A lot actually. In fact, it’s kind of her thing. In addition to being a gifted communicator, she’s also a wife, mother, teacher, licensed mental health counselor, and most of all… an adopted and redeemed child of God the Father.
Christina Fox writes with an ideal balance of honesty, encouragement, theology, and praxis. If you’re not already, I suggest you become familiar with her. I’ll start that process with this interview, but I encourage you to visit the many links throughout this article. So that, with confidence, you can finally answer the question, “What does Christina Fox say?”
When did you first figure out that you wanted to, could and should write? And… Did you make decisive steps towards that goal, or was it a gradual process?
I have always loved writing. I started a newspaper for my high school. I also found writing to be a helpful outlet during my turbulent adolescent years. While in college and graduate school though, writing papers and thesis took precedence.
After I had my first child, we decided that I wouldn’t return to work as a child and family psychotherapist. With my husband’s work schedule, it just wasn’t possible. So I began praying that God would direct me in how I could use my skills and my desire to help others while staying at home.
Meanwhile, I began a blog, mostly to share with faraway family and friends how my son was growing and developing. On that blog I began to share a little about my postpartum depression. I also shared parenting struggles and the sanctifying work God was doing in me through motherhood.
It resonated with readers and people started encouraging me to write more about those topics. They also encouraged me to write for places other than my blog. So I started submitting articles. More and more doors opened for me to write for bigger websites and publications and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.
Nice, so it was both intentional and gradual. Unbeknownst to you, your simple family and friends blog was going to become a tool to grow yourself and others—strangers in fact. What some may call serendipitous, believers will call God’s providence.
What are some things you do to stay sharp and work to continue developing as a writer? Also, do you ever have writers block? If so, what are some of the ways you deal with it? Are there any exercises that help you get words flowing again? Lastly, are there any practical ways to keep you sharp and ready to write at all times?
I am a voracious reader. I am always in the middle of three or four books. As I think through and process what I am reading and apply it to my life, it fuels my writing. I participate in a writer’s critique group and other discussion groups with other writers. I read books on writing. I have also attended writing seminars and training.
I do occasionally experience writers block. But I find that when that happens, it’s because I am not living life. It’s hard to write about life if you are not out there living it. So I put my pen down and live life. I also find that the more I am in God’s word, the more I have to write about. Hebrews says that the word is active and alive. I never walk away from the word unchanged in some way. It never grows old, there is always something new or a fresh reminder that burrows its way into my heart and produces change. Then I often write about what I am learning. One practical thing I do is keep a journal with me at all times. I am very forgetful so if I have an idea or thought about something that could turn into an article, I write it down so I don’t lose it.
These are some excellent and practical tips for aspiring writers. With them in mind, how did you connect with, and start writing for such evangelical behemoths as Desiring God as well as the other large platforms you write for?
Good question. Networking, really. I started writing for The Gospel Coalition about a year and a half ago. I met Collin Hansen at a TGC conference and talked to him about submitting an article. A year or so later, I met an editor from Desiring God at another TGC conference and talked with him about submitting an article.
Through networking and writing for TGC and DG, it has helped open doors for me to write for other places such as Kirk Cameron’s website, The CBMW, iBelieve, and Today’s Christian Woman, among others.
Do you take a different approach with each place you write for by considering the demographic, utilizing a different style and selecting a topic? How about when it comes to your personal blog?
My preferred writing style is more creative and story driven but most places I write for prefer things to be short, sweet and practical so I’ve had to train myself to write that way. On my personal blog, I write how I want and with as many words as I want.
So it sounds like the secret to becoming a successful writer in the evangelical blogosphere one must simply attend a TGC conference (that was my attempt at acquiring complimentary registration). Anything else you want to add for those who have a gift to communicate through writing, but don’t have a platform or readers yet?
I didn’t have a platform or readers when I began writing either. It happened gradually as I submitted my writing to different places. My advice is to keep writing, keep improving your writing and keep submitting.
Good advice. Thanks for your willingness to share how you’ve successfully built your platform. My hope is that people reading this today—who are gifted writers—will be inspired to be tomorrows contributors.
Do you have a favorite topic to write about?
I have many. I write about depression, worry, and fear. I also like to write about Christian friendship and encouraging one another with the gospel. I also have a passion for teaching Jesus to our children and helping them apply the gospel to their life. I write about that frequently on my personal blog and other places as well.
What is the most important thought or idea you want to communicate clearly, or have people think of when they come into contact with your writing?
My goal is to encourage people to find their hope in Christ. With my background in counseling, I tend to write about the struggles and trials of life. I want to point people who are struggling to the hope found in Christ and the gospel of grace. That, I hope, is the underlying theme beneath all my writing.