Interview with Christy Barritt by Susan Sleeman
Q: Let's start by having you tell us a little bit about yourself. I wear a lot of different hats. I'm a wife, a mother, a reporter, a novelist and a worship leader, to name a few. My favorite thing to do is spending time with my family and traveling. I live in Virginia and in my free time, I enjoy… who am I kidding? I never have any free time! :
Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career?
Well, two years my hair stylist convinced me to go with "Sun-kissed Honey," but last year I thought "Bronzed Copper" might work better with my olive skin tones. Today-oh wait, you weren't talking about those kind of highlights! (Go ahead… groan!). Okay, okay, the highlights of my writing… my first two writing successes were novels I had published with very small presses (The Waiting and The Trouble with Perfect). I then had an editor approach me about coauthoring a non-fiction book about Christian music (Changed: True Stories of Finding God Through Christian Music). I then got my first contract from Kregel for the Squeaky Clean Mystery series. The first book, Hazardous Duty, was released November 2006. The second book, Suspicious Minds, just came out this past June. Hazardous Duty got third place in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest last year.
And just for the record, today my hair is au natural-chocolate brown! :
Q: Would you tell us about your recent book release, Suspicious Minds the second in your Squeaky Clean Crime series?
In Suspicious Minds, crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire takes a mold remediation job to make ends meet. While in the crawlspace of a dilapidated old house, she finds Elvis-dead and still wearing his blue suede shoes! Gabby can't resist sticking her nose into another investigation. Along the way, she tries to figure out her love life, her spiritual life and the wacky world of Elvis impersonators!
Q: Gabby St. Claire has the incredibly odd job of being a crime scene cleaner, not something we read about every day. How did you decide on this as Gabby's profession?
One of the publications I sometimes write for was looking for someone to profile people with different careers. I saw one of the career choices was a crime scene cleaner. As soon as I realized that was an actual job, Gabby St. Claire was born.
Q: And speaking of unusual, how did you decide to focus on Elvis impersonators in the book?
I've been writing for my local newspaper for five years now. One interview I did was with an Elvis impersonator (or, an Elvis Tribute Artist, as I was quickly informed) performing at a senior citizens' center. I had no idea what to expect before I went. After I finished the interview (and I've had easier times getting interviews with senators than I did with this guy after his show), the president of his fan club came running after me as I walked to my car. She presented me with an autographed picture of him. I thought, this man has a fan club? The ideas spun from there.
Q: I absolutely love Gabby. Her sense of humor is fun and refreshing. If I were to ask those close to you about your sense of humor, would they describe similarities between you and Gabby?
Honestly, I'm a pretty quiet person until people get to know me. Then they get to see more of my humor, which comes out when I tell stories about my day or things that have happened to me in the past. I'm klutzy and constantly seem to find myself in impossible situations. I'm also a student of people and I really like observing the way people react to each other. Those things inwardly amuse me and usually come out in my writing.
Q: One of my favorite scenes in the book is where Riley's pastor uses the title non-Christian. Gabby, definitely falls into that category and takes offense at the pastor's label. She goes off on a tangent about labeling others by what they're not. Other than it is very funny, why did you put this scene in the book?
I'm constantly questioning the things that I'm comfortable with. I try not to use too much "church jargon" because I feel like that language only turns people off. One day I just started thinking about use of the term "non-Christian." I realized it was such an odd word choice. That's where the scene was born. I'm one of those people who's constantly thinking, which can be a blessing or curse. But I very rarely accept things just because I'm "supposed to." I like to think about issues on my own and come to my own conclusions.
Q: Inquiring minds want to know. Does Gabby ever get together with Riley?
If this is a big secret until your next book comes out, you can trust me I won't tell anyone. Honest. I promise. Hehe. I'll never tell! And honestly, I haven't finished writing the book so I don't know yet!
Q: Though Suspicious Minds is a lighthearted mystery you weave in the very serious theme of loneliness through the book. Why did you chose loneliness?
I worry a lot about loneliness in our society today. I think it's becoming easier and easier for people to live isolated lives. We can do almost everything right from our computers without ever interacting with a real, live person! It's a little scary, actually. I think the problem of loneliness and isolation and even depression will continue to rise in this country as technology makes it easier and easier to be alone. I know that as a writer I've struggled with feeling isolated. It's not a good feeling. I have to constantly remind myself to get away from the computer and really invest in the lives of people around me. My life feels empty without those relationships.
Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
I just finished writing a book called Death of the Couch Potato's Wife. Now I'm working on the third book in the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series, which is tentatively titled Organized Grime. At the end of the book, Riley and Gabby… oh wait, I forgot I couldn't tell you. :
Q: Has being a published novelist differed from your expectations?
It has been different. It's a lot more work than I thought it would be, especially the marketing that's expected with a book's release. Marketing your books can take up so much time and money. It's really unbelievable to me sometimes, especially as the mother of a toddler who's already strapped for time and money. I also thought I would feel more confident about my work after I was published but that hasn't happened either. Now instead of worrying about what my critique partners say, I worry about what reviewers will say. Instead of worrying about if I'll ever get a contract, I worry about will I ever get another contract. God's just really been teaching me to trust him. The past two years have been very difficult on many different levels, but I think there were great lessons to be learned in the process. Trusting God has been one of those lessons.
Q: By the way, did I ask if Gabby and Riley get together?
Hm… I think you mentioned that. ;-)
Q: What three best books that you've read this past year would you recommend others rush to the bookstore and purchase?
I read a book by Linda Hall called Kathryn's Secret that I really liked. I also read Around the World in 80 Dates, which was very cute. I'm about to start Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy and I'm very excited about that book (in the interest of full disclosure, Mary is my long time critique partner… she's a great writer).
Q: What is your favorite part of writing? Your least favorite?
I love the process of creating. That's my favorite part: seeing the scenes in my head, having them materialize on paper and seeing the story come to life. My least favorite part is definitely revising. That part is like torture.
Q: You've been a mom for how long, now?
How has having a child impacted your writing time?
My son just turned two in June. It's gone by so quickly! Eli has definitely impacted my writing time and I'm constantly having to readjust. What's currently working for me, concerning novel writing, is to take mini-retreats to write my books. Whenever possible, I try to house sit for people who are out of town (because it's free!) and cram in as much writing as possible. I've find it's very difficult for me to write my books in one or two hour spurts, which is what I have now. So, I write furiously on my little retreats and then use the one or two hour spurts to edit and revise. It's working for me, right now at least!
Q: Any advice for aspiring novelists?
Keep at it! So many people I meet want to be writers but they never actually get around to writing. If you want to be a writer, it takes a lot of perseverance and tenacity. You have to be willing to grow and learn at every step of the process, even after you're published.
Q: What interview question have you not been asked but expected to answer?
That's a good question. Can I vote for this question you just asked me?
Q: Anything else you'd like to tell or share with us? You might tell us if Gabby and Riley get together.
(Cue to the evil laughter) Never!
No, seriously, thank you so much for doing this interview. Great questions. If people would like any more information, they can feel free to visit my website at: www.christybarritt.com. Thanks again! You've got a great site, Susan!
©2006-09
Susan Sleeman
Susan Sleeman
is the author of Nipped in the Bud, available May of 2009 from Heartsong Presents: Mysteries, an imprint of Barbour Publishing.
