Interview With Author Christa Allan

I'm pleased to welcome fellow author Christa Allan to the blog today. Christa has had an interesting journey in her writing career, and although she and I might disagree on writing styles and subjects, her road to publication is noteworthy. I thought you'd like to hear it.

RM: Christa, the prologue to your first novel is some of the best writing I've ever read. I'd recommend that our readers use Amazon's "look inside" feature to read it. Tell us the story behind it.

CA: The Prologue in Walking on Broken Glass was actually written in response to a journal prompt (“if I had known…”) I’d given my students.  At least three days a week, my high school juniors would journal, and I would write with them. Ten minutes, no thinking, no worrying about spelling, grammar, mechanics. Just free writing without lifting the pen from the page.  As a writer, I believe journaling is an important organic process to accessing what’s really inside of us.  It’s what I go to when a novel idea creeps into my brain or when a character, situation—whatever—is stubbornly refusing to make itself known.

The story behind the novel?  I’ve been a recovering alcoholic for almost thirty years now, and have stayed sober by the grace of God.  When I discovered Christian fiction, I couldn’t find stories I could relate to in terms of my life experiences. So many of them seemed sanitized. I wanted to write, not only about what happens when the road to sobriety is under construction, but challenges Christians face. My character, Leah, is confronted by her BFF Molly, who tells her she’s drinking too much. Molly’s willingness to risk their friendship to tell Leah what she needed to hear was also something I wanted readers to know. So many times, we see friends struggling, and we’re afraid to speak out and tell them the truth. If my friend had not summoned the courage to talk to me about my drinking, I’m not sure when or if I would have taken the steps to treatment. 

RM: I know you had some problems getting your first two novels accepted by a Christian publisher. Would you tell us about that:

CA: I will forever be grateful to Abingdon Press for opening the door to publishing Walking on Broken Glass and The Edge of Grace, the novel based on my relationship with my brother, who is gay.  At a writing retreat with other Abingdon authors and our editor, I asked how many people there had a gay parent, sibling, relative, or friend. The hand of every person in that room was raised. 

Ironically, the problem with these two books had more to do with the response by the community than Abingdon, a Christian publishing house.  Abingdon stood behind me and supported me when both of these novels released.  What some people said to me, often in print, after the publication of The Edge of Grace wasn't very Christian!

RM:  You and I have travelled different roads since we first met at ACFW years ago. Can you tell us a little about what you’ve done about getting into publication since then?

CA: I published four novels and one historical fiction in between those, then—by choice—I ended my contract with my agent while I thought about what I wanted for my writing.  

Publishers have tended to see my fiction as “issue-driven” (seems like that’s a  B-A-D label!). What I find amusing, though, is that I’m writing about challenges in my own life that I’m positive are being experienced by other Christians.  Let’s face it…I’m a recovering alcoholic, Christian, once divorced, twice married, wife of a Jewish husband and I have a gay brother, a child with Down’s Syndrome and a son-in-law who is black. Those aren’t issues to me—they’re family.

In 2014, I wrote and indie-published a Christmas novella, All They Want for Christmas, the first in The Magnolia Hill Garden Club series I’m planning. It’s geared primarily to a general market audience, and I had great fun writing it.

RM: What's up with Christa Allan now?

CA: I recently signed with Jessica Kirkland of  The Blythe Daniel Agency, and because of her, signed a contract with Waterfall, an imprint of Amazon publishing, for an October release. I’m already blown away by their support, and I’m looking forward to future projects.

RM: Anything you want to leave with our readers:

CA:   First, thank you Richard for inviting me to be here today. I truly appreciate           

your continued support and encouragement. I returned Sunday from my third annual Pulpwood Queen Girlfriend Weekend in Nacogdoches. Kathy L. Patrick, its founder, brings together about fifty authors and hundreds of readers in one weekend, and the fun never stops—author panels, dinner, activities and entertainment.  If you’re able to attend, I highly recommend it…but only if you’re ready to meet enthusiastic readers and authors from all ends of the earth.  The Timber Guys (authors and readers) also hang out with the girlfriends.

If you’re looking for me, I can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram , as well as on my website. 

NOTE: Christa has kindly offered a copy of her recent novella, All They Want for Christmas, to one of you who leaves a comment. As Christa points out, this one is written for the general market--check out the first few pages on Amazon, but if you do, I think you'll agree with me that her writing draws you in.
AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN: Connie will receive a copy of All They Want for Christmas. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Please include your email address (spelled out to avoid web crawlers), so we can contact the winner. You have a week to leave your comment before I select a winner.

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