Mother Inferior

Working Women of the Bible: Review, Interview--and Giveaway!

Susan DiMickele and I share a passion for writing about women in scripture, so I was very excited to receive a copy of her newest book, Working Women of the Bible: Timeless Mentors for Modern Women.

 

In the book, Susan delves into the lives of scriptural working women and shows readers how these ancient women are actually excellent role models. I found the book down-to-earth, easy to read, and encouraging, and I'm thrilled to host Susan today. She was gracious enough to answer several questions--AND her publisher provided a copy of her book for a giveaway. Read on to learn about Susan, working women in the Bible, and how you can win a free book. :)

For those who aren't familiar with your work, can you tell us a little about  yourself?  

Like most women today, I wear many hats. I’m the youngest child of five daughters, a wife of 20 years, and a mother to three growing children (ages 7, 9, and 12). I’m also a lawyer, author, friend, cook, runner, and lover of dark chocolate. I write because it’s when I feel most connected to people and to God.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written two books. My first book, Chasing Superwoman:  A Working Mom’s Adventures In Life And Faith (2010 Cook) is a personal memoir. Yet after I wrote my own story—the story of a too-busy mom, wife, and lawyer trying to do it all—I knew I wasn’t finished. I next turned to the women of the Bible, and I quickly became passionate about the untold stories of some amazing women. 

What is the hardest thing about writing? 

Like so many authors, I can’t find enough time to write. Most of us have a “day” job, family responsibilities, and the everyday distractions of a full life. While I wouldn’t trade my life or the multiple hats I wear for anything, some days I wish I could just sit and write on a mountain top. Uninterrupted!

Oh, I so agree! And I truly feel your pain. :) Susan, can you tell my readers a little bit about your newest book?

 Working Women of the Bible focuses on women who worked outside the home or held positions of spiritual or political influence. In addition to Eve, we study Rahab, Jezebel, the widow in debt, Huldah, Deborah, the Proverbs 31 woman, Ruth, Esther, Mary the mother of Jesus, Martha, Lydia, and Priscilla. All of these women—faults and all—give us insight and inspiration. They speak to us as working women who live in two worlds: the spiritual and the secular world.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have always loved the stories of biblical heroines. Yet until recently, I never viewed these women as modern mentors. I made the mistake of thinking my mentors had to live next door. Yet God has a way of providing answers where I least expect it. As I read about the women of the Bible, I realized the mentors I have longed for were right under my nose. Too often, we forget that the women of the Bible worked. Hard. They made mistakes, and they didn’t give in. In many ways, their stories are our stories.

Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?

Yes, more than anything, I want my readers to see that God has been redeeming the work of women for centuries--one life at a time. Like many of us today, the women of the Bible were trying to do it all: providing for their families, caring for the elderly, exercising spiritual leadership. Trying to be strong. Trying to figure out whether God can still use our work, despite our mistakes. Even trying to be Superwoman. It all sounds too familiar. Yet too many modern women believe that the Bible is a book for that time and that place. And most of us are wondering how it really relates to me. I want to challenge that thinking.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Just do it. There will never be a good time to write. If your soul is burning with a desire to say something, you probably have something important to say. And if you have something important to say, someone will probably listen. But even if no one listens, you must follow your heart and take a chance. Otherwise, you’ll always wonder “what if?”

That's great advice. Thanks so much, Susan.

Now, it's your turn! To win a copy of Susan's book, just leave a comment answering this question: who is your favorite woman in the Bible, and why?

Look at Me: Encouragement for the Highly Distractible Writer (and others)

When my sons were toddlers, they were so easily distracted (look: a squirrel!) that I often knelt down and gently placed my hands on their cheeks to help them listen.

“Look at me,” I’d say, waiting until their eyes met mine. Then I asked them, “What did Mommy say?”

Lately, I’ve felt God kneeling down, kindly pressing His hands to my cheeks. “Look at me,” He says. It’s not only a call to attention, but to single-minded devotion.

“Yes, Lord, ” I reply, taking my eyes off Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter–and focusing on Him.

Read the rest of the post.

The Circle of Seasons: A Chat with Kimberlee Conway Ireton

I have the pleasure today of hosting a fellow mom-writer, Kimberlee Conway Ireton. We met last fall at the Laity Lodge Writer's Retreat, and I was immediately drawn to her wit, intelligence, and talent. She was easy to be around, too--and obviously smitten with her hubby, books, and kids. :) A few weeks later, Kimberlee was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, The Circle of Seasons, and I've enjoyed it very, very much.

