Interview With Lynn Coleman
Meet Lynn Coleman
Interview by Sandra Moore
1) Tell us a little about yourself -- age, married/single, children, how many books authored, etc.
Eww, nothing like getting a gal to tell all up front. Geez! I'm forty six, happily married, and have three children and seven grandchildren. I sold my first book, Sea Escape, in Oct. 1998, which was published in Feb. 1999. For the next eighteen months I didn't sell another book. Those were the most faith stretching months I could go through as a writer. After the Lord blessed me with the second sale, I've been quite blessed to have sold 7 novels, 4 novellas, and I've had one novel reprinted in a collection.
2) How did you become interested in writing?
I fell into writing. It wasn't a conscious thought or process on my part. I began writing books and articles for Homeschooling families on making use of the Internet. One day after I had finished the second book on Homeschooling and the Internet, I found myself a bit bored. I'd been laying on my bed, snuggled under the covers, saying my morning prayers, when this scene popped into my head. So, I decided 'what the heck', and marched into my office and began to type. I didn't stop until three days and forty five thousand words later. In other words, the fiction bug hit with a vengence. I wrote six books, all around 45k, in a period of three months, then put them aside and got back to work on my Non-Fiction writing. God continued to encourage and challenge me to keep writing the fiction. By the time our youngest son, was no longer homeschooling, I found myself seriously studying the fiction genre.
3) What was your biggest obstacle in regards to writing and/or getting published? How did you overcome it?
Hmm, my biggest obstacle is probably myself, self doubts, insecurities, etc. How I over came? Still working on that, but basically I stand in who I am in Christ Jesus and what He's called me to do. I have no doubt God has called me to write fiction. And I know He's more than able to accomplish anything He wants with me. I simply have to remain in His will and be a workman worthy of His hire.
4) What has been the highest moment of your writing career?
No question, the first sale. There isn't anything like that feeling when you sell your first book. For the first time you realize that every hour, every day, every month, every year you've put into studying and refining this craft has been validated. However, you can not be content to stay there. We each must continue to grow as a writer and deepen our walk with the Lord.
5) Who/What is your greatest inspiration to write?
The people's whose lives will be touched by the words I've penned. They are the reason God's called me to write what I write. God knows why these words will meet the specific needs of a person, I don't. I can only stand back and be amazed that God would use someone like me to fulfill His purpose in another. It's absolutely mind boggling when you think about it.
6) Are you a seat-of-the-pants writer, or do you plot extensively before your fingers hit the keyboard?
Definitely a seat of the pants writer. It's how I started, and the creative process of just sitting down in the chair, closing my eyes and letting my fingers fly across the keyboard as scenes are painted in my mind is an incredible journey. And, yes, this type of writing, for me, means several rounds of edits, refining the writing. But it's worth it!
7) What's the nicest thing anyone ever said about your writing?
There are so many great comments from readers, but I can narrow it down to two. One, someone wrote and let me know that for the first time in their life they saw the sin in what they had done and repented. The second was very similar. The person recommitted to not let others slip from her grasp.
8) Who is your favorite character in your books, and how did you come up with that character?
Another hard question to narrow down, but I suppose my all time favorite is a secondary character in my four Key West books. Her name was Cook, and she was so alive I had to be careful not to let her run away with the story. Thankfully, I could put her in four books.
9) You started ACRW--a great group I might add. What events brought you to the place where you considered starting such a group?
I don't know that there are specific events that led up to the forming of ACRW. Basically it came out of a deep need from several author friends for a place for Christian writers of romance and woman's fiction to be able to gather, share, encourage and edify one another, as well as be very serious about quality discussions regarding writing, especially writing for the Lord. A place where we could help each other become stronger writers.
10 What is ACRW's mission?
To encourage writers of Christian romance and women's fiction to develop their skills, educate them in the market, and be a fellowship for writers of like interests.
11) Where do you see ACRW in the next 10 years?
Our prayer goal is that we will be holding a yearly conference for writers of Christian Romance and Women's Fiction. And that we will continue to challenge writers to seek the Lord first and to develop the skills necessary to be quality writers for Jesus Christ.
12) What are some of the things that make ACRW stand out from other writing groups?
Primarily it is the spiritual emphasis that our writing needs to go hand and hand with our relationship with the Lord. Too often people, whether writers or house builders, tend to work in their own strength. But the Bible teaches us to seek the Lord in all we say and do. And through that process He will make our paths straight.
13) ACRW is a good place to find encouragement, especially for a beginner. If you could tell a beginner one thing, what would it be?
Strive for excellence but allow God's grace to work through your imperfect writing. There's always a balance to be reached because we should always be continuing to grow and develop as a writer. I still look at what I wrote a year ago and marvel at how much I've grown as a writer. I pray that I will continue to do that.
14) Would you like to share a MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT you have experienced in your writing career?
Not particularly.
