Meet Christy Hoss-Children's Author and More

 

Hello everyone! Jill here, for my first interview for the Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction. I plan to focus on children’s Christian fiction and perhaps some children's nonfiction from time to time. As the children’s Christian market continues to grow, I look forward to bringing you some excellent examples of this exciting genre. 

 

Parents and grandparents everywhere see the necessity of presenting Christian books to children. If you’re one of them then you’ll love this author. For my debut author interview, I chose someone special to me, Christy Hoss. Christy is one of the editors who assisted me with my first chapter book. Her patience and perseverance gave me the confidence to keep working to make it the best book it could be. 

Welcome Christy to the Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction, and thank you for agreeing to visit with us today. We’re interested to learn more about you and how you began your writing journey. 

 The oldie but goodie question, what inspires you to write?

 

I was inspired by my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Olson. She had a writing contest, and I won first place with a story about my dog Noodles. I won a picture of my favorite animal, a giant panda, and encouraging words from Mrs. Olson: “You’re going to be a writer one day. That was 1972. I dedicated my second book, The Rubber BandStretches- Rocky’s Story, to her. I never forgot that dream she instilled in my young heart and mind. I began actively writing 15 years ago, attending writing conferences and learning the craft. 

To really answer the question, I’d say my characters inspire me to write. I love creating their unique situations and personalities. Each character will have their own book, and once I get started on writing one, I can’t stop. It’s addicting. 

I’m so blessed to have a very strong support group of writers to inspire me as well. One of our members has been writing for more than 40 years and is a New York Times bestselling author. 

 

Teachers play such an essential role in children’s writing success. I know you’re a former school teacher, as am I. Who knows, someday we may hear of former students who became writers!

How long have you been writing?

 

I feel like I have been writing since the moment I could hold a pencil in my hand. I used to write romance stories in fourth grade and would write them for my friends too. I’ve been actively pursuing my writing career for the past 15 years.

 

Do you only write children’s novels?

 

I am currently writing middle-grade novels for children, but I dabble in romance novellas and hope to have some of them published soon as it is a series. I wrote a romantic thriller, Palms of Death, and self-published it.

 

Who has been the most significant influence on you in your writing? 

I have had a few writing mentors from my experiences at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Brandilyn Collins gave me the best advice, to put hooks on the end of every chapter no matter what genre you are writing. They keep the reader engaged. Mary Demuth was another mentor that taught me how to write a captivating first page to pull the perspective reader into your book. Francine Rivers is my current mentor and part of my writing critique group. She truly is a wonderful friend, woman of faith, and confidant that will always let you know what she thinks of your project. She loves my characters and already has them grown up and married. She also endorsed my first book- I am so blessed from God to have such a gift.

 

Who is your favorite author?

 

I love Francine Rivers and Brandilyn Collins.

 

What is the hardest part of writing a book for you? 

 

Putting my butt in the chair. I am highly distracted by the many projects around the house that call my name. If there is a puzzle lying around, begging me to finish it, I can’t help but put some pieces in it before I write.

 

Do you have any projects you’re working on right now?

 

I am writing the third book in The Rubber Band series called The Rubber Band Slingshot Summer. I’m also completing a romance novel, the first in the My Heart series called Fair Well My Heart. I am working on my personal memoir paralleling The Wizard of Oz to what has happened in my life. Last but not least, I am working with an illustrator for my picture book, My Question for Jesus.

 

                                                     

Wow! All of those projects sound exciting. I’ve learned writers usually have several projects going at one time, and you sure do have your hand in many different areas. I look forward to seeing these titles when they come out. 

 When you work on these projects, would you say you are a night owl, an early bird, or some bird in between?

 

 I used to be a night owl keeping my husband awake, but as I grow older and go to bed earlier, I am now a morning person.

 

With all these different interests, what is your all-time favorite book? 

Little Women.

 

If you could talk to any author for a sit-down chat, who would it be?

 

C.S. Lewis, because I love The Chronicles of Narnia. As a kid, I devoured his series.

 

When we worked together, I found out you had a rescue dog. I would love to hear more about him. How long have you had him and how does he help you? 

My dog Aiden is a service dog. I’ve had him for 4 years, and he is six years old. He comes from Dogs for Diabetics and smells my blood sugars dropping, alerting me before it becomes dangerous. He alerts by grabbing a padded bar that hangs from his collar. At home, he will go get my glucose tablets and glucose monitor when he senses I’m low. 

I do have two rescue dogs. 12 years ago, I fostered dogs for a rescue. The first one we fostered was a pit bull mix that survived distemper and had a lame leg and a nervous jerk that made him look like he was in constant seizure mode. His name is Sparta. He is now 12 years old, having learned to live with three legs and outgrew his nervous twitch. The second dog I’ve had since he was four weeks old. I bottle-fed him and three siblings until they were old enough to be adopted. He was the last one left, but I don’t think he wanted to leave us because the night before the rescue, he got sick from eating a carnation variation in my garden. In the middle of the night, I took him to the emergency vet. It cost $600 to get better. Since I paid the bill, I declared him mine. He looks like the Egyptian God Anubis, so that’s his official name, but we call him Newbie. He’s a terrier/chihuahua mix.

 

I’m amazed at the idea of a rescue dog helping someone with diabetes. I’m sure he’s one remarkable fella. It sounds like the other dogs have a place in your heart also.  

Since people love to hear about food, here are some quick and fun questions. 

 

Coffee drinker?

 

 I gave it up due to circumstances when I got Covid- Now, I drink tea and feel healthier.

 

Do you like to cook? 

 

Not at all.

 

What is your favorite dish to prepare? 

 

Popeye’s Lasagna

 

Favorite restaurant? 

 

Boudin – San Francisco

 

Strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

 

Escargot on a cruise ship. Upon picking up the second snail, I noticed it still had its antennae, and all I could think of was the snails from my garden. I lost my appetite immediately and shared the rest of the dish with my older family members.

 

 

Thanks, Christy, for taking the time to share a little about yourself with us here at the Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction. It was a lot of fun learning about your writing and about Aiden! We look forward to all the wonderful projects you have planned for the future. 

To be entered for the newest book, The Rubber Band Stretches, Rocky's Story, leave a comment and your email address. You can also leave your name and email address on our contact form on the left if you prefer more security. One person will be selected for the giveaway. Please comment because we need five people to constitute an official giveaway. Thanks! 

The following are Christy's contact links if you'd like to know more about her and her amazing dog, Aiden.

christyhoss.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/christyhossauthor 

 

https://www.instagram.com/christyhossauthor/

 

https://www.elklakepublishinginc.com/christy-hoss/

 

https://www.pinterest.com/hosswriter/boards/