Meet Christy Barritt!

Today we're excited to have my friend and critique partner, Jenness Walker share with us her recent interview with author Christy Barritt. Thanks, Jenness!




A few months ago, I was privileged to be a first reader for Suspicious Minds, the second book in Christy Barritt’s Squeaky Clean series. Though it was a different experience reading the story in manuscript format, I loved it just as much as her first funny mystery, Hazardous Duty. Suspicious Minds just came out this month, and you don’t want to miss it!

Christy kindly consented to answer some more questions. If you missed my first interview with her, check out my rambling archives. And now, without further ado…

JW: In your Squeaky Clean series, who is your favorite secondary character?

CB: It’s so hard to pick! I have to say, I really like Sierra. I’ve had a lot of fun with her. She’s an animal right’s activist and she’s always getting herself into some sort of trouble. I based her character off of some people I met while doing a newspaper interview at the headquarters of a really large animal right’s group.

JW: I do love Sierra. Of course, the new guy in Suspicious Minds…Well, yeah. It’s definitely hard to pick! Here’s another tough questions for you. Hazardous Duty or Suspicious Minds—do you have a favorite?

CB: I like them both in different ways. I probably couldn’t pick a favorite. I will say I had a lot of fun in Suspicious Minds because I already knew the characters. Writing that book was like sitting down to coffee with old friends and asking them, what’s been going on?

JW: Can you give us a sneak peak at what Gabby’s next adventure might be?

CB: It’s a mystery that involves Sierra and her friends. She actually starts to date someone who’s a freegan. No, I did not make up the word freegan—they’re real. Freegans are people who feel like the U.S. is wasteful so instead of buying things, they go dumpster diving to find what they need for free. That’s where they get their food, their clothes, almost everything. Anyway, this freegan that Sierra starts dating ends up being trouble. The book also addresses the “Going Green” trend that is so popular in our culture right now.

JW: Another must-read, I’m sure. Hurry up and finish it! Meanwhile, I have just a few questions about your writing journey. First, where do you see God leading you?

CB: I know I have a lot of stories in me that I would love to write. I honestly feel like writing is what God has called me to do. But I also feel that God has brought me to a place where I have to be willing to lay it out if he says so. It’s too easy to base your self-worth on your successes or failures. I think God wants me to be content in him.

JW: What has been the hardest thing so far?

CB: The past year has probably been the hardest, to be honest. I think people are surprised to hear that, because I’m published. I like to compare being published to being married. Before people get married, they think about wonderful marriage will be. They dream about finding their soul mate. And then they get married and realize (hopefully) that marriage is wonderful--but it’s also a lot of hard work. Being published is similar. Before getting the big contract, you dream about how wonderful it will be. But after you’re published, you realize the amount of work you have in front of you. There’s pressure coming at you from different directions. Being published is wonderful, but also challenging.

JW: That’s really interesting (and a little hard) to hear. Thank you for sharing that. I’ll keep it in mind since I hope to, um, sign the knot? soon. Ha. Last question. What is your favorite part about the writing life? The biggest reward?

CB: I love the creation process. I love getting to know my characters and seeing where they’ll take me. I love dreaming up plot twists and making life miserable for my story people. The biggest reward for me is when someone really “gets” my book—I don’t mean purchases it and reads it, but when they really connect. When my story has given them a temporary escape from their life. When they can relate to my characters and their conflicts and hurts and triumphs. That’s the biggest reward.

JW: Thanks so much for sharing, Christy. I can’t wait to read Suspicious Minds in its final form!

If you want to learn more about Christy and her books, check out her website at http://www.christybarritt.com. You can purchase the Squeaky Clean series on Amazon.