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Keep up to date with the latest releases in Christian fiction by signing up for the Christian Fiction Updates newsletter,
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About Eloise Schroder, Webmaster of The Christian Fiction Site:
Ellie has loved Christian fiction for many years, after being introduced to it back in 1990. She developed "The Christian
Fiction Site" back in 1998 under the former title "Ellie's World of Christian Fiction" after seeing the need for an online
resource site for readers to become more familiar with Christian fiction titles on the market. Since then, she has maintained
the site in her own spare time, as well as juggling a full-time job with GPH Wholesale, a distributor of Christian literature, and being
part of the worship team in her local church. Ellie lives in Palmerston North, New Zealand, with Dion, her husband of
more than 10 years.
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. . .Rene Gutteridge
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Author Profile Interview
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Rene Gutteridge is the author of Ghost Writer, Troubled Waters, Boo and
Boo Who. She has also been published over thirty times as a playwright, and studied screenwriting under a Mass Communications degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Oklahoma
City University, and earning the Excellence in Mass Communication award. She served as the full-time Director of Drama for First United
Methodist Church for 5 years before leaving to stay home with her first child and to write. She enjoys instructing at writers conferences
and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City.
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Author Profile Interview
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Oklahoma City with my husband, Sean, who is a musician, and my two children. We are active in church, where my husband is the worship pastor. We enjoy going to the movies and just hanging out at home.
2. How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I have written as long as I can remember! I started becoming serious about it probably at the age of 12 or so. My parents bought me a computer and I would get up in the middle of the night, put a towel over the thing so it wouldn't beep too loud, turn it on and write for a couple of hours. As a teenager, I became interested in screenwriting and taught myself how to do it by studying screenplays. In college I continued my education studying screenwriting. It was there that my professor told me he thought I should try writing a novel. I was against it at first, but enjoyed it once I got the hang of it. It's very different from writing a screenplay, though!
3. What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
I think Christian fiction has significance that is really immeasurable. Authors who are writing from a Christian worldview offer hope with every page of their books, no matter the subject, the writing style, or the genre. It has eternal impact.
4. How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?
That's a hard question. I just hope they react, in some way, whatever way they need to. It's a story, it should evoke emotion. But I can't predict how someone will react. I've had people tell me they've thrown my book across the room. That's a reaction all right!
5. What responses to your novels have affected you the most and why?
I'm truly moved by every letter I get. Some are more emotional than others, but each one means something to me. I'm always floored that someone would even take the time out of their lives to write me! I've received letters telling me one of my books has caused them to turn back to God. I've had letters tell me that my books made them laugh. And cry! And run for cover! I'm thrilled every time I hear from a reader.
6. How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
Well, I think it's like any job or ministry. You have your good days and your bad days. Every moment needs to be given to God. The Lord has definitely used it to teach me valuable life lessons. I've become a more patient person, and recently, a much more mellow person too.
7. Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life?
I want to be the best mother I can be. That really is such an important thing to me. I'd also like to start painting again someday. I used to draw and paint, and I was pretty good too! Don't have time for it now, though. When the kids are grown and gone, I want to learn to play golf. Professionally, I would love to work in the movies or television as a writer.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Lately all I've been doing is watching the television show "24" on DVD. My husband and I fell in love with the show last season, then learned we could rent all the other seasons! We're maniacs. It's a horrible addiction!
Mostly in my spare time, though, I'm a mother and wife. But that makes me happy. It's hard work but really rewarding.
9. What can you tell us about your latest novels?
Storm Gathering is making a nice splash! I'm hearing from a lot of readers who have been following the series since
The Splitting Storm, and I've gained some new readers who are now going back to read
The Splitting Storm! And I'm thrilled that Boo Hiss will be coming out this Fall (2005). I know my readers are anxious for it. It has a great cover, and all three of the Boo books look fabulous sitting side by side.
10. What stories can your fans expect from you in the days ahead?
I've got a stand alone romantic comedy due out January called My Life as a Doormat (in Three Acts)
about a conflict-phobic playwright. I'm so excited about this project! I can't wait to present it to my readers. And soon after,
Storm Surge, the third book in the Storm Series, will be out, and it promises to be the best of the three!
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