Author of 10-Minute Time Outs for Moms
by Trisha Bleau Smith
T4JYM: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book 10-Minute Time Outs for Moms, as is evidenced by the review on the site. Where did the idea for the book come from? Where do you generally draw your ideas for writing from?
GF: About four years ago I read the book “Right From Wrong” by Josh McDowell. He quoted statistics that showed how when it comes to moral issues a large majority of church-going teens today are making the same poor choices as non-churched teens. That really concerned me. As a mother of three, aged 16, 18, and 20, I desperately want my kids to make wise choices and know God’s blessing in their lives. I believe that will happen if they understand the character of God, but I need to know it, too, if I’m going to reflect and teach it to them.
I wrote the book to explore and explain God’s character in down-to-earth terms and to show how to apply that knowledge to everyday life. The ideas for each devotional came from personal experience or from my friends’ experiences—moms everywhere will be able to relate.
T4JYM: Why mothers? What made you decide to write this book for moms out there?
GF: Moms have a HUGE influence on their kids’ spiritual development. If we, as moms, truly understand who God is our lives will be transformed and the effect will spill into our kids’ lives. That in turn will affect their children. Think of the impact we can have on future generations!
T4JYM: How many publishers did you send your book to before it was picked up? Was it rejected by any publishers?
GF: About a dozen publishers saw the proposal. Initially one denominational publisher accepted it then decided against it saying they couldn’t market it adequately. In the end three others expressed keen interest and Harvest House accepted it.
T4JYM: What other writings have you done – published or unpublished? Do you write for magazines, newsletters, church publications, etc.?
GF: I’ve had more than 80 articles published since I started writing in 1999. I’ve written for magazines including “Christian Reader,” “Focus on the Family,” “Charisma,” “Brio,” “New Man,” and Canada’s “Reader’s Digest.” I’m a regular contributor for “Power for Living,” an adult Sunday School paper published by Scripture Press. Since July 2003 I’ve written a weekly devotional for our local newspaper.
T4JYM: What are your next plans for writing? Do you plan to write any future books?
GF: Presently most of my magazine articles are profiles of other people or non-profit organizations. I’d like to branch out a little more—perhaps write more articles about the deeper Christian life. Someday I’d love to write a children’s series. Right now I’m planning a second book—a non-fiction book for Christian women.
T4JYM: What is generally your target audience? How do you decide on what audience to focus your writing on?
GF: My magazine articles generally target an adult audience, mostly believers. I’ve written for teenage girls a few times, though, too. The topic of my article decides who the audience will be. For example I interviewed a female NASCAR driver whose testimony was gripping for teens so I submitted the article to “Brio” because she’s a great Christian role model for young women.
T4JYM: How do you find time to write? Life is busy and time management is hard to do sometimes. When do you do your best writing and where?
GF: I try to write five days a week, for three or four hours each time. My most productive time is in the morning after I’ve had my devotions and gone for a walk. I’m fortunate to have my own space to write—a small bedroom converted to an office big enough for my desk and a bookshelf.
T4JYM: What is your regular, full time job? Do you plan to move in to writing full time?
GF: Well…I’m a wife and mom first of all. Then, together with my husband, I’m involved in a year-round Christian camping ministry. After that I’m a writer. I’d love to write full time someday, although I’m not sure when that will be.
T4JYM: What training do you have in writing? Did you take any writing courses in college to obtain the skills you have currently?
GF: Several years ago I took the Children’s Institute of Literature course by correspondence. When I decided to pursue writing in 1999 I began attending writers’ conferences in the States—those have been critical for giving me the skills I’ve needed.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in writing?
GF: Pray about it. Determine whether or not that’s the direction the Lord wants you to go. Take a journalism or creative writing course, depending on where your interest lies.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone interested in publishing their works?
GF: Attend writers’ conferences to meet editors. Study the magazines for which you wish to write. Study their writers’ guidelines for manuscript submissions. Go to the public library and read magazines about how to write. Join a writers’ group and let others critique your work. Don’t be afraid to move beyond your comfort zone, and don’t give up!
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