INTERVIEW | Patti Hill
By editor on Jun 23, 2005 in Interviews
Patti Hill
Author of Like a Watered Garden
Where did the title Like a Watered Garden come from?
The title comes from a Bible verse, Isaiah 58:11. The Lord promises His continual guidance and strength, and that even in a sun-scorched land, we will be like a watered garden. A sun-scorched land is a perfect metaphor for the emotional desert of grief where my main character, Mibby, lives. Plus, she’s a garden designer in the high desert of western Colorado where the difference between a watered garden and a garden left to the elements is as dramatic as life and death. Mibby has an important choice to make, to trust and find the strength of God to go on or to live in a sun-scorched land of despair.
Of all the high-profile, glamorous, and exciting occupations out there, you chose to make your heroine in Like a Watered Garden a garden designer who spends most of her time pulling weeds. Why a garden designer?
Gardening is my life. My husband owns a garden center, so first of all, it’a case of write what you know. But more than that, gardens are places of beauty and drama and holiness. I couldn’t think of a better place for the story of Like a Watered Garden to unfold.
Who would enjoy reading Like a Watered Garden?
If you like stories peopled with believable characters who must overcome realistic obstacles, you’ll like reading Like a Watered Garden. Readers who enjoy gardening or who are familiar with grief or upheaval, will especially find Like a Watered Garden inspiring.
The main character in Like a Watered Garden is a recent widow burdened with grief and struggling to survive, and yet I caught myself laughing out loud as I read. Did you intentionally mix humor into a story dealing with grief?
The humor in the story goes back to how I write fiction. I start by developing the characters with in-depth histories and rounded personalities. Then I put them in an uncomfortable situation to give them a chance to grow. Mibby is a down-to-earth, battle-weary woman with a wry sense of humor. The humor is a natural outcome of who Mibby is.
Like a Watered Garden is the first of three novels in the GARDEN GATE series. What does the future hold for the heroine, Mibby, in the second book, Always Green? When will the second novel be in bookstores?
In the second book, Always Green, Mibby’s grief is eclipsed by her loneliness, so she decides to re-enter the dating scene, which raises issues from her past and the challenge of single parenting an adolescent son. And an extended drought in the West makes things difficult for her struggling garden design business, Perennially Yours. Louise appoints herself as Mibby’s publicist to drum up new business, and Roseanne draws her into her church’s single scene. Andrea looks to Mibby for spiritual guidance, and Ben’s reappearance completely discombobulates Mibby. Besides old friends, new characters enter Mibby’s life to vex and bless her. It’s quite a ride. Always Green will be in bookstore in July 2005.
You’ve said that the nice thing about being a writer is that nothing is wasted. What did you mean by that?
In the middle of writing Like a Watered Garden, I injured my neck, but the diagnosis wasn’t clear for fifteen months. I experienced severe pain, as well as mind-swizzling ambiguity due to the fuzzy diagnosis. I spent a good portion of that time grieving the loss of my health and my dream to write. I would never pretend to say that my grief came close to what widows experience at the loss of a spouse, but I believe Like a Watered Garden portrays grieving more authentically because of what I went through.
Happily, God uses the good stuff in a writer’s life, too. I’m married to a wonderful man who just happens to be my technical adviser on all things horticultural, and I have two great sons who give me insight into the male psyche at adolescence. In Like a Watered Garden, I drew on experiences of flying, camping, remodeling, dog ownership, and, of course, gardening.
What is Christian fiction? Why do you believe it’s one of the fastest growing divisions of publishing today?
Christian fiction is storytelling from the world view of faith in Jesus Christ. Christian writers believe in a benevolent God and a redemptive Savior in Jesus and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. That changes how we look at everything, and that’s reflected in our stories. In my opinion, the demand for Christian fiction has increased for two reasons.
First, the content of secular fiction has become increasingly objectionable to believing readers. And secondly, the content of secular fiction has become increasingly objectionable to non-believing readers, and these readers are seeing through fiction what an authentic Christian life looks like. That’s an awesome responsibility for Christian writers.
How was your first draft different from the final version?
Let me count the ways! Since Like a Watered Garden was my first novel, I had so much to learn. One major hurdle I had to overcome was being too nice to my characters. I wanted them to have a sweet existence in my made-up town. That would have been very boring and not very realistic for my readers.
Another important change I made was in the Andrea character. At first, she was menacing and obnoxious. I decided to make her more likeable to make Mibby’s struggle to accept her more about Mibby’s issues and less about Andrea’s personality and behaviors, although she isn’t perfect. No one is!
What was the hardest part about writing your first novel?
Getting started! I’d first heard that I should be a writer when I was fourteen. That was a very, very long time ago. I was a journalism major fresh out of high school, but I don’t have the personality to face daily deadlines. When I went back to school in the 90s, I majored in English, so I could teach elementary school. From my years as an English Lit student, I was introduced to fiction writing. I loved it, but still, I taught for four years before I had the courage to answer my calling to write. The whole process only took thirty-five years!
What advice do you give to writers contemplating writing their first novel?
Either formally or informally, you have to be trained to skillfully use the English language. Remember, you’re writing for the King! I value my English degree, but I wish I’d had more instruction in creative writing. I didn’t even know that Christian writers conferences existed, so I read the book, The Complete Guide to Writing and Selling the Christian Novel by Penelope J. Stokes, Ph.D. Then I took a one-day class from Lauraine Snelling on “How to Write Great Fiction” when she came to my hometown. Lauraine was such a blessing. She introduced me to writers conferences and helped me get my ideas organized. And then, I did the best thing ever–I joined a critique group of skilled writers. They read and critique everything I write for publication. They love me enough to say the hard things, like, “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever read!”
When I’d finished the first chapter of my book, I took it to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference for professional critiquing and to grow as a writer. The experience was invaluable. Two things I would add to my list: read The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimer to understand what it means to have the call to write on your life and follow Carl Sandburg’s advice: “How do you become a writer? Solitude and prayer, and go on from there.”
What do you hope the reader will take away from Like a Watered Garden?
We all find ourselves in a spiritual desert now and again. Like for Jesus, it may be a time of testing, or perhaps sin plunks us in the desert like the Israelites mumbling over their manna supply. I’ve ended up in a spiritual desert from physical and emotional exhaustion. My character is in a desert because of her grief and fear. The title of my book comes from Isaiah 58. The passage deals with true fasting, a service that is honoring to God.
Mibby moves toward God when she trusts Him to meet her in the dark valley of grief, her first step to being “like a watered garden.” Becoming a lush garden takes time and tending. God is our faithful Gardener. Be about His business and trust Him. He will keep you supplied with all you need for your soul to prosper.
Have you considered a cookbook featuring “Louise’s mouth-watering bed and breakfast recipes.” The food Louise was making sounded so yummy.
What a great idea! Until I sell a publisher on the idea, two of
Louise’s recipes are available on my web site: pattihillauthor.com.
Thank you Ms. Hill for your time! Be sure to check out more about Like a Watered Garden on Faithwebbin.net or purchase a copy at Christianbook.com.
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