Vonda: Thanks, Barbara! I remember that conference very well and I count it such a gift that I got to meet you! Thanks for having me today.

Well, to tell you a little about me, Gary and I have been married 41 years...and we're still happy about it! We have two beautiful daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law, and four almost perfect grandchildren. I spent 30 years as an RN, but left that behind a few years ago to become a full time speaker and writer.

As a child, I grew up in a home where we went to church every time the doors were open. But I'm afraid at that time, it was more because that was tradition, not because we were truly worshiping. Church didn't interfere with our lives.

I grew up to teach children in Sunday School and lead children's choirs and children's church. I would tell kids Jesus died for them, but I still didn't really understand what that meant. I was simply carrying on the tradition of going to church. But church certainly didn't interfere with my life. I never read the Bible to seek God's will for me. It would sit in my car from one Sunday to the next, never considered a living, breathing, vibrant part of the Christian life.

Then when I was about 30, it was as if a light bulb went off in my head, and I suddenly got it. The Lamb! The blood! The sacrifice! The substitution of His righteousness for my sin! His Word became real and powerful and applicable to my everyday life. At about age 50, I realized I'd never had a true believer's baptism, so as a Sunday School teacher, women's ministry team member, drama director, and choir member, I was truly baptized.

Barbara: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Vonda: I wrote a poem in 1^st grade and the teachers couldn't believe a first grader wrote it. I memorized the entire thing and I still remember it today. I'll recite it for you, but you'll have to pay real close attention because it has a very deep meaning, and if you don't pay attention, you'll miss some of the deeper nuances. Here it is:

I have a ball.

The ball rolled down the hall.

It bumped into the wall.

Okay, okay, it's not such a great poem, but it was at that point that I fell in love with words. I did well in writing in high school and college, working on the newspaper and yearbook and literary journal. As a high school senior, I won a writing contest and was awarded $10! Even my college professors said I was a good writer and encouraged me. It was at that point that I decided one day I would write a book. The next thing I knew I was forty...and I'd never written a word.

Barbara: You have touched the hearts and lives of so many people, especially women. What is your gift?

Vonda: I guess you could say my mission includes five primary loves: Speaking, teaching, and encouraging women that God loves them, forgives them, and wants to use them. I want them to know that their past doesn't have to determine their future. I speak to women across the country, sharing the hope, grace, and mercy that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

I'm training other women how to become speakers through my classes at major writers conferences and by starting a new conference for speakers, The Christian Communicators Conference.

I'm writing books for children and adults that make them laugh, but also help them see themselves and their struggles within the pages of the book. My women's non-fiction is written specifically for the Christian market, but the Bitsy Burroughs Mystery series is written from a Christian worldview.

I enjoy teaching adults and children how to write. I teach at writer's conferences across the country and will be teaching at the very first DevoKids Conference at Ridgecrest next summer, teaching kids about writing. And I've taught my Writing is Fun! Workshops to over 20,000 kids in public, private, and homeschools.

I love using drama and music to present a Christian worldview. I not only write, act, and direct church drama, but am finding myself dabbling in the film industry, too. This has come about through the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival, where I co-direct (along with Sarah Ann Sumpolec) the Gideon Intern program for teens. http://www.gideonfilmfestival.com/

Barbara: Wow! You've been up to some very exciting things! I'm a person who's always enjoyed a number of interests, as well, so I really relate to you being called to serve in a number of ways. God is using you in mighty ways. You've been so blessed, Vonda. How do you give back to God?

Vonda: One way is by training the next group of writers and speakers. I love sharing my mistakes and failures, as well as the things I've done right, in order to help others do their work for the kingdom. I teach instructional classes, do critiques, and train the next "generation" of speakers and writers how to use their giftings for His glory. After all, being gifted doesn't mean we're ready to speak to thousands or write publishable words. Gifting is great, but we need to learn in order to grow into our calling.

In addition to tithing my income, I tithe my time. There are times that I know I'm supposed to speak at certain events, even though they may not be able to pay me my usual fee.

As you know, Edie Melson and I lead a free monthly local upstate SC writers group, the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers, where we teach, critique, and encourage writers. Edie and I also lead an annual writing retreat for 12 ladies in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. This is a ministry outreach from both our ministries.

Barbara: Tell us about the books you've written?

Vonda: I have a Christian women's non-fiction book, Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe. It "takes the reader on a hilarious journey through all things female as we search for truth in a counterfeit world." The book uses lots of humor to deliver the serious message that God doesn't want us to be seduced by the lies of Satan and the culture. He has a much better life for us. It's a very revealing book about my successes and failures, using entertaining stories we can identify with. After reading this book, every woman will know that if God can use me, He can use anyone! With group discussion questions at the back of the book, it also works well as a Group Study Book.

