Special Guest - Christina Berry, Author of The Familiar Stranger

I am thrilled that Christina Berry has agreed to be my special guest on my blog today. Here’s a little bit of information about her:

Single mother and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time to write from her busy schedule because she must tell the stories that haunt her every waking moment. (Such is the overly dramatic description of an author's life!) She holds a BA in Literature, yet loves a good Calculus problem, as well. Her debut novel, The Familiar Stranger, releases from Moody in September and deals with lies, secrets, and themes of forgiveness in a troubled marriage. A moving speaker and dynamic teacher, Christina strives to Live Transparently--Forgive Extravagantly!

I loved The Familiar Stranger. It kept me on my toes until the very end. It was a moment of wishing I could call in sick the next day. Tell me more about the Familiar Stranger.

The Familiar Stranger is about a couple going through a really rough patch in their marriage. When an accident incapacitates the husband, their relationship must be redefined. Which would be a lot easier to do if BIG secrets from his past didn’t raise their ugly heads. Despite the upheaval, the choices they make involving forgiveness and trust might allow a new beginning. Or … they might not.

Wow, how did you come up with this story?

In the summer of 2006, two stories appeared in the newspaper. One was a huge, national story; the other a smaller, local-interest item. I wondered what it might look like if those two stories conceived a child. Boom! I had the entire plot for The Familiar Stranger. It will be interesting to see if readers can figure out which stories inspired the book.

I like a challenge. I’ll have to think about that one! Have you always love to write?

Buried deep within my closet, one might find some angst-filled poetry from my teenage years and a very spooky seven pages of the novel I started in high school. Though I was in love with the idea of being a writer, it wasn’t until I finished college and stayed home with my first child that I actually decided to write a book. Truthfully, my mom told me we were going to write one together, and being the obedient daughter I am …

Obedient indeed! How long did it take to get published?

My mother, Sherrie Ashcraft, and I began writing in the summer of ’99. We figured the accountability of having a co-writer would make us actually do what we’d always dreamed of but never put action to. It took a long road of learning how much we didn’t know, tons of re-writing, brooding over rejections, making connections, pitching at conferences, and directional prayer to make our writing salable.

In the summer of 2007, when Mom was busy caring for her dying mother-in-law, I got the itch of a new story idea. Undiscovered was written by February 2008, edited by June, won second place in the ACFW Genesis Contemporary category, and was renamed The Familiar Stranger and contracted by Moody Publishers in October.

One decade from naïve first scribbles to debut novel!

ACFW (http://www.acfw.com) is great place for authors and aspiring authors. I’m a current member and it’s the best out there. You get to rub shoulders with others (like Christina!) and learn from one another. We talk about anything from developing your characters, plots, and themes to rejections. Speaking of rejections, how do you handle them?

I pout and throw things.

No, really, I believe my skin has thickened from the 47 rejections I’ve received over the years. I tend to get down for a day or two, but know God directs more clearly (in my life) through “no” than through “yes.”

Each rejection means a writer is one step closer to finding the perfect publishing home.

The story about Craig and Denise is powerful. They say that there’s a little bit of the author in the characters. Is that the case with The Familiar Stranger?

Any character has some aspect of my personality, for better or worse. I can only write what I know. I’ve seen a richness develop in my writing as I’ve grown in my faith and walked through some valleys in the last decade.

Denise and Craig’s story is based on the lessons of forgiveness God taught me when my marriage fell apart … the first time. Accordingly, many of the emotions Denise goes through correspond to what I felt, though our situations differ. However, I also wanted to really understand the male perspective, so Craig had parts of me in him as well. The path away from God and following temptation is something we can all recognize and, unfortunately, identify with.

During the editing process and years after my husband and I reunited, our marriage of thirteen years unexpectedly ended. The words I had written as a happily married woman ministered to me in my singleness. My heart’s hope is that this book will lead people to Live Transparently—Forgive Extravagantly!

For the readers-wannabe writers that would like to be published one day, what is the best advice you can give?

(If you've been writing for years and have yet to get published, this is especially for you!) To start a new novel.

I'm a stubborn girl—just ask my parents. My mother and I reworked and reworked a co-authored story for eight years, each time putting our newly acquired writing knowledge/skills to use. We were determined that it wouldn't end up in a box in the closet or shoved under the bed. I still love that manuscript, and it's actually very close to selling as I write this, but it wasn't until I took the advice of others far sager and experienced with writing to start a new novel that I finally made my first sale.

