Lord impressed upon me the fact that He is not a God of discouragement. I realized He would never use rejection to make me quit writing. He hadn’t used rejection to get me here; He had blessed quite a few other endeavors of mine. Yet He drew me to writing. He appreciates our efforts to glorify Him; He’s not going to stomp on them.
So my advice about writing is to pursue it as long as you feel drawn to do it. When you receive a rejection, don’t consider it God’s way of forcing you to give up. If He wants you to do something else for Him, He’ll draw you to that other thing. That’s the way our God works.
Non-writing related advice: If you must read in the tub, make sure the book is riveting or you are well energized. Books get so puffy after they’ve been dipped in bathwater.
JW: Ha! Been there, done that. Great advice Trish, on both counts. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to reading another book of yours soon, even if my husband does make fun of me for smirking.
To learn more about Trish and her books, check out her website at http://www.trishperrybooks.com/.
(Originally posted 8-5-07)
Interview with Erynn Mangum
I’m not a coffee lover, although I’ve made attempts at becoming one. (The attempts generally call for massive amounts of chocolate syrup, French vanilla creamer, AND whip cream. Oh, and a smidgen of coffee.) But when I saw the cover for Miss Match at the library, with a giant coffee cup front and center, I couldn’t resist. Good thing, too, because when my husband and I stopped at Home Depot for forever, I had something to entertain me. And entertain it did. I finished Erynn’s debut novel around 2 a.m or so. (Don’t worry—we did leave the Home Depot parking lot a few hours before that.)
Though I’m still wary of coffee, I love Erynn’s writing and can’t wait to read more about her coffee-chugging main character, Lauren Holbrook. So, without further ado, let me introduce Erynn Mangum…who has me incredibly jealous since she’s younger than me and already has a second book on its way to the press.
JW: Erynn, first of all, I have to know…How much coffee do you REALLY drink?
EM: Really and truly? Not half as much as Lauren Holbrook does. I drink a lot more when I spend the day writing than when I’m working, but usually between two-four massive cups a day (seriously, my mug holds about three and a half cups of coffee!). Hey, the caffeine is half my personality!
JW: Maybe the coffee is the secret to getting published so young. Speaking of which, how did you get into writing?
EM: I’ve loved to write since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t write. My mom always loved books and would read to us a lot, so I imagine that got me started in this crazy make-believe world called fiction.
JW: Do you have a specific purpose for writing?
EM: I like to quote 1 Peter 5:12b – "My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens." I have this posted above my desk just to remind me.
JW: That’s awesome. Maybe I’ll borrow that one. Speaking of your desk, tell me about your writing space and routine.
EM: Well, my writing space is on a laptop and I sit at my desk in a very uncomfortable desk chair. I’ve got lots of pictures, quotes, comics and sticky notes everywhere on the wall I’m facing, and even more pictures and postcards on my desk. My routine is that I don’t really have one: I write when I can and hope I make the most of that time!
JW: The wall sounds fun—very inspirational. So what does inspire the ideas for your stories?
EM: I get a lot of ideas just from things that happen to me. I love hanging out with friends and going to college Bible studies because weird things always happen there! Sometimes a conversation will spur an idea, or a movie or a book.
JW: Weird things in college Bible studies, eh? That’s great. Now for my favorites questions. List some of your favorite things, doesn’t matter what. Food, hobby, author, book, verse, whatever.
EM: Okay, favorites are in no particular order: Daisies, 50s music, singing loud in the car when it’s just me and God, singing loud in the car when I’ve got some of my girls from the youth group and we’re playing Christmas carols, coffee!, caramel Frappucinos, homemade chocolate chip cookies, staying close with God, beaches, anything ocean or water related – that includes snow, s’mores over a campfire, starry nights, sunsets, hanging out with my family, spending time with my boyfriend, meeting friends for coffee, watching movies, reading, reading Psalms, dressing up really nice but also having days where I just wear sweats… oh my, the list could go on forever.
