Catherine Zoller is the author of
The Rhyme and Reason Series. A series dedicated to introducing the word of God in rhyme. The books are a compacted rhyming version of the books of the bible. Easy to read in a sing song fashion...which children LOVE!
Each book is 48 pages filled with rhyme and colorful artwork. The artwork was done by Mr. Sketches.
I read the
Genesis book and the
Matthew book. A great addition to my library.
Next to be released in the series will be Exodus and then Acts. There are a total of 30 books planned for the series.
The series can be purchased at the Rhyme and Reason website or by special order from any bookstore.
Catherine would love to share her story of God's amazing power and the grace given as we live out our daily lives. Join her in her quest to reveal the heart of the Father by inviting her to speak at your church or group.
For scheduling information please call or email for your next event.
Contact number is (918) 663-8414 or (251) 229-3354 or email:
shewrites@catherinezoller.com
Catherine's Interview
1. Introduction of the series. How did you get started with writing Rhyme and Reason?
I had just finished a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) study of the book of Genesis and was lying in bed trying to think about what I wanted to share with the women on the last day of class when this couplet came to mind: This is the true story of how it all began, God was talking to Himself and came up with a plan. I thought, "That's kind of clever," so I got up and wrote it down then went back to bed. Another one came: In six short days when He shouted the command, up popped the stars, the trees, the seas and land. So I got up and wrote that one down as well. But they kept coming so I finally decided to stay up until the stopped and when I was done, I had put the entire book of Genesis to rhyme! I read it for the women the next day and they went nuts. I was stunned by their response! Everyone wanted a copy and one woman asked me if I had every thought of making it into a children's book. I said, "I hadn't thought of any of it until 3:00 this morning!" But her question planted a seed and I began to pray and ask the Lord if the idea was from Him. Apparently it was!
2. How long did it take you to publish your first book, after you started trying?
Whoo-boy! It took me about three or four hours that night to get it all written, and 13 YEARS to get it published! It was a very long and arduous process. There were many times when I was sure nothing was going to come of it; when it seemed certain the dream was dead. But by God's grace I persevered and He began to slowly open doors. It's been a steep learning curve. Getting published is a very long and complicated process and not for the faint of heart!
3. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Yes. "Genesis" and "Matthew" are the first two books in "The Rhyme and Reason Series" and "Exodus" is ready to go to press, followed by "Acts." I don't have a release date for either of them yet, but will be happy to let your readers know once it has been established. We are planning for their to be thirty books in the series. The next six, after the four listed above will be "Leviticus" (and it's the funniest one of them all!), "Hebrews," "Numbers," "John," "Deuteronomy," and "Romans." These are already written as is "Esther" and "Revelation." I'm not sure what the order will be after that, but that's enough to keep me busy for a while!
4. Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you been born again?
I got saved after a little country preacher picked me up when I was 15 years-old and had run away from the home for juvenile delinquents where I lived at the time. I was hitchhiking toward Florida and he picked me up outside of Monroe, Louisiana, and asked me if I was a Christian. I said, "Yes. I'm an American!" Can you believe that?! He bought me a Dairy Queen hamburger and while I ate he opened up his Bible and began to share the Gospel with me. When I got out of his car I prayed my very first prayer and said, "God, if you are really like that man says You are, I just hope I get caught tonight." Well, I did. The police sent me to a juvenile detention center and while I was there I cried out to the Lord and asked Him to come into my life and clean up the mess and chaos I had created for the past fifteen years.
I'm 53 now, so you do the math. I do words not numbers!
5. Are there any particular things that inspire you to write besides your love of God?
Money! I'm kidding. Sort of.... I did some ghost writing for a couple of years during the time nothing was coming of the series. It was really a lot of fun, except for the deadlines! And it really helped me develop as a writer. I look back on that time as the college education I squandered. One story in particular, about P.G. Vargis, who is a missionary in his own country of India was so powerful and moving I would have to stop in mid-sentence and just weep over the incredible things the Lord was doing in that country.
