Interview And Book Give Away With Author/Speaker Pat Ennis

June 22, 2010

By Vonda Skelton

Posted in: Christian Living | Writing Opportunities | Interviews

Interview and Book Give Away with Author/Speaker Pat Ennis

Many of you have heard me say that homemaking is not one of my spiritual gifts. And if you have any doubt about the truth of that statement, just ask my family. Well, today I'm talking with someone who truly knows what hospitality and homemaking is all about. And yes...I have a lot to learn!

It is a joy to introduce to you my friend, Pat Ennis. Pat is the author of Precious in the Sight of God, the Fine Art of Becoming a Godly Woman; co-author, along with Lisa Tatlock, of Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God, A Guide to Your Biblical Potential (Moody Publishers);Designing a Lifestyle that Pleases God (Moody); and Practicing Hospitality, the Joy of Serving Others (Crossway Publishers). She has also contributed to several anthologies. Becoming a Young Woman Who Pleases God (New Hope Publishers) will be released this fall. Pat taught Home Economics for the San Diego Unified School District before developing and establishing the Home Economics Department at Christian Heritage College located in El Cajon, California at the request of Dr. Tim LaHaye. She moved to The Master's College in 1987, at the invitation of Dr. John MacArthur, to establish the Home Economics-Family and Consumer Science Department that she currently chairs. She is the co-founder of the Royal Ladies' Tea Society, whose motto is, "Serving the world through Biblical hospitality one person at a time." And for more information about hospitality, be sure to visit Pat's blog Unfading Beauty.

Now don't forget to leave a comment and you'll be in the drawing for your choice of a Pat Ennis book! Please join me in welcoming Pat to The Christian Writer's Den.

Vonda: Since your primary ministry calling is a college professor and Department Chair why did you decide to write?

Pat: I received numerous requests from individuals who could not attend The Master's College but desired the content that is contained in our curriculum. Since I was an English minor in college and spent much time writing as a graduate student capturing a snapshot of our curriculum into written format was a logical choice. All of my writing is generated from my teaching so it is in essence "road tested." By the time the book is in print numerous students have assisted in the refining of its content.

Vonda: What type of audiences benefit from your books?

Pat: My books are intergenerational. They are applicable for a wide range of ages, marital status, and seasons of life. All but Practicing Hospitality, the Joy of Serving Others are written to reach a female audience but men tell me they have benefitted from them as well. I wrote Becoming a Young Woman Who Pleases God because so many moms and youth leaders consistently requested the content at a teen level.

Vonda: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Pat: I am privileged to share several principles that are based on advice transmitted to me from seasoned writers and editors, as well as personal experience.

  • Be appreciative, quiet, affirming, and contented.

My first blush with writing for publication came when the college where I am employed was approached by a publisher to write a book that challenges believers to cultivate a Christian worldview.  I was honored to be a part of the individuals who would craft the volume.

The first planning meeting for the book was opened by the administrator who would shepherd the project.  Rather than talking about the mechanics of writing the book, his comments centered on the need for all of the authors to practice graciousness as we interfaced with the publisher. He began his comments by stating, "Many authors are mean-spirited. Be sure you do not embarrass the college by falling into this category."        

Now five books, several book chapters, and numerous articles later, I continue to use the character qualities, appreciative, quiet, affirming, and contented, which emerged from his statement, with each writing project. This response moves me beyond not embarrassing my employer to not discrediting my Christian testimony to those who desire to improve the quality of my writing (Proverbs 27:6).

  • Choose to be a Team Member.

Beginning my doctorate degree was a decision I agonized over. Ultimately I did matriculate into a doctoral program, passed my courses and comprehensive examinations, and then transitioned to the dissertation. The constant editing required by my dissertation committee prepared me for the reality that when I write for publication my manuscript editor is going to request revisions. Since the editor has more experience than I do, I should not be offended at the individual's suggestions. Pleasing an entire doctoral committee was a challenge. However, the experience poised me for the truth that once I sign a book contract, the focus moves from my book to our book. Choosing to be a TEAM member (Together Everyone Achieves More) glorifies my heavenly Father (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)!

