I met Michelle Van Loon at The Mount Hermon Writers’ Conference in 2008. I think we’d connected online before the conference and found each other during one of the meals.
Michelle is a spiritual seeker wandering through the landscape of modern culture. She brings a mix of secular Jewish heritage, thoughtful Biblical study and hair-raising church leadership experiences to her intensely honest writing. She lives near Chicago, IL and has been married to husband Bill for 28 years. They're parents of three and grandparents of one.
Her books include Parablelife: Living the stories Jesus told in real time (FaithWalk) and Uprooted: Growing a parable life from the inside out (FaithWalk). (You can see sample chapters here.)
You can find Michelle at her blog, The Parable Life, and her website, also called The Parable Life.
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
MV: I still have a diary from third grade tucked into a memory box somewhere. I've always loved to read - and write. My third grade teacher was the first one to notice and affirm my hunger to learn and communicate. She must have been getting her Masters at the time, because one evening, she brought me to her school and asked me to read my report about Leonardo DaVinci to her class. It is one of my favorite childhood memories!
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
MV: I do have a routine, but it's not pretty. On my writing days, I get out of bed, make some coffee and dive in. When I can't stand the feeling of my unbrushed teeth one more second, I stop, shower and read my Bible. And brush my teeth. I may return phone calls or do errands, and then I'll return for another round of writing later in the day.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
MV: I write primarily creative non-fiction, so I use a lot of storytelling technique in my work, no matter what the subject matter. I have started a couple of straight-on fiction pieces, but the non-fiction keeps insisting I pay attention to it.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
MV: Does reading count? I have a couple of part-time jobs - I work as a caregiver for a 90+ year old lady, and I do communications work for a ministry in the Chicago suburbs. And I'm a (very immature) grandmother. Those little guys are the joy of my life.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
MV: Spiritual memoir is my favorite genre. I'm always looking to learn about the spiritual journeys of others. I just read (and liked) Donald Miller's most recent book. Other favorite authors include Anne Lamott, Philip Yancey, the late Mike Yaconelli...and Jan Karon! I want to live in Mitford.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
MV: Bird by Bird by Lamott - and Writing Down The Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Both books tell the truth about the writing process, and get better each time I read them.
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs or websites, what would they be?
MV: Hmm. I visit Sally Stuart's for market info, and Chip MacGregor's for his take on the publishing world.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
MV: I've been writing for publication (articles, curriculum, reviews, plays and skits) throughout my adult life. I believe God has placed some books in me at this point of my life.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
MV: The competition is daunting, and can be a little discouraging at times. I have two published books with very modest sales numbers, have contributed to three more, and in some ways, it's harder now than it was when I got my first contract. The economy plus the seismic changes in publishing have made it a tough go for someone like me.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
MV: Don't rue small beginnings. In my twenties, I practiced the craft and learned about the submission process by submiting short stories to a publisher of Sunday School curriculum. (You know those little take-home papers that always end up on the floor of your car after church?) I learned about word count, language usage, theme, characterization, plotting...all from writing those little stories. And maybe, those stories touched a few kids' lives...
MG: Thanks so much for taking time to help with my project.
Read more interviews here.
