What type of writing do you do?
The bulk of my writing experience stems from my time working in journalism, which encompassed everything from news articles to op-eds to blogs. I now write the occasional book review. I’ve not yet published any books.
What inspired you to begin writing?
I think the desire to write presented itself early, though I didn’t necessarily recognize it as such at the time. When I was a child, I played make-believe with my friends, recreating popular TV shows with my own characters and plot lines. It wasn’t until later, however, that I stumbled upon the world of books. Like many bookworms, I read just about everything I could get my hands on. It was the love of reading that eventually sparked my desire to pen stories of my own.
Writing Life
How often do you write?/ Do you schedule the time or write when the Spirit moves you?/Are you a pantser or an outliner?
When it comes to writing, procrastination has been my biggest enemy. As a classic pantser, my tendency is to wait for “inspiration” to strike before I put pen to paper. It’s finally dawned on me that if I ever want to realize my dream of becoming a novelist, I have to plant myself in a chair and write, whether I feel like it or not. I now make it a point to schedule time each day to tackle my manuscript. Joining a group of word sprinters has really helped keep me accountable.
What are your favorite resources for writers and why?
Since I’m brand new to the craft of fiction, I’ve been diligent to attend numerous writing conferences. I’ve also availed myself of several craft books, with my favorite being Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method. However, I’ve found it most helpful to read extensively in my favorite genres, which happen to be romantic suspense and speculative fiction.
The Writer
Who are your favorite authors and why?
My favorite authors are James L. Rubart, Francine Rivers, and Frank Peretti. All three showed me it’s possible to take readers on a thrilling adventure and still effectively communicate biblical principals in a non-preachy way.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on my first novel, a romantic suspense. I hope to have it finished this year.
What would you most like to share with other Christian writers?
The biggest piece of advice I would offer other writers is to avoid the trap of comparison. No one can tell the story God has laid upon your heart quite like you can. Your writing is also a way of spending time with God and allowing Him to use your pen to minister to the hearts of others.
Crystal Woodall
After graduating with a degree in Finance from the University of Maryland, Crystal was soon lured by her true calling: storytelling. With that in mind she secured a master’s degree in journalism and went on to work for several years as a news producer for CBN.
During that time, she had the privilege of covering numerous history-making events, from the death of Osama bin Laden to the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem to the #MeToo movement.
Crystal lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., where she’s been adopted by five fluffy, adorable felines.
Crystal (@cryswoodall) / Twitter
C. Woodall – Laurel, MD (127 books) | Goodreads