Hello! I thought it might be fun to have four young writers join me to be interviewed! I asked them all the same questions, and their answers are awesome! This is part one of the interviews, and we have Gracelynn and Gracie’s answers! Next post (that will come out in a few days!) will have Amber and Maya’s answers.

My questions for Gracelynn, Amber, Maya, and Gracie were broken into four categories. Spiritual questions, writing questions, book questions, and random fun questions!

We’ll start with Gracie, and then we’ll hear Gracelynn’s answers!

Spiritual Questions:

1. What Bible verse has been the most impactful for you?
2. Who in the Bible can you most relate to?
3. Have you ever experienced something you would consider a miracle? If so, what was it? (And remember, ‘miracle’ is a broad term!) God works in mysterious ways.❤️

Gracie:

1. “The Lord will fight for you and you have only to be still.” Exodus 14:14. For me, it’s a powerful reminder that God is always there, even in the darkness. He’s never going to leave us or forsake us, He doesn’t get tired of us, He’s calling us to come to Him, because He will give us the strength to fight back against the darkness.
2. I think probably Gideon.
3. Well, my family always prays before going on a car journey that’s more than half an hour. One day, last year, we prayed as usual, and we were quite near where we wanted to go when Dad felt the tire at the front right drop. Punctured. He managed to drive the car from the busy road we were on, across a roundabout, and down into an industrial estate where there was a garage. What could have been a dangerous drive with only three working tires across one of the busiest roads in Kidderminster was definitely protected by the Lord!

Writing Questions:

1. Who has inspired you the most when it comes to writing?
2. What is your favorite piece of advice to remember when you write?
3. What is something (anything!) you’ve accomplished in your writing?

Gracie:

1. Probably….Alissia J. Zavalianos! She’s a writer in her twenties, writing for the Lord! And her books are amazing!
2. What my mum always says: Don’t get it right, get it written!
3. I finished the longest first draft I’ve completed at 11k. Okay, maybe it is a small milestone, but it’s another step towards publication!!!!

Book Questions:

1. What are your top three books every teen should read?
2. What book character (and what book are they from) can you relate to the most? And why?
3. What are your top five authors every teen should read?

Gracie:

1. 1. I am Margaret. Okay, so this is a Catholic book, where the protagonist is Catholic but….she has to fight for her faith, for the Christian faith to continue spreading in a world that hates God. Why I think teens should read this? Because many things in that dystopian world are happening now: Abortion, euthanasia, religious persecution, communism, the list continues. Although this is a dystopian novel, it gives the reader a window into the world today. 2. The Lord of The Rings. It should be obvious right? This is the greatest work of Fantasy there is! It’s also one to read when more contemporary books don’t make that clear distinction between good and evil. 3. The King’s Achievement. This book is about the Reformation in England…but from a Catholic perspective. Even if you’re just reading it as a history exercise, it’s one that will show you another window into the Reformation. As you can probably tell, I love books that give perspective!!!!
2. Probably Heather from the Green Ember. I’m an oldest sister, I have this thing about protecting my brothers, and I’m a writer!
3. Alissia J. Zavalianos, JRR Tolkien, Corinna Turner, Brett Harris, C. S. Lewis.
   

Random Fun Questions:

1. Would you rather never listen to music again or never watch a movie again?
2. If you could meet any character from a book, who would it be? And why?
3. What are three brands (ex. Nike, Wild Fable, Amazon, etc.) that you buy from frequently?

Gracie:

1. Never watch a movie again.
2. Sam from Lord of the Rings!
3. Waterstones (the UK’s B&N), Abe books, and probably Amazon!!!

Thank you so much, Gracie, for letting me interview you with some pretty random questions!

Now, here are Gracelynn’s answers!

Spiritual Questions

Gracelynn:

1. Honestly, so many verses have impacted me. At times when I was really anxious, Psalm 23:4. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
   When struggling with teen emotions, ya know, the ‘am I good enough’ and ‘I’m so unlovable’, Jeremiah 31:3. The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jesus has a way of giving you the right verse at the right time. ♥️
2. Tbh, there are amazing people in the Bible. I feel like I relate to many of them. Mary didn’t think she was enough, Ruth had to stretch her faith, etc.
3. Wow. Okay, Jesus really does work so many miracles. I got sick with strep a few years ago, and I was so sick that I should’ve gone to the ER. It lasted for at least a week. I was so sick. But, Jesus slowly helped my body fight the sickness, and eventually, I got better. That’s one of my ‘miracles’.

Writing Questions

Gracelynn:

1. Hm. S.D. Smith and Kara Swanson. I was ten when I first read the Green Ember, and it led to so many stories, it was crazy. Kara Swanson’s Heirs of Neverland series was so good. It helped me better understand how to write boys better (if ya know what I mean). Also, my Aunt. She loved writing when she was young, so when I started writing, she encouraged me a lot.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others. Everybody starts at different times, and everybody learns and grows at their own pace. When comparing myself to others, it just makes my book seem worthless. And it isn’t! So yeah. I think just keep persevering, ‘cause young people do great things.
3. When I was twelve, I wrote over fifty-thousand words in a novel. (funny side note, I had no idea that it was a decent sized novel! I thought I needed over two-hundred thousand words!) I finished a shorter (and, ngl very cringey) handwritten story in one of my notebooks when I was ten. Not very impressive, but like I mentioned earlier, comparing myself to others is very discouraging…so I just keep on writing!

Book Questions

Gracelynn:

1. 1. Do Hard Things by Brett and Alex Harris. This book is so amazing! It empowers teens to do more, to be better, and raise the expectations! 2. The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I mean, a classic. Everybody needs to read it! Enough said. 3. And the Green Ember by S.D. Smith. This book is full of courage, bravery, and small lessons that, even though it’s about rabbits with swords, we can learn and use everyday. And, I know this is going over three, but the Bible.😉
2. Jo from Little Woman. Loves to write, has spirit, and isn’t afraid to be a tomboy. Also, feminine side like Clara from Dust by Kara Swanson.
3. S.D. Smith, Kara Swanson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Shannon Messenger, Andrew Peterson

Random Fun Questions

Gracelynn:

1. Never watch a movie again 😉 I love music too much to give it up.
2. Hmm. Char from Ella Enchanted. Idk why. He just came to mind. 😆
3. Hersheys, Vans shoes, (great brand,) and…Old Navy. That’s about all that needs to be said😆

Thank you both so much for letting me interview you and I really enjoyed seeing the variety in y’all’s answers!

~Willow