JW: I happen to know that Cheesecake Factory is your favorite restaurant. As it is also one of mine, I wanted to compare notes on the cheesecake. What’s your favorite?
EM: I absolutely adore the Chocolate Pecan Turtle cheesecake! I plan on living near a Cheesecake Factory at some point in my life. I’m thinking maybe the sooner the better, because my metabolism isn’t going to get any higher.
JW: Well, if you’re ever down in my neck of the woods, er, beach, we’ll have to get together and go. Although I must say that their Chocolate Tuxedo Cream cheesecake has got your Chocolate Pecan Turtle cheesecake beat all to pieces. Okay, last question. I would love to hear two bits of random advice—one writing-related and one not.
EM: Writing Advice: If you have the talent and the desire to write, don’t ever give up! God doesn’t gift where He doesn’t expect it to be used. Also, try really hard to not edit yourself as you’re writing, but wait to go back through the next day or even after you finish the manuscript to edit. Editing while you’re in the thick of it just disrupts the flow. General Advice: Don’t play 3-on-3 basketball in flip-flops.
JW: I’d love to ask the story behind that last bit of advice, but I won’t, just in case you’re going to use it in one of your novels. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview! To learn more about Erynn Mangum and her books, check out her website at www.erynnmangum.com. She is the author of the Lauren Holbrook series from NavPress.
(Originally posted 8-28-07)
Though I’m still wary of coffee, I love Erynn’s writing and can’t wait to read more about her coffee-chugging main character, Lauren Holbrook. So, without further ado, let me introduce Erynn Mangum…who has me incredibly jealous since she’s younger than me and already has a second book on its way to the press.
JW: Erynn, first of all, I have to know…How much coffee do you REALLY drink?
EM: Really and truly? Not half as much as Lauren Holbrook does. I drink a lot more when I spend the day writing than when I’m working, but usually between two-four massive cups a day (seriously, my mug holds about three and a half cups of coffee!). Hey, the caffeine is half my personality!
JW: Maybe the coffee is the secret to getting published so young. Speaking of which, how did you get into writing?
EM: I’ve loved to write since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t write. My mom always loved books and would read to us a lot, so I imagine that got me started in this crazy make-believe world called fiction.
JW: Do you have a specific purpose for writing?
EM: I like to quote 1 Peter 5:12b – "My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens." I have this posted above my desk just to remind me.
JW: That’s awesome. Maybe I’ll borrow that one. Speaking of your desk, tell me about your writing space and routine.
EM: Well, my writing space is on a laptop and I sit at my desk in a very uncomfortable desk chair. I’ve got lots of pictures, quotes, comics and sticky notes everywhere on the wall I’m facing, and even more pictures and postcards on my desk. My routine is that I don’t really have one: I write when I can and hope I make the most of that time!
JW: The wall sounds fun—very inspirational. So what does inspire the ideas for your stories?
EM: I get a lot of ideas just from things that happen to me. I love hanging out with friends and going to college Bible studies because weird things always happen there! Sometimes a conversation will spur an idea, or a movie or a book.
JW: Weird things in college Bible studies, eh? That’s great. Now for my favorites questions. List some of your favorite things, doesn’t matter what. Food, hobby, author, book, verse, whatever.
EM: Okay, favorites are in no particular order: Daisies, 50s music, singing loud in the car when it’s just me and God, singing loud in the car when I’ve got some of my girls from the youth group and we’re playing Christmas carols, coffee!, caramel Frappucinos, homemade chocolate chip cookies, staying close with God, beaches, anything ocean or water related – that includes snow, s’mores over a campfire, starry nights, sunsets, hanging out with my family, spending time with my boyfriend, meeting friends for coffee, watching movies, reading, reading Psalms, dressing up really nice but also having days where I just wear sweats… oh my, the list could go on forever.
JW: I happen to know that Cheesecake Factory is your favorite restaurant. As it is also one of mine, I wanted to compare notes on the cheesecake. What’s your favorite?
