Q&A with Ginny Yttrup, Author of Words

Ginny Yttrup is the debut author of Words, a novel about a little girl who has been horribly abused and an artist with a shameful past. When the two meet in a divine appointment, both their lives are changed forever.

Ginny answered a few questions about her life and book…

Words is your debut novel. How did you get started writing? How did you break into the publishing world?

I began writing in my early thirties when I had two toddlers at home. I became an avid reader as a child–books were my escape from an abusive childhood–then as an adult, I dreamed of writing a novel, but I had no idea how to do that. I began attending writers conferences and learning about writing. I started writing devotionals and magazine articles because they seemed less intimidating than writing a novel. But finally, after about 10 years of conferences, a story began taking shape in my mind. I sat down and wrote the first page and sent it to an editor friend I’d met at one of those conferences. She encouraged me to keep writing. Two years later, I submitted the first chapters of Words to an agent. He liked it and asked to see the finished manuscript. It took me another two years to finish the book! Eventually, my agent sold the manuscript to B&H Publishing Group who offered me a three book contract. It was a slow process, but now, in retrospect, I see it all took place in God’s perfect time.

In the novel, Sierra is an artist who uses a sort of three dimensional layering technique. What kind of research did you have to do in order to write about Sierra’s art? Do you have any personal experience as an artist?

I’ve always loved art and keep a sketch book with me when I travel. I love drawing because I see things through the process that I wouldn’t see otherwise. I think Sierra says that in the book too. The collage art process that Sierra uses came from an artist I met at a dinner party while I was writing Words. I explained that I wanted my character to use a medium incorporating layers that would be a metaphor for her emotional layers. The artist, Eileen Downes, then described her collage art. I was stunned! It was a definite Divine appointment. Later, I met with Eileen in her studio where I saw her process first hand. She also read through the art scenes in Words and checked them for accuracy. To see more of Eileen’s art visit her website: www.eileendownes.com.

You mentioned in the video that you were sexually abused as a child. Was it difficult to revisit those traumatic memories and emotions when writing Words?

I was sexually abused by an authority figure between the ages of 2 and 14 which left me with deep emotional wounds. I spent ten years in therapy with Christian counselors as an adult and learned to allow God to replace the lies I believed about myself with His truth. I still check in with a counselor occasionally and believe my healing will continue throughout my lifetime. But because I’d done so much work and reached a place where I could see God’s good coming from the unthinkable, I revisited those events and emotions without reliving the pain. Writing Words gave purpose to the pain I’d experienced and as I wrote, I prayed for other survivors who might read the book. It helped me to take my eyes off myself and look to others who God might want to impact through the story.

What were some of your favorite books as a girl of Kaylee’s age?

Not too surprisingly, they were the same books that Kaylee favored: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, Mandy by Julie Edwards, and I loved the Nancy Drew series.

As a relatively new author, what is your favorite part of the book writing/publishing process?

I love the actual writing–when I’ve done most of the research, found my character’s voices, and then story begins to flow. I love solitude and writing affords a lot of time alone. I love the part of the job I can do wearing my pajamas! While I’m so grateful for the wonderful people who want to promote my books, the marketing end of writing comes less naturally to me–radio interviews, speaking, etc. However, like Kaylee, part of my healing has been reclaiming my God-given voice. Though I never stopped speaking completely, verbalizing my thoughts and feelings has been difficult for me. So each time I do a radio interview or speak, I’m aware of God’s hand on me and His gift of healing. So those moments are special.

When readers walk away from Words, what do you hope they take with them?

I pray they’ll have a sense of how the Truth, Jesus Christ, can set them free. Also, I pray they’ll see God’s mercy and grace through the story and have a desire to draw closer to Him.

Can you tell us a little bit about the book you’re working on right now?

I completed my second novel in February and I’m just in the planning stages for the third novel. It’s a story of love, betrayal, and healing set in Yosemite National Park. That’s about all I know so far!

To learn more about Ginny visit GinnyYttrup.com and follow her on Twitter @GinnyYttrup. You can also read my review of Words and purchase a copy here.