Author interview: Virginia Smith

Plug time. What book or project is coming out or has come out that you’d like to tell us about?

My first novel, Just As I Am, is scheduled to hit bookstores in February, 2006. It’s chick lit – contemporary, first person, humorous – but a little edgier than the typical offering. The main character is a 22-year-old woman with purple hair and multiple facial piercings who becomes a Christian in her mama’s little country church. She doesn’t take her facial jewelry out or change her hair color, but God changes her on the inside, and soon those changes overflow into the world around her. I’ve gotten some great comments about the book, which you can read on my website www.virginiasmith.org.

Tell us about your journey to publication. How long had you been writing before you got the call you had a contract, how you heard and what went through your head.

I had been writing for almost twenty years before I got this book contract. Two decades! I have always been a passionate science fiction/fantasy fan, and had been focused completely on writing in that genre for the ABA market. I mostly wrote short stories, but also completed two sf/f novels.

On the day I received my 143rd rejection slip (no kidding – I counted!) I reached an all-time low. Talk about shattered dreams! But as I prayed, I felt the Lord nudging me in a different direction. So I put all those shattered dreams in His hands, and promised to write only stories that honor Him directly. I vowed to apply everything I had learned over the past twenty years to His glory instead of fulfilling my own writing dream to write science fiction.

I had never read a chick lit book, had never even heard the term. In fact, the only Christian fiction I had read were Frank Peretti’s books and the Left Behind series. I decided to write try writing contemporary fiction – something totally opposite from sci-fi. This really was something of a sacrifice for me. I had a vague idea that contemporary fiction was like Danielle Steele’s books, and I was not a fan. But I had promised the Lord, so I invented the most contemporary character I could think of, plopped her down in the back pew of a central Kentucky church, and said to God, “Ok, what happens next?”

That book practically wrote itself. I finished in 45 days, queried publishers, and got an invitation to send a proposal to Kregel and four others. When I did, I mentioned in my cover letter that I would be attending the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids, and since they would also be there, I’d stop by their table and introduce myself. Kregel responded with a request for the complete manuscript, and a promise to have it read before the Festival – which was only a month away. When I met my future editor at the Festival, he handed me an evaluation memo and gave me the good news that they were extremely interested. He asked for a few minor revisions based on the evaluation.

I did those revisions and re-submitted the manuscript. A month later, I got an e-mail from the publisher saying my book was going to the acquisitions committee the following week. And the next week I got another e-mail saying they wanted the book!

I was stunned. All those years of trying to do it on my own, and all the time God had a different plan. When I finally turned it over to Him, He gave me back my dreams – whole and shiny and polished and perfect! I called my husband at work, crying so hard I couldn’t talk and he thought something terrible had happened.

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

Sure I do. I’ve written a sequel to that first novel (and it’s going to the acquisition committee soon! Prayers requested!), and proposals for two more books. When I started on the third book, I had a week or so where I couldn’t find the “voice.” Everything I wrote sounded like the viewpoint character of my first two books. I worried that I couldn’t do it again, that the only books I’d ever be able to write were books about my “contemporary woman.” Or worse, that I’d already written everything I was capable of writing – the well had run dry!

But once again, God showed me what He wanted that book to be about, and once I started listening to Him, the story flowed. The same thing happened with the fourth book. So I’m learning to ignore those doubts about myself, because I am learning to trust that God will accomplish what He wants through my writing. My job is to listen to Him, and keep my promise to honor Him always.

What’s the best advice you’ve heard on writing/publication?

Don’t give up. Keep trying, and eventually you will succeed. And remember that everything you go through now sharpens your skills and broadens your experience, making your writing richer and your stories deeper. All those years when I was being rejected over and over, I was learning. I developed skills I didn’t even know I needed when I first started writing. When I finally wrote the story that would be my break-through, I applied all those skills, all those years of learning and living, and they paid off. I couldn’t have written the same story twenty years before.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve heard?

Just recently someone told a young writer in my presence, “Don’t worry about grammar – when you sell the book, your editor will fix your grammar.” I had to jump in and disagree because I know that bad grammar is one of the common reasons editors reject manuscripts.

What’s something you wish you’d known earlier that might have saved you some time/frustration in the publishing business?

I wish I had known that sci-fi / fantasy is one of the hardest genres for a beginner to break in. The target audience is very devoted, but also very narrow. I also wish I had realized that there were about a gazillion things I could write and get published – articles, devotionals, prayers – rather than focusing all my effort on science fiction. A little success in another area of writing would have encouraged me in the midst of all those rejections!

Do you have a scripture or quote that has been speaking to you lately?

I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in September, and I heard two of the speakers quoted 1 Chronicles 28:10, which is where David was handing his kingdom over to Solomon. He said, “Take heed now, for the Lord has chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.”

One workshop leader said she reminds herself of that verse with every book she writes – that the Lord has chosen her to write this book. I love that! God has selected me out of all the other writers He could chose from because He wants me to write this specific story. Me! And He will provide the wisdom to get it done, just as He gave Solomon wisdom.

Is there a particularly difficult set back that you’ve gone through in your writing career you are willing to share?

My most difficult setback has to be dealing with rejection. I mean, seriously – who can open an envelope containing the 143rd rejection slip and not want to give up?

Then I heard Brett Lott, author of Jewel which was an Oprah book club selection, say that he had received 596 rejections before he sold his first novel. Suddenly my 143 didn’t seem like such a big number. But let me tell you, it wasn’t something I went around talking about before I got that book contract. It was too painful.

