An Interview With Cheryl Wyatt

I am delighted to have Cheryl Wyatt here on my blog today. She and I have been friends for a few years, and she has been a constant source of blessing and encouragement. I had the great opportunity to read A Soldier's Promise while it was still "in production." This is definitely a great read!



1.) You have little ones at home. How do you manage everything and still find time to write?

I had to have God's assurance that this was indeed a calling and not a career. After all, I'd just left one career to stay home with my children. I had to know it was Him. That said, it is more challenging to find time to write than I ever dreamed. I have to be creative about it. I gave up a lot of things in order to be able to write, but never time with my children. I haven't watched TV for three years. I also don't IM anymore. Or play games on the computer. I prayerfully unsubscibed from most of my loops and pulled out of heavy volunteering. I simplified my life to make time for my children, husband and writing. By God's grace, I write very fast and I'm so thankful He's granted that ability because that's the only way I can manage. Plus it helps that I'm obsessive about organization, and fiercely protective of my time and my family. That said, God has freedom to interrupt me at any time when someone is in need of my time. When I honor God and obey, He pays me the time back. It's the strangest most wonderful thing to experience. I learned to listen intently to the Holy Spirit throughout the day. I also ask God to order my day before my feet even hit the floor in the morning and don't neglect connecting with Him first thing. I follow the Math 6:33 and apply it to my writing time. Seek Him first and all these things (aka witing time) will be given to you....


2.) What goals have you set for this New Year?

Simplfy even more by doing a mass exodus of clutter in our home. This clutter causes me to lose time trying to find things. So I'm on an all out assault against clutter in our home. I am enforcing the "Everything has a place and everything in its place!" rule with my troop. I am sentimental and used to be a packrat, but I can't handle the mess anymore. When I see it, I can't concentrate fully on the project at hand. Writing goals, I'd like to sell the rest of the PJ series this year and finish out the next series.


3.) What is your favorite part of A Soldier's Promise(without giving spoilers)?

Favorite part was when Joel is at Bradley's bedside in the hospital. When Joel tells Bradley he's his hero and he needs him to fight the cancer because Bradley reminds him how to be brave. Everytime I read it, I tear-up and I hardly ever get moved by my own writing.

I also like the "DVD" conversation between Joel, Millie and Uncle Dean. Snicker. You'll have to get the book to know why, but several people have said they fell sideways laughing at that part.

4.) In our writing journeys there is invariably a point that stands out in our minds. Perhaps a point where we knew we'd never (really) walk away, or points where we knew God had His hand on us. What stands out in your mind?

There are a few points that stand out. Recently, when day after day of positive, encouraging reader letters started rolling in. It confirmed that I am meant to do this. Commissioned by God to do this. Prior to this, I went to a conference in a wheelchair following a major surgery where I had to have major reconstructive surgery performed on my hip, pelvis, femur, and socket after a medical misdiagnosis that put me in excruciating pain for over two years. During that hard season of unbearable pain that nothing would help, everything in my life was shaken except for my faith. I felt like a horrible mother and wife because lack of sleep was changing my personality and I felt grumpy and agitated all the time. On the way to the conference I felt like God told me, "You have been faithful in this hard season. You have been through a blistering cold winter, and you have been faithful." Then I felt like he told me, "This hard season is ending. Spring is coming."

Then at the conference, someone prayed over me and said those exact words, not knowing God had told me that on the way to the conference. At the conference I won first place in Genesis M/S/T category and days following, I contracted my first novel. That call was also a defining moment because seconds before, I felt God ask me if I would promise to always write as worship. I said, "Yes, Lord. You know I will." That moment, as the last word came out of my mouth, the phone rang and it was THE Call. That definitely stands out in my mind and my constant prayer is that I'll never break that promise. So it floored me when marketing came up with the title A Soldier's Promise because I hadn't even thought of it. Yet it's absolutely perfect for the story, and as a sign between God and I that I know He's in on this. It's not just something I'm chasing in vain.

5.) What is your favorite movie and why?

I mentioned never watching TV, but my husband and I do have regular date nights. I love the Bourne movies because of all the action which I LOVE. Matt Damon isn't too shabby to look at either....LOL!

I also love Raising Helen (the closet scene!), Shindler's List and The Green Mile. The last two movies stick out in my mind as the kind of story that haunts you for years after you watch them.


Girl, I'm right there with you on Bourne/Damon. *wink* Am I tattling on myself saying that the wallpaper on my Zune is from Bourne Ultimatum. :-D As a matter of fact, here's the image. You can find these wallpapers all over the internet. I find them very inspiring (hey, I'm a thriller writer, what can I say??). LOL

Thank you, Cheryl, for stopping by and chatting with us, for sharing your heart!

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6 Responses
  1. Thanks SO much for having me, Ronie!

    LOVE the pic of Matt...what an inspiration for a romance hero. LOL!

    Everyone, when some lucky editor finally snaps Ronie up, they're going to wish like crazy that they'd found her sooner and wonder why they didn't...I just know it!

    I cannot WAIT for the day when The Call finally comes for her. Her writing is OUTSTANDING! I love, love, love, love it!

    Cheryl

  2. Great interview girl!
    I love pics and posters of good looking guys. . .for inspiration of course, I mean I can't have my hero sitting at my side 24/7. :D

    I'm praying for a contract for Ronie.

    And Cheryl's writing is outstanding as well. Every one of these PJ series is such a precious story. They come from a heart that yearns for God.

    I am blessed to know both of these ladies.

    Hugs!!

  3. I LOVE the Bourne movies too!

    And I can't wait to read a Soldier's Promise. Ever since I found out about PJs I've had a soft spot for them and it amazes me how many people don't know about them and what they do. So I'm excited to find someone else who share my interest.

    And I'm sure Ronie's turn is just around the corner too!

  4. Y'all are too crazy--and sweet. THANK YOU!

    But let's get back to Cheryl. LOL This is her time to shine--and she does it so very well.

  5. Cheryl's Book: Very good reading. I have my copy and am very much looking forward to the next one in line. Why am I not surprised that the same word God gave Cheryl, He also gave someone else to pray over her? Great interview.
    Pam
    cepjwms at yahoo dot com

  6. Great interview! I lovve this book. I can't wait for the next one in the series :)