It’s time to meet another Australasian Christian Writers blogger. Today we’re talking to Rita Stella Galieh. Welcome, Rita!
Fast Five
Long black or flat white?
Neither – always a cappuccino.
Kiwis or Koalas?
Oh, it must be a Koala ever since cuddling one.
Mangoes or kiwifruit?
I enjoy both but my extra special favourite must be lucious red cherries
Cricket or rugby?
Neither. Must be tennis. Loved watching the Australian Open
Plotter or pantser?
A mix. I begin with a rough plot, get to know my characters then allow them to steer the story.
Getting to know Rita Stella Galieh
As a child I lived on several NSW Aboriginal Reserves where my grandparents were matron & manager. I frustrated my poor school teachers by illustrating my textbooks and drawing cartoons of my schoolmates- mainly during Latin classes. Following studies at the Sydney National Art School, I joined the family ceramics studio and once presented Billy Graham with a water set with Aboriginal designs. And I wrote a few stories set partly in Sydney.
About Your Writing
What genre do you write?
My genre is historical romance.
Your main writing influences?
The novels most influencing me to join the ranks of historical romance writers were those of Bodie Thoene, Karen Witemeyer, Roseanna White, and others far too many to name.
Do you have any books published?
Yes, my first-Fire in the Rock- was published by I later discovered was a vanity publisher. So I indie published a trilogy, Signed Sealed Delivered, The Tie That Binds, A Parcel of Promises. I am now writing another 6 book series and have completed the first four with the first two in the editing stage with our own Iola Goulton.
How long have you been writing?
I seem to have always written something or other. Be it articles for a Christian newspaper, lyrics for my songs, radio scripts, several short stories in the contemporary mode, and non fiction stories for the US Adams Media.
What inspired you to begin writing novels?
I script and co-present a 5 minute radio program, Vantage Point. I am constrained to time by a stop watch. So can you imagine the freedom of writing full length stories? It is so freeing! And my husband encouraged me.
What’s your favourite part of the writing process?
Discovering if I flesh out my characters enough at the beginning, they kind of take control. And these persistent people nudge me – always at night- by impressing on my mind exactly how they would not act, or demand a name change.
What’s your biggest writing challenge?
Research. I love it. But I can get too carried away. I need to write about the way things differ from today without appearing to lecture my reader. It’s something that needs to be slipped in naturally.
How does your faith impact your writing?
All my life experiences as a Christian impact my words. My characters, like us all, are flawed and I want to show how perseverance, hope and faith in God make a huge difference in their inner growth. Despite their mistakes, I want them all to have deepened in their Christian maturity by the end of the story. In this new series each character has a challenge, be it mental, physical, or spiritual. But they are all resilient. No matter what happens, or whatever conflicts they face, they eventually bounce back. My aim is to inspire my readers never to give up no matter what life throws at them.
Loved your interview, Rita! Looking forward to your new books coming out!
It’s lovely to hear more about you, Rita. I’m so glad you’re writing more books! ❤️❤️
So great to hear more of your story, Rita! 💜 And how cool that you presented Billy Graham with a gift, that would have been a sweet experience.
Thanks Leila. Funny thing was I has laryngitis at the time but Dr. Graham did all the talking for me!
Fascinating interview, Rita. 🙂 I’d love to read your autobiography! I’m sorry you had a difficult and disappointing publishing experience with your debut book. I’m glad that you persevered with your writing and didn’t quit writing altogether – which is unfortunately a common occurrence when authors are burned by being ripped off by vanity presses.
I began a big learning curve after that disappointing experience, Narelle. I find I still have so much to learn but I’ll persevere for as long as it takes. 🙂
I love how you describe writing your characters, it makes them real and relatable. I love how the Bible is very much the raw basic facts of how people rise, fall, fail and find redemption. Thanks for sharing and I pray a blessing on your upcoming releases. Blessings xx
Thank you Keona. Characters do need to be relatable as you say. My prayer is that my readers will truly identify with the different aspects of their own lives.