Author Interview ~ Elizabeth White

Beth White, writing as Elizabeth White, was born in Mobile, Alabama and reared in north Mississippi. A former music and high school English teacher, she now lives with her minister husband, Scott, in Mobile. The Whites have two teenagers, Ryan and Hannah, and are owned by a Boston terrier named Angel. Visit her web-site@ www.elizabethwhite.net.













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

Fireworks is my first project to release from Zondervan. It will come out in May, 2006 (I believe CBD has it listed as April 7). It’s a humorous romance with a little twist of mystery/suspense, set in Alabama. It features a pyrotechnics designer who accidentally blows up the Mobile Convention Center, the former ATF agent whom the insurance company sends to investigate him, and her hard-of-hearing black Lab named Montmorency.



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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 have been writing and drawing since I was big enough to pick up a pencil, but I finished my first novel while my son was a baby—that was nineteen years ago. When I got a “bite” from a Christian publisher with that first book—though it was ultimately rejected—I set my mind to learning how to write a publishable manuscript. I joined Romance Writers of America and started going to workshops and conferences. I also took a college fiction writing course. In 1998 (ten years after that first novel) I met an editor from Tyndale House who took an interest in my work. I sold my first novella to Tyndale in December of that year. I remember being home alone when I got the message on the answering machine—nobody to share it with but the dog. She was thrilled.

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

I challenge myself to write a more complex book with every project. Without fail I start out thinking I am far too ignorant, too inexperienced, too spiritually immature to write about whatever the given elements are. And I get terrified. Half the time I think this is the adversary poisoning my joy in serving with God’s good gift; the other half of the time the process seems to be the Lord’s way of making sure I’m weak enough to rely on His everlasting strength. I’ve written about the complexities of protecting our national borders; fireworks design and explosives investigation; prostitution and animal rights, and many other topics that boggle my mind if I think about it too hard. I’m working on a story involving judicial politics at the moment. Yes, I’m scared. But God is big.

What’s the worst mistake you’ve made while seeking publication?

That first publisher who expressed interest in my very first novel said “we like your writing and your characters—send us something else in another genre.” I didn’t realize they were serious. I thought they were just being nice. So I didn’t submit anything else for another two years!

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

Submit only your very best work.

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

There are some hills not worth dying on.

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

Just this morning I read a devotional in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, based on John 4:11—the story of the woman at the well. The gist of it is, we often question Jesus’ ability to provide whatever it is we need for the life He’s called us to. That speaks to me as a writer. How dare I be frightened (as I mentioned in one of the above questions) of the story He’s graciously planted in my imagination? His well is plenty deep, and He’s got living water ready to pour out and transform not only me but the lives of unknown men and women who will read my work. That’s a big thing. A humbling thing.

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

Yes, there was a setback a few years ago. I had a three-book contract cancelled because of an unsatisfactory first draft manuscript that couldn’t be revised into shape. That was rather humiliating. But I learned from it; stringently rewrote the two rejected manuscripts and wound up selling them to other publishers for a total of five sales.

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

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. In My Enemy’s Arms by R. T. Stevens. Cordelia’s Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. One Good Turn by Carla Kelly. The Mysterious Rider by Zane Grey. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. The Princess Bride by William Goldman. Have you got all day?

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

I love “The Trouble With Tommy,” my novella from Sweet Delights, a HeartQuest anthology from Tyndale. I think it’s funny and true and really southern. I’ve gotten more mail on that little novella than any other book so far. Actually, the upcoming novels Fireworks and Fair Game are both spin-offs of “Tommy.”

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

Not really. Unless it’s the “hurry up and wait thing.” Seems like you submit something and spend months or years waiting to hear back on it—then, once you’ve sold, the publisher wants material from the author yesterday!

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

It’s embarrassing. I get up and make coffee, feed the dog, have breakfast and Bible study. Then read email until I can’t put off opening up whatever document I’m supposed to be working on. There is no typical day.
For weeks at a time I might be scoping out research materials—either on the internet, in personal interviews, books, newspapers, whatever. During the research period I’m formulating character sketches, “hero’s journeys,” “snowflakes”—trying to structure the backbone of a plot. Closer to deadline (three or four months out) I slowly start writing, spending about three hours a day hacking out a scene or two at a time. Rewriting as I go, getting frustrated, chunking it in a “leftovers” file, maybe even starting over. Once I even got halfway through the novel and started completely from scratch. It’s not pretty.

Maybe a month from deadline it’s getting serious, I’m having panic attacks (figuratively), my children think the Wicked Witch of the North has moved in, and I write eight to ten hours a day. I do not want to do this. I promise not to do it next time. I am a sick person.

Anyway, mixed in with these jags of composition I answer lots of email, try to exercise an hour every day, go to lunch with a friend once a week or so, try to remember to update my website, shovel junk off the kitchen counter periodically, say hello to my teenagers and my husband. Oh, and on Sunday mornings I get to go play with the second-graders in Plugged-In Bible Study at FBC North Mobile. What a blast that is! They make me laugh and teach me about God.

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

I’ve read Francine Rivers’ description of her notebook system of writing, and how she disciplines herself with daily page count. I admire that organization and discipline so much, especially considering her awesome production. That’s the Lord’s anointing. I also admire her humble spirit.

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

Honestly—I just want to be a stronger writer with every book, to make less plotting mistakes, to get out of the way so that the Lord will have something to say through me. I don’t think I can dream big enough.

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

Favorite: reading and answering fan letters. I like connection with readers, finding out what the Lord is doing with my work. Least favorite: the first draft. It’s way slower than I like for it to be, which makes me feel stupid.

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

I write back to the people who have written to me. Before a book releases, I send emails and/or postcards to people who have indicated an interest in hearing about them. I visit bookstores and give away autographed copies of books when it seems appropriate. I arrange a couple of book signings for every book that releases, show up when people ask me to speak (I never seek those out—I’m not fond of public speaking), and do these kinds of written interviews. My best advice is simple manners and common courtesy. Be open and friendly, excited about my work, but not pushy. That works best for me.

Parting words?

If God has called you to write, it’s a wonderful and challenging job and ministry. Don’t be afraid of hard work, and don’t expect success to fall into your lap. And don’t expect success to look like what you think it will. I know that’s obscure, but it’s the best way I can say it. I’ve walked with the Lord long enough to know His economy is often backwards and wrong-side-out. He may call me to write one book that reaches one person—and then that’s it. And I have to be okay with that. On the other hand, if He chooses to bless with lots of books and lots of sales, I’d better be ready to share in whatever way, through whatever doors He opens—and some of those doors are going to look pretty weird.Thank you for giving me a chance to share my heart here. I hope I’ve said something useful.