We're thrilled to have bestelling Christian novelist Eva Marie Everson with us at this year's SCWC. Eva Marie has had 36 novels, Bible studies, and books on Christian living published by Tyndale House, Revell, Abingdon, and other leading publishers.
She will present a keynote session entitled "What's That you Hold in your Hand?" on Saturday at 11 a.m.
I recently talked with Eva Marie about her writing, her faith, and what she hopes to share with writers at the Southern Christian Writers Conference.
Question: Telll me how you got started in fiction writing.
Answer:
I've been writing fiction stories nearly my whole life. Seriously. I remember the first story I wrote at age 6. But the first "serious" work of fiction came about in 1997 as I took a long walk while my daughter (then a senior in high school) finished up some schoolwork. During the walk I smelled jasmine, which reminded me of honeysuckle, which reminded me of home. I asked myself, "How long has it been since you've smelled real honeysuckle? Since you've stood at your mother's bush and plucked a flowerette?" That led to a story idea.
I returned home and started writing, and a year later, I finished. A year after that, I signed my first contract for a work of nonfiction, but this led to the editor asking my agent "what else does she have?" My agent knew I wanted to be a fiction author more than a nonfiction author and he showed her my work. I signed a contract almost immediately.
Q: What projects are you working on today? (or have recently had released?)
A:
Recently released was The Ornament Keeper with New Hope, A Southern Season with Firefly Southern Fiction, and The Final Race with Tyndale. Right now I'm working on a work of fiction (Dust) and a work of nonfiction (Labyrinth).
Q: What word/s of advice would you give to someone who may be just starting out writing fiction?
A:
In my coaching of fiction writers I say the words, "Slow down" more than I say anything else. So... "slow down." Don't rush this process. Milk it. Words can always be edited FROM The page, but first there have to be words to edit.
Also, learn deep POV [point of view] . Become your characters. Not learning deep POV and not becoming your characters means limiting the story for your readers.
Q: How is your faith life integral to your writing life?
A:
My faith life is integral to every bit of my life, not just my writing life. I breath Jesus. His Holy Spirit is my breath. Whatever I do, I do for Him. Whatever I do, whether fiction or nonfiction, whether Christian or secular is about Him. Something He has breathed within me. Period.
Q: Why do you like to attend writing conferences?
A:
Serving new writers (or intermediate), or being a shoulder for those of us who have been around awhile is so important to me. This is, in part, what God called me to do...not just write, but lead.
Q: What do you hope to impart to the SCWC attendees this year?
A:
That what they hold in their hand can be so much more than they can ever imagine when they dare to pick it up by the tail. And, yep, that will be explained in my keynote!
Join us at the SCWC on June 7-8 at First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Sign up by clicking "Register" on the front page of our website. Or email us at scwritersconference@gmail.com.
Comments