EM: I absolutely adore the Chocolate Pecan Turtle cheesecake! I plan on living near a Cheesecake Factory at some point in my life. I’m thinking maybe the sooner the better, because my metabolism isn’t going to get any higher.
JW: Well, if you’re ever down in my neck of the woods, er, beach, we’ll have to get together and go. Although I must say that their Chocolate Tuxedo Cream cheesecake has got your Chocolate Pecan Turtle cheesecake beat all to pieces. Okay, last question. I would love to hear two bits of random advice—one writing-related and one not.
EM: Writing Advice: If you have the talent and the desire to write, don’t ever give up! God doesn’t gift where He doesn’t expect it to be used. Also, try really hard to not edit yourself as you’re writing, but wait to go back through the next day or even after you finish the manuscript to edit. Editing while you’re in the thick of it just disrupts the flow. General Advice: Don’t play 3-on-3 basketball in flip-flops.
JW: I’d love to ask the story behind that last bit of advice, but I won’t, just in case you’re going to use it in one of your novels. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview! To learn more about Erynn Mangum and her books, check out her website at www.erynnmangum.com. She is the author of the Lauren Holbrook series from NavPress.
(Originally posted 8-28-07)
Interview with Donna Fleisher
I saw the cover for Wounded Healer a couple of years ago. I wrote the author down as one to check out and put the book on my Christmas list. Bless my mother-in-law, she bought it for me. Since then my first novel has been critiqued by Donna, and she has become a great friend and mentor. I love this lady! And her books—love them, too. But anyway. Enough of my yakking. Let me tell introduce you to Donna Fleisher.
JW: Before we get into your whole writing career and life story, I have a question of utmost important to ask you. Who is your favorite—Hoops or Yoyo?
DF: I don’t even know which is which, but I don’t think the one would be near as funny without the other. They seem to feed off each other. Actually, I think Hoops is the more dominant one. Which probably means I like Yoyo better.
JW: Rooting for the underdog, eh? That sounds like you. Next question is the standard one. How did you get into writing? Did you always want to be a writer, or did it just kind of come like a little light bulb on that brilliant head of yours? (If I flatter you enough, do I get a free book? LOL)
DF: I’ll think about the free book, but you gotta do better than that. I didn’t always want to be a writer. I never even considered writing until 1996. Suddenly I realized a few things: First, I needed to read. Second, no novel out there would satisfy my unbelievably picky, pathetically narrow, absurdly demanding taste. Third, if I wanted to read a novel that would satisfy my taste, I needed to write it. Fourth, if I didn’t write it, I’d burst. Fifth, what bad thing would happen if I gave it a try? I mean, would the sky fall? Would the ocean dry up and blow away? Would life as the world knew it grind to a halt just because this bored aired-out little Christian girl living by the beach wanted to write a novel? This was my main thought: It’ll be fun!!!! Oh, man, I had no idea.
JW: How do you get ideas for your stories?
DF: Ideas? Did you just bring up the dirty word? Like “goals” and “plans” and “organization” and “prioritizing” etc. Actually, the ideas for Homeland Heroes pretty much arrived on my doorstep in a big box wrapped with a bright red bow.
JW: Tell me about your writing routine and writing space. I write on my couch with my laptop, usually wrapped in a blanket and wearing fuzzy slippers since my hubby turns the AC way too low.
DF: Fuzzy slippers, wrapped in a warm blanket actually sounds pretty nice. I don’t have AC, so I usually have to kick off my fuzzy pink slippers after awhile. But I do definitely recline in my trusty Lazy-Boy, prop my Lapworks-protected laptop on my lap, and have at it. Why, just the other day while I was updating my website, I sat in that same recliner working working working away for almost thirteen hours. Getting up to eat and avail myself of the facilities from time to time, of course. All in all, I practically live in my recliner, which is okay, since it looks out over the crashing waves of the Pacific. (And, by the way, “routine” is another dirty word. Me? Having a writing routine? Are you kidding??)