I also have a children's mystery series for kids 8 to about 13, which includes Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island, Bitsy and the Mystery at Amelia Island, and Bitsy and the Mystery at Tybee Island. Bitsy is a 12-year-old tomboy who has a good heart and wants to do the right thing, but just can't seem to stay out of trouble. In each book, there's a theme I want the children to grasp through Bitsy's own failures. Lying, materialism, and the love of family are key themes in the books. Of course, there is lots of humor in this series, too. And yes, I'm Bitsy. Many of her foibles are straight out of my childhood, which makes them really fun to write! I also write scripts and music and magazine articles. I guess you can tell I have a lot of interests.

Barbara: Give us a glimpse into your writing routine.

Vonda: Routine? I hate to admit it, but with a very busy speaking schedule, my writing is primarily done in blocks of time. I love writing, but I'm not fast at it, so I can't sit down and whip something out in a few hours. When I'm writing a book, I have to become entrenched in it. So that usually means I have to get away for several days, at least a couple of times per book. I'm too easily distracted otherwise.

Barbara: When we went to C.L.A.S.S., we learned about writing and speaking going together hand-in-hand. Has that been true for you? I'd love to know about your speaking topics.

Vonda: Yes, they definitely go hand-in-hand. It's amazing how so many of my stories and other material cross not only the writing/speaking line, but the fiction/non-fiction and children's/women's/corporate lines. That's what's so great about the Lord. He can take those experiences of life-whether sad, happy, or hilarious-and use them in every area of our ministries.

Topics range from Christian living/marriage/raising children/pride on the Christian side to customer service/teamwork/positive attitudes on the corporate side to necessary tools for speakers or writers.

Barbara: You are a natural entertainer. How do you weave humor into your message?

Vonda: I love to make people laugh! I believe wholeheartedly that my use of humor has been the key to my success (for lack of a better word) as a speaker. People love to laugh, they need to laugh, but yet, it's sometimes hard to find the funny in real life. But if you look for it, funny is in there! It might be something we did that was totally NOT funny when it happened, but now, looking back, we can see our motivations, our manipulations, and our mistakes and see the humor in them. When I use humor, it breaks down that wall between how people see us and who we really are. Then, instead of being seen as that-perfect-person-who-has-it-all-together-and-is-going-to-show-you-how-to-have-it-all-together, to someone just like them, who struggles and makes mistakes, but truly wants to please the Lord. I can take what I've learned and hopefully not only encourage them to do better, but also let them know that even with a long list of mistakes, God can use us if our hearts truly seek Him. And it helps if you have "characters" in your life.

Barbara: Do you have a website or blog?

Vonda: My website is http://www.vondaskelton.com/. We're in the middle of creating a whole new website to help guide visitors to the area they're looking for. As you can see, I'm interested in a variety of things, and get a variety of visitors. Hopefully this will make it easier for them to find what they need.

I have a writer's blog, The Christian Writer's Den, at my website that covers writing instruction, writing opportunities, author interviews and book giveaways and guest blogger opportunities.

Barbara: Any new books on the horizon?

Vonda: I also have a couple of book idea floating around in my head, but they're a long way from birth!

Barbara: You mentioned a new speakers conference you're planning. I'd love to hear more about that.

Vonda: With the busy fall speaking season ending, The Christian Communicator's Conference is on the front burner right now. The 2011 inaugural conference is sold out, but we're seeking God for what He may have in store for growing this conference to possibly include more than simply training speakers. We'll just have to wait and see what happens!

Barbara: Vonda, I want to thank you for being a guest here at Gifts by Grace. Before you go, I'd like to toot your horn a little. I want readers to know what a humble and generous person you are. You have over the years with nothing to gain, really, always encouraged and affirmed me-as a writer and a person. You've provided the mentoring and inspiration, and been there when I needed a confidante. I always felt accepted, never judged. That's made a real difference in my writing life. The qualities I love most about you are your honesty and unwavering commitment to others and the Lord. You're such a shining example for all of us, Vonda. Again, thank you for your gifts. May God continue to bless you richly.

Vonda: Thanks for having me, Barbara. It's been a joy to talk with you!

Well, readers, for those of you who leave a comment today, your name is entered into a drawing for a free, autographed copy of any one of Vonda's books! We'll announce the winner next week. Thanks everyone for stopping by at Gifts by Grace.