Mother Inferior

Interview with a Best-Selling Writer: "Into the Free" author, Julie Cantrell

 I'm honored today to bring you a recent interview I did with best-selling debut novelist, Julie Cantrell. Enjoy!

--I loved the vivid characters, setting, and dialogue in Into the Free. Obviously, by the response many, many readers agree! How long did it take you to write it?

 

Thanks so much, Dena. Your kind words really mean more to me than you will ever imagine. I'm thrilled to hear you liked the book and I thank you for sharing it with your readers today. Big honor for me.  From the time I discovered your "Mother Inferior" blog (love that name!), I have looked up to you and greatly admired your work.

 

As for Into the Free, I wrote the first draft in a few months, writing from 3-5 each morning before we started our busy day. I didn't plan on showing anyone, much less trying to publish it...it was TERRIFYING for me to let anyone read the book. And I never in a million years thought it would be on shelves. Thankfully, my agent Greg Johnson was willing to take the leap along with John Blase and Don Pape at David C Cook. It was a big gamble to publish a debut novel, and I'll always be grateful for their support. Of course, that first draft is not what you read today. Many talented editors worked their magic before this story landed in stores. It truly does take a village.

 

--Describe your main character, Millie, in three words.

 

Brave. Observant. Survivor.

 

--Have you always been interested in historical fiction?

 I have always been an avid reader. I read a wide variety of books, but my favorite genres are literary fiction and memoirs. My copyeditor at Cook, Renada Arens, taught me a TON about the fine details necessary for writing historical fiction. She was a genius and I will always have tremendous respect for her talent.

 

--How about finding a publisher and agent (it's fun that we share an agent, Greg Johnson!)? Was that an arduous journey?

I really got lucky. I signed with Greg Johnson years ago when I wrote a little picture book to help my daughter sleep through the night. I researched the market and made a wish list of agents I'd like to query. I started at  the top and planned to work my way down. I queried my top two choices simultaneously, and Greg was the perfect match. Once I signed with WordServe, Greg was able to land us a publishing contract for not one but two children's books with Zonderkidz (God is with me through the Night; God is with me through the Day). Years later I sent him the novel. I think he was stunned. He confessed he told his wife (whom I adore), "You won't believe what the girl with the children's books just sent me." Thankfully, he dared to take a chance on me. I will be eternally grateful.

 

--How do you balance motherhood, writing, and life?

Tricky! I write in the wee hours of the morning and late at night when everyone else is asleep. By 5:30, we're starting our day...milking goats, feeding all of our farm animals, cooking breakfast, packing lunches, etc. I have two children who are both active in various activities and our sustainable farm keeps us hoppin'. I teach English as a Second Language at our local elementary school, and my hubby works full time too...so we stay very, very busy. Plus, I still have a few freelance contracts and I volunteer for our local Literacy Council. We don't have a lot of spare time.

I struggle to keep it all in check, and I admit I don't always manage a healthy balance. I try to focus on each moment. That's the good thing about working with children and animals. They won't let you be unfocused. They insist I pay full attention at all times, or they'll make me regret it. I really try to live that way and they've trained me well.

 

 --Congrats on receiving a writing fellowship! What was that process like?

Thanks, Dena. I'm so glad you asked about this. I was incredibly honored to receive the Literary Arts Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission. They offer grants each year, and they usually go to well-established authors and artists. I figured I didn't have a chance, but I applied anyway thinking it would be a learning opportunity. I was beyond shocked when they told me I had been selected. I'm grateful for organizations like the MAC who continue to support the arts, even during years of tight budgets.

 

--What are some of your tips for aspiring writers?

I see a lot of people get caught up in sales figures, reviews, etc. They go into writing for the wrong reasons, seeking fame, acknowledgments, wealth, etc. If you write for those reasons, you'll never be happy. If you get one positive review, you'll want a starred review. If you get a starred review, you'll want an award. If you get that award, you'll want bestseller status, etc. etc. Nothing will satisfy your thirst for success. BUT...if you write because it makes you happy to enter another time and place, to build a story, to process this universe on the page, then you will always, always find joy in the process.