JW: Oh, good. Another non-routine type person. I knew we had a lot in common. Okay, I have a favorites question for you. From your Homeland Heroes Series, which one—Chris or Erin?
DF: Oooo, I hate being asked this question, cuz as I’m answering it, they always show up to hear what I’ve got to say. If I say Chris, Erin gives me a super-duper hairy eyeball.
JW: (Translating: Hairy eyeball is an evil eye, just in case you were wondering. Took me a while to figure that one out.)
DF: If I say Erin, Chris only nods as if she thinks it’s true.
JW: (Interrupting again. Just so you know, I believe they really do this. Chris and Erin talk to Donna, and Donna even went into a baby store to buy a shower gift for Erin’s firstborn. Sad, huh? Oh, wait…I do that kind of stuff, too.)
DF: Truth is, Chris. By far. Cuz she’s the life of the story. But, no, Erin, cuz she’s the reason Chris is alive through Christ’s love once more. No, Chris, cuz without her, I never would have survived this entire adventure since April 2004. No, Erin, cuz without her keeping Chris centered and still since April 2004, Chris would not have been able to help me as much as she has. Can’t I say both? They seem to like that answer.
JW: Fine. Be difficult if you must. Tell me about the latest project you’re working on.
DF: The latest project I’ve just completed is actually a six-hour course on either CD or cassette on “Bringing Fiction to Life: On writing powerful Christian fiction.” I’m so jazzed about it.
JW: That’s awesome! I learned so much from you. Looks like a great way for aspiring writers to learn more. But before everyone hops over to your website to buy it, I have another question. More favorites: food, hobby, book, verse, whatever.
DF: Ahh, my faves. Let’s see. Food? Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Skippers. And whatever my brother is grilling at the time. Hobby? Beachcombing, especially for sand dollars. Author? Camy Tang. Susie Larson. See? Susie writes non-fiction. So I’m not totally helpless. Book? Okay, I’m helpless. I don’t read enough to have a favorite.
JW: (Interrupting to say she’d have a favorite if my book was out. LOL. Okay, maybe not. But you never know.)
DF: Favorite person to get an e-mail from? Jenness!!! No kidding. I love your e-mails. Can’t wait for the world to read your stuff.
JW: Aw…you’re too sweet. You don’t even have to give me a free book anymore!
DF: Back to my faves, there was one book that was my favorite when I was growing up: the Sears Christmas Wishbook.
JW: Ha! Me, too!
DF: My favorite place to be? Heceta Head Lighthouse, ten miles north of Florence, Oregon. The place I wanna be most? Heaven. Bring it on, Lord Jesus. Soon. Please?
JW: Think there will be a Taco Bell up there? Oh, never mind. Here’s my last question: Give us some random advice. Writing-related and otherwise.
DF: Bits of random advice. Hmm. Writing related: As you’re typing, make sure the Insert button hasn’t been pushed. In other words, try not to delete what you’ve previously written with every keystroke of new material you’re typing in. Hey, been there, done that. And it ain’t pretty. Not writing related: Take time for a walk on the beach. Let the sand squish up between your toes. Breathe deep of the lush, fresh, ocean breezes. And that’s it for now.
JW: Thanks, Donna, for agreeing to be my guinea pig. Thanks for the interview!
DF: Thanks, Jenness!! You’re definitely one of my faves. : )
JW: To learn more about Donna or to contact her, check out her website at www.donnafleisher.com. She is the author of the Homeland Heroes series: Wounded Healer, Warrior’s Heart, Valiant Hope, and Standing Strong.
(Originally posted 7-14-07)
JW: Before we get into your whole writing career and life story, I have a question of utmost important to ask you. Who is your favorite—Hoops or Yoyo?
DF: I don’t even know which is which, but I don’t think the one would be near as funny without the other. They seem to feed off each other. Actually, I think Hoops is the more dominant one. Which probably means I like Yoyo better.