I think you will, too.

The Circle of Seasons is a well-written, thoughtful, and practical guide to the church year. Phyllis Tickle, compiler of The Divine Hours, calls it "a very accessible and enormously appealing overview of the Church’s liturgical year.” And Ann Voskamp says the book holds "beautiful words, deep thoughts…[which] speak my language of rhythm and liturgy and make me yearn for more God.”

I asked Kimberlee if I could interview her, and she graciously agreed. I pray our conversation encourages you, especially during this Lenten season:

--You're a mom and writer, and I connected with you right away because of that. It's a unique challenge to write when  your kids are young. How do you find/make time to write with your kiddos and hubby, and other responsibilities?

I often write after the kids go to bed. It’s not ideal, but I can usually crank out a piece if I have to. For several years, I also hired a babysitter to come watch my kids a few hours each week, so I could write. But when we put our son in Tae Kwon Do and our daughter in piano lessons this fall, something in our budget had to go.

So now, I spend my Saturdays writing at a local coffee house or two, while my husband hangs out with the kids. It makes for a crazy life, but I hope it’s only for a season and that at some point I’ll again be able to hire childcare a few hours a week. Either that, or my kids will grow old enough that I can leave them home alone. :)

--I loved the personal feel of this book. Also, I didn't grow up in a denomination that celebrated the church year, but you made it very accessible. What would you say has been the most transformative part of celebrating the church year, for you? And why?

I didn’t grow up celebrating the church year, either. I came to the practice as an adult. What I love most about the church year is the way that, if we live it, it keeps pointing us back to Christ; the whole year revolves around the life of Christ and the life of the Church, which is Christ’s body.

The church year helps me remember that even in the ordinary details of my days, I am not my own. I have been bought with a price, and in life and in death I belong to God. When I am faithful to live the seasons, they provide depth and richness to my days, and a sense that I’m living in a larger story than the little all-about-me life I usually inhabit. 

--I really liked the ideas you gave for living out the seasons of the church year in your home and family, whether or not your church celebrates it. Which is your favorite way to bring those traditions home?

In our home, every night before dinner we light a candle and say a short call-and-response litany (and yes, most weeks, we have dinner together every night). The color of the candle and the words of the litany change from season to season.

Right now, we’re in Ordinary Time, so our candle is green. Come Wednesday, when Lent begins, the candle will be purple. And then, on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, we don’t light the candle at all. It sits there, black-wicked, while we eat, to remind us that the Light has gone out of the world. 

It’s a really simple thing, but it’s a touchstone for our days, and it keeps the church’s way of telling time prominent in our lives.

--Who have you been influenced by in your faith? In your writing?

Ooh, I love this question! My faith became real for me in sixth grade when I read In His Steps by Charles Sheldon. I’ve not read it since; I was telling my friend Susan the other day that I’m scared to, because I’m afraid I’ll think it’s cheesy or lame, and I don’t want to know that about the book that was the catalyst for my taking Christ seriously and basing the way I live on his claims. My best friend at the time also deeply influenced my growing faith.

Other people who have deeply influenced my faith are Mother Teresa, my dear friend Susan Forshey, two former pastors, my grad school professors (all but one of them Benedictines), my spiritual director, and my kids (because of them I lean hard on Jesus; there ain’t no way I can raise these four young souls on my own, even with my husband’s help; we are so not enough). Also, countless writers, starting with Charles Sheldon and continuing on to the Desert Fathers and Mothers, early Celtic Christians (and their contemporary interpreters), George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L’Engle, Eugene Peterson, Wendy Wright, Lisa McMinn, Ann Voskamp—I could just keep going!

I also love older devotional literature like My Utmost for His Highest and Streams in the Desert. We just don’t write like that anymore. The words are often as beautiful as the ideas, and that makes my heart happy. I think it makes God’s heart happy, too. :)

As far as writing goes, every author I love has influenced me in some way, I’m sure. I’ve only taken one writing course in my life, my sophomore year in college, but I learned a great deal from that class and the professor, Fan Gates. Most of what I know about writing comes from copious reading.

I used to read a lot more writing books than I do now, though I still love to open Strunk & White’s Elements of Style and just read a paragraph or a page. My other favorite books on writing are all about water: Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle, Rumors of Water by L.L. Barkat, and A Syllable of Water, edited by Emilie Griffin.

