Christa Allan

1. I have to love a woman who admits she’s chronically unorganized; you give me so much hope. How, though, do you keep your writing life organized?

Thanks, I love giving people hope especially when it comes from my own ineptitude. As far as keeping my writing life in order goes, I have a fairly solid memory, so things are pretty well organized in my head. I keep a journal while I am writing a book to express my frustrations and brainstorm where the book will go next. Also, sticky notes are the unorganized person’s best friend. I have them all over my desk to remind me of things I need to fix in the book or research or whatever. My actual physical space where I write gets pretty cluttered. I’ll print research off the internet or pull books off my shelf and just drop them around the desk. I know where they are.  I clean my writing area up after each project (sometime before if it gets too bad).  

 

2. What is your writing process? Could you share, in microwave version, how you move from idea to fleshing it out to finished manuscript?

If I can write a good first line and a compelling first chapter or prologue, I can usually pull a book together. I revise and experiment with possibilities for the first line and first chapter until I get it right and then I write the book straight through. My first draft is really yucky, very little description or character development, lots of typed notes to myself in bold. The important thing with a mystery is that the clues and mini-climaxes are in the right place. Once I get the scene in place I clarify character motive, flesh out descriptions and plug my research holes.      

 

3. What drew you to humor and mystery writing or, maybe better said, humorous mystery writing?

With my first books, the Ruby Taylor mysteries, I didn’t sit down and say “I’m going to write really funny stuff.” It just came out funny. Even with this new Bargain Hunter series, I focus on getting a good story. The humor comes a result of the story, which is the best way to write funny.

 

4. Your website is eye-catching, kicky and bright; just like your books. We know that was by design, so could you share how you came about deciding on this “look” for yourself as an author? What about marketing?

My Ruby Taylor books were identified as chick lit mystery, and they were some of the first in that genre for the Christian market. Again, I didn’t sit down and say, I’m going to write a chick lit mystery. I just focused on writing a good story. By the time people figured out chick lit was trendy, the publishing pipeline was glutted with chick lit books. As a writer, you can’t chase trends. Just write what you like to read.

As far as marketing goes, once that label was given to my books, the website was a little more deliberate with color and style choice. My new book, Death of a Garage Sale Newbie and the other Bargain Hunter mysteries are not chick lit, but they are what I call humorous whodunits so the light, fun motif of the website fits.    

5. The ACFW conference is approaching. Any advice (wearing swimmies not included) for newbies like me who are plunging into the conference pool for the first time?

I have not been to an ACFW conference, but I have attended other major conferences, and I started attending before I had sold my first book. There is so much nervous energy in the air at a conference, everyone vying for editors’ attention; it’s easy to get overwhelmed and to be disappointed. I have had the best time at conferences when I focused on hanging out with other writers and just taking pitching opportunities as they came, but not pushing so hard that I was knocking other writers down to get to an editor. The other thing I recommend is to ask God why he wants you there. Some of the conferences I have gone to have been about moving forward professionally, but other times I have gone and spent most of my time praying through issues directly related to writing. I have three kids and a pretty full schedule, so extended prayer times don’t happen that much at home. Conferences can function as retreats. I have experienced lots of spiritual growth and revelation at conferences.        

 

6. What do you know now that you wish you knew then in terms of your writing and publishing?

I wish I would have known that getting that first contract wasn’t going to change my life that much. I’m still sweeping my own floors and cleaning toilets. Where is that maid? The limo service hasn’t shown up yet either. Okay, I knew I wasn’t’ going to get rich, but I expected some dramatic transformation. The truth is writing is a business, you build slowly. You build readership, you build skill level, and you build reputation.  

 

7. What advice do you have for those of us yet-to-be agented or published?

Be in this business for the right reasons. If you are writing for the fame or money or to have some childhood insecurity healed, get out now. You’re setting yourself up for lots of pain. You have to be in this business because you love being alone in a room listening to fingers tapping on the keyboard and creating worlds for readers to get lost in. 

 

8. Complete the following: If I couldn’t write, I would………………..

If I couldn’t write, I would die slowly inside. On the days when life gets in the way and I can’t write, even to do a journal entry, something is missing.  It really is what nourishes me. Once you get into the writing groove, it’s a little like exercise. You  hate having to do it, like yourself better when you are finished, and miss it if you don’t do it.

 

One more thing. I am running a contest on my website to win a free copy of Death of a Garage Sale Newbie. If you go to www.sharondunnbooks.com and click on bargain hunters or bargain hunting tips, leave a tip and your email and your name will be put in a hat for the drawing. The more tips you leave, the more times your name goes in. This contest ends May 30.