JW: Rooting for the underdog, eh? That sounds like you. Next question is the standard one. How did you get into writing? Did you always want to be a writer, or did it just kind of come like a little light bulb on that brilliant head of yours? (If I flatter you enough, do I get a free book? LOL)
DF: I’ll think about the free book, but you gotta do better than that. I didn’t always want to be a writer. I never even considered writing until 1996. Suddenly I realized a few things: First, I needed to read. Second, no novel out there would satisfy my unbelievably picky, pathetically narrow, absurdly demanding taste. Third, if I wanted to read a novel that would satisfy my taste, I needed to write it. Fourth, if I didn’t write it, I’d burst. Fifth, what bad thing would happen if I gave it a try? I mean, would the sky fall? Would the ocean dry up and blow away? Would life as the world knew it grind to a halt just because this bored aired-out little Christian girl living by the beach wanted to write a novel? This was my main thought: It’ll be fun!!!! Oh, man, I had no idea.
JW: How do you get ideas for your stories?
DF: Ideas? Did you just bring up the dirty word? Like “goals” and “plans” and “organization” and “prioritizing” etc. Actually, the ideas for Homeland Heroes pretty much arrived on my doorstep in a big box wrapped with a bright red bow.
JW: Tell me about your writing routine and writing space. I write on my couch with my laptop, usually wrapped in a blanket and wearing fuzzy slippers since my hubby turns the AC way too low.
DF: Fuzzy slippers, wrapped in a warm blanket actually sounds pretty nice. I don’t have AC, so I usually have to kick off my fuzzy pink slippers after awhile. But I do definitely recline in my trusty Lazy-Boy, prop my Lapworks-protected laptop on my lap, and have at it. Why, just the other day while I was updating my website, I sat in that same recliner working working working away for almost thirteen hours. Getting up to eat and avail myself of the facilities from time to time, of course. All in all, I practically live in my recliner, which is okay, since it looks out over the crashing waves of the Pacific. (And, by the way, “routine” is another dirty word. Me? Having a writing routine? Are you kidding??)
JW: Oh, good. Another non-routine type person. I knew we had a lot in common. Okay, I have a favorites question for you. From your Homeland Heroes Series, which one—Chris or Erin?
DF: Oooo, I hate being asked this question, cuz as I’m answering it, they always show up to hear what I’ve got to say. If I say Chris, Erin gives me a super-duper hairy eyeball.
JW: (Translating: Hairy eyeball is an evil eye, just in case you were wondering. Took me a while to figure that one out.)
DF: If I say Erin, Chris only nods as if she thinks it’s true.
JW: (Interrupting again. Just so you know, I believe they really do this. Chris and Erin talk to Donna, and Donna even went into a baby store to buy a shower gift for Erin’s firstborn. Sad, huh? Oh, wait…I do that kind of stuff, too.)
DF: Truth is, Chris. By far. Cuz she’s the life of the story. But, no, Erin, cuz she’s the reason Chris is alive through Christ’s love once more. No, Chris, cuz without her, I never would have survived this entire adventure since April 2004. No, Erin, cuz without her keeping Chris centered and still since April 2004, Chris would not have been able to help me as much as she has. Can’t I say both? They seem to like that answer.
JW: Fine. Be difficult if you must. Tell me about the latest project you’re working on.
DF: The latest project I’ve just completed is actually a six-hour course on either CD or cassette on “Bringing Fiction to Life: On writing powerful Christian fiction.” I’m so jazzed about it.
JW: That’s awesome! I learned so much from you. Looks like a great way for aspiring writers to learn more. But before everyone hops over to your website to buy it, I have another question. More favorites: food, hobby, book, verse, whatever.
DF: Ahh, my faves. Let’s see. Food? Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Skippers. And whatever my brother is grilling at the time. Hobby? Beachcombing, especially for sand dollars. Author? Camy Tang. Susie Larson. See? Susie writes non-fiction. So I’m not totally helpless. Book? Okay, I’m helpless. I don’t read enough to have a favorite.
JW: (Interrupting to say she’d have a favorite if my book was out. LOL. Okay, maybe not. But you never know.)