 

I read a quote once that I thought was right on point. It was something like: "If you can walk away from writing, walk away now." If you're like me, you will sacrifice sleep, exercise, sanity, and balance to get in those hours at the keyboard. It's that much a part of who I am and I can't imagine not writing...whether anyone reads it or not. If you're not like that, you might not really want to write.

 

However...if you really do want to write, and publishing is a goal...I also encourage you to write anything. I never took a writing course. I learned in the trenches, accepting freelance gigs for little pay (some for free). Every one of those opportunities taught me something important. Never think you're too good for a new experience.

 

 --This is your first published novel. It's been so fun to "watch" you become a bestselling author! How have you felt about the tremendous response to Into the Free?

 

Thanks so much, Dena. It's been amazing, shocking, overwhelming, and fun! Thanks to kind, supportive friends like you, each step of the path has been a positive experience. The thing is, I sat down to write a book not knowing if I could finish it, much less land an agent, then a publishing contract. The fact that it was going to be published at all was a huge accomplishment in my mind, and I never set any expectations for the book. When Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, my life changed instantly. I was so green, I had to ask: "Does this star mean it's a starred review?" I laugh at that now. I had no idea what I was doing.

 

When it hit the NYT list and the USA TODAY list, I went completely numb. I think I'm still trying to absorb the numbers of readers who have entered Millie's world. I count my blessings constantly and really believe this was  never my story to keep in the first place. I feel lucky this story came to me, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to share it with the world. When I hear from readers who have been impacted by Millie's journey, I know it was worth every bit of work that went into this process. The emails I receive are incredibly powerful, and I'm very glad I got to play some small role in helping those readers heal old scars.

 

Thanks for inviting me for an interview on your blog, Dena. It really has been a tremendous honor for me.

Encouragement for Moms--and More

Things have busy on the home front, because the boys are finishing school, Carey and I wrapping up our commitments in Amarillo, and we're all preparing to move back to Granbury--where my hubby is the brand-new Minister of Music and Worship at Lakeside Baptist Church. (YAY!)

My co-author, Tina Samples, and I are also hard at work on our August 1st deadline for Wounded Women of the Bible.

And soon, I'm hoping to announce a "new" book project that my agent is currently negotiating the contract for. 

Fun--and crazy--times!

But since I've been writing less on this blog, I wanted to let you know about a few links to things I've recently written (or re-written). I'm always so grateful when places like The High Calling, other blogs, and Heritage Builders give me a chance to share my heart with their readers. I hope these pieces encourage your heart today. :)

A few High Calling links:

• My apology letter from a working mom.
• A feature about my son's second-grade elections.
• And a piece about picking plums in the summer heat.

Heritage Builders links:

• Can we PLEASE end the mommy wars, once and for all?
• Getting nostalgic about my days as a ranch hand.
• Singing the swimsuit blues.

And for the busy writers out there:

• The 15-Minute Writer: Help for Harried Aspiring Authors.

 

A Unique Way to Satisfy our Cravings for God--and a Giveaway

"When I became a mom I lost my God time," says Carey Bailey. "I couldn't figure out how to fit it in, since everything but that time was a priority. So I made note cards that I set around my house with scriptures written on them. Even when my arms were too full of babies, laundry, and diapers to pick up a Bible, I could easily read God's words of encouragement that I was starving for."

To help her fellow moms pursue God, Carey created Cravings...a collection of card-sized devotionals based on the Psalms (my favorite book of the Bible!). They are written to help mothers develop their relationship with God in the midst of motherhood.  Each card contains a scripture, a thought for the day, and an action idea. As moms crave time with God, they can draw a card fro the delectable Cravings holder--a pink cupcake!--which also displays the daily card for hands-free viewing. 

Cravings can serve as a mom's daily devotional or a supplement to her regular time with God. The set of 40 cards contains over a month's worth of Cravings. 