END
You can find more information on books by Lynn Coleman here.
Interview by Sandra Moore
1) Tell us a little about yourself -- age, married/single, children, how many books authored, etc.
Eww, nothing like getting a gal to tell all up front. Geez! I'm forty six, happily married, and have three children and seven grandchildren. I sold my first book, Sea Escape, in Oct. 1998, which was published in Feb. 1999. For the next eighteen months I didn't sell another book. Those were the most faith stretching months I could go through as a writer. After the Lord blessed me with the second sale, I've been quite blessed to have sold 7 novels, 4 novellas, and I've had one novel reprinted in a collection.
2) How did you become interested in writing?
I fell into writing. It wasn't a conscious thought or process on my part. I began writing books and articles for Homeschooling families on making use of the Internet. One day after I had finished the second book on Homeschooling and the Internet, I found myself a bit bored. I'd been laying on my bed, snuggled under the covers, saying my morning prayers, when this scene popped into my head. So, I decided 'what the heck', and marched into my office and began to type. I didn't stop until three days and forty five thousand words later. In other words, the fiction bug hit with a vengence. I wrote six books, all around 45k, in a period of three months, then put them aside and got back to work on my Non-Fiction writing. God continued to encourage and challenge me to keep writing the fiction. By the time our youngest son, was no longer homeschooling, I found myself seriously studying the fiction genre.
3) What was your biggest obstacle in regards to writing and/or getting published? How did you overcome it?
Hmm, my biggest obstacle is probably myself, self doubts, insecurities, etc. How I over came? Still working on that, but basically I stand in who I am in Christ Jesus and what He's called me to do. I have no doubt God has called me to write fiction. And I know He's more than able to accomplish anything He wants with me. I simply have to remain in His will and be a workman worthy of His hire.
4) What has been the highest moment of your writing career?
No question, the first sale. There isn't anything like that feeling when you sell your first book. For the first time you realize that every hour, every day, every month, every year you've put into studying and refining this craft has been validated. However, you can not be content to stay there. We each must continue to grow as a writer and deepen our walk with the Lord.
5) Who/What is your greatest inspiration to write?
The people's whose lives will be touched by the words I've penned. They are the reason God's called me to write what I write. God knows why these words will meet the specific needs of a person, I don't. I can only stand back and be amazed that God would use someone like me to fulfill His purpose in another. It's absolutely mind boggling when you think about it.
6) Are you a seat-of-the-pants writer, or do you plot extensively before your fingers hit the keyboard?
Definitely a seat of the pants writer. It's how I started, and the creative process of just sitting down in the chair, closing my eyes and letting my fingers fly across the keyboard as scenes are painted in my mind is an incredible journey. And, yes, this type of writing, for me, means several rounds of edits, refining the writing. But it's worth it!
7) What's the nicest thing anyone ever said about your writing?
There are so many great comments from readers, but I can narrow it down to two. One, someone wrote and let me know that for the first time in their life they saw the sin in what they had done and repented. The second was very similar. The person recommitted to not let others slip from her grasp.
8) Who is your favorite character in your books, and how did you come up with that character?
Another hard question to narrow down, but I suppose my all time favorite is a secondary character in my four Key West books. Her name was Cook, and she was so alive I had to be careful not to let her run away with the story. Thankfully, I could put her in four books.
9) You started ACRW--a great group I might add.
I don't know that there are specific events that led up to the forming of ACRW. Basically it came out of a deep need from several author friends for a place for Christian writers of romance and woman's fiction to be able to gather, share, encourage and edify one another, as well as be very serious about quality discussions regarding writing, especially writing for the Lord. A place where we could help each other become stronger writers.
10 What is ACRW's mission?
To encourage writers of Christian romance and women's fiction to develop their skills, educate them in the market, and be a fellowship for writers of like interests.
11) Where do you see ACRW in the next 10 years?
Our prayer goal is that we will be holding a yearly conference for writers of Christian Romance and Women's Fiction. And that we will continue to challenge writers to seek the Lord first and to develop the skills necessary to be quality writers for Jesus Christ.
12) What are some of the things that make ACRW stand out from other writing groups?
Primarily it is the spiritual emphasis that our writing needs to go hand and hand with our relationship with the Lord. Too often people, whether writers or house builders, tend to work in their own strength. But the Bible teaches us to seek the Lord in all we say and do. And through that process He will make our paths straight.
13) ACRW is a good place to find encouragement, especially for a beginner. If you could tell a beginner one thing, what would it be?
Strive for excellence but allow God's grace to work through your imperfect writing. There's always a balance to be reached because we should always be continuing to grow and develop as a writer. I still look at what I wrote a year ago and marvel at how much I've grown as a writer. I pray that I will continue to do that.
14) Would you like to share a MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT you have experienced in your writing career?
Not particularly.
END
You can find more information on books by Lynn Coleman here.
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