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Hi, Cheri. Thank you for joining me today

Q: What role does God play in your writing career?

A: If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be writing. I have always described myself as “God’s secretary. He does the dictating, I write down what He says. All encouragement is from Him. All mistakes are mine.”

Seriously, I never set out to be a writer. I have a degree in psychology and love working with children. I have a passion for all things biblical marriage and family. Growing up, my dream was to be a “stay at home” mom and in a way, God has fulfilled that dream with the bonus of multiple careers, one of which is writing.

Before starting on the journey of writing/speaking, our family prayed and fasted, making sure this was truly God’s will for our lives. I begin each day surrendering it to Him, and He is the One who writes the books.

Sometimes He gives me the outlines of stories in dreams, sometimes they come to me when mowing the lawn, hanging laundry, cooking, or working around the house. The outlines are always written very loosely; then God is the One who takes them in the direction He chooses. It makes writing exciting, because I feel like I’m discovering the story as it’s being put on paper since God determines the direction. More than once He’s surprised me. I’ve started writing a scene and by the time it’s over, it’s completely different than what I had in mind. Always much better than the original idea.

I had a plan all mapped out when I started this journey in 2011. I was going to write fiction, be traditionally published and in two years (or less) be working as a writer full time while having plenty of time to volunteer at our children’s school, bake homemade cookies every day and serve at our church. Sometimes I think God laughs at my plans!

Ten years later I’ve self-published over 25 nonfiction books, I’m halfway through self-publishing my first fiction series (The Redemption of Green Pines), and have another Bible study and another nonfiction book ready to be written (in my spare time). I also have at least two more fiction series waiting to be written on paper (they are already written in my head). I’d love it if you’d head over to my website and check out the different titles that are published. Maybe you’ll find your new favorite read: www.cheriswalwell.com

While I still don’t officially consider myself a writer (I’m God’s secretary), I love this journey I’m traveling because of His invitation. It’s hard sometimes balancing everything, but I know I’m where I’m supposed to be.

Q:  Do you write full-time or part-time? How does that influence your writing?

A: I write very part-time. Fiction Fridays is when I get to write my fiction books, Thursdays are reserved for nonfiction, marketing, and recording our podcast, the Cheer UP Podcast. I work from home and juggle five other jobs before writing. It takes me longer to write as a result, but I’m trusting God’s timing until He opens my schedule up to write more often. I am a Christ follower first and foremost. Regarding my human priorities, I’m a wife and mother first, then employee, then writer/speaker, and keeping my priorities in that order is important to me. I have an extremely supportive husband and amazing children. When writing needs to bleed over into family time, especially when there are deadlines, they are more than generous to give me the time I need. We make up for it afterwards by spending extra time together.

I’m looking forward to the day I can write full time. And I believe that day will come in God’s timing.

Q:  Describe to me your “ideal” day.

A: Believe it or not, my ideal day doesn’t involve sitting at a computer. It involves being outside, moving my body and enjoying nature. Our family took a trip recently to Tennessee and hiked the Great Smokey Mountains. I rested my brain and moved my body and it was so refreshing. Being outdoors hiking, enjoying a bonfire, sitting on our deck, reading, working around the house, playing volleyball, and/or taking a walk with my family helps me focus on God, hear His voice, and refresh and relax. When I get to enjoy those things, especially with my family, that’s when I’m happiest.

Q:  What are some new projects you’re working on?

A: I’m working on both fiction and nonfiction currently. I have a completed nonfiction book about the importance of connecting as “sisters in Christ.” I also have a Bible study focused around finding and living in our identity in Christ that I can’t wait to write.

Regarding fiction, I am currently writing Book 5 of a 6-book series (The Redemption of Green Pines). I will definitely miss this community of characters when the last book is written, as they have become my friends.

When I finish this series, I will start writing a three-book series, Whispers of Love. Each book will focus on a different type of love: parental love, sibling love, and romantic love, in the context of overcoming a traumatic experience. Whysper, the main character in Book 1, will have an interaction with the main characters in Books 2 & 3, creating a unique experience to tie the books together. This series deals with deep topics in a biblical way.

Lastly, I have another two-book series that I cannot wait to put on paper. It’s been written for almost a decade in my head. It’s a very different concept than any fiction books I’ve seen yet, but I hope readers enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed outlining it.

Q:  If you didn’t write, what would you do?

A: Whatever God called me to do. More than likely, I would either be a stay at home “wife/mom,” or working with kids in some capacity. I’ve worked in residential homes for children, I’ve owned my own daycare, and I worked as a foster care and also an adoption worker. I’ve also volunteered in schools.

I’d be excited to see what God chose for me to do. My current positions all center around the world of writing and speaking. I’m happy to stay where I am until God calls me to something different. My life is His, and I’m learning to see the journey as the adventure and not focusing so much on the destination as a finish line. It’s more like a rest stop before the next leg of the adventure begins.

Thank you, Cheri, for sharing from your heart. May the Lord bless you as you continue to be “His secretary.”

To celebrate her tour, Cheri is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/112e2/trail-to-forgiveness-celebration-tour-giveaway