What was the worst advice you were given?

At a Christian conference, I met with a New York agent. The conference doesn't require the faculty to sign any kind of statement of faith, though it is blatantly Christian in tone. The man actually told me replacing "Jesus" with "God" would make an easier sale and not offend as many people.

With all due respect, excuse me? The very Cross itself is offensive. (See Galatians 5:11) I'm going to use the name of Jesus because in His name dwells power and glory and honor. And really, because when you love Someone, even His name is beloved.

I love that you are transparent with your faith. How does writing fit into your spiritual life?

I see writing as one of the tools He uses to form me into His image—a tool to teach me patience, self-control, determination, reliance on Him, and other life lessons. I also see writing as a gift that brings me hope, fulfillment, and purpose when the rest of life is not so nice. The journey has sharpened me, yet also softened me.

I loved The Familiar Stranger and am excited to hear that you are working on another book. You have a newsletter too? Can you tell me more?

I’m about 1/5 of the way through my next manuscript, Unafraid, a story about a girl’s kidnapping, and how her life unfolds because of the trauma. One of my characters is a PI, so I’m having loads of fun with the research.

The humor Sherrie Ashcraft (my sometime co-author and always mother) and I display in our infrequent, humorous newsletters--sign up at www.ashberrylane.net/update.aspx--has garnered the attention of an editor. You just might see a funny, non-fiction cooperative work from the Ashberry Ladies at some point in time. Plus, I have a funky TV-based devotional a house is interested in … Busy, busy, busy!

I’m looking forward in reading it! I’ll keep my eyes peeled. Please be sure and check out Christina’s newsletter at www.ashberrylane.net/update.aspx I do not want to miss your future books, so I’ve signed up. Sign up today for a chance to win either: your choice of a MP3 player or free autographed books for the life of her writing career. Personally, I’m going for the books!

You are busy! What is a typical writing day like for you?

For one short year after my youngest was in school and before becoming a foster parent, I would write or market from 9-2:45 with a short lunch break. This last year has been more sporadic, with email and online marketing in the morning along with frequent breaks to play with or get snacks for the child in my care. Lunch with her, then phone marketing, editing, and writing while she naps. After dinner and once the kids are in bed, I usually log 1-3 more hours of work time.
I’ve found I’m most productive at actually writing when I play games with myself. For instance, I might write down all the chores I have to do on one side of a paper and my word count in hundred word increments on the other. For every hundred words I write, I complete any chore. In a few hours, I’ve made good progress on both lists. Many writers hate to “interrupt” their writing time like that, but my brain seems to process better with frequent breaks and words spill out when I set back down at the keyboard.

Of course, if I get a call to substitute teach, I don’t get much done that day!

I know that you have been through a painful divorce. Do you have a favorite verse that keeps you going? One that keeps you writing?

This is constantly changing! During the divorce, my agent, Sarah Van Diest, sent this verse to me: “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 Completely His: that’s what I want to be.

For writing, I like James 1:2-3. “Consider it pure joy, my [fellow writers], whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV) If we’re experiencing rejection after rejection on a manuscript, it's not the right time or there’s still something to be added. I think of the timing God planned out for my marriage to end as this book releases and I am awed and astounded at His love for me.

But if I could pick a verse to symbolize The Familiar Stranger it would be this one: “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."1 Samuel 16:7

Those are great verses! I pray that others will read your book and be blessed as much as I have. Where can readers go to purchase your book?

Here are two links:

http://www.christianbook.com/familiar-stranger-christina-berry/9780802447319/pd/447319?netp_id=612553&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers

http://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Stranger-Christina-Berry/dp/0802447317/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239913987&sr=1-1

You can also have any bookstore order copies for you if they don’t have any in stock.

Great! Thank you, Christina for allowing me to be a part of your blog tour. Where are you headed next?

My next stop is http://jodiebailey.blogspot.com/

I hope this interview has enticed you to check out Christina's book, The Familiar Stranger, this is an author to keep tabs on. She has a heart for Jesus and to show His heart through her writing.

Please leave a comment. At the end of her blog tour, Christina will be drawing 10 names on 10/31/09 for a chance to win The Familiar Stranger!