Jan, how do you find time to paint with 12 kids? I used to have to have huge blocks of time, which were difficult to make. Now I've learned to paint 5 minutes here, ten minutes there. When I face a book deadline, I try to take care of domestic business in the morning and paint in the afternoon, often with kids at a nearby table, easel, or at my knees.
Where do you get your models to paint? They're all around me. Not only have I used my own kids and grandkids numerous times, but I'm always on the lookout for just the right age, hair color, features, etc. for the next painting. I find them at church, at art shows, and with the help of teachers. Sometimes I just walk up to total strangers with a business card if someone catches my eye.
Do you homeschool your children? Yes, we have homeschooled since 1983, and look forward to graduating our twelfth child in 2023.
What are the ages of your children? Our 9 daughters and 3 sons range from 30 years to 5 years. We changed diapers for 25 years straight (every day since June 26, 1979 until Spring 2008). Four of our kids are married. We look forward to meeting grandchildren #5 and #6 in 2009.
Have you always lived in Northern Michigan? In 1990 we built our home seven miles west of Traverse City on 2.5 acres of the same family farmland Jan grew up on, where her grandparents once lived. Gary's family moved around a lot, mostly around Mansfield, Ohio, and four years in Horseheads, NY.
Do each of you come from large families? Jan is the 4th of six children. Gary is the 3rd of five children. All our parents and siblings are still living.
How did you meet? We met September 3, 1977 during a vocal audition at Fort Wayne Bible College in Ft. Wayne IN. That night we attended a Christian concert together. We have been "dating" ever since, with our most memorable date being on July 29, 1978 when we said our vows in a little Quaker church near Traverse City, MI.
Jan, what hobbies do you enjoy? I enjoy flower gardening, running on the treadmill (especially when Gary joins me on his stationary bike), and music. I'm trying to learn to play viola. Every Thursday eight of my daughters have violin lessons in our home together, and another daughter joins in with her cello.
Gary, what hobbies do you enjoy? I read a lot, especially about history. I play guitar, plunk a few notes on the piano, and like to do things with the family, e.g. games, jigsaw puzzles, bedtime stories. I follow college football and major league baseball. My oldest son takes me to a gym twice a week to see if he can help me decrease my waistline and increase my lifespan.
Gary, what other line of work are you in? Writing, painting, publishing, speaking, and selling our books - this has been our family's entire means of support for the past eleven years. Before that I built houses, operated printing presses, worked at a bank, and served as a pastor of children and youth.
Have you worked with other publishers? We have been published by several publishing companies in the past. Currently, we publish all our books ourselves, drawing from the lessons we've learn from some wonderful people in the industry. Publishers we've worked with include Tyndale Publishing, Pelican Publishing, and others.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to be published? Have something worth saying. Find your voice & find your audience. Learn to write in a way that helps the reader feel what you're saying. Pay very little attention to what your family and friends say about your book, but very close attention to truly objective critiques. NEVER sacrifice quality. Revise until you think it's nearly perfect, step back for a while, then revise ruthlessly all over again. Get your hands on the latest Writer's Market and follow its directions carefully. If (when) you are rejected, refuse to throw in the towel, recommit your work to your Lord, and get back to work. If (when) your work is finally accepted, give thanks to God and get back to work, for you are now merely at the threshhold. The same passion that helped you write your book will be needed to help you market it.
|