When I was writing articles for the regional Christian magazine in our area I wrote humorous pieces about my left-brained engineer husband, the challenges of raising three children and what the Lord was teaching me. They had a kind of Christian Erma Bombeck flavor to them.
The story of my oldest son Jordan's heart/lung transplant and death five years later also inspired me to write. I started a book about the whole experience titled, "Living With Lazarus" but I don't know if I will ever finish it. I have the beginning and the end, but was having a hard time fleshing out the middle. But right now I am pretty busy promoting the books and with my speaking ministry. Maybe I'll just hire a ghostwriter to finish it!
6. A favorite spot to write?
We have a small room off the kitchen where our old albatross of a computer sits. I think it was the third one ever made! It isn't portable, so most of my writing was done in there. I put some pretty pictures and inspirational sayings on the wall above it to keep the environment as pleasing as possible. Now I have a laptop, but I keep it on the kitchen table and it never occurs to me that I can actually take it somewhere else to write! Silly, isn't it? I guess we are all creatures of habit.
7. What is your favorite time of day?
When all three kids were still at home I wrote while they were at school. Now that they are all grown and in various stages of gone, I write whenever the urge strikes me.
8. Do you have a favorite snack or drink while you are in the creative process?
Vodka tonics. Ha! I am totally kidding! I hope your readers have a sense of humor! In the mornings I make a giant cup of coffee and sip on it. Other than that, no. I don't snack. I have about forty very stubborn pounds I am constantly trying to lose, but I'm not having much luck.
9. Who is your favorite author or book?
I love Christian biographies. I read non-fiction almost exclusively. I couldn't tell you the last time I read a novel. They seem like a waste of time to me. I want things that are going to inspire me or strengthen and deepen my walk with the Lord. George Mueller's life is incredibly inspiring, but he is just one among hundreds. I continually refer to Richard Foster's book, "Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home." You'll never guess what it's about!
As for secular stories I still want to be inspired or challenged in some way. I loved both of Laura Hillenbrand's books, "Seabiscuit" and "Unbroken.' I love books I can't put down until I have read the last page. My husband prefers I read books that I can put down long enough to fix dinner!
10. Do you listen to music while you create or do you enjoy silence?
Definitely have to have my tunes! I am listening to John Mayer right now. I like mellow or slightly energetic music with a great melody. My kids have been a great source for keeping me in tune with current artists. No pun intended! If I really need to concentrate, I put on the classical station. I love all kinds of music and it's one of the things I am looking forward to about heaven. Can you even begin to imagine what it will be like to hear all of heaven filled with the sound of glorious praises being sung to our great God?
11. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Yes. Stop right now. Find something else that will be less challenging. Like mountain climbing, for instance. If they insist on continuing I can only suggest the things that helped me. Join a writer's group. Join a critique group and if you can't find one, start your own. That's what I did. I found three different writers who all wrote completely different stuff than I do and we critiqued each others work. It essential to have thick skin. It's not personal, it's about becoming the best writer and story teller that you can be. And remember, even the very best writers have editors. That's what makes them the very best writers! Find writing contests and make submissions. For a nominal entrance fee you will receive valuable critiques from other writers. Go to writing conferences. They are a huge source for practical workshops, finding an agent or a potential publisher. Whatever you do, don't quit your job!
12. Do you have a favorite quote or scripture and why?
Yes.
1 Corinthians 1:26-28 are my life verses because they perfectly describe what the Lord has done in my life, and what He can do with any life that is submitted to Him.
There is a great story behind
Isaiah 40:26, but it would take too long to tell. Suffice it to say, the idea that God has named all the stars always helps me put my problems in perspective. If I have a God of that kind of brilliant magnitude and He is for me, then truly, who can be against me?
I would like to thank Catherine for sharing her talent and answers for this interview. All copyright of the book covers and Catherine's picture enclosed in this article were taken from Catherine's
blog.
~Debbie
All writing, poetry, posts, art,and photography, copyright © 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers. Protected by US and International copyright laws. All Rights Reserved. Scripture references taken from the King James bible. Would you like to see what I am currently painting? Click on these links
http://artparables.com/ or
http://debbieturnerchavers.com/
