An Interview with Writer Stacey Salsbery

I've known Stacey for almost a decade. I first met her as my parents' friend and got to know her better when she became a leader in my youth group. One part about her that I admire is her passion for the Bible. Since she is a writer who is most likely older than most of my readers and is in a different life stage than I am, I decided to interview her.

Q: When did you first begin writing and call yourself a writer?

S: Writing for me has been recent. It developed out of my time teaching a ladies Bible study. I would always make a handout for the ladies and they kept telling me, “We just love your notes.” Which got me thinking, I wonder if I could turn my notes into some sort of devotional. It felt like an unattainable dream at first, especially since I was pregnant with our third child. But the idea just wouldn’t go away.

So I dabbled in it for a bit. Writing and rewriting my notes for that ladies Bible Study. And then three years ago, I started a blog, wherein I write a deeper devo every week. It’s taken me a while to actually call myself a writer. To be honest, it was hard to say it. I didn’t think of myself that way. But then about a year ago I read something that made an impact. It said this: “Writers, write”. And I thought, yes, that’s right! Writers, write. It doesn’t matter whether you have something published or not. If you’re a writer, you write. So I now refer to myself as a writer.

Q: Who are you reading currently or recently?

S: Usually I’m reading several books at once. I get a new book, get excited about it, and then can’t wait another day to start it. I don’t reread books very often, but I am currently rereading a book called The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle. I love the way she writes. My favorite book of hers is Sparkly Green Earrings. It’s her journey through motherhood, and I just connected with her. (And laughed out loud so many times!)

I’m also reading Everybody Writes by Ann Handley, along with Love Does by Bob Goff. And my favorite book: The B-i-b-l-e.

Q: What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?

S: Oh, that is a hard one! I’m going to say Genesis because I love the stories. I love the twists and turns and thinking about the faith it took for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (and their wives) to overcome and move forward. One of my favorite things is to put myself in the shoes of Bible characters and think through what I would have done. And Genesis offers plenty of opportunities to consider!

Q: Do you have any recommendations of blogs or devotionals?

S: You know, this question is actually one reason I write devotionals. A typical devotional only takes you through one or two verses of the Bible. And generally speaking, I want more than that! For years I’ve searched for a devotional that would take me chapter by chapter through the Scriptures, helping me pull out points I otherwise wouldn’t see and giving me details that aren’t easily put together. But honestly, I’ve not found much (other than commentaries). So, the Lord nudged me and told ME to write it myself, if that’s what I wanted.

But if I’m going to pick a devotional, I would say My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. And as far as blogs, I know this might sound funny, but I don’t really have time to keep up with any (besides my own). Though I do get the emails from Jerry Jenkin’s blog, and they are excellent. If anything, I look at cooking blogs. And usually I get there via Google.

Q: Have you explored writing other genres?

S: I’m currently working on what I’m going to call a memoir. I consider it my “fun” writing. When I have extra time, it’s the thing I do. I love reading memoirs. People’s stories are powerful. I also love reading fiction. And the idea of writing a fiction book entices me, but I have yet to explore it other than enjoying plenty of fiction books from the library.

Q: How do you approach interactions on social media related to your blog?

S: First of all, I always respond. If someone is going to take the time to engage me regarding my writing, then I am going to engage them back. I want to encourage conversation and community among those who read my writing. In today’s world, social media is a must for writers. It’s how we get our work out there. So, it’s important. Although I will say, it’s not my favorite. I don’t enjoy sharing my life on social media. As an introvert, I’d rather just keep it to myself. But social media is currently where my platform resides. And no matter how big or small that platform is, if people are willing to stop by, then I’m going to love on them and give them the best I have to offer.

Q: How did you learn how to write a devotional?

S: Practice. And by studying other people’s writing. When I read something and like it, I don’t just say, “Hey, that was good”, and then walk away. I say, “Okay, what did I love about that?” And then I do my best to recreate whatever it was I loved, whether it was humor or style or the extra tidbits the writer put on the page. If I connected with a piece of writing, I do my best to figure out why, and then I weave that into the Scripture I’m studying. I want my devotionals to be relatable and fun (because studying God’s word is fun) and funny (because sometimes Scripture is just plain funny) and yet applicable. If we look in the mirror and walk away forgetting what we look like, what good is that?

Q: Who is one leader in the wider Christian community that you admire?

S: James MacDonald. I appreciate how he doesn’t skip the hard stuff. He preaches a passage whether people are going to like it or not. And he doesn’t sugar coat things. He just says it like it is. His applications are relevant and useful, and I love the way he generally works verse by verse through the Scriptures. If you can’t tell from my devotionals, that’s my favorite!

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

S: Write. That’s my advice: write every day. Practice makes perfect, right? And though sometimes it’s a painful process, rereading my work out loud is very revealing. Writing is a craft, and just like anything else, it takes time and effort. So if you want to write, write! And then don’t give up. Have other people read your work, and when they nitpick, don’t get upset. Appreciate the fact that they are willing to be truthful with you so you can be a better writer.

Q: When and where do you write?

S: I do my best writing in the early morning when the house is quiet and I’m not distracted. My favorite is Saturday mornings when everyone else sleeps in. And usually it’s at the kitchen table because I can look out the window. Sometimes I sit on the couch, but that’s only if I’m doing my “fun” writing and don’t need a myriad of study books right next to me.

Stacey Salsbery is a full-time writer, blogger, hog farmer’s wife, and mother to four active littles. Or, as she likes to say, President of Home Operations in a small town in central Indiana. Her favorite thing in the world, besides a morning cup of coffee and Fixer Upper reruns, is diving deep into God’s word at deeperdevos.org, where she gives readers a challenging, yet practical, personal, and let’s just be honest, often humorous, weekly devotional with her unquenchable passion for the Scriptures. Stacey has had her writing published by Proverbs 31 Ministries and (in)courage and is thankful beyond words for the ministry God has given her.