I will meet Rene Gutteridge in person this month at the ACFW – better known as American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas. Rene is on staff as one of the speakers, covering levels beginner through advanced writing. Her late night chat will cover “The Art of Writing Comedy.” Rene and I actually “met” online through a small writers group known as Writing Chambers, and we share the same wonderful Books & Such Literary Agency though we have different agents.

Rene is the author of nine novels including the Boo Series and the Storm Series and My Life as a Doormat, a Women of Faith selection for 2006. Rene was trained as a screenwriter, then worked as a playwright for a church for five years before publishing her first novel, Ghost Writer, in 2000. I read Rene’s first book when it came out and absolutely loved it! Since them I’ve become a fan of her Boo Series (Rene has a great sense of humor, mixed with twinges of suspense.) She carries that suspense into her Storm series, which you are also sure to enjoy! I’m looking forward to her latest novel because I know Rene will deliver a delightful mix of tension and humor – great Christian entertainment!

Like all of us, Rene has a number of favorite things, some of which are:
Places to visit – Disney World (Oh, me too! We’ve been there probably four times!)
Food – Mexican Food!
Pets – I have a toy Yorkie that weighs 3 pounds named Maddie. She’ll be 14 this October. (Yorkie’s are adorable! But I still maintain that every family needs a cat.)
Hobbies – Love watching movies (Also, one of my family’s favorite pastimes.)

Rene lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, who is a musician and worship pastor, and their two children. She enjoys teaching at writers’ conferences and creative writing classes. Next month, (October), Rene has a new book releasing from WaterBrook Press–Scoop, Book One of The Occupational Hazards series.

Here’s the blurb for Scoop:

Channel 7 news producer Hugo Talley dreams of working with first-class professionals. Instead he’s saddled with an aging anchor-woman who refuses to release her claw like grip on the news desk, a conscience-stricken reporter who’s reluctant to focus on sensationalism, and a new assistant—former homeschool student Hayden Hazard—who can’t just seem to leave her faith outside the newsroom.

When the Channel News 7 team inadvertently stumbles on a hot news story, Hugo is frantic to exploit this rare opportunity. But a series of crises—including a Botox disaster and the disappearance of a colleague—threatens to destroy his chance for ratings success and send him completely over the edge. With their oddball antics and all-too-real foibles, this lovable cast of characters offers a hilarious look at the sometimes-unexpected effects of taking one’s faith boldly into the workplace.

You can find Scoop at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christian Book Distributors. I’ve been given a sneak peak inside Scoop and so far, I love it! So please, click on over to one of these sites and

buy this book!

I asked Rene 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?

Rene: I didn’t think about it as a profession until I was in college, but as a kid I wrote all the time. My parents bought me an Apple computer, and I was always in front of it, typing out a story. And I didn’t mess around with short stories. I was certain I could write a novel. Never finished one until I was college, though.

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

Rene: Is that a trick question? I have hundreds of ideas for the future. I hope I live long enough to write them all! Right now I am working on a book for The Occupational Hazards Series, which releases this Fall.

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

Rene: For me, it wasn’t hard. I know the talent is God-given, and I’ve always tried to write for Him. It is a calling and at the same time it’s a profession. But it’s a profession that I give to God.

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?

Rene: I had nearly given up hope about being published. I was about to have my first child, and I’d decided God wanted me to be a mother and not mess with all this writing stuff. But I still wanted to write. So on a cold, winter night I got down on my knees in the middle of my living room and asked the Lord to take the writing and do with it what He wanted. About three months later I received the call that every writer dreams about…I’d sold my first novel!

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?

Rene: I was in my twenties when I really surrendered to God and wanted Him to use me for His purposes. That spilled into every part of my life, including writing. I’ve certainly had my share of selfish ambitions, but I continue to grow spiritually.

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

Rene: It has definitely taught me patience. This industry does not move quickly. And it has taught me to really rely on God in all parts of my life.

Jill: Oh boy, can I relate to that patience thing! I’m convinced God values patience far more than we humans would like!

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?

Rene: There are tons of examples. I get a lot of letters from people telling me how they were distant from God but one of my books brought them back home. Those are the best. It shows me how awesome the Holy Spirit is, and how powerful. It is humbling to know God chooses your work to do His work!

For a look at all of Rene Gutteridge’s books or to get to know Rene better you can visit her website here.

I hope you have enjoyed this interview with author Rene Gutteridge. Please click on over to one of the above online stores and look for Scoop or one of her many other novels. And this month we have a special treat – Rene is offering to give away two of her books – two different choices: either My Life as a Doormat or The Splitting Storm. To win the free book, go to my contact page and send me an email with Free Book in the subject line. You’ve got a double chance to win this time! (Don’t send through the web mail, click on my name for the email.) At the end of September, I will draw the winner.

Thanks Rene for joining us this month on Spotlight.