PUBLISHED GRAD

What is the name of your book? Who is the publisher?

The Casting of Crowns was published by First Edition Design Publishing 

Give us a short summary of your book.

Carissa Williams is a young, serious college student.  Her world is changed when the New World Order takes control on campus, outlawing her Bible study and her major, starts locking people up, and makes it dangerous for her Bible group to help others get ready for Christ’s Second Coming.

Tell us a bit about your path to publishing, from idea to submission to published book.

I got the idea to write a novel on the End Times when I started the novel course at the IFW. I had an expert guide, Mary Rosenblum, who stressed writing every day while instilling me with confidence.  She prepared me for marketing with the belief I would find a publisher. And I did! 

How long have you been writing?
I started writing under Ruth Harley for children at ICL. I did not have enough confidence at that time to submit to publishers. After that, I wrote articles for two church publications. Writing The Casting of Crowns was my first attempt at writing for young adults and adults. 

What’s your favorite genre to write and why?

Christian fiction that helps people

What ICL courses have your taken?
Writing for Children and Teenagers, Beyond the Basics—which I’ve picked up again after dropping half way through—and the Novel course.

How has taking our course helped your writing and/or career?
My writing has improved and is now focused on submitting articles and stories for children, creating a stream of income doing something I love. 

Have any of your class assignments been published?

My novel was published August 2018 by First Edition Design Publishing.

Do you have a favorite writing tip you’d like to share?
This writing tip beats them all!  Write everyday.  I remember writing on Christmas Day while my husband dug us out from under a snowstorm. 

If you could travel back in time and give yourself one piece of writing advice, how far back would you go, and what would you tell yourself?
I would go back to when I was first marketing my novel a few years ago and tell myself to keep writing, but not on a sequel as I did.  My novel stands very well on its own. I would write short stories, polish them, and send them in. Short stories demand much creativity which is what I enjoy most in life. 

Please tell us the best or most valuable thing you learned from your experience with ICL
There are many investments we make in life. Learning to write well is one that if you throw yourself into it, a long period of sweet enjoyment and content will be yours.  

When are we most creative?  

When we have had a good night’s rest and are not in worry mode.

Betsy O. Borchardt has never been afraid to try new things.  She went back as an adult and put herself through college with the help of grant money, scholarships and hard work during summer months.   When on the Womens’ Slow-pitch Softball team she tried out for pitcher even though she was accustomed to playing regular baseball as a teenager. She pitched a no-hitter that season which was delightful, just as getting her work published is most delightful.