FROM THE SOUTHSIDE OF TOWN ~ MEET CHRISTA!

Here is a little about our newest guest, Christa.

     A true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day, Christa weaves stories of unscripted grace with threads of hope, humor, and heart. Her debut womens fiction, Walking on Broken Glass, is published by Abingdon Press. She contributes to “Exemplify” and “Afictionado”, the e-zine of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her essays have been published in Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lovers Soul, Chicken Soup for the Divorced and Recovering Soul, Cup of Comfort, and “The Ultimate Teacher”.

     Christa is the mother of five adult children, a grandmother of three, and a teacher of high school English. She and her husband Ken live in Abita Springs, Louisiana, where they and their three cats enjoy their time playing golf, anticipating retirement, and dodging hurricanes. Find more information about Christa at http://www.christaallan.com/.

SDC: Welcome Christa. Please tell us what inspiration went behind the penning of your most recent book.

Christa: The story grew from my realization that our lives don’t always follow the scripts we’ve expected. Because of that, we sometimes find ourselves frustrated, lonely, confused, angry. We think God’s abandoned us, when-ironically-we may be following God’s script for our lives. I’m a recovering alcoholic, and by God’s grace, have not had a drink for over twenty years. I invited God back into my life because of AA, not in spite of it. As I grew in my faith and in my recovery, I realized that so many Christian families suffer in silence. Alcoholism, drug, sex, or food addiction, lifestyles are all the big elephants in the room we don’t talk about. But we all know they exist. So, what’s someone to do who’s immersed in these challenges? I wanted to reassure women struggling with addiction that they’re not alone, that there’s a loving and compassion God who cares about them and His grace will be sufficient for them. I wanted to remove the façade that often hinders real recovery. “Good” Christian families aren’t immune to the world, but once we admit we have a problem, we can be healed by God.

SKC: Thank you for sharing that. I know it will minister to many who read it. I also can see how it will play a great part in your writing. As a writer do you believe you are self-taught or have you learned a lot from others? And tell us about some of the authors who have given you insight on how to express your own voice or taught you the most about development of style

Christa: In high school I realized that I couldn’t sing, dance, paint, play sports, play an instrument…but I could write. Sometimes we tend to take our gifts for granted thinking that if it’s something we’re good at, then it can’t possibly be “worth” anything. So, in that sense, I believe that I-like many authors-have a certain innate propensity. It’s the gift that God gave me, and it’s my choice as to how I will develop and use it.

     I’ve always been a voracious reader, and I truly my writing benefitted, and still does, from reading. In fact, as a high school teacher, I’ve noticed that reciprocal connection more than even. My strongest writers are my most enthusiastic readers. That being said, I think it’s crucial that we expose ourselves in reading to authors whose work we admire and aspire to. I’m not sure there’s enough space to talk about writers who have influenced me! A few: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Lisa Samson, Harper Lee, William Faulkner, Mary DeMuth. . .

SKC: William Faulkner was one of my favorites early on. Reading played a great part in my life as well to draw me in to becoming a writer. What about when you are in the middle of a project. Let's go there. When you are in the middle of series and deadlines does it cramp your creativity, or enhance it, and in what way?

Christa: Deadlines force me to write on demand, so I spend far less time “obsessing” over what I write. Sometimes, the creativity is sacrificed for expediency.

SKC: I receive a lot of different angles on how well to approach a deadline. Thanks for sharing yours. After the deadline comes and your books are out, how would you say your readers are responding to your work so far? What are some of the comments you have received that have blessed you or taught you where you need improvement, Christa? 

Christa: When I saw the review form Publisher’s Weekly waiting in my email, I almost didn’t want to read it! But it was surprisingly positive, and my publisher (Abingdon), even used a snippet from it on my cover. Leah’s story seems to have resonated with readers, and that was my greatest prayer— that her story would bring people hope. Also, readers appreciate that her story, though gritty and real, is told with a degree of wit.

SKC:  That's great for we don't always receive that positive response. Or at least we are never sure what to expect. How difficult it is for you to keep up a website and blog on a regular basis to promote your work?

Christa: Exceedingly! I’m drowning in paperwork between the papers I need to grade for school, the online class I’m teaching, keeping up my social networking, marketing, and writing!

