Pam Halter was a home-schooling mom for nine years and has been a children’s book author since 1995. She has published picture books, articles and devotions. She is a panelist on The Writer’s View 2, on staff for the Philadelphia Writer’s Conference, a member of SCBWI and three writer’s groups and hosts a blog about writing fantasy. Pam lives in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters and three cats.
I met Pam at The Mount Hermon ChristianWriter’s Conference in 2008. She was one of my roommates. I remember being there when she told me that an agent had picked up her story. What a thrilling moment to share with an up and coming author.
You can find Pam at her website and her Fantasy and Faith Blog.
MG: What was the catalyst to get you started in your writing?
PH: After a late term miscarriage, someone encouraged me to write to help deal with the grief. I had forgotten how much I loved to write. I began writing children's stories and even got two of them published before I knew anything at all about the writing world. They're out of print now.
MG: How long have you been writing?
PH: Most of my life, I think. I made up stories for my sister before I could even write them down.
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
PH: I do not have a set routine. I write all the time in my head and when I get a chance to sit down at the computer, I find I can get quite a bit done. But that will most likely change when I get a contract and have a deadline.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
PH: Right now, I'm working on inspirational fantasy - all my stories have fairies in them - and I want to take the reader on a grand adventure. I also want to encourage readers in their faith, but without them knowing I'm doing it.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
PH: I enjoy quilting, cooking and gardening. I also do some free-lance editing of children's materials.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and/or genre that you read?
PH: I'm very ecletic in my reading. I read kid's books, fantasy, suspense and a little contemporary. I enjoy Frank Peretti, Joyce Magnin, Terry Brooks, Tess Gerritsen, Dean Koontz, Nancy Rue, Brandilyn Collins and lots of children's authors.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
PH: Stein on Writing by Sol Stein for novels. He's easy to understand and gives lots of examples. And for teen books, I've just discovered Seize the Story and Wild Ink by Victoria Hanley. She really gets into kids' heads and pushes you to write excellently for kids once you get to know them. Yeah, I know - that's three. :)
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
PH: CBA Ramblings (Rachelle Gardner) and (seriously) my own. My blog is for Christians who want to write fantasy, and I work hard to make it a learning/sharing time. I enjoy the people who participate and learn from them, as well.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
PH: To lend credibility to what I do.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
PH: Being told so many conflicting things regarding the writing rules and waiting, waiting, waiting, only to get rejected without any kind of explanation.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
PH: Don't give up. You'll never get published if you do.
MG: Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate your participation in my project.
PH: Thanks for having me, Michelle!
Read more interviews here.
I met Pam at The Mount Hermon ChristianWriter’s Conference in 2008. She was one of my roommates. I remember being there when she told me that an agent had picked up her story. What a thrilling moment to share with an up and coming author.
You can find Pam at her website and her Fantasy and Faith Blog.
MG: What was the catalyst to get you started in your writing?
PH: After a late term miscarriage, someone encouraged me to write to help deal with the grief. I had forgotten how much I loved to write. I began writing children's stories and even got two of them published before I knew anything at all about the writing world. They're out of print now.
MG: How long have you been writing?
PH: Most of my life, I think. I made up stories for my sister before I could even write them down.
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
PH: I do not have a set routine. I write all the time in my head and when I get a chance to sit down at the computer, I find I can get quite a bit done. But that will most likely change when I get a contract and have a deadline.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
PH: Right now, I'm working on inspirational fantasy - all my stories have fairies in them - and I want to take the reader on a grand adventure. I also want to encourage readers in their faith, but without them knowing I'm doing it.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
PH: I enjoy quilting, cooking and gardening. I also do some free-lance editing of children's materials.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and/or genre that you read?
PH: I'm very ecletic in my reading. I read kid's books, fantasy, suspense and a little contemporary. I enjoy Frank Peretti, Joyce Magnin, Terry Brooks, Tess Gerritsen, Dean Koontz, Nancy Rue, Brandilyn Collins and lots of children's authors.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
PH: Stein on Writing by Sol Stein for novels. He's easy to understand and gives lots of examples. And for teen books, I've just discovered Seize the Story and Wild Ink by Victoria Hanley. She really gets into kids' heads and pushes you to write excellently for kids once you get to know them. Yeah, I know - that's three. :)
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
PH: CBA Ramblings (Rachelle Gardner) and (seriously) my own. My blog is for Christians who want to write fantasy, and I work hard to make it a learning/sharing time. I enjoy the people who participate and learn from them, as well.
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
PH: To lend credibility to what I do.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
PH: Being told so many conflicting things regarding the writing rules and waiting, waiting, waiting, only to get rejected without any kind of explanation.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
PH: Don't give up. You'll never get published if you do.
MG: Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate your participation in my project.
PH: Thanks for having me, Michelle!
Read more interviews here.
