Welcome Christy Barritt

Last year I met Christy Barritt in Dallas at the annual ACFW conference. She's very sweet, and I'm excited to have her join us today.

Thanks so much for having me here on Sleuths and Suspects! I’m Christy Barritt, I’m the author of more than twenty books, and my latest book is called High-Stakes Holiday Reunion. This romantic suspense novel released this month through Love Inspired Suspense.

Today, I wanted to talk a little about how to keep writing during the holiday season. In the writing life, keeping the pages cranked out during the holidays can be difficult. There are added events on our calendars, shopping to do, family to visit, and meals to cook! But it is possible to keep writing and meet deadlines, even when Christmas lights are strung outside.

I’ve actually written ten books this year. People always think they’ve heard me incorrectly when I say that, but it’s true. Their next question is how? I have two young kids, I homeschool one of them, lead the children’s choir at my church, and I freelance for a couple of other publications.

I’d like to say there’s some magic secret to how I get so much accomplished, but the truth is that I make myself work hard. Every week, I write between 10,000-15,000 words. I usually continue this over the holidays, although I do try to take some time off. This year, I have a book deadline on December 31, so I’m not sure I can cut myself any slack.

Writing that many words a week, I can finish the first draft of a book in roughly four to six weeks. I usually start another book then, set the other book aside for a few weeks, and then write the first draft of another book. I got back to the first book, edit it, and I continue to work on new projects. It’s quite a bit to juggle, but I’ve gotten into a good routine with it.

Another secret is the fact that I really enjoy what I’m doing. I love creating new stories and characters and dilemmas. I give myself deadlines, and I have people to hold me accountable. Doing something you love makes it feel less like work. I’m definitely blessed to get paid for something that is so much fun!

So, keep writing at the holidays. Jot down notes about your senses during the season. Remember the smells, the tastes, the emotions, the strange events, or quirky neighbors who celebrate in ways different than you. Enjoy life, but tuck away memories for your stories.

One final thing I thought would be fun to share a recipe. This is a super simple one for Caramel Apple Cider, but I love it. At Christmastime, I buy a gallon of apple cider, some caramel topping (one of those bottles that can be squeezed on top of ice cream), and a can of whipped cream. I put the apple cider into a crock-pot and add about half a bottle of the caramel topping. I heat it up most of the day (makes the house smell wonderful!). I then serve it in mugs and top it with whipped cream. I drizzle a little more caramel across the top. It’s yummy and sweet and requested every year!

Thanks for letting me share.

God bless, and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!



USA Today has called Christy Barritt’s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.” Three of Christy’s books have been Amazon bestsellers and others have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, been nominated for the Romantic Times’ Reviewers Choice Award, and finaled for a Carol. She writes two genres: quirky first person mysteries and romantic suspense. For more information on her books, visit her website at www.christybarritt.com

Please be sure to leave a comment and your email address for a chance to win a book from Christy. Paperback or ebook, your choice.