SKC: I bear witness. But I'll bet, from the way you've answered these questions thus far, even that has been an boost to keep you going. Who would you say is the most inspiring character in the book you have coming out soon and why?

Christa: Leah, the main character, continues in the responses and reviews I’ve received to be the most inspiring. Publisher’s Weekly said, “Leah is fascinating, complicated, and above all funny.” She finds the strength to start the journey to wholeness even when all the odds seem against her.

SKC: Leah sounds like an intriguing character. Tell us about more about the book you hope to share with one of our readers.

Christa: Leah's Thornton's life, like her Southern Living home, has great curb appeal. But a paralyzing encounter with a can of frozen apple juice in the supermarket shatters the façade, forcing her to admit that all is not as it appears. When her best friend gets in Leah's face about her refusal to deal with her life, Leah is forced to make an agonizing decision. Can she sacrifice what she wants to get what she needs? Joy, sadness, and pain converge, testing Leah's commitment to her marriage, her motherhood, and her faith.

SKC: That's a good taste. Thanks, Christa. As I mentioned in our e-mails back and forth, I like to have the guest authors send out a thought-provoking question to our readers. Will you do that for us too? If you were to ask a question to readers today about anything, what would it be?

Christa: [Here it is]  What topics don’t you find in Christian fiction that you want to read?

SDC: Thanks Christa. And to our guests, please take the time to answer the above question if you are interested in winning a copy of Christa's book.  Names will be drawn at random. Please don't forget to include your e-mail address. If I can't locate you I always have to draw another name.

And to Christa, I can’t thank you enough for coming by to visit. I look forward to the opportunity I shall make for myself to read some of your work soon. As we close, please let our readers know where they can locate you or your books.

Christa: Thanks for hosting me here. I appreciate the opportunity. Readers can find my book at Cokesbury, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and other online venues.

A VERY INTERESTING LADY. COME SAY HELLO!

Virginia Smith is the author of twelve Christian novels as well as dozens of articles and short stories. In 2008, she was named Writer of the Year at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Stuck in the Middle, book one in her Sister-to-Sister Series, was a finalist for ACFW’s 2009 Book of the Year award, and A Taste of Murder was a finalist for the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Ginny’s website was listed in the top ten writer sites of 2009 by Writers Digest. She and her husband divide their time between Kentucky and Utah, and escape as often as they can for “research trips” (or so she says) to scuba dive in the warm waters of the Caribbean. http://www.virginiasmith.org/

Welcome to A Pen for Your Thoughts, Virginia. What books or project are you hoping to tell us about this week?

VS: My newest book is Third Time’s a Charm, the funny and heartwarming story of a professional young woman struggling to balance career, church, budding romance, and a personal crisis. As if that weren’t enough, a couple of matchmaking sisters crank up the tension and the fun. This is the third book in the Sister-to-Sister series, following Stuck in the Middle and Age before Beauty, but you don’t have to read those books before this one.

When I created the Sister-to-Sister series, I modeled the characters after my relationship with my own sisters, so the books are very close to my heart. Plus, I drew heavily on personal experience to write this book. Third Time’s a Charm is lighthearted in places, but it confronts some tough issues, too.

SKC: Sounds really good. They all do. What special something inspired you to come up with your very first book?

VS: My first novel was Just As I Am, the story of a purple-haired young woman who becomes a Christian in her mama’s country church. She doesn’t change her hair color, or remove her nose ring or lip stud, even though the conservative congregation thinks she should. Instead, God’s changes happen on the inside, and soon they overflow into the world around her. The inspiration for that story was a visiting singer in my church several years before facial jewelry became a common sight in churches. I wanted to explore how a contemporary young woman like her lives out her faith, but I really didn’t want to pierce my nose to find out personally. So I created a character who did.

SKC: Isn't it great how we can make our characters do what we want. Describe your writing genre and sub-genre, and why you chose what you chose.

VS: That question isn’t as easy for me to answer as you might think, because I write in several genres. I have published six mysteries in the sub-genres of cozy, modern, and romantic suspense. I’ve published two chick lit novels, one romance novel, and three contemporary novels. I choose to write in multiple genres because I enjoy reading in multiple genres. I figure other people do too.

