Lyn Interviews Debut Love Inspired Author Virginia Carmichael
My guest today is a debut author–brand spanking new and squeaky clean, 🙂 Virginia Carmichael. I interviewed her so that both you and I can get to know her. VIRGINIA IS OFFERING A BOOK GIVEAWAY so be sure to leave a comment. Here’s Virginia.
1- Tell us a little about your writing and your real life.
I was born in Colorado but raised in Oregon. I spent some time in France, California, and South Carolina while in high school. I went to the University of Oregon and have dual degrees in theoretical linguistics and religious studies. I came back to my home town for ‘just a little while’ and met my husband here. We have six young kids, who are homeschooled and fairly lovely when they’ve had enough sleep. Which isn’t often enough. 🙂
I got an idea for a book in 2009, sort of a clean ‘Bridget Jones Diary’ set in academia. I still love that book but it probably won’t ever find a home.
I sat down and started writing. And then when I thought it was good enough, I entered contests, realized it wasn’t very good and started over. Then I entered more contests and got a critique. Then I read a lot of books on craft and chose some things to work on, until I thought it was better. I wish I could say I never queried during that time, but I always thought I was a great author, when actually, I probably shouldn’t have been allowed to e-mail any agent on this planet until 2011. Maybe not even then.
2-Was there a time in your life when you think God challenged you to become stronger? Please share.
Oh, boy. Probably every day! I was raised with pretty much whatever I wanted, and as the youngest, I just assumed the world was my oyster. College went great, after college was great, working was great… and then when I had kids I suddenly realized I had to make a choice between being the center of the universe or putting God there, instead. It’s a daily battle.
3-In what ways does your heroine show strength? And where does she draw this strength?
My heroine is the classic worldly woman who has been deceived by the world’s idea of success. She draws closer to Jesus when she realizes how very lonely she is. He gives her the strength to step out of her comfort zone (board meetings, business deals, heading a giant company) and offer to give whatever the shelter needs. Which is sometimes filing or even helping out with the little kids. It sounds easy, but for her, it’s not. In Him, our weakness is strength, and through her willingness to serve, she makes lifetime friendships and falls in love.
4-Share one fun fact about your life or books.
Um. Well, I watch a lot of kid movies and this book is based on a very famous Pixar movie. J I’ll let you figure out which one.
Virginia said:.” It sounds easy, but for her, it’s not. In Him, our weakness is strength, and through her willingness to serve, she makes lifetime friendships and falls in love.”
This sounds really close to what Veronica talked about on Monday.
To enter drawing, leave a comment.
Question: What weakness became your strength? For you or someone you know.–Lyn
To Purchase, click here.
Season of Joy (Love Inspired)
Blurb:
As the holiday season approaches, wealthy CEO Calista Sheffield wants to give instead of receive. So she volunteers at a downtown Denver shelter, never expecting that her own scarred heart will be filled with hope and healing. The mission’s director, handsome Grant Monohan, has devoted his life to helping those in need. But his harrowing past—and what he sees every day—makes him wary of Calista. Unless she shares her painful history, he’ll never believe they can have a future. But a future with Grant at the shelter is the only Christmas gift Calista truly wants.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6544907.Virginia_Carmichael?auto_login_attempted=true
BTW, I’m guesting on Cheryl StJohn’s blog today about my Christmas tree. Here’s the link.
http://cherylstjohn.blogspot.com/
