Book Club Talk with Ginny Yttrup

About the Author: 

Ginny dreamt of becoming a writer most of her adult life and pursued her dream by learning the craft and honing her skills. Her debut novel, Words, is the fulfillment of that dream. Ginny is a mother, friend, writer, life and writing coach, dog lover, and gourmet cook wanna-be. becoming a writer most of her adult life and pursued her dream by learning the craft and honing her skills. Her debut novel, Words, is the fulfillment of that dream.

What have been the benefits to you in having relationships with reading groups?

I love reading groups! The primary benefit comes with the word "relationship"--when I meet with reading groups, whether in person or via the phone or Skype, I'm building a relationship with readers. We connect on a personal level. Share our love of reading. And discuss the book I've written. Often times members of the group ask me questions about the book and their questions are so insightful--they'll experience something through reading my book that I never thought of. It's a powerful demonstration to me of how the Holy Spirit works. I learn a lot each time a group asks me to join them. Then, hopefully, once that relationship is in place, the group will follow-up and read my next release.

Where would you like to see your relationship with reading groups grow? How do you think your goals can be met?

I'd like to connect with more groups. One of my goals after I meet my deadline for the manuscript I'm writing now, is to spend more time on some of the websites book clubs go to--especially The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org

What have you learned about your book and yourself from book club meetings? 

I've learned that book club members don't ask scary questions. I've also learned that, because I wrote the book, I'm able to answer most of the questions, which seems obvious, but I feared there would be questions I couldn't answer. One of the gifts of speaking with reading groups is that it's helped me hone my skills, and relax as a speaker. I've also learned that the more transparent I am with the club members, the more they seem to see themselves in my characters or relate personally to the lessons the characters have learned. The best group discussions are those where we each take risks and share the truth about ourselves and what we've learned through either the writing of the book or the reading of the book. That honesty begins with me, the author.

Nora: Now does Marcia Massie look scary!! Happy and thrilled to meet you but not scary!! Grin!

Did you learn more about your characters than what you had originally intended? If so what?

Yes. Reading group members often teach me more about my characters than I know. Last year, a reader who read my debut novel, Words, made a comment about how the protagonist attempted to redeem herself by something she'd done, but that we truly are only redeemed by the blood of Christ. I hadn't intended to show my character attempting to redeem herself…but, I believe the Holy Spirit wanted to show that reader a particular lesson. And it's a lesson I learned about my character when seeing her through the eyes of a reader. 


Nora: I think Finding Hope Book Club dug deep into your book. It was great to hear their questions and comments about how the book affected their lives. I told you Ginny that I almost missed out on a huge blessing because I didn't want to read about the subject of your book. I loved how you didn't have any of the abuse on center stage. I also was fascinated about the little girl in your story being so in-love with WORDS!! Being dyslexic and catching her love for words was fun to read about. The message of your book WORDS touched me and many in my group deeply!

Have you been surprised by readers’ reactions to one of your books? Characters? If so, which ones?

I'm consistently surprised by readers' reactions, by reviews, by the fact that God's given me the desire of my heart and allows me to do what I love and that others relate in some way to the stories I write.

Has your book club experience - getting feed back from reading groups - helped you in writing future books? If so, how has it helped you?

The feedback I've received from book club members spurs me on, it encourages me to push through health issues, fatigue, or writers block, to persevere and continue following God on this amazing path.

What would you like to see in reading groups that you haven’t experienced yet?

I can't think of anything I haven't seen before, but I would like to see more reading groups reach out to authors and include them in their discussions. Many authors are accessible to book clubs either via phone or Skype. Of if the author lives in the same area as a group reading their book, they're often honored to be asked to meet with the club in person.

What was your most memorable reading group experience? What made it so fun?

It was definitely my experience with the Finding Hope Book Club. It was truly a wonderful experience for me. The group was warm and welcoming and affirming. I felt like I made connections there that will last. Because I was in Georgia for the International Christian Retailers Show, I had the opportunity to meet with one of the groups in person--and that is always the most satisfying experience for me.