Third Time’s a Charm is contemporary, though it does have a strong romantic element as well as many humorous incidents. In this case, the story itself dictated the genre. The main character tackles an issue that many women in our society today experience – overcoming the ripple effect of her parents’ divorce and her father’s subsequent desertion. How can you establish a lasting relationship with a man, or with your heavenly Father, when you feel rejected by the most important man in your life? There are some major self-esteem issues to overcome. But as my character discovers, our Father is the One who heals all wounds and binds up the brokenhearted.

SKC: Not everyone can write in numerous genres. Tell us about some of the authors who have given you insight on how to express your own voice, and have taught you the most about development of style.

VS: One of the most helpful writing classes I’ve ever attended was taught by Deborah Raney at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in 2005. She is an amazingly talented author, and she presented tons of techniques for deepening characterization and maintaining tension. I took pages of notes that I still refer to, even after twelve published novels.

Another author I’ve learned a lot from is Brandilyn Collins through her book, Getting into Character. The whole book is terrific, but she has a section in there on writing realistic dialogue that gave me one of those light bulb moments of, “Aha! So that’s how you do it.”

SKC: I'll have to get Brandilyn's book. I haven't read that one yet. When you are in the middle of series and deadlines, Virginia, does it cramp your creativity, or enhance it, and why or why not?

VS: Oh, deadlines definitely enhance my creativity. I think that comes from spending over twenty years in the corporate environment as a computer project leader. I learned how to develop a plan and lay out the steps in order to accomplish a project by a specific deadline. And I learned the importance of never missing a deadline, because to miss a date can mean huge cost increases for the project. And if you come in ahead of schedule, that can mean significant savings. Now that I’m a full time writer, I still find myself motivated by deadlines. I lay out the tasks I have to accomplish in order to get a book finished, just like a project plan, and work toward the final deadline. I still work hard to bring a project in ahead of schedule. So far I have never missed a deadline, and on most of them I’ve been early.

SKC: Those deadlines can be murder, I know. Many authors are often asked how they deal with writer's block. How do you overcome it?

VS: I know this sounds strange, but I don’t really believe in writer’s block. Oh, I know there are times in every writer’s life when they don’t feel the creative juices flowing. But you know what? There are times in every computer programmer’s life when they don’t feel the technical juices flowing. There were times when I was a corporate director that I didn’t feel like going to work and dealing with employees. You know what I did? I went anyway. And that’s what a writer has to do. When I feel “blocked,” I write through it. Sometimes I can’t think of anything to write except a letter, or an email, or a blog post. But I write. And for me, it is the act of writing that produces inspiration. I think it was Anne Lamotte who said, “A writer does not write when inspired. A writer writes until inspired.” I love that, and I’ve adopted it as my motto.

SKC: A great motto to live by. What for you is the KEY to writing a good book?

VS: The key is to let the story and the characters come alive in your mind, and then apply every skill you’ve ever learned toward the task of making that story as alive in the minds of your readers as it is in yours. Of course, that means you have to work hard to develop those skills. And you have to work hard to create a compelling story, and realistic characters. So I suppose the real key is to put forth lots of hard work!

SKC: That hard work always shows itself in the end, doesn't it. After you finish your present project what plans outside of writing do you have?

VS: I do a bit of speaking in addition to writing, and at the moment I’m looking forward to several speaking engagements. One is a lecture at a university, which will be a first for me. And on a personal level, I’m looking forward to becoming a grandmother this summer. My husband’s sons from a previous marriage have given us five beautiful grandchildren already, but this will be the first from my side.

SKC: As we close please let us know which book you plan to donate to one of our readers, and don’t forget to share a reflection question that deals with reading material, or writing techniques, or whatever else comes to your mind. I enjoy getting the followers and responders of A Pen for Your Thoughts to share their views about various issues. It will be from their answers we will draw a name for a winner of one of your books.

VS: I love the idea of a reflective writing exercise. Since I’m going to give away an autographed copy of Third Time’s a Charm, the reflection question has to do with one of the struggles the main character encounters: how can we show our faith in the workplace without appearing overbearing to our coworkers?

SKC: Great question! I look forward to seeing what people write in. Thank you so much for coming here to visit and for being a follower of A Pen for Your Thoughts, Virginia. How can our readers find you and also locate your books?

