Meet Writer Lynn Rush

Lynn Rush has been writing for about eighteen months. Her stories are what she calls supernatural-speculative Christian fiction for the twenty-something audience. She’s completed a trilogy and is currently working on three stand alone stories.

A self-professed “sports junkie,” Lynn lives in Arizona where she and her triathlete hubby take long road bike trips through spectacular desert landscapes. She’s been a competitive in-line speed skater and has run a half-marathon. This past December she participated in the 5K Iron Girl Race.

Lynn crochets baby blankets, loves chocolate and can’t stand bread crusts. Two of her best buds are the furry variety. Herky (Go, University of Iowa Hawkeyes!) and Maddux are beautiful Shelties (Shetland Sheepdogs) who keep her company when her fingers are glued to the keyboard crafting her stories.

I met Lynn when she visited my blog and left a comment. Her name was familiar because she’s also on the American Christian Fiction Writers loop. I visited her blog, Light of Truth, and saw that she’s an Edgy Inspirational writer. Curious, I read on. I was entertained as I perused her posts. She has regular ones that are quite clever: Musical Mondays, Then and Now Thursdays, and Friday Funnies.

Join me as we learn more about this go-for-it-with-gusto writer.

Lynn Rush

•Lynn, you’re a very active person. What led you to plunk yourself in front of a keyboard for hours on end and start writing that first story?

Would I be completely cliché if I said God? **LOL** Actually, I just kept having this story in the back of my mind, so when I started clicking away at the keyboard, it unfolded. Eighteen months later, I’ve penned six novels. Now only that is a God thing

•The Edgy Inspirational market is growing, although the speculative side has been a bit off the radar until recently. When did you become interested in this category? Why did you choose to embrace it? When did you decide to target the twenty-something crowd?

I never knew I was edgy, actually. I just kinda stumbled into that category as I learned more about the craft. I grew up watching the supernatural movies/TV shows. Never really read much, but when I did, I took to the Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker books like crazy.

When I started writing and learning more, I realized that my hint of romance paired with the supernatural action put me into an Edgy category. Because, yes, my characters kiss and struggle with the ever controversial sex-before-marriage issue. I don’t shy away from it. That’s why I target the late high school and college-age reader.

•How do you incorporate the faith element in your characters’ lives? What themes weave their way into your stories?

Well, in my Light of Truth series, my main character, Shelby, discovers she has supernatural powers, but when she finds out they’re from God, whom she hates, she freaks. So, I show how her angry heart thaws as she finds redemption. But even after she steps into faith, I show that Christianity is not always an easy, pain-free path to walk.

•Taking risks runs in your family. Your dad’s climbed Kilimanjaro in Kenya, Mount Blanc in France and Mount Rainier in Washington, which is quite impressive. You took a risk on your writing at an early stage of your journey, submitted your “baby” to a couple of contests, and did quite well, which is just as impressive in my book. What did you learn from the feedback given in your first contest? How did you feel when your entry, Light of Truth, finaled in MARA’s Fiction from the Heartland contest?

Yeah, my dad’s kinda nuts, huh? I do take after him a little, that’s for sure.

Oh, I equate letting someone (crit groups, contests, any third party) read my stuff with standing naked in a room with the window shades open. It’s very difficult, but I prayed, my friends prayed, and I followed.

The MARA contest was only the third contest I ever entered. I was shocked to find out I finaled. I still don’t know if I’ve placed or not, but hopefully soon. In the other contests I’ve entered, the comments have been invaluable. I can’t stress enough how beneficial I think contests are. My writing has improved dramatically because of the feedback I’ve gotten.

•I was impressed to learn that you have a Masters in Mental Health Therapy with a focus on Substance Abuse. A writer’s education and experience often come to play in her stories. Have you been able to use your special knowledge and training in the series you’re writing?

Oh yes. My experiences with addiction play a big roll in my Light of Truth series. Shelby, the main character, is a tattooed, angry, foul-mouthed eighteen-year-old who’s lost to the world of drugs and alcohol. So, I draw a lot on my interactions I’ve had in my past life as a counselor to get a lot of the mannerisms and character traits.

The first book, Light of Truth clearly shows Shelby’s use of substances and how God delivered her from it. Darkness Lies moves away from the substance use and focuses more on her relationship with Gabe. In the third book, untitled as of right now, a new character is introduced who has suffered unspeakable abuse from a family member. So, my counseling experiences have come in handy there, too.

•Sedona, Arizona is a beautiful place, one where you go to rejuvenate. You find sunrises and sunsets inspiring, and those amidst the oranges and pinks of the desert formations must be spectacular. Beginnings and endings are important to our stories as well as our days. Which part of a story comes easiest for you? The first chapter? The HEA ending? Dialogue? Or perhaps the creation of the supernatural elements?

Great question. I’m just so blessed that my dad lives in Sedona, which allows me frequent get away weekends to spark the writing light.

What part is easiest? I’d have to say the beginning. For example, in the novel I’m penning now, I woke up with one scene in my mind: a girl in a lunch line griping about the food. I had no intention of writing anything more than a quick short story or something, just to keep the juices flowing while I edited a couple other manuscripts in the making. Well, 55,000 words later . . . But it was the beginning that got me going.

Dialogue is a close second. I love creating different ways to say things. I love to read stories with a lot of dialogue, so it’s natural that my writing would take that same turn I suppose.

•We recently celebrated the most romantic holiday of the year, Valentine’s Day. You have one that stands out. Would you share why that’s so?

Oh yeah. I just posted on my blog about my favorite Valentine’s Day on a weeklong series of posts dedicated to love. It was February 14, 1996. My boyfriend stopped by on a study break (he was in grad school), strolled on into my tiny apartment, put on my favorite song, and then proposed. Yep, got down on one knee and everything. He even had his mother’s engagement diamond put in a setting just for me! He’s such a dream. Six months later, we were married. It’s been the best thirteen years of my life!

•Since you love to spend a good deal of time in the saddle of your road bike, here’s a fun question especially for you. If a generous benefactor offered to finance a two-week trip anywhere in the world in order for you and your hubby to go riding, what place would you choose and why?

Oh my. That’s a tough one. I’ve heard riding through wine country in California is beautiful. I hear it has rolling hills and beautiful scenery. It’s funny you mention this. My dad is doing a 3,100 mile coast-to-coast bike ride starting in March . . . I actually would like to do that more than anything. But that’s a six-week adventure, but hey, if I could get two weeks paid, that’d be cool too!

It’s been great having you as my guest, Lynn. And now, in closing, is there a final comment you’d like to make or a question you’d like to ask?

Thanks for having me! It’s been great fun. You have a great blog here.

Since I’ve been deemed “Edgy,” I’d love to hear what y’all think about that. What IS edgy, anyway? What books have you read that are considered edgy?

Learn more about Lynn

Visit her blog: Light of Truth

Friend Lynn on Facebook: Lynn Rush

Follow Lynn on Twitter: LynnRush

Leave a Comment for Your Chance to Win!

I’ll choose a winner from those who leave a comment for Lynn on 2/26 and 27 (and include an email address when prompted, which I don’t share), and will post the winner’s name on 2/28.

Avily won and has her choice of:

one of two beaded necklaces

or

one of two 3-1/2 inch square magnets with  motivational sayings.

The one on the left reads, “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do!” by H. Jackson Brown Jr.

The one on the right reads,” If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves” by Thomas Edison.

You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by your blog hostess, Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and February 28. Make sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On March 1, Keli will choose one person who will have her choice of five covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your “firstborn” in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)