Author Interview ~ Christy Barritt

Christy Barritt is a freelance writer, author, speaker and worship leader. When she’s not working on books, Christy has written articles for various publications and writes a weekly feature article called Thumbs Up, which salutes someone doing something positive in the community, for The Chesapeake Clipper, part of The Virginian-Pilot. She’s married to Scott, a teacher and funny man extraordinaire. They have one son, Eli Samuel, and two dogs, Duchess and Benji. When Christy’s not writing, she enjoys having coffee with friends, taking crazy road trips that usually involve no maps and flipping coins, and making her son giggle.




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

My current book is Hazardous Duty. It's about a crime-scene cleaner named Gabby St. Claire. Gabby had to drop out of college on her way to getting a degree in forensic science due to some family issues. So she decided to do the next best thing--clean crime scenes. But, like all good amateur sleuths, Gabby has a nose for trouble. She just can't resist getting involved with the police investigations, especially when she finds evidence while cleaning which points her to a suspect different than the one targeted by police.

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’ve always loved stories. In high school, I wrote a romance novel and submitted it to a publisher. It was rejected, but I didn’t give up. In college, I would write pieces of my novel as I sat in Old Testament History class (not recommended to any students out there—pay attention in class!). I submitted that book my junior year and the publisher asked for a complete! I was thrilled. Ultimately, that book was rejected also. The last semester of my senior year, I began working part time at a local Christian publishing house as an assistant editor. After graduating, I was hired full-time.

I really enjoyed working at the publishing house. Then I got a call from my mother, asking me to move back home. My father had received an official diagnosis: Alzheimer’s, and it was progressing rapidly. I wrestled with what I should do. I wish I could say that decision was easy, but it wasn’t. After a lot of prayer and tears, I ultimately decided to move back home.

I went from being an independent career woman to living with my parents and working part-time at a bookstore. I watched my father, as he became a shell of the strong man he used to be. As an outlet, I began to write again. In fact, I wrote my first novel that sold while sitting at my father’s bedside. I dedicated that novel to my father, who died four years ago last month.

A couple of years later, I received a manuscript proposal from an editor at the publishing house I’d worked for. An editor was sending me a proposal? How great was that? It was for a non-fiction book about Christian music. The strangest part was that I’d written a proposal a couple years earlier for a book with the same idea—I just never sent it out.

Meanwhile, one of the publications I was writing for had an assignment for a profile of a crime-scene cleaner. As soon as I read those words, a novel came to life in my head. Gabby St. Claire wouldn’t let me rest until I told her story. I probably wrote Hazardous Duty in six months. A well-known writer read the first three chapters and loved it. She really encouraged me to pursue publication.

I sent it to an agent who asked me for some revisions. I revised. Then she asked for more revisions so I revised some more. Ultimately, she rejected it, which was a huge bummer. In the meantime, I’d submitted it to Kregel. They wrote back that they liked it but it needed some changes. So, I made those changes and submitted it along with the changes I’d already made. A few months later, they offered me a contract. A year later, the book is being released.

Whew! Did you get all of that?

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

Oh yeah. I don’t think they’ll ever go away. They keep me humble, though.

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

God doesn’t call us to greatness but to faithfulness. I think if we keep our eye on the goal of pleasing God, then everything else will fall into place. It’s easy to get our priorities out of order. When we do, it ultimately leads to misery. Been there, done that.

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

Any advice that comes across as an absolute. If we were talking about it in the Christian realm, it would be labeled “legalism.” For instance, I remember hearing over and over again that if you’re going to get published, you need to adhere to this certain set of writing rules that can’t be broken by first-timers, find an agent, yada, yada, yada. That’s the way it HAS to be done if you’re ever going to get published.

It’s not that that isn’t good advice. There are four of us in my critique group who are published and none of us got a contract that way. In fact, some of us sold our first books on proposal only! Another has a book dealing with a so-called taboo subject in CBA. The writing journey is different for everyone. Listen to advice, but don’t let anyone box you in. God isn’t a formula God, and he’s given us each different paths.

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

Don’t have too many cooks in the kitchen. Better said, don’t listen to too many opinions about your WIP. Choose your critique partners wisely. A bad critique partner will try to rewrite your book in his or her voice. There was a time I had as many people who would critique my book, critique it. One person would love it; one person wouldn’t. One person thought I should make major changes in the plot; another wouldn’t. When you have too many opinions as to what you should do, it can cloud your vision of what the book should be. A good critique partner will make your book stronger but also allow it to stand its own ground.

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

Every day could be a set back if I let it. I really think it’s the small things that can get to us the most—time constraints, bad days, rejection letters. Sometimes I think that even if I wanted to stop writing, I couldn’t, because it’s a passion God gave me and just one way I worship him.

What are a few of your favorite books?

This changes almost daily, but right now I’d say “Kissing Adrien” by Siri Mitchell and “My Life as a Doormat” by Rene Gutteridge.

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

I have to say that I really do love Hazardous Duty. I also have another book that’s currently being considered at another publishing house called The Good Girl that absolutely love. It explores some themes from my own life and writing the book really helped me figure out a few things about myself.

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

That would probably go back to the legalistic “advice” I mentioned earlier. Too many rules about the art of writing can rob your joy.

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

I laughed when I read this question because ever since I had my first baby in June, there’s been no typical day. My answer today would be: write for five minutes; wipe spit-up from baby’s face; answer an email; stop to listen to baby cooing, think about how cute the baby looks so grab the camera and take a picture; force myself to concentrate; open up my WIP; realize it’s time to feed baby, etc., etc.

My mother lives right down the street from me, so she watches Baby Eli on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I try to get the bulk of my writing done at that time and some in the evenings. I really having to learn balance and how to juggle writing with the baby—I haven’t quite figured it out yet!

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

This is such a hard question! There are things that I admire about many writers. But, if I had to choose one, I guess it would be Linda Hall. Linda is the most subtle writer I’ve ever read. She explores amazing themes and does it without the reader realizing the hard-hitting truths in the book until the very end. She’s a master wordsmith. I wish I had just a touch of her talent.

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

I would love to simply keep writing. I don’t want to be a “one book wonder.” I want to make a career of this. I love writing—it’s my passion. What could be more wonderful than doing what you love until you’re old and gray?

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

Honestly, not really. Not for more than five minutes, at least—and that was usually when I got a rejection letter or a particularly scathing critique.

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

My favorite part is the creative stuff. I love getting to know my characters and watching where they take me in the story. My least favorite part is editing. I obsess over it. I read my manuscripts over and over and over until I have to force myself put the pages down. Then, once I finally decide to let go and send the piece in, I’ll find a mistake I missed. Argh… I really hate editing.

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

I’m still learning about marketing. I’m trying to do as much as I can for as little money. I think word-of-mouth is really the best publicity. I’ve also found that speaking really helps to sell books. Ask me again in six months and I’ll let you know if any of my “bright” ideas for marketing worked!

Parting words?

Thanks for the interview. I’ve probably been way too longwinded already, so I’ll end now! Thanks again!