Nora: What a treat to hear your testimony and hear you speak. I'm so thankful for that opportunity. It was great to get to know you through the book club experience and the book signing you did at the store! You are a blessing Ginny and transparent!

What type of stories do you like to tell?

Often the stories I write begin as painful stories--stories based on issues drawn from real life. But the point, for me as an author, is to present the issue and then through the experiences of my characters show the reader God's faithfulness in redeeming our pain when we surrender ourselves to Him. I hope my books are known for offering truth and hope, through Jesus Christ.

Why write Christian Fiction? What is the draw for you?

Jesus is the draw for me… My relationship with Christ is central to my life experience and I can't imagine not including the truth of who He is in the books I write. 

What do you hope readers take away from your new book Lost and Found?

Lost and Found, like Words, is a deeply personal story. Many of the emotions I assigned to my characters came from my own life as I was learning what it meant to follow Jesus, regardless of the cost. My prayer is that my readers will be drawn to an intimate relationship with Christ--a relationship they allow to transform them. I hope they will hunger and thirst for more of God after they turn the final page of Lost and Found.


Nora: Lost and Found is Finding Hope Book Club's March Pick!! We'll be talking to you on the phone from a new location. The store I work at down-sized we lost our huge space, so we'll be talking to you from Shadow Brook Church. I have many new members who didn't meet you then and are excited to talk with you!! I am too!

an you give us a peek at what you are working on now? When will it be out?

The title of my next novel is Invisible. It is a story of two women in hiding--one behind her weight, the other behind her own sufficiency. The story is set on the northern California coast, in the little village of Mendocino, where I've spent the last month writing. This has been the most difficult book for me to write, but the story may be my favorite. Surprise! It's a romance. Actually, I was the one surprised by that.Invisible will release February 2013.

Nora: Sounds great Ginny!! I'm marking my calendar!! Grin!

How has TBCN been helpful to you?

TBNC has linked me with both book clubs and other authors. The St. Laurent's have given us a place to connect and build relationships. I love it!

Nora: We've loved having you there. I know that a few clubs set up to have their book club meeting at the site and a few of them discussed Words. Fun to see!! I hope more clubs follow suite so that the other clubs can see how the discussions went and be encouraged to do the same!

What would you like to see evolve or start at the Network?

Whatever Nora and Fred want… :-) I wish TBNC continued growth.

Nora : You're sweet. I'd love for TBCN to be the one-stop shopping for Christian book fun. Many of the authors are posting their book tours and festivals at the site so people from all over the USA can find them!! Grin!

Thanks Ginny for stopping by and letting us get to know you and your book club experience. I know that Finding Hope Book Club had a great time with you speaking to their group last year in Atlanta. I do have your talk on DVD I just now need to figure out how to put that at The Book Club Network so everyone can enjoy hearing about your writing journey!

Thanks also for this giveaway.

If you haven't read any of Ginny's books. I highly recommend them. She's fun, engaging and she has you care about her characters instantly. She has a richness to her writing that is unique. I love it!!

MANDATORY - PLEASE ANSWER QUESTION BELOW to have your name to be entered in the drawing for Ginny's New book.

DRAWING WILL BE - MARCH 10th

********DISCLAIMER: Entering the give away is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws. Void where prohibited; open only to residents of the  U.S.A and Canada, odds of winning depend on number of entrants.

 This giveaway is sponsored by the author and is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Twitter. Winner will have 2 days to respond to email with your name and address - If we haven't heard from you another winner will be picked. *****


QUESTION: WHEN CHOOSING A BOOK TO READ - WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU LOOK FOR?? or Do you just go by one thing - let us know what seals the deal for you to buy the book and read it! DO TELL!!


This is your FIRST change to win a copy of this book. There will be FIVE more chances on the 19th of March at The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org 


Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network CEO
www.bookfun.org