What are a few of your favorite books? (Not written by you.)

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers. Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti. The Once and Future King by T.H. White. And you’ll think this is totally weird, but I love Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books. Totally secular and completely zany, but I laugh my head off at his crazy British humor.

If your authorial self was a character from The Wizard of Oz, which one would you be and why?

I’m one of those munchkins from the Lollipop Guild who welcomes Dorothy with a giant, delicious-looking lollipop. I like to welcome new people into the world of my books, to give them something to make them happy and satisfy their craving for a story that’s sweet and delicious. And I like to make them laugh.

What piece of writing have you done that you’re particularly proud of and why?

Ok, so this is totally not a “lollipop,” but I wrote an article called “Forgiving my Abuser” that is scheduled to appear in an upcoming issue of Today’s Christian. You can tell from the title that the subject is difficult and intensely personal. It took a lot of courage to write, and even more courage to submit for publication. But God teaches me through my writing, and in this case He was preparing me. Shortly after I finished the article, I was asked to speak in a women’s prison on any topic I wanted. Guess what I chose? I saw Him do a powerful work of emotional healing in some of the women in the audience that day. I have no doubt He will continue to reach out to others who have been abused through that article. And that makes me a little proud, but a lot humble.

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

You’re not going to believe this, but I don’t! I feel like a kid turned loose in Disney World. I love working with my editor and the others at Kregel Publications. I love my agent and the things I’m learning from her. I love learning about the business end of writing. I am excited about the marketing opportunities that are coming down the road.

I spent more than twenty years building a profession in the corporate world. Though there were lots of rewards, I felt like my struggles had no lasting value. The ultimate result of my effort was to increase the company’s profit level. There’s not a thing wrong with that – and I think we as Christians are called to work in the business world and take Jesus’ light into what can be some very dark places. But now that the Lord has allowed me to focus all my energy on writing for Him, I really have been delighted by every aspect of this business as I discover it. It’s a new business challenge.

Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

“Typical” isn’t a word that I ever use to describe myself! My days are all over the place. But here’s what I aim for: I get up around 6:00 and spend the first 30 minutes in prayer and Bible study. Then I eat breakfast in front of my computer while checking my e-mail (which is usually a mistake, because that can eat up a half a day easily!!!). Then I open up the document I’m currently working on and read what I wrote the day before. Then I open another window and look at my plot outline, and start writing the next scene.

I usually break between 10:30 and 11:30 to go to the gym, unless I’m really involved in the scene I’m writing. (I look for any excuse not to go to the gym!) Then I come home and eat lunch in front of the computer and check my e-mail again. After lunch, I get back to the scene and write until my husband gets home around 4:30.

I’m actively involved in three critique groups, so after dinner while my husband is watching television, I read and do critiques. Or if I don’t have any critiques due, I read published books. (And these days, I read Christian fiction exclusively!!!)

If you could choose to have one strength of another writer, what would it be and from whom?

I really admire Deborah Raney for her ability to portray believable characters in her stories. For instance, there were a few surprises in the plot of Over the Waters, but that’s not how she kept me interested. I got involved in those people. They became real to me. I cared about them. I wanted the non-Christian character to come to the Lord, and I wanted him to fall in love with the Christian lady as soon as I met her. Even though I knew very early in the story that those things would happen, she kept me turning the pages because I couldn’t wait to see it happen to these people I grew to love. That’s great characterization.

Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you would love to accomplish?

I want to get a letter telling me that one of my books introduced someone to the Lord. There are a lot of things I hope my books will do, but to me, that’s the ultimate measure of success - to draw others to Him.

Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

Honestly? No. There were times when I thought I might quit submitting, but writing is part of my life. If I wasn’t writing stories, I wrote articles for my church magazine (they never rejected me!) or scripts for the performing group with which I sang, or technical user guides for work, or whatever. At one point I poured my writing ability into personal letters to long distance friends and relatives – and I wrote terrific letters!

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

I love the process of writing. I absolutely love it when a character does something unexpected and takes the story in a direction I did not foresee. To me, there really is a mystique surrounding the writing process. And I’m a planner – I create a high-level outline of the plot and work from that. But then the characters develop in directions I didn’t anticipate and the story changes. I love that!

Of course my least favorite part of being a writer is having my work rejected. Nobody likes that.

How much marketing do you do? Any advice in this area?

Well since my book won’t be out until February, I’m new at this marketing stuff. But I have already started, and I expect to spend a significant amount of time marketing. I printed postcards with the cover art and a short blurb on the back along with ordering information. I’ve been handing those out to everyone I meet. My husband calls it “shameless marketing.” I also developed a newsletter and a website, and am building a subscription list. I give away autographed copies of Christian books and update people on the status of my book and what endorsements have been written. I also joined the Christian Authors Network – I’m the information management coordinator – so I intend to participate heavily in group author events after my book is released. And I have a few other ideas I’m tossing around.

Parting words?

I’m excited about what the Lord is doing in my writing career. I recently signed a contract with an awesome agent, Wendy Lawton at Books & Such, and I’m kicking it up into a higher gear. I’m working on three new books, which is exhausting and exhilarating all at once.

When I think back over all those years of struggle and rejection, I’m thankful that the Lord didn’t let me give up. I just wish I had put it all in His hands earlier – I could probably have saved myself a lot of angst! You can bet from this point forward, I consult with my Counselor on every project I undertake. And that would be my advice to any Christian who writes – God has plans for your writing. And believe me, they’re better than any plans you have for yourself. Let Him be in charge, and let Him delight you with what He has in store.