“’Let's Pretend’ was [a] favorite childhood game. Pretending meant creating long dialogues and complicated plots, and I never tired of doing it. I think novel writing is what ‘Let's Pretenders’ do after they grow up.” ~ Molly Noble Bull

When searching for an ACFW author to interview, I came across Molly Noble Bull’s Web site. The first picture—Molly in a beautiful, full, dreamy wedding gown—caught my eye, and after reading a few sentences I knew I’d found a writer I wanted to know more about. The above quote is posted in the ‘history’ section of Molly’s site and I think most writers would wholeheartedly agree with it.

Molly’s first priority is clearly that her writing is about the Lord. Her testimony is posted on her site for everyone to read. Molly’s family history is also quite interesting. She grew up around gigantic cattle ranches in Texas (both grandfathers were real cowboys!), and even lived in Germany with her Army-husband.

THE WINTER PEARL released November 1st. Molly’s fourth novel is a historical based in 1880s Colorado. I definitely suggest this book as a gift for that special reader on your list (or a present for yourself!).

Q: How many years have you been writing?
A: I started writing because my fourth grade teacher said I had talent, and I believed her. Teachers can't lie, right? I sold my first novel in 1985, and the book, a contemporary, came out in 1986. My second novel, a historical, was also published in 1986. Both were published by Zondervan. I've been writing since the fourth grade, but I started writing to sell about five years before my first sale.

Q: How much time do you spend writing daily?
A: I am a full-time writer. When I'm working on a book, I spend as much time as possible at my computer each day, meaning between four and ten hours.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration/ideas from?
A: My inspiration comes from the Lord. My ideas just appear on my mental screen. What a blessing.

Q: Where do you write?
A: I write at my computer in a corner of our bedroom. Then I print out what I've written and read and critique my work offline.

Q: Do you plot or not?
A: I write the first two or three chapters by the seat of my pants. Next, I decide how this story should end and write out the ending. From that point on, I plot, chapter by chapter, until I get a handle on the entire novel, and write my synopsis from my chapter by chapter outline.

Q: Is your first draft rough or do you aim for a polished manuscript the first time through? How much time do you spend on rewrites?
A: I write my novels like an artist paints a picture—adding a little color here, a bit of dialogue there—until I'm satisfied with the results. My first drafts are always rough, and I love to polish. My problem is that I like to revise so much it's hard to mail out a manuscript. I keep wanting to make it better and better.

Q: How does your Christian walk influence your writing?
A: I was already a Christian before I sold my first novel, and "To God give the glory" is written on the dedication pages of all my published novels. My third Zondervan novel was never published because Zondervan dumped the entire series before my book came out. At that point, I considered writing for the secular market but just couldn't. Instead, I waited until inspirational novels became popular again, and they finally did. That was right for me.

Q: Do you have any advice for a new writer?
A: Some sell their first novel. However, a published author once told me that it takes as long to become a published author as to become a medical doctor. If he was right, then rejections are report cards and should be expected and welcomed. They teach us how to write.