VS: Thank you for the opportunity to visit with you and the readers of A Pen for Your Thoughts! I invite everyone to click over to my website to find out about me and my books. www.VirginiaSmith.org You can also get to know a more personal side of me by becoming my Friend on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/ginny.p.smith

Okay, readers. It is now your turn. Check out the reflection above and send in your answers. We will draw the winner's name in a few days.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EMMA MICHAELS OF WASHINGTON! BE WATCHING FOR YOUR NEW BOOK SOON IN THE MAIL.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR WITH BETSY!

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group. Betsy is multi-published through Steeple Hill and has been published in Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, ‘Kickboxing or Chocolate’, appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. Betsy has a BA in Christian Communications and regularly contributes articles to Crosswalk.com. She is a wife, mother, author, and avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories.

SDC: Welcome Betsy. Over the last few years you have become both a well-known and talented writer. Before you tell us about your newest release coming, please fill us in on what got you started writing from the beginning.

Betsy: Thank you, Shirley! My writing actually goes back to childhood. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of doing, what was always in my soul! God purposed that in me from a very young age when I first pounded away on my parent’s keyboard and penned poems and short stories in notebooks. To actually be living my dream is a blessing I will never take for granted. I got serious about writing for publication around the age of 18 and attended conferences, made contacts with other authors, joined the ACFW, and the rest is history.

SDC: Tell us about your publishers. How did they find YOU?

Betsy: My agent is who connected me with Steeple Hill Love Inspired. She contracted my first novel with them only a few months after we started our partnership. I'm honored to work with Tamela Hancock Murray of Hartline Literary. We make a great team! And i enjoy working with my editor at Steeple Hill. She pushes me to be better and is a great motivator.

SDC: Teamwork is so important. I read in your blog, your purpose for writing and was blessed by that, Betsy. What kind of response do you receive from readers who have not yet come to know the Lord, or who have been influenced greatly by one of your books?

Betsy: Thanks Shirley. Actually, some of the most encouraging emails have come from readers of my Crosswalk articles, at www.crosswalk.com. I submit regularly to them, and was honored that my New Years story “Let Your Shine Before Men in 2010” was chosen as the home page lead article right after Christmas. It’s such a blessing to hear that God uses the words He gives me to touch others. As for my books, it is the same. I haven’t yet heard from anyone who professed to not know the Lord, but I pray that one day someone in that position will pick up my novels and come to know Christ. In the meantime, I love hearing that God uses my stories to deepen relationships with Him. I’m still in awe He would see fit to use me that way.

SDC: That just about answers my next question already. Let me add to that. How do you make faith, love, and hope work together in your stories?

Betsy: With Steeple Hill Love Inspired, a faith element is required, but they don’t want to see “preachy” messages, so there is definitely a delicate balance there. Sometimes its tricky to accomplish, especially for someone like me who grew up in church and was led to the Lord at an early age. “Christian-ese” comes easy to me, and my editor always helps me see when I’ve used phrases or analogies that might not be understood by a non-church go-er. But I think when you take your characters through an external situation, it’s pretty simple to help lead them on a spiritual and emotional journey through it. It’s just with Christians in real life. When conflict arises, you have to choose how you will handle it, and taking my characters down that path usually comes naturally. And of course, a romance isn’t romance with love – I just hope that my character’s human love for each other will hint at the deeper love that Christ has for His church.

SDC: I see you use an agent. How did you go about finding yours, and what was your criteria for selecting?

Betsy: Yes, as I mentioned earlier, I signed with Tamela Hancock Murray at the 2007 ACFW conference. She sold my first novel to Steeple Hill a few months later. I was very pregnant with my first child when I received the good news about my first contract. 2008 was a blessed year in so many ways! I knew Tamela and all the Hartline agents were sought-after and had a great reputation in the Christian book industry, and I also knew several of her current clients, who spoke highly of her. We seemed to be a great fit in both personality and goals, which is important, and that instinct has proven to be true time and time again since. My advice for anyone seeking an agent is to do your homework and learn about the agent. Just because they are well-known or respected doesn’t mean they’ll be a good match for you personally. All agents are different – some are more aggressive, some take things slower, some are a friend and cheerleader, others keep a more professional distance…you need to determine what relationship you want and then submit to an agent that fits that criteria. Matching yourself up with an agent who isn’t a good fit is a waste of both of your time.