Disclosure: I received a free Cravings product a few weeks ago and have really, really enjoyed using it. I love the story behind the product and enjoy reading a card each morning as I blow-dry my hair. The hot pink cupcake holder fits right into my girly bathroom! I hope Carey will continue to create new card sets so I can continue to fill my Cravings past the first 40 days.

Carey is celebraing the release of Cravings with a giveaway. Be sure and enter!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• $50 gift card to Erin Condren Shop (Your one-stop-shop for all things awesome!)
• $50 gift card to Victoria's Secret® (For something pretty.)
• $25 gift card to Bath & Body Works® (For a little spa treatment.)
• 2 Sets of Cravings - The Devotional (For you and a friend.)
• Scentsy Plug In and 2 Bars (A lovely scent for your space.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/12/12. The winner will be announced 5/14/12 on Carey’s blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Carey's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

 

The Day Dr. Phil Called

It happened like this:

"The producer explained that he’d found me through my blog while searching for guests for an episode on motherhood. He asked me to fill out a questionnaire I’d receive via email. 'If we think you’re a fit, we’ll talk to you about details like travel and accommodations,' he said.

After thanking him for contacting me, I hung up and jumped around the room. This was big-time. This was…amazing. Dr. Phil’s people contacted me. A mom-blogger from a small Texas town."

The results of the call were...well...you'll have to read more of the story here, over at one of my favorite haunts (The High Calling).

 

An Open Apology Letter (from a Working Mom)

Dear vacuum, broom, and dust pan: I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting you. After working all day, you’re about as attractive as Newt Gingrich in a Speedo.

To my girlfriends: I do want to get together. I’m not just saying that. During the day, I’m distracted by disbursement authorizations. At night, I’m surrounded by fart jokes (the perils of living with boys). I could REALLY use a night on the town. But by the time I think about calling you, my eyelids are heavy. And Portlandia is on.

I’m just being honest.

To my pastor, you’re a brilliant man. Seriously. My dozing off in the middle of your Sunday sermon is not indicative that your delivery is lackluster or your content boring. I’m just. So. Tired.

 To yoga, walking, and other exercises I once performed regularly periodically: I will come back. I promise. For now, I’m taking the stairs, parking further from work, and doing “Just Dance 3” with my sons.

To my long-distance friends and family: I love you, I really do. But if you’re not on FB, I probably won’t be in contact. It’s not ideal, but then, neither is Facebook.

 And to my fellow working moms: I’m appalled that I ever questioned your commitment to our sons’ school. Why did I look down on you because you couldn’t make it to the Groundhog Day party? Never again.

I now know what I didn’t know before: that you’re doing the best you can, in the midst of a crazy-busy life. And you most likely want to be a driver on a field trip. But you also want to keep the job that help pay for the field trip...and lunches...and raffles...ad nauseum.

Finally, to my hobbies: I remember our time together with fondness. God knows, I spent plenty of money purchasing necessities like mini paper cutters, industrial-strength adhesive, and pacifier-shaped “punches” when my firstborn was a toddler. Since then, however, your appeal has faded.

The choice is clear, and I’m sorry to be so blunt, but I side with sleep, reading, and spending time with my family members.

And for that, I make no apologies.

Pearl #2: Traditions for Time-Challenged Moms

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

*** 

Advent By Sibella Giorello

Consider the bride's walk down the aisle. We all know where that woman in the white is going but somehow waiting for her to arrive at the altar is an essential part of the ceremony. In fact, the waiting is so essential that even cheapskate Vegas chapels include wedding marches.

Why?

Because the wait adds meaning to the moment.

At Christmas time, we tend to forget this essential truth about anticipation. We're lost to shopping malls and checklists, rushing toward December 25th so quickly that we forget the quiet joy of the month's other 24 days -- and then we wonder why we feel so empty on the 26th, amid ribbons and wrapping paper and our best intentions.

Because the wait adds meaning to the moment.

And that is why Advent is so important to Christmas.