--What are you reading right now?

I am always in the middle of at least three books. :) Right now I’m re-reading Eugene Peterson’s Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer. I just started Pilgrim’s Inn, a novel by Elizabeth Goudge, and I’m slowly making my way through Building the Christian Family You Never Had by Mary DeMuth, Joy Together by Lynne Baab, and The Writer Who Stayed by William Zinsser.

--Any final thoughts?

Oh, Dena, I’m sure I could always find more to say, but I think I’ve been long-winded enough for one evening. Thanks so much for these questions. It’s always helpful to remember why it is that I do what I do—whether it’s writing or parenting or living the church year—because so often in the doing, I lose sight of the reasons. Your questions gave me a chance to look at and articulate the why again. Thank you for that.

You're welcome. It was a treat to have you here!

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Want to buy the book?

Copies of The Circle of Seasons are available on Amazon for as little as $9.98.

You can also purchase copies directly from Kimberlee for $7.99 each (including shipping). Simply email her the number of books you want, your mailing address, and if/to whom you’d like your book(s) inscribed. Bulk discounts are available for orders of 10 or more.

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Confessions of a Reluctant Homeschooler

“Do you knit?” I asked my friend Stacey, who sat beside me at a table near our sons’ fine arts classes. I pointed at some moms across the room who were furiously working with their needles.

“No. Don’t knit. I can’t even cook,” she said. I’d met Stacey a few weeks earlier, when our young sons had hit it off on the playground. She had never struck me as a typical homeschooling mom.  

“And I only have three kids.”

We laughed. I only have two myself, but they’re “spirited,” so they count as six.

Of course, as I’d found out when I began homeschooling last fall, there is no one type of homeschooling mom.  That was a fallacy I’d believed for a long time; one that nearly kept me from plunging in myself. I’d always thought that in order to school my two sons, I would have to: buy a long denim jumper and—shudder!—wear it;  grow my hair out very long; and make my own soap.

Continued here.

A Mom's Favorite Words

Mother is the most beautiful word in the English language, says a survey conducted a few years ago by the British Council. According to the survey’s results, the ten most beautiful words are:

1. Mother
2. Passion
3. Smile
4. Love
5. Eternity
6. Fantastic
7. Destiny
8. Freedom
9. Liberty
10. Tranquility

Lovely words, all of them. But reading that got me to thinking: what are a mother’s favorite words? Hmmmm…..how about sleep? Yep, that would probably be it—especially if the word is preceded by the adjective uninterrupted. Ah, bliss!

Read more.

Truth from a Toddler: Already Loved

Two years of canceled book contracts, low sales figures, and repeated “thanks but no thanks” emails had left me discouraged, frustrated, and confused. Writing—and the marketing tasks necessary to be a professional writer—now seemed like drudgery, not play.

I still believed God wasn’t through using me. But I couldn’t help but wonder, Will I ever get another book contract? And what happens if I don’t? Is God trying to tell me something?

Later that day, I sat at my desk, playing a computer game with my three-year-old son. As Jackson sat in my lap, I kissed his ear and inhaled his little-boy scent: a combination of milk, grime, and chocolate. Nearby sat a copy of my first book, which I had referred to earlier in the day for a radio interview. Jackson looked at the illustration of a frazzled mom on the cover and asked, “Is that you?”

“No, sweetie,” I said, “but I wrote that book. See, mommy’s name is on the cover. It says, ‘by Dena Dyer.’ “

Read the entire article.

The 15-Minute Writer: Build Your Platform

Platform building has become all-important in the publishing world. And how do you build a platform? One plank at a time.  

That’s why I tell writers with day jobs and moms with kids NOT to wait until they have more time to pursue their dreams. You CAN write, and get published--in 15 minute increments. 

Read on...

When My Dreams Became An Idol

First, a note: I'm sharing this look back at my writing career (so far) with fear and trembling, because I used to read "How I got Published"  posts and articles like an addict looking for her latest fix. I thought if I took all the steps my favorite authors took, I would get published and have the success those authors did. Instead, I should have spent more time seeking God and less time worrying about the path my own writing career would take.

This journey has been arduous (it's not for the faint of heart!) but so worth it. And I want to give praise to God, not myself, for what He's done. In His extravagant grace and love, He took an immature, driven-instead-of-led girl and opened doors for me to get paid doing something I would do for free. May His name be praised!