DF: Favorite person to get an e-mail from? Jenness!!! No kidding. I love your e-mails. Can’t wait for the world to read your stuff.
JW: Aw…you’re too sweet. You don’t even have to give me a free book anymore!
DF: Back to my faves, there was one book that was my favorite when I was growing up: the Sears Christmas Wishbook.
JW: Ha! Me, too!
DF: My favorite place to be? Heceta Head Lighthouse, ten miles north of Florence, Oregon. The place I wanna be most? Heaven. Bring it on, Lord Jesus. Soon. Please?
JW: Think there will be a Taco Bell up there? Oh, never mind. Here’s my last question: Give us some random advice. Writing-related and otherwise.
DF: Bits of random advice. Hmm. Writing related: As you’re typing, make sure the Insert button hasn’t been pushed. In other words, try not to delete what you’ve previously written with every keystroke of new material you’re typing in. Hey, been there, done that. And it ain’t pretty. Not writing related: Take time for a walk on the beach. Let the sand squish up between your toes. Breathe deep of the lush, fresh, ocean breezes. And that’s it for now.
JW: Thanks, Donna, for agreeing to be my guinea pig. Thanks for the interview!
DF: Thanks, Jenness!! You’re definitely one of my faves. : )
JW: To learn more about Donna or to contact her, check out her website at www.donnafleisher.com. She is the author of the Homeland Heroes series: Wounded Healer, Warrior’s Heart, Valiant Hope, and Standing Strong.
(Originally posted 7-14-07)
This is just a test...
Not really. But I thought I'd give my one loyal follower a warning. :-) With my new website coming up, I'm reworking a few things. I'm going to move some content from the website to this blog for now. So if you recognize the upcoming posts, well, that's why.
4/14/09
The Photo Shoot Report
Author photos—I put them off as long as I could. I waited until I knew the feel we were going for on my new website (coming soon!!). I waited until the photographers had come up with a package and some cool locations that would work. I waited until I could go in for a cleaning at the dentist. I waited so I could have time to shop for the perfect outfit. (Which I found…but they don’t make it for my size. Go figure.) (Did I just admit that on the world wide web?!)
Finally I decided just to get it over with. The waiting was making me even more nervous. I conferred with the photographers, decided on the next Friday…and when Friday came, we all found out that people have different definitions of “next”. Oops.
We rescheduled. Then needed to reschedule again. Lots of frustrated shopping and angst filled up that time. I practiced facial expressions in the mirror…although I didn’t remember any of them during the shoot. I even did a fashion show for my best friend Tonya and her baby Tyler to try to decide on what to wear. Tyler wasn’t much help. Tonya was.
But I wanted a second opinion, so the night before the shoot, I tried on some of the clothes again for my indulgent husband. He snapped a few pictures himself just so he’d remember what the outfits were when it came time to choose. (Really, it wasn’t THAT many.) After he took one picture, he told me, “Jenness, you really need to figure out what to do with your hands.” So I picked the shirt that covered them…
Saturday morning at 8:00, I met my photographers and climbed into their car, ready to be tortured for the next couple of hours. John Paul and Jolie Churchill are a husband and wife team that I’ve known for a long time. That was good, in that I was comfortable around them. Bad, because it was very strange to stare at John Paul for so long…
JP and Jolie knew how nervous I was, and they came prepared. Between JP kicking in the door of the shack (it was unlocked but stuck) in a move worthy of SWAT, Jolie muttering “ow” every two seconds as she worked her way through the underbrush, and the jokes they cracked, it was almost fun.
The first setting was a deserted shack. Two minutes in and my lips were already shaking and my eyes were squinty. I’m so not cut out for this stuff. We could be seen from a busy road, so I got kind of tickled at what some of the drivers might have been thinking. Wondering if I was someone important? No, they probably thought I was a high school senior. I still get that a lot…
I changed clothes in the Churchill’s darling house, then it was off to shoot some more. The second location was in a burned-out section of woods. The plants were growing back, but it still had a cool effect. And I was glad I’d worn mostly black because the ash left streaks all over JP and Jolie’s khaki clothes. Jolie had this idea to hang an old-fashioned mirror on one of the blackened tree trunks. It was awkward—I had a hard time not continually adjusting my hair or my facial expression since, well, it was a mirror. But I loved the end result.
