I am honored and thrilled to share an interview with you this month from author, artist, and agent extraordinaire, Wendy Lawton. I met Wendy at an American Christian Fiction Writers Conference ACFW in 2005 when she was just launching her agent career. I was in the market for an agent and Wendy and I chatted about my work. That year the conference registration included a beige cotton tote bag, and the tradition from past conferences had us sign each others’ totes with Sharpie markers. Wendy drew a Raggedy-Ann face on mine – free hand! I couldn’t have drawn such a thing without meticulously tracing it! The artist in her emerged to my complete delight – I still have the bag and use is frequently. :)

Before Wendy became an agent, she had already established herself as an award-winning sculptor and doll maker, as well as an author, but I have come to know her best as my agent. She is a cheer-leader, an encourager, and a savvy business woman! She lives with her husband in California.

Wendy’s dolls often connect with her books written for girls ages 8-12. If I had a daughter, I would have done some serious doll collecting and bought the books to go with them! Her Little Women dolls are most appealing to me. The doll on the right is Jo – the writer, of course! (I LOVED that story!) Wendy’s books take her into history, where she has spent many hours searching for stories of real girls who made a difference. Her stories resonate with young readers and are great homeschooling resources.

Wendy’s latest book, Freedom’s Pen is A Story based on the life of Freed Slave and Author Phillis Wheatley which released from Moody in February 2009. Here’s the blurb:

In 1761, a little girl who came to be named Phillis was captured and taken from all she’d ever known in Africa and brought to America.

Phillis Wheatley was just seven years old when she learned her first words in English and knew she wanted to make her writing sing. A natural gift for poetry led Phillis on journeys that would bring worldwide acclaim and many opportunities to share her faith.

By the time she was twelve Phillis had become famous, even coming to the attention of George Washington himself. She spoke clearly in favor of American Independence from Britain, the end of slavery, and faithfulness to God.

You can find Freedom’s Pen at these online bookstores:
Amazon and CBD, and Barnes & Noble.

I asked Wendy to tell us about herself and her writing ~

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

Wendy: I always loved words and storytelling. I wrote my very first book when I was five. It’s a picture book called Skunky’s Baby Book.

Jill: What a great title!

Can you share with me some of the highlights of your writing journey – something particularly memorable or humorous?

Wendy: Since I write primarily for grade school children, I treasure their letters. Most come on binder paper. One of my favorites came from a reader named Ranesha. She wrote about how much she enjoyed the story of Harriet Tubman I told in Courage to Run. Her last line said, “I loved your story even more than entertaining stories.”

Jill: I can’t wait to read some of these! I love stories of real people of all ages.

Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope/plan to write in the future. Do you have a favorite genre?

Wendy: My most enduring series is Daughters of the Faith. They are stories of real girls from the pages of history who have made a difference while they were still girls. I have one more book contracted in that series (for a total of nine in the series). I may do more. I’ve also been chewing on an idea for women’s fiction.

Jill: Do you consider your writing the work God has given you to do for a lifetime or for a season of your life? If you could pursue anything else, what would it be?

Wendy: Writing is only part of my life work. I’ve worked as a sculptor and doll designer for thirty years. Three years ago, we made changes that allowed dollmaking/art to go back to being just a little more than hobby status. Now my fulltime job is as a literary agent with Books & Such.

Jill: I know I’m not alone when I say how glad I am you made those changes and joined Books & Such!

Are there people in your life who encouraged you, who are responsible for you becoming a published author?

Wendy: Too many to count. Certainly my longtime online critique group SALT—Crystal Miller, Nancy Ring, Paula Lindstam, Teena Stewart, LeAnne Martin and Marty Suddarth. We’ve been together for more than a decade. Julie Ieron bought my first book when she was an editor at Moody. My agent, Janet Kobobel Grant came after I had already been published but she remains a close friend and encourager.

Jill: Is there a particular joy in this writing business/ministry that God has used to remind you that He is, in fact, using your words to His glory?

Wendy: When I speak at schools and meet my readers who love to read about kids their own age, it gives me great satisfaction.

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?

Wendy: Much of my testimony comes out of the mouths of my characters, but when I speak I’m able to share my journey. For me, I hope my witness is evidenced by the way I love people.

Jill: That reminds me of the song Nichole Nordeman sings titled, “Legacy.” Part of the words talk about “how will they remember me? Did I choose to love enough to make a mark on things?” I couldn’t agree with you more.

If you want to learn more about author, artist, and agent Wendy Lawton, visit her website or her blog.

Thanks Wendy, for joining us this month on Spotlight!