SDC: I love to ask this question for the answers are so varied. What’s your favorite Bible verse that has sustained you recently and why?

Betsy: So many! But I think right now, especially in the midst of my husband’s recent lay-off from the fire department, that it would be:  Matthew 6:25-26 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

SDC: I love those verses in Matthew too. Many of us writers have favorite rooms or spaces in our home or around our homes that we use to get our creativity juices flowing. Where is your favorite place to go and why? Does it often play any part in your story writing?

Betsy: Usually, just sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop does the trick. It gets me in the center of the house, by the window overlooking our big front yard, with lots of light shining through the windows. But sometimes, I have to get away, and then nothing beats sitting at a table in Barnes & Noble with a hot Starbucks mocha. THAT is inspiration!! :::grin:::

SDC: I haven’t yet had the opportunity to read one of your books but I hope to soon. (In my spare time?) Have you ever considered writing about a character who leaves the United States and goes elsewhere to find his or her love? (Or do you already have a book like that that I have missed hearing about?)

Betsy: I actually have and am waiting to hear back from a publisher on that very topic right now. Stay tuned! I can’t really elaborate at the moment. ::wink::

SDC: Hmm, sounds intriguing. Have you ever written anything that you had to later toss? How would you describe your OLD file system of “works in progress” that you chose not to pursue?

Betsy: I really don’t have any stories that I have completely “given up on”. There is one romantic suspense novel I actually wrote, revised, wrote, revised, had critiqued by famous author Dee Henderson, and wrote and revised again. Literally this story went through 5-6 drafts, and it was the story that led me to acquiring my current agent. It’s still unpublished but I believe God has a purpose for it. I’m hanging on to it until I know what it is! It’s hard to see stories put aside indefinitely, but that’s where faith comes in. As authors, but especially as Christians, we have to trust God’s timing!

SDC: Boy, isn't that the truth. I understand you have a book you would like to share with one of our readers. That is always exciting to us here at the blog. Tell us which one you are planning to donate. Also, what question would you like to have answered to help me select the winner?

Betsy: Yes! My second novel with Steeple Hill is A VALENTINE’S WISH, which is a sequel to my first novel RETURN TO LOVE. I will be giving away a free copy of A VALENTINE’S WISH to the winner on your blog. If the winner hasn’t read the first novel yet, they can find it Amazon.com or have their local Barnes & Noble order it. (It’s not imperative that the winner read the first to enjoy the second, but of course I’d love for them to! ::grin:: ) A VALENTINE’S WISH releases in stores and online February 1st.


Here is the back cover for A VALENTINE’S WISH
A WIFE BY VALENTINE’S DAY…

Unless youth pastor Andy Stewart finds a suitable wife fast, he’ll lose his job. Yet the woman of his dreams is his best friend. And Lori Perkins is still smarting over a failed engagement, so he can’t just declare his love. His plan: he’ll be her secret admirer and woo her anonymously with flowers and chocolates. And then, when romance is on her mind, Andy will confess his Valentine’s Wish – to spend his life with her. There’s just one little problem. Lori seems to think her secret admirer is someone else!

And the first line, my favorite! “Unemployed. Single. And out of brownie mix.”

Here is my question for readers to answer in order to win: What is the most romantic thing that has ever happened to you on or near Valentine’s Day?

SDC: Great question! It’s been a real pleasure having you here at A Pen for Your Thoughts, Betsy. As we close, please tell us where your books can quickly be found and where our readers can look you up.

Betsy: Thanks Shirley! It was great to be here. Thanks for having me. Readers can find my books at eharlequin.com or through Amazon or CBD. They are in stores (Walmart, grocery stores, Barnes & Noble, etc) the month of their release date and can be ordered through B&N or other book sellers throughout the year. I always enjoy hearing from my readers and can be reached through my website – http://www.betsystamant.com/ – or my blog, http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com/

READERS: Be sure to answer Betsy’s question above to try to win a copy of her book!
Congratulations to Cynthia Chow of California. You have just won Betsy's Book! Be sure to watch for it in the mail soon.