Getting to know Christa Parrish and open giveaway

Christa Parrish's debut novel is garnering great reviews and rightly so! Initially intending to pursue a career in medicine, Christa changed tack working in theatre and journalism before staying home after the birth of her son.

Now balancing teaching, writing and home schooling, Christa still found the time to share with us about her life and her novel, Home Another Way, available now from Bethany House.

Here's Christa:~

If you could have chosen your own name, what would it be?

I've always liked Kate. Plain, simple, no fuss. That's I.

Your first pet's name?

Acorn - he was a toy Pomeranian.

Your best friend's name in primary (elementary) school?

I didn't have one. I was a complete tomboy and got dirty with all the boys, and the boys didn't really do the “best friend” thing as the girls did.

Rel: You and me both!

Did you have a special toy that went everywhere with you when you were young? Please describe.

Nope. I wasn't a toy kid. I liked boxes, tape, rope, paper - anything to create with.

What's your favourite ice cream flavour?

Mint Chocolate Chip.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Africa. I know, it's a huge continent, but I'd be happy to go anywhere in it.

What's your favourite book?

Can I say that I'm terrible with “favorites?” My son is always asking me about my favorite song, or movie, or food, and I can't answer. I do have some authors who inspire me - Sheri Reynolds, Lorrie Moore, Michael Ondaatje, Cormac McCarthy, and Lisa Samson.

What part of your daily routine do you enjoy most?

Homeschooling my son. He's such a neat kid, and I love that I get to know him more every day.

What's your favourite movie?

Again, I couldn't say. I do like movies, and tend to lean towards quirky, independent films, intelligent thrillers, and original dramas. Two of the best movies I've seen in the past few years are “Lars and the Real Girl” and “Pan's Labyrinth.”



Where's the most interesting place you have been?

The Badlands in South Dakota. Amazing.

What's your most fervent prayer?

For God to use me for His glory.

What is your favourite Bible verse (or "one" of your favourites) and what does it mean to you?

One of my favorites is Matthew 25:21- His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' When I read it, just think of how I'd love to please God this way, and hear Him tell me, “Well done,” when I meet Him someday.

What was your most embarrassing moment in High School?

I can't think of any, so I guess it couldn't have been that bad.

Ask your son one thing he thinks is special about you and share it with us, please!

He said, “You're writing a book,” and looked at me like, what else did you think I'd say?

Home Another Way

Sarah is in many ways the antithesis of the usual female lead in a Christian novel (yay!)~ tell us a bit about how she came to be.

Honestly, one night she was just there. I was in bed, and the idea for the novel came to me.

How much of you do we see in Sarah, if at all?

Not much. I'm actually more like Jack - specifically his propensity to get bogged down in guilt. But I do have Sarah's independent streak, and have difficulty asking people for help.

What came first for you ~ the story or the characters?

For the most part, my characters and my main plot line developed together - they both just sort of appeared at the starting point, and then grew, the smaller details branching off as I wrote. Except Memory Jones; she was a late addition to the book. I heard the name - yes, at least one person out there really has that name - and I knew she was what was missing from the novel.

In five words or less, describe the process of writing your first novel!

Much easier than my second!

What do you hope readers take away from this story?

One of my passions is to see the church acting like the Church, and I wanted to show this in Home Another Way. As Christians, we can't let excuses--even good, valid excuses--keep us from doing what we're called to do for both one another and “the least of these.” Many of the characters in this book could plead, “Well, I can't do this, Lord, because I'm a sinner,” or, “Sorry, Lord, I have my own problems.” But they understand God uses His flawed, faithful people to bring His purposes to pass.

Also, I think as Christians we sometimes have little patience for those, like Sarah, who carry the burdens of past sorrows. Underneath all those things, however, is someone God loves. We need to remember that.

What's next in your writing pipeline?

My work-in-progress is about a small-town sheriff who finds a newborn infant (still alive!) wrapped in a plastic grocery bag and abandoned in the field of a local cattle farm. The novel follows the intertwining lives of this sheriff, his wife, and a teenaged boy - who knows who the baby's mother is - as the crime is investigated, and as all three struggle with their own problems.

It should be released Fall 2009 from Bethany House.


Christa ~ thanks so much for sharing with us! I loved your debut novel and can't wait to see what you do next :)

Relz Reviewz Extras

Read my review of Home Another Way

Visit Christa's website and blog

Buy Christa's book at Amazon or Koorong

Giveaway

Christa is generously offering to signed copy of her book to one of my readers! To enter:~

1. Post a comment before midnight Sunday 12th October, 2008

2. Tell me your favourite ending to a novel from the following:

a. Happily ever after
b. All the loose ends tied up
c. Up in the air so you can imagine the outcome yourself
d. A few bows but some loose strings also
e. Real life - sometimes a bit messy!

Have fun!