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Missy Tippens’ charm seeps through her e-mails so easily that, even without having met her in person, I feel like we’re chatting over coffee and peach pie. With ice cream. I doubt, though, that she’s a woman who is often found sitting–unless, of course, it’s at the keyboard. She’s a wife, mother, teacher, business-owner, and writer. The fact that she was excited to be teaching a course on Human Diseases makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I’m sure it’s all in the name of research for her novels. Look for Her Unlikely Family, to be published by Steeple Hills, in February.

You can find Missy on the web at her website, her personal blog, or Writing By F.A.I.T.H., the blog she shares with five other writers.

1. You have so many occupations, you need to list them in alphabetical order (and you must have a large closet to store all those hats!). How do you juggle those responsibilities?

LOL! It seems that many days I don’t juggle them very well. And if you saw what a disaster my house is all the time, you would have confirmation. J

I’ve found that I usually have to take one day at a time because my days vary so much. Monday through Thursday, I pretty much focus on my teaching. I can work on writing if it doesn’t require long stretches of time. I can work on my blog or website then, or I can revise pages. If I’m writing new words, I really need a several hour period. Friday and weekends are when I have the longer stretches.

As far as my business goes, I don’t do much with it right now beyond reorders from current customers. I just take care of those orders as they come in.

I do look forward to a break from school this summer! J

2. Two blogs and a website. How and why did that happen? Do you advise not-yet-published writers to have a website and/or blog? Does posting eat into your “real” writing time?

I’ve had a website established for years. About the only thing I ever updated was contest finals and wins. I mainly did it because I wanted to reserve my domain name (something I definitely advise writers to do early!) and could add the website for another $15 or so. For that price, I figured, why not? Then once I made my sales, the website was in place for some publicity.

Then I started a blog… accidentally! It’s embarrassing to admit that! But that’s what happened. I went into blogger to register so I could comment on other blogs, and the next thing I knew it asked me what I wanted to name my blog. So again, I thought, why not?

The group blog came about with much more deliberation. Lindi Peterson had the idea, and even came up with the name of it. Then she invited several of her unpublished friends to join in. We thought it would be a good way to keep up with a blog without having all the work on one person. We each post once a week, which is very doable. And we hoped to establish a readership to prepare for our first sales.

I love to read blogs, and I’ve had to limit my participation. It can eat up tons of time. But keeping up with my blog (as rarely as I post at this point) hasn’t been too difficult. I still haven’t found the key for building a large readership, but I’m having about 70 page hits a week, double that if I have a guest blogger or contest. Not too shabby, I guess. J

3. Her Unlikely Family will be published by Steeple Hill in their Love Inspired line and is due in February 2008. Share the microwave version of page one writing to THE CALL.

I started the book (formerly Michael’s Surrender), entered the beginning in tons of contests, then did well and got requests for it. With those requests hanging over my head, I finally finished it, then sent it out. The editor that had the manuscript ended up leaving Steeple Hill, and an editorial assistant found the manuscript, saw some promise in it, and asked for revisions. Of course, I did them! LOL And then she asked for more detailed revisions. (Don’t ever ignore an editor’s request for revisions!!) I did the second set of revisions, and she passed it up to her Senior Editor. And a couple of the weeks later, I got The Call!! What a moment. I’ll never forget it. (And yes, her message to call her back is still on my answering machine.<g>)

4. What suggestions do you have for writers who are still “in the trenches” of WIPs and feeling WIPed out?

WIPed out! I love it, Christa. Very clever. J

I can’t tell you how many times I nearly gave up. But there’s just something inside me (stubbornness??) that wouldn’t let me quit. Also, God seemed to give me some little victory each time I was at that point. I think He was trying to keep me writing.

My advice: Don’t give up. Even when you get form rejections. (I got the same form rejection twice, as if he wanted to make sure I knew he didn’t want my book! <g>) Even when you score something terrible in a contest and get mean comments about not giving up your day job. Even when it seems you’ll never type the words The End. Even when your writing seems to stink. If you think God wants you to be writing, then do it.

5. What most surprised you about the process of being contracted/published?

I think I’ve been most surprised at how much better my book is after having gone through the revision process. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised! It’s been so nice to work with a great editor. (Actually, I’m working with two.) They’ve challenged me, and the questions and suggestions have made me learn more about pacing and characterization. I wish I had had an editor working with me all along! J

6. What do you know now that you wish you would have known then?

Since it took ten years for me to get published, I’m not sure I remember back that far! LOL Seriously, I wish I had taken more time to get organized. And that’s due to my personality, not to my being a newbie. For those of you like me, make the time to organize and keep track of everything on each book. You never know which one might sell first. It could be one of your first “learning books.” I’m finding that I’m having to dig up old notebooks with notes and character studies. I’m having to search for old manuscript disks that ran on an older computer. So be more business-like from the beginning.

7. Do you have a schedule for writing? What about plotting vs. seat-of-the-pants flying?

My schedule varies, and I need to do better. But sometimes it’s hard with three busy kids! As for plotting vs SOTP, I’m pretty much a plotter. I do lots of work before I start writing. I love Carolyn Green’s Magic Conflict Chart and Alicia Rasley’s The Story Within Guidebook. For the book that sold, I filled a notebook answering questions and filling out charts from those how-too resources. I think doing that work ahead of time is what made the difference.

8. Fill in the blank: If I couldn’t write, I would……have to find another day job that wouldn’t satisfy me nearly as much. I crave writing time, and love what I’m doing. I’m so grateful to God for this opportunity!  

Thanks for having me, Christa. You didn’t know I would ramble so long, did you?! J I appreciate the chance to chat.Missy