FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where did you grow up, and was reading and writing a big part of your life?

I grew up in a small town in Georgia. I wrote my very first story when I was in the 3rd grade and it was Mrs. Appling, my teacher who nurtured this seed of writing in me. I loved to read and would read everything from romances to encyclopedias. Because I was painfully shy, writing became an outlet for me.

 

We know that you initially published in romance, but tell us what influenced you to write Christian fiction?

My personal relationship with God. I knew when I wrote my first book, Hidden Blessings, that I was called to write books for God. I refused because I wanted to be popular; I wanted to sell books; I felt I wasn’t worthy; that I didn’t know the Bible well enough—the list could go on. God wasn’t hearing any of it. He convicted my heart with each romance until I could no longer ignore His call. To be clear, it wasn’t that I felt writing romance novels are wrong. It was just that God called me to do something else. You can only ignore the calling on your heart for so long.

 

What happened to writing Romance? Have you given it up completely?

At the time I chose to follow my calling, I felt I needed to separate myself from the romance genre as my books were becoming more about God and less about the actual romance. I wanted to be true to my romance readers and so I couldn't cheat them by giving them something else. I love romance and there are still quite a few of them in me--however, any future romance novels will have a strong element of spirituality in them. This is the path that I've chosen and I am committed to my calling. I will tell you this: although inspirational, that wonderful feeling of falling in love and finding Mr. Right will be present.
 

What Christian/moral issues do you address in your books?

Forgiveness is a theme that runs through a lot of my books. I deal with everything from adultery, sexual addiction, anger and bitterness to blaming God for everything that goes wrong in life.

 

Do you consider novels in this genre an evangelism tool? If so, you consider yourself an evangelist?

I’m just me. A girl who loves the Lord with all of her heart and one who tries so hard to live right. This is my ministry and I realize it. God placed this charge to me—I can’t say I just woke up one morning and decided to write Christian Fiction. I just wanted to be a writer. However, I consider it a huge responsibility and I know God will hold me accountable for every word I put on paper.

 

How much, if any, of your writing comes from “your own” real life experiences?

I believe as writers we all bring our own experiences into our books. I have a lot of the same questions my character have. Like them, I’m working to build a closer relationship with God. I struggle with my faith from time to time. But God is so good—there have been times He’s used my own books to minister to me.

 
 

Just how Christian are your fiction novels?

I strive to keep my stories biblically  sound. I write fiction but the situations my characters go through are very real, in that they are some of the same issues we as Christians struggle with--unforgiveness, questioning God at times, searching for His peace, etc.  My books are not a substitute for the Bible but they are meant to not only entertain, but also offer hope to the hopeless, encourage and even minister to the reader.  I am very active in my church, I attend weekly Bible Studies and I'm currently taking courses for a certificate in Biblical Studies.  

 

You're also writing for young adults in addition to women's fiction.  How did that come about?

Our young people are in crisis. They are faced with drugs, gang violence, sex--peer pressure is often hard to ignore.  I have a large teen readership so I decided to write books that specifically speak to that audience.  They hear on a daily basis what the world has to say about these things--my books will not only give them what the world says but also what the Word says. 

 

What are some of the issues you've dealt with in your young adult novels?

My first young adult novel, Simply Divine deals with the issue of having celebrity parents who are constantly in trouble with the law and how their actions affect the children.  my second novel, Divine Confidential deals with meeting strangers on the Internet.  The next novel will confront domestic violence among teens.

 

What general advice do you have for writers who just completed their first novel? What should they do next?

I encourage all writers to research and join a local writers group. Try out a couple to make sure it’s a good fit for you. Most legitimate groups are a good source for networking and sharing industry news and information. Pick up a copy of the Writers Market and research the publishing houses. Read, read, read. Find out what the houses you’re interested in, is publishing.
 

Were any of your experiences a difficult process for you? Any discouraging moments? If so, how did you overcome them?

I guess my most challenging moment was temporarily taking my eyes off God and putting my trust in someone who I thought had my best interests at heart. It was a hard lesson to learn, but God is so merciful. My career is in God’s hands and once I gave it to Him—I don’t let things bother me anymore, so I’m enjoying myself. I do what I’m supposed to do—write. I give the best that I have and I trust God to meet my needs both personally and professionally.

 

If you could give advice to an aspiring writer, what would that advice be?

Writers write. And when they’re not writing, they read books on the craft of writing or they take classes to perfect their craft. Always be willing to learn something new. Write from the heart--heart beats talent all the time.