1. How long have you been writing for Steeple Hill? I sold my first book in April 1997 and have been writing steadily for Steeple Hill since. I still can't believe it's already been 13 years!
2. What’s something you wish you’d known when you started your writing journey? That I will always be learning. That way I wouldn't be beating myself up when my editor turns down a story. I keep learning and I keep trying and sometimes I fail and the story I propose falls short or has holes in the plot. My editors have been amazing in finding the errors and steering me in the right direction.
3. What’s the most common writing question you get and what is your answer? How much do you make? My answer is - enough.
4. How have you dealt with the rejection of your writing? I allow myself some grieving time. Some sense of loss and allowing myself to feel disappointed both in myself and the story. Then I slowly switch gears and see the rejection as a challenge to do better. I'm a bit of a competitive person, so when stories get turned down I buckle down and am determined to get this story off the ground and get it good enough that my editor will love it.
5. Do you have a Bible verse that guides your writing? Not one in particular. I'm on a journey in my writing, as I am in my faith, as I am in my personal life. I have found that at different stages different verses have called to me and comforted me.
6. What is your favorite writing book? Actually I have two that I feel complement each other very well. One is, The Journey Within by Dara Marks. It's a screenplay writing book, but I've found so much valuable information in it and continue to be inspired by it. The other is Save the Cat by the late Blake Snyder. I use them both side by side every time I start a new book.
7. What is the most recent Steeple Hill book you’ve read? I'm a bit behind on my reading - A Very Special Deliver by LInda Goodnight and The Cowboy's Baby by Linda Ford.
8. What does your writing life look like? A lot of staring out the window as I'm struggling! Actually, I try to find a routine and stay with it. Devotions, exercises and then to the computer. Check e-mail, then read the news and then to work. I try to fill a page quota per day. Sometimes I don't make it but then those pages get added to the quota for the next day. Lately, though, I've been slowing down a bit and I reduced my page count accordingly. I want to enjoy the writing and not see it as a burden. As well, I try to make sure I schedule time off for family and grandkids. I've had to learn to hold my schedule lightly and give myself buffer time for unexpected visits and times when I'm needed.
9. What advice would you give to an aspiring Steeple Hill author?
Read, write, read, write. Then write some more. Find one person you trust to help you either with critiquing or brainstorming.
10. What is your favorite part about writing for Steeple Hill? The connection and support I get from the editors and the marketing people. I feel like I'm valued and important. I love the fact that I can work at home and yet be in touch with my editor when I need to be via e-mail or a quick phone call. Steeple Hill has been very good to me and I've appreciated the dedication to my writing career.
I sold my first book in April 1997 and have been writing steadily for Steeple Hill since. I still can't believe it's already been 13 years!
2. What’s something you wish you’d known when you started your writing journey?
That I will always be learning. That way I wouldn't be beating myself up when my editor turns down a story. I keep learning and I keep trying and sometimes I fail and the story I propose falls short or has holes in the plot. My editors have been amazing in finding the errors and steering me in the right direction.
3. What’s the most common writing question you get and what is your answer?
How much do you make? My answer is - enough.
4. How have you dealt with the rejection of your writing?
I allow myself some grieving time. Some sense of loss and allowing myself to feel disappointed both in myself and the story. Then I slowly switch gears and see the rejection as a challenge to do better. I'm a bit of a competitive person, so when stories get turned down I buckle down and am determined to get this story off the ground and get it good enough that my editor will love it.
5. Do you have a Bible verse that guides your writing?
Not one in particular. I'm on a journey in my writing, as I am in my faith, as I am in my personal life. I have found that at different stages different verses have called to me and comforted me.
6. What is your favorite writing book?
Actually I have two that I feel complement each other very well. One is, The Journey Within by Dara Marks. It's a screenplay writing book, but I've found so much valuable information in it and continue to be inspired by it. The other is Save the Cat by the late Blake Snyder. I use them both side by side every time I start a new book.
7. What is the most recent Steeple Hill book you’ve read?
I'm a bit behind on my reading - A Very Special Deliver by LInda Goodnight and The Cowboy's Baby by Linda Ford.
8. What does your writing life look like?
A lot of staring out the window as I'm struggling! Actually, I try to find a routine and stay with it. Devotions, exercises and then to the computer. Check e-mail, then read the news and then to work. I try to fill a page quota per day. Sometimes I don't make it but then those pages get added to the quota for the next day. Lately, though, I've been slowing down a bit and I reduced my page count accordingly. I want to enjoy the writing and not see it as a burden. As well, I try to make sure I schedule time off for family and grandkids. I've had to learn to hold my schedule lightly and give myself buffer time for unexpected visits and times when I'm needed.
9. What advice would you give to an aspiring Steeple Hill author?
Read, write, read, write. Then write some more. Find one person you trust to help you either with critiquing or brainstorming.
10. What is your favorite part about writing for Steeple Hill?
The connection and support I get from the editors and the marketing people. I feel like I'm valued and important. I love the fact that I can work at home and yet be in touch with my editor when I need to be via e-mail or a quick phone call. Steeple Hill has been very good to me and I've appreciated the dedication to my writing career.
Follow Love Inspired books on Twitter! http://twitter.com/LoveInspiredBks