I'm as guilty as the next harried person. This Advent was particularly tricky because just six hours before it started, I was still trying to finish a 110,000-word novel that was written over the course of the year -- written while homeschooling my kids, keeping my hubby happy, and generally making sure the house didn't fall down around us.

It's an understatement to say my free time is limited. But waiting adds meaning, and Advent is crucial to Christmas, so I've devised several Advent traditions that are simple, powerful and easy to keep even amid the seasonal rush.

When my kids outgrew the simple Advent calendars around age 7, I stole an idea from my writer friend Shelly Ngo (as T.S. Eliot said, "Mediocre writers borrow. Great writers steal." Indulge me.)

Here's how it goes: Find 24 great Christmas books, wrap them individually and place then under the tree. On the first day of Advent, take turns picking which book to open. When we did this, we would cuddle under a blanket and read aloud -- oh, the wonder, the magic! We savored "The Polar Express," howled with "How Murray Saved Christmas," and fell silent at the end of "The Tale of The Three Trees" (note: some of the picture books I chose were not explicitly about Christmas but they always echoed the message that Jesus came to earth to save us from ourselves and to love us beyond our wildest imagination. In that category, Angela Hunt's retelling of The Three Trees definitely hits the Yuletide bull's eye).

This Advent tradition lasted for about five years. It gave us rich daily discussions about the season's real meaning, without being religious or legalistic, and it increased family couch time. But like the lift-the-flap calendars, my kids outgrew the picture books.

Because the wait adds meaning, and Advent is crucial, I prayed for another way to celebrate anticipation of Christmas. By the grace of God, last year I found an enormous Advent calendar on  clearance at Pottery Barn. Made of burlap, it has large pockets big enough to hold some serious bounty.
 
But my husband and I didn't want the kids focusing only on the materialist stuff for Advent -- we already fight that on Christmas day. We decided to fill the daily pockets with simple necessities and small gift cards. We also printed out the nativity story from Luke 2:1-21 in a large-sized font and cut each verse out. From Day 1 to Day 21, there is one verse to read aloud. The kids memorize it, then get to open their present (again, on alternating days for each person). Then we tape the verse to the wall in order. By Day 22, all the verses are on the wall, in order, and the kids now try to recite the entire nativity story from memory. That's not as difficult as it sounds because they've been memorizing one verse each day. Still, the entire recitation -- verbatim -- usually requires Day 23 and Day 24. Whoever does memorize the entire thing -- without mistakes --  earns a bonus gift of $25.

Does that sounds extravagant?

It is.

Because we want our kids to understand that God came down and humbled himself and taught us about love right before He suffered and died on behalf of the undeserving -- which is every one of us.

"That's" extravagant.

And in the waiting, we find even more meaning.

***

Sibella Giorello writes the Raleigh Harmon mystery series which won the Christy Award with its first book "The Stones Cry Out." She lives in Washington state with her husband and children, and often wishes there were 36 hours in a day.

Operation Enduring Sleep

Today, I'm sharing an "oldie-but-a-goodie"....a piece from my first book (which is now available on Kindle and other e-book platforms), Grace for the Race: Meditations for Busy Moms. I pray it lifts your heart today. :)

We call it Operation Enduring Sleep. My husband and I, the two-member coalition in this war on sleep-deprivation, take our assignment very seriously. The mission: to transfer our sleeping toddler, Jordan, from his carseat to his bed without waking him.

 After we deploy ourselves, our first step is to unhook the buckle on his restraining device. Jordan sighs, and we freeze. Our lips purse, our foreheads crease, and we both wonder if we’ll make it.

After unhooking our little soldier, we give silent instructions to one another. Carey mouths, “You get him, I’ll get the door.” I nod in agreement.

Holding my breath, I slip Jordan’s carseat strap over his head. So far, so good. Now the most dangerous part: the hoist. I carefully bring my son’s heavy arm up over my shoulders, wrap one arm around his waist and cover his head—so as not to bump it on the car door and accidentally end the operation.

