Janet: I’m not sure where you found time to write, but you each contributed a piece for the anthology as well. Was it difficult editing one another’s work without that second, impartial editor?

NJL: We tried to get at least a first draft done before the submissions deadline because we knew how swamped we’d be after that. I actually tried writing about four other short stories before I hit on the one that we used in the book.

I have two terrific concept/substantive editors who live close-by, so they always read my work first anyway. (My #2 son and my husband, in case you’re wondering.) They give me very honest and often annoying feedback. So I don’t think editing our own pieces was a huge problem. I think I was as tough on Wendy as I’d been on everyone else.

The real problem was that we kept leaving our own pieces to the last to edit, which wasn’t good.

WEN: Yes, we were tough on each other’s pieces too, and we went through a number of revisions just like everyone else. But it was hard slogging because we were completely exhausted by the time we focused on finishing our own pieces at the end.

I deliberately chose to write someone else’s story, because I think too often writers who are Christian focus only on their own experiences when many other people have wonderful stories others would benefit by reading. But writing a 3,500 word human interest profile is a huge amount of work, because you have to get to know the people, do lengthy interviews, ask the right questions, transcribe everything that was said, organize the material, condense it all, focus on the story aspects, get the answers to any missing details, retain the other persons’ voices… and make sure that you have represented them fairly, accurately and compellingly.

Read the rest of this interview

Read Part 1 of the interview 

To read the answers to questions such as "What made you believe so strongly in the project?" and "What submission criteria helped you choose the best of the best?" click on the link below.

Read Part 1 of the Interview 

The Word Guild had a booth at the Ontario Library Association's Superconference Feb. 3 and 4, 2011. N. J. Lindquist ended up helping out and we gave out quite a few copies of Hot Apple Cider and a lot of bookmarks and 1-sheets for A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider.

Click on the above picture to make it larger.

7 pieces were awards finalists and 5 won awards.

June 18, 2009
For immediate release

NEWCOMERS AND VETERANS TOP THE WORD GUILD 2009 AWARDS

Toronto—A novel set during the Roman Empire and a series of articles from the anthology Hot Apple Cider were the most awarded publications at The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards this year. Awards were given in 30 independently judged categories, including non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns and poems published during 2008…..

Read complete press release here.

Below is the list of winning articles. Awards are given only if a certain standard of excellence is met. An Award of Merit is giving to an entry that gets a mark only very slightly less than the winner.

N. J. Lindquist

Article—General Readership (articles that explain or encourage faith for mainstream readers)
Winner: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “The Diamond Ring” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Article—Inspirational/Devotional
Winner: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “The Diamond Ring” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Award of Merit: N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont. for “My Letter to the Editor” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Angelina Fast-Vlaar

Article—Personal Experience
Winner: Angelina Fast-Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for “It Was Then That I Carried You” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Article—Profile/Human Interest
Award of Merit: Eleanor Shepherd of Pointe Claire, Que. for “Living Outside Our Comfort Zones” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Complete list of winners:

Other finalists from Hot Apple Cider were:

Article—Inspirational/Devotional
Angelina Fast Vlaar of St. Catharines, Ont. for  “It Was Then That I Carried You” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Short Story
Bonnie Grove of Saskatoon, Sask. for “Stuckville Cafe” (Hot Apple Cider Anthology)

Ray Wiseman, co-author of the story, “Of Cobras, Culture and Change” was presented with the Leslie K. Tarr Award for Career Achievement, sponsored by Tyndale university and Seminary.

Ray’s wife Anna Wiseman was given a Special Recognition Award by The Word Guild for her contribution to Ray’s writing.

All photographs taken by Audrey Tavares.

N. J. Lindquist is a multi-talented Canadian author and speaker who has been successful in a number of careers including high school teacher, wife and mother, homeschooler, church planter and lay leader, mentor, writing teacher, columnist, author, publisher, and co-founder of The Word Guild, a Canadian association of over 350 writers and editors who are Christian.

N. J.'s published work includes two mainstream adult mysteries (Shaded Light and Glitter of Diamonds) that have been compared to the best of Agatha Christie; five coming-of-age inspirational novels for teenagers; three discipleship manuals for teens; a Christmas play; and numerous articles and columns. She also co-edited Hot Apple Cider. Her books have received rave reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Christian Library Journal and many other reviewers and readers.

www.njlindquist.com

Read our interview with N. J.