(1) What moment in your life, whether in your faith journey or writing career, inspired you to write the story featured in this anthology? How did God guide you during that process?
 

I pray about what God wants me to write, and when I heard about Novelists in November anthology, I was immediately interested. The Lord led me to an idea of a story having a Novelists in November writing contest in a classroom. I continued to pray about it and then was ready to begin writing.

As I sat down to type, before my fingers touched the keyboard, the Lord inspired a different story than the one I was about to type. It was still a Novelists in November classroom writing contest, but it was a high school student instead of an elementary child, and the protagonist was an Olympics-bound swimmer. Wow! I had no idea! What I did know was that it was inspired by God, and I had research to do.

 

(2) Writing can be a ministry in itself. How does your faith influence the way you craft your characters, including those who face deep struggles or life-changing moments?
 

I pray and trust God to guide me in my writing to pen the words He wants told. My characters come from Him. In this story, My Heart Still Sings, Kaylee faces life-changing moments. It was through prayer that God revealed her story to me step-by-step so I could share it with readers. I was not aware of what Kaylee was going to have to face, but God guided me with her story to be an inspiration to myself and others.  

 

(3) Many Christian authors experience times of doubt or spiritual dryness. How does your faith sustain you through these difficult times, both personally and professionally, and how does this translate into stories you tell?
 

I don’t want to take a single step without God. He has guided me, and carried me through, some extremely difficult times. He is my Rock and my Salvation. I would be nothing without Him. When difficult days come, I dig in deeper into His Word and in prayer. I know where my strength comes from, and in those dark days, I need to quieten the world around me and listen, even more intently, so I can hear His voice more clearly. To me, both personally and professionally, God is number One! He guides me in His knowledge and the path I need to take whether it’s through life experiences, research, observing, or new creative thoughts to bring each character to life in every story. 

 

(4) If you could describe the impact you hope your readers walk away with after reading your story, what would it be? How does this reflect your own walk with Jesus?
 

My hope for My Heart Still Sings is to impact the readers with hope, encouragement, and inspiration. If someone is experiencing difficult times, or life-changing moments, I pray Kaylee’s story speaks to their heart and they feel life will be better after the storm. If someone desires a closer relationship with God, My Heart Still Sings was also written to encourage that deeper walk with our Savior… to delve into the Bible and see things in His Word we haven’t noticed before, to be a stronger witness for Him, to realize any changes we need to make in our lives to be the person He desires us to be in our relationship with Him and others, and to appreciate the blessings that the Lord bestows upon us daily. No matter life’s circumstances, God has a purpose for each one of us.  

 

(5) What biblical lesson or Scripture has been a constant source of encouragement for you as an author, perhaps, especially when navigating the ups and downs of a writing career?
 

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB)

I try to live daily by this verse through any, and all, of life’s ups and downs. I want to please the Lord in all that I do. Through decades of writing, I have written many manuscripts and screenplays that haven’t been published or produced yet, but I still write what the Lord lays on my heart. He knows the purpose for each one of them, even if I don’t.

 

(6) Has there been a particular moment in your writing journey when you felt God's presence in a powerful or unexpected way? How did that shape your perspective as a believer and a writer?

 

As a believer and a writer, I have known God’s presence is with me in the works He gives me. There have been several outstanding moments when I strongly felt God’s presence in my writing journey. He once guided me to write a full feature screenplay in two weeks. At times, He has changed my thoughts to new perspectives and unexpected scenes. As I look back at my writing projects, I know words were inspired by God. I simply could not have come up with them myself. I am extremely blessed to be a part of this writing journey the Lord inspires.

 

(7) Do you have any specific prayer requests you would like readers to take to the Throne Room?

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I would appreciate if readers would pray that God’s light shine in this world, that people be led out of the darkness and into God’s lovingkindness and accept the salvation He freely offers to each one of us.