If you long to write, I hope you'll find encouragement--and a bit of caution--in my story. I pray He leads you to the writing career that's perfect for you, whether it looks similar to anyone else's path. That's what He's done for me.

When God called me to write books, I thought it would be easy to break into the book industry. (I’m sure God laughed at my naïve plans.) After all, I had been a freelance writer since my teens, garnering a list of credits in magazines and newspapers. I had a degree in professional writing from a university. And I knew how to deal with rejection. So I thought, anyway.

I'm glad that at the time God gave me my first book idea, I didn’t know I would endure fifty rejections—for five different book proposals--over a period of several years before signing my first book contract.

The “thanks but no thanks” letters from publishers and agents came in the mail so frequently that I began to question not only my ability, but also my calling. Many nights, I poured out my frustration to God--and my patient husband. Did I hear You right? I’d pray. Maybe I should pack up my computer and do something else.

One day, my hubby asked, “Is this something you need to set a deadline for? Say, if you don’t get a book deal within three years, you’ll give up?”

In my heart, I knew the answer. “No,” I said. “I know I’m called to do this. I can’t NOT write. I have to keep going.”

And each time I felt like I couldn’t write one more word, or endure one more rejection, God gave me confirmation (such as a “I needed what you wrote today!” note from a reader, a timely scripture, or a perfect-for-me sermon) that I was on the right track.

I grew so much spiritually through the process of becoming published. Sometimes, our callings from the Lord have more to do with what He will do in us rather than through us.

When that first book contract offer came in my email in-box, I felt unbridled joy…relief…and gratitude. Two weeks later, a co-author and I received a second offer for a compilation book, which became a two-volume series. And a week later, a stellar agent offered to represent us. The timing couldn't have been better, since I had just found out I was pregnant with our second son, and I needed to go "part-time" at my job. Isn't it just like the Lord to be right on time?

Then, for several years in the late ‘90’s, I went through another season of excruciating rejection. I thought I would never sign another book contract. To be honest, I fought with the Lord over it.

You know what He showed me? Being an “author” had become an idol to me. And over the course of several months, through lots of tears, conversations with wise friends and family members, and--yes--a few private temper tantrums, I made peace with writing for God alone.

I felt truly content (most days) writing on my blog, contributing to The High Calling, and working at at non-profit (a job He miraculously provided, which is another story for another day).

And then, as He's apt to do sometimes, very gradually and ever-so-graciously, God gave me back a book-writing ministry. A dear sister in the Lord--a friend with whom I'd longed and prayed to write for years--literally had a book idea in the middle of the night. She called me and said, "God told me that I needed you to do it with you."

I loved the idea, and felt a green light from God to help her with the proposal. An agent- friend took us on as his client, even though he wasn't accepting clients, because he saw the potential of the concept. Greg sent the proposal out the day we sent it...and for the first time, I had two offers from two different publishers for a book. 

It was so different...so unexpected. Mercy. Grace. So humbling! If I could have stayed on my knees 24 hours a day in gratitude, it wouldn't have been enough.

This time around, I had His perspective on the whole thing. This time, I felt a lot less anxiety about the future, and my role in whatever happened (or didn't).

The book will release in 2013 from Kregel. Would you pray for it to be a healing resource for women who need Jesus? That whatever publicity and promotion we receive will point to Him and not to us? I'd sure appreciate it!

There have been other areas of my life in which I’ve had to surrender, whether I felt like it or not; whether I understood His plan or not. Sometimes, I've questioned Him. There have also been seasons during which I stubbornly refused Him. 

But when I obeyed, the rewards have been numerous: Peace. Confirmation. Affirmation. Provision. A deeper faith.

And to tell you the truth? I wish I'd said YES a lot more often, with more enthusiasm. Because there's nothing God loves more than His children trusting Him with absolutely everything. As Psalm 34:4 says,  “Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him.” (MSG)

Our Maker, who knows the future and created us to find our ultimate fulfillment in His arms, longs to lead us into an amazing future. But in order to do that, He must also save us from ourselves. He knows that because of our limited view and human frailties, our desires—if left unchecked--will lead us to destruction.

However, as we die to our own agenda, He changes us to be more like Jesus. II Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

And isn't that what life's really all about, anyway?

(Image by Gene Howard.)

YOUR turn. When--and what--has God asked you to surrender? What was the result? I'd love to hear about it!

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.