I have a special treat for you today! First of all, I want to introduce you to my friend and AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Association) sister, Marti Pieper! I’ve known Marti for many years, but this is the first time I’ve been able to have her here on The Christian Writer’s Den.
But I have a question to ask. Did anyone notice that I didn’t have an author interview and book give away the 4th Tuesday of January? I hate to admit this, but I with the 4th Tuesday being so early in the month, I totally missed it! Marti had gotten her stuff in early, and I just missed it!
Readers, be sure to leave a comment and you’ll be in the drawing to win one of her books. 
And don’t forget to check back next week to see if you won!
How did you get started in what you call your “ministry of words”?
From my earliest days, God placed within me the spark of creativity and the desire to become a writer. As soon as I could read, I was writing. Even in elementary school, I tried to include some form of writing with every school project. I won writing contests in elementary, junior high, and high school and published my first poetry at age twelve.
You write and edit in more than one venue. Can you explain?
As a longtime pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of five, I’ve worn many hats. I’ve followed that tendency in my writing career, too.
Despite my early success, I took a long family break from professional writing. In the year 2000, I jumped back into magazine work. I still write articles and devotionals for various publications. I’m a regular contributor to Sisterhood (formerly SUSIE) magazine and often represent this publication at writer’s conferences, where I teach on topics like Writing for Teens, Creative Nonfiction, and more.
In the rest of my writing life, I’m an author, collaborative writer, and editor. Collaborative means I write the words behind another author’s story or message. Often, I’ve served as a ghostwriter, which means my name doesn’t appear on the book and I agree not to discuss my contributions.
I can, however, discuss the one that brought me into collaborative work. In 2005, I was one of thousands who prayed for BJ Higgins, a young man who was both passionate about Christ and critically ill after contracting an infection on the mission field. After his homegoing, I volunteered to help his parents share his story. I Would Die for You (Revell, 2008) became a CBA YA bestseller and missions classic.
My work also includes serving as Director of Prayer and Publication for a student missions-sending organization, Awe Star Ministries. I write or edit many of their materials and also work closely with their president, Dr. Walker Moore. I edit his weekly Baptist Messenger column and collaborated with him on Rite of Passage Parenting: Four Essential Experiences to Equip Your Kids for Life (book and workbook, Thomas Nelson, 2007) along with other upcoming projects.
Finally, I serve as vice president of our local chapter of Word Weavers International, LLC, a wonderful critique group. The monthly meetings allow me to give back to other writers and get feedback on my own work as well.
You’ve gone beyond wearing many hats to keeping multiple plates spinning, Marti. My goodness, how do you do it all?
The short answer is: I don’t. No one, especially a work-at-home mom, can do it all. Surrender to God’s will and Word is a huge key to my personal and writing life. I do my best to stay closely connected to the Father through daily prayer (including a morning prayerwalk), Bible study, and church ministry. My “PrayerKeeper” Facebook posts and Tweets reflect a concern I pray about as I walk each day. One day, I hope to extend those in book form.
My family and I also do mega-cooking in which we prepare a few months’ worth of dinner meals and freeze them over a period of two or three days. That allows me to homeschool my two youngest daughters, maintain a busy writing schedule, and prevent my family from eating boxed macaroni and cheese every night. My children’s ages now allow me to write, speak, and travel more, too.
I understand your writing work has taken you to several countries. Tell us about that.
Of course! My relationship with editor Susie Shellenberger of Sisterhood magazine has led to my serving as the writer for some fantastic missions trips. Each year, Sisterhood takes hundreds of teens (guys and girls), college-aged Leaders in Training, and adult leaders on a ten-day summer missions trip. I’ve had the privilege of serving with them in Guatemala, Ecuador, and Panama. Beyond collecting stories, I’ve loved teaching the student missionaries on topics like Prayerwalking.
This past fall, a book project took me to Peru. I spent two weeks in an orphanage there interviewing its founder along with orphans, staff, and community members. Every international trip is a life-changing experience, but this one truly captured my heart. I can’t wait to return to Peru with Sisterhood this summer. And it’s not too late to sign up! If any of your readers have teens or enjoy working with them, check out the information at Click here to read my 2012 story about the Panama missions trip.
What advice do you have for beginning writers?
In my Writer WannaBe clinic, I teach that who you are matters as much as what you write. In other words, character counts. Nurture your walk with Christ and learn as much as you can about the craft and business of writing. Blogs like Vonda’s, critique groups, and writers’ conferences can all help.
Marti, thanks for joining us this week to share your lessons and encouragement for us. And readers, be sure to leave a comment and then check back next week to see if you’re the winner!
BIO: Marti Pieper’s passion to read, write, and pray makes her life an adventure. A prayer project led her to help Brent and Deanna Higgins tell their son’s compelling story. I Would Die for You: One Student’s Story of Passion, Service, and Faith (Revell, 2008) became a YA bestseller and missions classic. Today, Marti continues as author, collaborative writer, and editor, sharing her love for teens through the pages of Sisterhood Magazine. She holds a B.S.Ed. from The Ohio State University and M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Connect with Marti through:
Her website:
Her blog:
Her email:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Awe Star Ministries:
Sisterhood Magazine:
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Who Won Marilyn Nutter’s Book?
According to Random.org, the winner is Marcia Gaddis! Marcia, all you have to do is Contact Me with your mailing address and the book of your choice, and it’ll be on its way to you!
And for the rest of you, never fear! You can get your own copy of Marilyn’s devotional book, Diva Delights: Finding Extraordinary Treasures in Ordinary Days here!
Write on!
Vonda