My brave husband holds the door for me, and I walk past him. Trooper that he is, Carey has already been on a stealth mission in our son’s bedroom. We both know that any miscalculation or stumble on my part would prove fatal to our plan, so Hubby has pulled the bedcovers back, darkened the room and conducted a ground search for stray objects in Jordan’s room.

As I reach the target, Jordan stirs a bit. I hesitate, re-calculate, and start humming a lullaby. Carey follows stealthily behind me, whispering encouragement. “Almost there,” he says.

Then ever so gently, I place Jordan on his bed, take off his shoes and cover his body with a blanket.  I tiptoe away, giving Carey the thumbs-up sign. Mission accomplished.

“Mommy,” I hear. Carey groans quietly. My heart starts to race. No, I think. We’ve come too far to fail now! And I need a nap, too.  I decide to walk away slowly, ignore my child and hope he’s not really awake.

“Mommy!” Jordan cries, louder this time. I grimace at Carey. He shrugs, and I urn back around. Our son is sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes. “I’m not tired now.”

”You need more rest,” I whisper. “Go back to sleep.”

Jordan hops off his bed, runs to my side and raises his arms. “I want to hold you!” he says.

And so the mission is aborted. Sneaky kid, I think. He knows my weak spots, and he isn’t afraid to exploit them.

So I pick up my child, breathing in his scent—a strange but comforting mixture of sweat, fruit punch and graham crackers. As we walk out of the room, Carey puts his arm around me and shrugs.

Sometimes, losing the battle isn't so bad.

Buy Grace for the Race on Kindle now.

A Scholarship for Mommy (and Daddy!) Bloggers

 

Star Costumes is awarding $500 to a qualified, degree-seeking mommy blogger. If you run a blog for moms while also attending college and could use some extra funds to help pay for tuition, books, and other education-related expenses, this might be the scholarship for you!

Why a Mommy Blogger Scholarship?

As a mommy blogger you wear a lot of hats, and running a sucessful blog takes a range of complex skills — businessperson, entrepreneur, public relations expert, web designer, photographer (and, of course, don't forget the time you spend being a mom!).

And if you're looking to expand your already prodigious skillset with a degree, then Star Costumes wants to help. As a costume store specializing in kids costumes, moms are an especially important part of their clientele, and this is their chance to give back. (And this scholarship isn't just available for moms -- daddy bloggers are welcome to enter too!)

Eligibility Requirements:

Mommy Blogger Scholarship candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled full-time or part-time at an accredited undergraduate or graduate post-secondary institution.
• Maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
• A US citizen.
• 18 years or older

Application is Easy

Just fill out their application form online, along with an essay. The essay provides chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants, and should be in the range of about 400-500 words. Suggested topics include:

• What inspired you to create a blog for moms.
• Your accomplishments and goals as they relate to your website.
• How you balance the challenges of running a website while raising a family.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit your application is October 31st, 2011. The winner will be notified on November 10th, 2011. The winner will need to provide relevant transcripts to verify GPA and enrollment, after which the scholarship award can be claimed right away. There is no fee to apply for this scholarship. If you're interested, apply here.

Good luck!

If Mom Ran the World...

This morning on the way to work and school, my three men played a game in the car. It was called, "What if Mommy ran the world?"

The laws they came up with: "There would be no work before 10 a.m"; "You would HAVE to lift the toilet seat"; and "No laughing at her monster-hair when she wakes up."

