When and why did you begin writing?
I have wanted to write my entire life, so I've really been writing from the moment I started reading. But professionally, I began writing in 1997 when I wrote my first novel, Temptation. I've been writing full time since 97.
How did you decide to write Christian fiction?
I didn't decide to write Christian fiction. I didn't even know at that time that there was such a genre. I just wrote a novel about people that I knew. I'm a spiritual person (not religious) and no matter what I did for a living, my faith was going to show up. I wanted to share my relationship with Christ with everyone. So, I wrote this novel, Temptation, and everyone started calling it Christian fiction. In fact, there was a time when I shunned that label because in fact, I'm not writing for Christians; I wanted people who may never enter the church to know Him. But, it's the label I've been given, and now once that I accept it -- proudly!
Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
The greatest influence in my writing is God because I want to show people what I know about Him. As far as writers who influenced me, when I was younger, I loved reading Richard Wright and Maya Angelou. But it was really Yolanda Joe who wrote a book in the early '90s called Falling Leaves of Ivy that really got me started. I saw Yolanda on a television program and said to myself that it was time for me to do what I'd been dreaming of doing for years.
. Are there Christian themes or Christian issues you want to address through writing?
The only theme I want to address through my writing is that there is salvation through Jesus. I also want everyone to know that Christians have the same trials, tribulations and temptations as everyone else...it's how we solve those challenges that is different.
Do you study a special Bible passage prior to writing a book?
No, I don't study one scripture. I read my Bible daily. It's the first thing I do after I get up and brush my teeth. :-) I read a chapter a day from whatever book I'm studying. But I don't do that for my writing alone. I do that for my life!
How much of the novel is realistic? Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
None of my novels are based on real people. I write total fiction. So many people tell me they don't believe that because the books seem so true. But, I think that's my job - to come up with different characters that readers can relate to and characters that seem real.
When you first started out If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor/role model ?
Eric Jerome Dickey and Lolita Files were my closest friends and mentors in the beginning. Eric would spend hours on the telephone with me teaching me about the craft of writing. Lolita (who is now my best friend) believed in me as much as she believed in her own career. She was the one who kept encouraging me.
Now a seasoned writer and role model yourself, What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
If a writer is just starting out writing, I tell them that in the beginning, developing the discipline of writing is the most important thing. I tell writers to write every day. No matter how much, no matter the content - take some kind of steps toward your writing every day. I also say that writers read! It shows in your writing how much you read. The best writers are great readers! You learn by reading.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything?
What a great question!!! I wouldn't change a thing! I have lived such a wonderful and blessed life and I'm looking forward to all God still has in store for me!
For what one accomplishment would you most like to be remembered?
I don't know if this is an accomplishment, but I'd like to be known as the woman who not only started a genre, but helped many writers achieve their goals. That's what I want to do.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
The Ex Files will be out July 3rd! It's the story of four women dealing with their exes! (And they are not handling their situations particularly well.) One of the women is Sheridan from Grown Folks Business.
Where can readers go to learn more about Victoria Christopher Murray?
They can visit me on my website at www.victoriachristophermurray.com or have some fun and visit my myspace page at www.myspace.com/victoriachristophermurray.