  • Be a finisher.

My PhD experience taught me that the heat will come. Sometimes deadlines seem impossible to achieve. The drought is certain. Writer's block will happen. However, there is a supernatural source of vitality when I trust the Lord to help me see the project through to completion (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Jesus' example of finishing the work His Father gave Him to do is an encouragement for me to stay with a project until it is completed (John 19:30).

  • Graciously accept "no" decisions.

It is important to respond to a "no" decision as graciously as I would a "yes." After two "yes" responses from the same publisher's committee I received a "no" for the third proposal. I sent a small gift and note to the Editorial Administrator who served as my liaison throughout the review process. Several years later a fourth book proposal was ready for review. The same Editorial Administrator processed it and within a month I was offered a contract. As I signed it I thanked my heavenly Father for providing me with the strength to model His character and graciously accept a "no" response. Oh, and by the way, the third book is also in print! (Psalm 84:11)

Vonda: So, what are you working on now?

Pat: Two projects are currently under development. The working titles and description include:

I Have Been Young and Now Am Old: An Intergenerational Guide to Aging offers a comprehensive guide for fulfilling God's plan to be a wise steward of the talents He graciously gives to each believer. As well, it provides both the theological base and the practical knowledge to understand and implement the biblical instructions to honor and care for the aging. The proposed book is based on the data collected from 900 + surveys drawn from 36 states and 6 continents. The age range of the survey participants spans 75 years (15-90).

Recovering the Christian Woman's Home: A Guide to Biblical Homemaking. Co-authored with Dr. Dorothy Patterson from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the content is based on the research and experience gained from almost 50 years of marriage and theological research and 30 years of college level Home Economics instruction. Guest authors will contribute to the volume and the responses from the 2086 survey participants will assist in the shaping of the content. You can participate in the study by visiting my blog, Unfading Beauty, and clicking on the survey links. 

Vonda: Thank you so much for joining us today, Pat. Your books sound like books I need to read!

Now readers, don't forget to leave a comment and you'll be in the drawing for a free book. Be sure to return next week to see if you're the winner!

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Special Writing Opportunity...

Chicken Soup is constantly putting out calls for submissions and several of our Christian Writer's Den readers have been published through Chicken Soup books. Several months ago Chicken Soup posted a need for Christmas stories. Submissions to that book are now closed, but there were so many good stories, they're considering a second Christmas book! But you must act now! Deadline is July 13. Guidelines here. Just scroll down to "Extra Christmas Stories." 

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You're Invited to a Free Writer's Seminar with Cec Murphey!

The Christian Writer's Den and the Write 4 Him Writer's Group are joining forces to bring you 90 Minutes with Cec, a writer's seminar in Upstate SC on Saturday, July 17! (Mark your calendars NOW!)

You not only know Cec Murphey as the author of over 100 books, including the New York Times bestseller, 90 Minutes in Heaven, but also as mentor extraordinaire to hundreds of writers around the world. Many of you have benefitted from his scholarships to writer's conferences and his writing seminars.

We are thrilled that Cec will have TWO writing events on July 17 in the upstate. Beginning at 10AM, Cec will talk about writing and answer your questions at Christian Supply in Spartanburg, SC.

The afternoon session will be held at CrossWay Christian Supply in Greenville, SC, beginning at 2PM.

Light refreshments will be served at both events and Cec will be available to sign books and speak with you.

And an added opportunity: Cec will be speaking at my home church, Westside Church, Simpsonville, SC on Sunday, July 18 in both the 10:45am and 6:00pm services. Please join us as we worship the Lord together.

If you live in Upstate SC, we want you to come AND we need your help with the writing seminars! If you're available to help with refreshments, advertising, or decorating, please contact Linda Gilden through her website, or me here. 

What an honor and a privilege to be able to share this opportunity with you! Let's do everything we can to show our appreciation to Cec and bless him with our support.

Hope to see you there!

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And as we reflect on the focus of Pat Ennis' ministry, let's consider these words from the book of Hebrews.

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda