BVN Member Interview: Meet Author Debbie Kitterman

We’re pleased to interview Blogger Voices Network Member Debbie Kitterman on her significant walk with Jesus, amazing new book, and typical workday! Bloggers, please link up at the end!

Meet Debbie Kitterman

Please start by telling us a little about yourself.

I am a Jesus loving girl who prefers tea over coffee. I am passionate about people walking in their kingdom purpose. I love watching movies, or reading a good mystery.  I am a wife, mother, pastor, speaker and an author. I am a natural born encourager and I love to inspire others to see the God potential inside of them. My husband John and I have known each other for 36 years, we were highschool sweethearts and will have been married for 29 years this August. We pastor a church, have two adult children (Jesse 25 & Brandi 23), and we live in the beautiful, but often rainy Pacific Northwest.

List approximately three favorites.

1. Movies – all genres (except horror/scary)  One of my all time favorites is: Miracle on 34th Street (The Original of course)
2. Fall is my favorite season.  I love all the colors and watching the changing of the season. The crips cool mornings and moderate day temperatures and also, in my mind, it signals the holidays are coming.
3. Christmas is my favorite holiday, simply because, it’s all about family!  I know I will see my adult kids who don’t live close and the rest of my family too.  Plus, I am a gift giver, so I love a reason to find the perfect things to buy the people I love.
4. Being near the water. I love being able to watch the ocean or water on a lake.  It brings a sense of calmness and peace to me. When chaos surrounds or life is busy, if I can be near the water, I am reminded God is in control, it’s ok to slow down, breathe and be still.

List one unique fact about you.

I’m a princess.  Yes, all girls are, but the summer prior to 6th grade I was a princess on the junior frolic court for our towns local frolic days. I used to sit on the curb watching the parade as a little girl, and that summer, I got to be in it.  In fact, I got to ride on the float in many parades and practice my princess wave a lot! I still have pictures to prove it. LOL My dad recently found the “posters” that we created to display in the local stores that sponsored me.

Debbie Kitterman’s Book

As an author, what is your favorite part of the writing/publishing process?

My favorite part of the writing process so far, has been working with the editors to fine tune concepts, ideas, and the overall message. To really hone in and make sure I am saying what I really meant to say. Truthfully, the editing process was something I was dreading, but I had amazing editors who gave me some editing love and made it a most enjoyable experience.

Did you outline your book ahead of time or write-by-the-seat-of-your-pants?

Oh how I wish I would have outlined my book ahead of time, but live and learn. Right?  LOL When I started writing this book several years ago, I just started writing and chapters began forming. Then over time, others would naturally come together.  The hard part about writing “by-the-seat-of-your-pants” so to speak, is figuring out what goes where and how to make good transitions so everything’s flows well and seems cohesive as if I had outlined it.

What were some of the challenges you faced on the road to publication?

You mean besides the feelings of rejection that come before you finally get a “YES! we want to publish your book”? Hahaha – Truthfully, the biggest challenge has been the marketing piece and demystifing and overcoming people’s preconceived ideas of what “prophetic encouragement” is. In a nutshell, it is a gift God has given to all (1 Cor 14) and it is exactly what Jesus modeled all throughout His life. He didn’t make it weird, He just spoke the Father’s heart, in love.

What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?

My heart is for everyone who reads my book (The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement) to walk away with a deeper relationship with God, and a clearer understanding that we are all called to live a lifestyle of encouragement, by using prophetic encouragement to change the world and lives of those around us.  

Writer Wisdom from Debbie Kitterman

Describe your typical workday.

I am not sure I have a typical workday. I often balance many things with writing, speaking and church responsibilities.  I love having some flexibility in my day which helps greatly to keep things balanced for when I put in the long hours.

However in this season of working on the book, my typical day usually begins around 6 or 7am as I head to the gym. (Although, truthfully, some mornings, I give in to the temptation and skip the gym and go straight to writing).  Then I come home, do devotions and then get to work and writing. Some days I may put in 10 -15 hours a day on writing, meetings and work. If I work too many longs days, I purpose to schedule days off for recharging and hanging with family and friends.  Truthfully, I haven’t always been good at planning recharge or days off. However, I have learned, rest and recharging is a necessity for the longevity of ministry and being obedient to the call of God. Plus when I am running below half or on empty, I am not good to anyone.

Are there any nuggets of wisdom you can impart to aspiring writers?

• Be obedient to the call to write. Don’t quit and don’t give up. Writers – write… So, If you feel the call to write, then write. Even if you don’t think anyone will ever read it, or if you’ve been turned down for a traditional publishing deal, write and consider self-publishing.
• Don’t let fear hold you back from writing.
• Take time to make memories and enjoy life.  This means, being purposeful to schedule time to unplug, recharge, and enjoy your family/friends.
• Help others and be willing to ask for help when you need it.
• Be transparent and real as you write.

Debbie Kitterman’s Spiritual Growth

What is your most favorite verse/passage and why?

Romans 8 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture.  It is so full of powerful truth, and has ministered to me in many seasons of life.  From the beginning to the end, Romans 8 outlines what life should be and will be like for us who believe and are children of God.

I often find myself reciting Romans 8:15 when fear wants to creep in.    

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.

My paraphrase when I need a pep-talk is: “I am God’s kid, therefore fear has no place in me!”

Describe a significant time in your life and how God carried you through.

One of the most difficult seasons in my life was three years into our marriage.  I was excited to be a mom, and yet experienced losing our baby in the second trimester.  It was traumatic and my husband and I were heartbroken. At that time, there were not a lot of books on miscarriage and how to heal from the emotional pain of such a loss and people in church really didn’t want to talk about it.  I learned to turn and cling to Jesus and trust Him in the process of healing and dealing with some medical diagnosis that doctors believed led to the miscarriage. Doctors were unsure if I would ever get pregnant again, but God is a God of miracles and shortly after surgery became pregnant with our miracle, our son Jesse.

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