The shoot took two or three hours. I discovered something else I can’t do—cock my head one direction and look in the other. (Hey, you try it.) I was exhausted when I got home. And I checked the Churchill’s blog a couple times daily to see if they’d posted any samples until I received the proofs. (Yes, JP, that’s why your traffic was up. I checked. Jason checked. Tonya checked.) If you want to see the samples, check out their blog at http://www.churchillsphotography.blogspot.com/.
Thanks, John Paul and Jolie. (Check out their website at http://www.churchillsphotography.com/.) All in all, it was a good experience…but not one I want to repeat for the next twenty-years or so, okay?
Finally I decided just to get it over with. The waiting was making me even more nervous. I conferred with the photographers, decided on the next Friday…and when Friday came, we all found out that people have different definitions of “next”. Oops.
We rescheduled. Then needed to reschedule again. Lots of frustrated shopping and angst filled up that time. I practiced facial expressions in the mirror…although I didn’t remember any of them during the shoot. I even did a fashion show for my best friend Tonya and her baby Tyler to try to decide on what to wear. Tyler wasn’t much help. Tonya was.
But I wanted a second opinion, so the night before the shoot, I tried on some of the clothes again for my indulgent husband. He snapped a few pictures himself just so he’d remember what the outfits were when it came time to choose. (Really, it wasn’t THAT many.) After he took one picture, he told me, “Jenness, you really need to figure out what to do with your hands.” So I picked the shirt that covered them…
Saturday morning at 8:00, I met my photographers and climbed into their car, ready to be tortured for the next couple of hours. John Paul and Jolie Churchill are a husband and wife team that I’ve known for a long time. That was good, in that I was comfortable around them. Bad, because it was very strange to stare at John Paul for so long…
JP and Jolie knew how nervous I was, and they came prepared. Between JP kicking in the door of the shack (it was unlocked but stuck) in a move worthy of SWAT, Jolie muttering “ow” every two seconds as she worked her way through the underbrush, and the jokes they cracked, it was almost fun.
The first setting was a deserted shack. Two minutes in and my lips were already shaking and my eyes were squinty. I’m so not cut out for this stuff. We could be seen from a busy road, so I got kind of tickled at what some of the drivers might have been thinking. Wondering if I was someone important? No, they probably thought I was a high school senior. I still get that a lot…
I changed clothes in the Churchill’s darling house, then it was off to shoot some more. The second location was in a burned-out section of woods. The plants were growing back, but it still had a cool effect. And I was glad I’d worn mostly black because the ash left streaks all over JP and Jolie’s khaki clothes. Jolie had this idea to hang an old-fashioned mirror on one of the blackened tree trunks. It was awkward—I had a hard time not continually adjusting my hair or my facial expression since, well, it was a mirror. But I loved the end result.
The shoot took two or three hours. I discovered something else I can’t do—cock my head one direction and look in the other. (Hey, you try it.) I was exhausted when I got home. And I checked the Churchill’s blog a couple times daily to see if they’d posted any samples until I received the proofs. (Yes, JP, that’s why your traffic was up. I checked. Jason checked. Tonya checked.) If you want to see the samples, check out their blog at http://www.churchillsphotography.blogspot.com/.
Thanks, John Paul and Jolie. (Check out their website at http://www.churchillsphotography.com/.) All in all, it was a good experience…but not one I want to repeat for the next twenty-years or so, okay?
4/10/09
Author pics
I saw my proofs! You can see a sampling of them on my photographer's blog at http://www.churchillsphotography.blogspot.com/. I'll post more about it when I get back home where I'm not on dial-up. :-) Have a blessed Easter!
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