I concurred demurely with their initial thoughts. And, after careful consideration, if I were Queen (or President, or Dictator--as the case may be) for the Day, I'd add a few rules, too:

• No one shall leave the milk carton in the fridge when it only has one tiny swig of liquid in it, under penalty of scrubbing said appliance. 
• I shall require my coffee (fixed just like I like it, with a LOT of hazelnut creamer) in bed, and shall have time to enjoy it before tending to the needs of the day.
• Teachers, soccer coaches, and other people in authority over my child(ren) shall grant me grace whenever I forget a practice, paper, or performance. 
• Speaking of teachers, they shall receive the pay that pro football players currently receive...with raises for meritous and miraculous achievements. 
• CEO's, entertainers, politicians, and sports players' salaries will be capped at a reasonable level. And docked severely for bad behavior. Especiallly cheating on their wives.
• Charlie Sheen is banned from ever going near a microphone or stage again, unless he becomes an evangelist or philanthropist [stop laughing, it could happen!]. 
• Child actors/performers are only to work for one season of a television show, and they are not allowed to tour, endorse products, or otherwise be exploited. And they can't record albums, or write MEMOIRS until they're at least 30. Sheesh.
• Reality television--especially anything with the word "Jersey," "Kardashian," "Real," or "Housewives" in the title--shall be henceforth and forevermore banned. 
• Ditto for horror movies and anything with over a PG-13 rating (except for a few notable exceptions).
• Each of my subjects will volunteer at a charity for an hour a week. Minimum.
• Solitude and silence will be celebrated and sought after, at least for thirty minutes a day.
• People must unplug for a majority of their day, and have actual conversations with each other. Being plugged in is fine--just in small doses.
• Everyone in my kingdom is required to read to a child for 15 minutes a day--preferably while cuddling with them.
• Ditziness shall be seen as a sign of intelligence, and shall never, ever be laughed at. Unless I'm laughing, too. Penalties for breaking this law shall include dusting, vacuuming, folding laundry, and cleaning the toilet.
• Speaking of chores, only rude and thoughtless people (esp. fast food workers who act like I'm annoying them by ordering) shall do them. I am exempt, for obvious reasons.
• Plump thighs and bellies shall be a sign of fertility and beauty, as in the days of Ruben. 
• Which reminds me--Rueben sandwiches will become the official Queen's sandwich. Except when I want a Patty Melt, or a French Dip. Can someone bring me a sandwich now, please?
• ALL body types (and skin colors!) will be celebrated and appreciated.
• Magazines and newspapers will from now on report on the good things that happen, as well as tragedies. Real-life heroes will be featured, instead of celebrities.  And tabloid photographers will be required to chase after each other, just to see what it feels like.

That was fun...now it's your turn! What would YOUR rules be, if you ran the world? I look forward to your answers! 

Poetry Wins: The "Heart and Soul" Grant Program

How often does your organization step back and remember your mission? Sure, you know what your mission is, but how often do you refine the sense of mission that exists in the hearts of your staff, board members and supporters?

This year's Heart & Soul grant program, put on by the CTK Foundation, is designed to do just that. To win, you have to channel your creativity to write an original four- to eight-line poem or stanza that reflects the work or mission of your nonprofit. No poets on staff? Ask your supporters to write a poem for you.

The 1st place winner will receive $10,000 and will have their submission turned into a song to be used in public education or awareness. The song will be written and recorded by songwriter Bill Dillon -- who was recently exonerated after 27 years in prison thanks to Innocence Project of Florida -- and produced by Jim Tullio of Butcher Boy Studios.

The contest is open to all nonprofits in the United States, Canada and the UK. The winning nonprofits will receive one of the following awards:

•1st place award is the song, plus a cash grant of $10,000 (US) or it's value in foreign currency

•2nd place award is a cash grant of $5,000 (US) or it's value in foreign currency

•The 2011 Blogger's Choice Award, where a randomly selected blogger participating in spreading the word among nonprofits about the H&S Grant Award Program will choose a nonprofit applicant to receive a $1,000 cash grant or it's value in foreign currency

•2 steel-stringed guitars, signed by all members of Los Lonely Boys (which you can auction for fund-raising)

In addition , there will be up to 20 technology grants, valued at $10,000, to nonprofits that indicate an interest.

There is a quick turnaround on these grants. You must submit an application by midnight on March 28, 2011, and you'll be notified if you've won on April 10.

Visit Community Tech Knowledge's site to apply.

Follow the effort on Twitter at #ctkgrant.