I first met author B.J. Hoff through a small online writer’s support group called Writing Chambers. Since that time B.J. has become a friend and an encourager. Her poetic writing style is memorable; and in fact, I have two quotes from her works pasted to my computer monitor. I refer to them especially when I’m feeling like my writing career is moving in the slow lane. One quote I love in particular is this:

“Not too long ago I said something here on Grace Notes to the effect that when the accounts for eternity are settled, I honestly don’t believe the Lord is going to care one way or the other how many books I’ve written or whether they were bestsellers, or how I ranked with my readers, or what my yearly sales figures were. He probably won’t be interested in the deadlines I made or didn’t make. (Come to think of it, at that point I won’t care about deadlines either–hallelujah!) But I’m almost certain He is going to care about how I treated my family and friends, and even strangers.” B.J. Hoff

B.J. gives good advice. Her gentle teaching is subtly woven through her fiction, and I cannot come away from reading one of her books without feeling as though I have learned something important. I recently finished the first book in her new Mountain Song Legacy Series, A Distant Music, which released in January 2006 from Harvest House Publishers.

The following is a note to B.J.’s readers that appears in the book:
“A few years ago I wrote a novella entitled The Penny Whistle. It was a story about two young girls, Maggie MacAuley and Summer Rankin, and their efforts to restore the hope … and the health … of their beloved teacher, Jonathan Stuart. Ever since the publication of The Penny Whistle, I’ve continued to hear from many of you, asking for ‘the rest of the story.’

What a gift it is to any writer to realize that readers have come to love the characters in her book so much that they want to know more about them. To my great pleasure, I can now thank you for your patience and respond to your requests for more. With this new book, you’re about to renew your acquaintance with Maggie and Summer, with Jonathan Stuart and many of the others in the small Kentucky mining town of Skingle Creek. And I’m happy to tell you that A Distant Music isn’t so much the ‘rest of the story’ as it is the beginning of the ‘rest of the story.’ I hope you enjoy it … there’s more to come.”

You can find A Distant Music at Amazon or CBD (Christian Book Distributors). Check it out and then

buy this book!

and sit back for a delightful, compelling read!

On a personal level, some of B.J.’s “favorite things” (besides her family and writing) include her excessively friendly golden retriever, one slightly demented cat, (boy can I relate—times two!) both Celtic and classical music, reading, Mac computers, and an iPod crammed with her favorite music.

She loves the deep devotional writings of A. W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Joseph Parker, and Oswald Chambers. Reading-for-pleasure includes historical novels, Irish and Irish-American history, short stories, and the comic strip “For Better or Worse.”

Her “heroes” include her husband, the Irish missionary Amy Carmichael, missionary Jim Elliot, and Mother Teresa. Her favorite book on writing is…among dozens of others…The Craft of Writing by William Sloane.

BJ, her husband, and family live in Ohio.

I asked B.J. to give us some insight into the calling behind her writing ~

Jill: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

B.J.: I can’t remember a time when I actually knew this was what I wanted to do. It just seemed to “happen.” I do remember that even as a child I realized that writing stories–and poems–seemed to be a “natural” thing for me to do and also gave me a great deal of pleasure.

Jill: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope to write in the future.

B.J.: Before “branding” had become a trend–and a trendy word–the market had already branded me in historical fiction, particularly as someone who writes primarily about Irish immigrants and Irish American characters. Unless God has other ideas, I’ll stay put with my genre as is.

Jill: If and when did you realize your writing was a calling?

B.J.: My education and background was mostly in music, although I’d always been a “closet writer,” stuffing my efforts into the bottom desk drawer and forgetting about them. After several years as a church music director and teacher, however, I began to sense that God was leading me away from the area of music into “something new.” I actually resisted His leading for quite some time, but through a series of circumstances and other means, I realized a change was on the way. I stopped trying to circumvent His direction and just…hung on for the ride. At the time, I had no idea of the ways He would use my music background in my writing–but looking back over the books I’ve written, I realize now that He did use it in various ways, some subtle, some not so subtle.

Jill: I can relate here too. God closed music ministry doors for me as well. It looks like we have more than demented cats in common!

Jill: What means did God use to confirm in your heart that this is exactly what He has prepared for you to do for Him?

B.J.: I believe the affirmation has come in a variety of ways. I’ve worked with some wonderful people who have been great encouragers. And throughout the years, my readers with their stories about changed lives and new understanding have confirmed to me the evidence that only God could work through my books in such a variety of ways.

Jill: When and how did you come to realize that writing meant more to you than a means to meet physical monetary needs or fulfill your dreams?

B.J.: Since writing was never a deliberate choice I made for financial reasons, there was no “epiphany” involved for me. As I mentioned previously, I actually resisted the whole idea for a long time before surrendering my own will to God’s.

Jill: How would you say that God has used writing to change you – to strengthen your faith and to make you more like Christ?

B.J. Hoff: I’m not certain God has used writing to change me, other than to increase faith and patience in His guidance and wisdom–since, other than writing the best book of which you’re capable, a writer has very little control over what happens to his/her work in publishing. That being the case, we soon come to realize that we’re entirely dependent on His will. I think it’s more likely that as God changed me, my writing also changed. And continues to change.

Jill: That is so true. If nothing else, a Christian writer eventually learns that she must depend on the Lord for everything.

Jill: Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

B.J.: Other than trying to encourage other writers in their efforts–-and in their faith–-whenever I can, probably not. Also, because I don’t travel any more than absolutely necessary, don’t do public speaking, or teach, I believe whatever witness I’ve been for Christ has come primarily through my writing–-and, more so, among my family and friends. If I’ve missed opportunities along these lines, it was because God pressed it upon my heart not long after I began to write that His will for me would, for the most part, keep me “back stage.” Admittedly, that’s been somewhat of a relief to me! I’ve always known I wouldn’t make a good “ambassador.”

Jill: God is definitely using you to encourage other writers. That second quote I keep on my monitor is one of the best reminders I’ve ever read of why we do what we do in this life. You said:

“It matters not if the world has heard or approves or understands…
The only applause we’re meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands.” B.J. Hoff

I know I’m not the only writer who keeps that quote close to their heart.

For a look at all of B.J. Hoff’s books you can visit her website here. Or visit her blog here

Some of B.J.’s other books include: the American Anthem series, the Emerald Ballad series, The Penny Whistle, Cloth of Heaven, Ashes and Lace, and other best-selling historical novels.

And releasing in August 2006 is book two in the Mountain Song Legacy Series is The Wind Harp also from Harvest House Publishers. You can read more about this book at CBD (Christian Book Distributors) or Amazon.

I hope you have enjoyed this interview with author B.J. Hoff. Please click on over to one of the above online stores or visit your favorite Christian bookstore and look for A Distant Music. You will not be disappointed!