I am excited to present the first of a series of interview of young writers!
What genre do you write?
I write Christian fantasy mainly, but I also do equestrian, contemporary, and I’ve dabbled in historical fiction as well.
What is your favorite book/genre? Why?
I cannot choose a favorite fiction book, though my favorite non-fiction would be the Bible 😉 Favorite genre is definitely Christian fantasy, both to read and write. Part of the reason I like it so much is the ability I have within it to create new worlds with things in them that aren’t in this one, and I think it allows me greater freedom to weave my themes in. Plus, it helps my imagination run free.
A lot of my favorite books are Christian fantasy and that’s part of how I got into writing, so that heavily influences me. I appreciate the worlds that authors have built, the themes they can showcase and the questions they can explore with them, and well done semi-allegorical work is one of my favorite things to read.
Who is your favorite author / Who do you look up to?
Ah, I can’t choose just one favorite author! But one author that is a definite favorite and who I look up to would be Jaye L. Knight. Her Christian fantasy series, the Ilyon Chronicles, are amazing, and she self published them. She’s where I want to be in my author career one day.
When did you start writing / When did you start writing seriously?
I can’t give exact dates, but my first book was when I was pretty young. Because I read a lot of mysteries at the time, that was what I first wrote. Fun fact, it’s the one and only mystery book I’ve ever written. But I didn’t fall in love with writing until after being inspired by a favorite book series that I enjoyed so much, it made me want to write my own stories.
Since then, I’ve been writing pretty consistently throughout the years. I’ve published one short story, completed more projects, and started others.
Do you have a blog/email list?
Yes! My blog and website is at https://abbyswriting.wixsite.com/abbyswriting and that’s where you can also sign up for my email list. On both my blog and my email list, the focus is on writing and reading stories that are both fantastical and true.
Where do you hope to go with your writing/platform?
My hope is that I can keep growing in my writing craft. I want to continue to develop my ability to write stories that suck readers in and leave them the better for having entered my story’s world and spending time with my characters, while always pointing back to God and His Story.
I also hope to engage with and have fun with other authors, and support them along their journeys. Whether that’s by being a part of a launch team, or offering feedback, or giving encouragement. I want to bless people with the gift I’ve been given.
What is your writing mission? / Why do you write?
I write because I believe stories are so important to our own lives and stories. They inspire us, remind us of what matters, give us a break from life, give us the strength and hope to face our own challenges, and the truly good ones will remind us of God and His goodness, of the hope that we have.
I write because I think God has given me an ability to do so, and crafting stories is something that isn’t easy, but so worth it. I have stories to tell, to share, and so I write them because imagination is a gift and creativity is something to be used. It’s a way that I can glorify God and further His Kingdom and bless His saints.
I write because I want to give others what stories have given me. Encouragement, hope, a reminder of what is good, laughter, pleasure, and yes, pain, the good kind that makes a story better.
I write because of the hope that the Story of God has given me.
Do you have any books published? What are they about?
I have one Christian fantasy short story published. It’s about a Mark-less man, a suspicious, broken slave girl, and the struggle of trusting despite pain. I’m working on publishing other things as well, one of them being a novel about a grieving girl and a quirky gray horse.
What’s your favorite part of the writing journey?
Well, I enjoy drafting, but I also like editing and polishing things up. I guess it’s a toss-up for me between the two, depending on the story that I’m writing. It can be hard for me to leave first drafts alone, because I want to sharpen it to what I know it could be, but on the other hand, being in the moment as you draft a new project is so fun too.
What are your favorite resources?
Right now, my absolute favorite is the Young Writer’s Workshop. But after that, Bethany Atazadeh’s YouTube channel has been so helpful and awesome. And also Writer’s Vision, a community for young Christian writers, has been great!
What is your greatest advice to teens/young writers?
Start writing and keep at it. While you’re at it, learn your craft and what makes a good book.. Your biggest asset is to establish a solid writing habit. That counts for so much. If you haven’t finished a project yet, that needs to be your first priority. Also, reach out to others and support them, community is so important and no one does this alone. Finally, don’t give up reading for writing. Please, don’t. You need to read to fill that creative well and remember why you’re writing.
Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser?
Plantser, though I lean toward Pantser at the moment. But I will use some simple outlines and have an idea of where a story is going.
Cats or Dogs? (Or horses?)
Horses, easily, I love them and I have my own pony named Shorty. But after that, probably dogs.
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