Interview with Writing Mentor Sharon Norris Elliott

June 19, 2021

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write because I can’t not write. Writing is like breathing for me. It has always been the best way for me to communicate my ideas. The theme of all my writing is for everyone to live significantly. The goal and message of my books is to move us toward authenticity in our faith and practice thanks to God’s love for us and our love for Him.

How long have you been writing?

As far back into childhood as I can remember I have always been a writer. Songs, poems, plays, and musicals were my first genres. Professionally, I have been writing since 1991, 30 years now.

Tell us about one of your greatest joys in your writing career.

The greatest joys in my writing career come when someone says he or she was changed, touched, encouraged, or motivated by something I have written.

Tell us about one of your darkest moments in your writing career.

The darkest moment in my writing career happened when I pitched my work to a certain literary agency, and they said my platform was much too small for them to represent me. It wasn’t so much what they said, but the way they said it that made me feel insignificant and made me feel my work had no value.

Rejection is a common experience for writers. How do you overcome rejection? How has rejection shaped you or your career?

I overcome rejection by realizing every no is getting me closer to yes. No just means that particular company doesn’t need what I have right now, it doesn’t mean my work is unworthy. I wear a t-shirt from time to time that sports a quote from Nelson Mandela that says, “I never lose; I either win or I learn.”

In what ways has God led you to mentor other writers? Were you surprised when a certain skill or connection led to mentoring opportunities?

I mentor other writers by teaching them how to think through their book projects the way a publisher would think about them. I help them build their ideas into publishable products with the readers’ felt needs in mind and a marketing strategy. God gives me discernment. As I listen to my clients tell me about their book ideas, I can mine the gold and diamonds from their thoughts enabling them to clearly see what they are really trying to communicate. I’m grateful every time God opens another vein in the rock, so He’s surprising me at every meeting.

Tell us about a facet of mentoring that particularly excites you.

The facet of mentoring that particularly excites me is what I mentioned in the above answer. I’m excited whenever I see the Holy Spirit move in a meeting. The ideas that blossom as I talk with clients are so awesome that I know they are sparked by Him.

What venues/methods have you found most effective for meeting and mentoring writers?

Like everyone else, I pivoted to teaching virtually because of the COVID pandemic and that has caused my business to thrive. I also teach at writers’ conferences virtually. Now that the country is opening back up to in-person events, I’m being scheduled at those now too. I am a conference junkie and I love to teach writers and join them on their journey to publication.

Have you organized or led groups to support writers? (Retreats, ACFW chapters, etc.) How has that experience helped you to mentor writers?

I own AuthorizeMe Consulting, Coaching & Editing Firm, and Literary Agency through which I (obviously) consult, coach, edit, agent, and teach masterclasses helping writers reach the publishing goals. My company mentors writers because my clients experience hands-on help making sense of how to implement all they learn from me and from writers’ conferences they attend.

Have you organized or directed a writers’ conference? Tell us about that experience, and/or share an anecdote that illustrates how you saw writers being mentored and encouraged through the event.

Yes, I have been assistant director and director of the Sandy Cove Christian Writers’ Conference, Northeast, MD. I started the first ever teen major track at a writers’ conference at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference, where I served on faculty in various capacities for 20 years. I am currently co-director of the West Coast Christian Writers’ Conference.

There are so many examples I could share. Let’s see. I remember one woman who wanted to write her memoir and I asked her the question I ask all memoir writers, “Who cares? As an unknown, why would people want to read your story? What’s in it for them?”

She returned to the next portion of my workshop the next day realizing that her story was about her release from shame. That was it! The title and table of contents how to focus on release from shame which was the felt need of her audience. We were all excited for her to have had that breakthrough and she was able to finish storyboarding and outlining her book knowing her new direction.

If you speak at writers’ groups or conferences, what are some of your favorite topics to speak about?

Some of my most popular topics for workshops and keynotes are:

“Starting Strong and Maintaining Momentum,”
“Getting Started as a Professional Freelancer,”
“From God Through You,”
“Excuses, Excuses, Excuses,”
“The Magic of Storyboarding,”
“You’re in the Right Place,”
“Branding Your Ministry,”
“Move to the Excellent Level: The Ten P’s of Your Writing Success.”

What advice do you have for writers as we interact with our peers? What can we do to be better supporters and mentors of our fellow writers?

Pray for each other.
Support each other’s work.
Purchase each other’s books.
Write reviews.
Share posts.

Do you have a favorite resource or two that you recommend to beginning writers?

The Bible.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.
The Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale.
The Soul at Rest by Tricia McCary Rhodes.
Scribbling in the Sand by Michael Card.

Do you have a favorite resource or two that you recommend to writers who are struggling with discouragement?

The Bible.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Giving up on traditional publishing too soon.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

I heeded advice I was given. I knew nothing about publishing, so I actively did what I was being taught to do. I’d tell aspiring writers to listen to the experts. Do what we tell you to do, the way we tell you to do it, until it does not work for you anymore. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. “In the multitude of counselors, there is safety.” Avail yourself to as many writers’ conferences as possible. Do a little at a time, but just keep at it. Do not settle for mediocrity; reach for perfection.

Sharon Norris Elliott Bio:

“Live significantly!” That’s the inspiring message of Sharon Norris Elliott: author, speaker, Bible teacher, editor, consultant, and literary agent. She writes challenging yet encouraging books in several genres including women’s non-fiction, parenting, devotional, and children’s literature. Her most recently published title is A Woman God Can Bless (2020, Harambee Press). Her 13^th book and 3^rd parenting book, Didn’t See That Coming: When How They’re Living’s Not How You Raised Them is due to launch from Elk Lake Publishers in late 2021; Elk Lake has also contracted her 7-book children’s I Really Need to Know series.

God’s goodness has brought Sharon from Compton, CA, to standing before great audiences. She’s a cum laude graduate of Biola University, holder of an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree, member of ACE, AWSA, and SCBWI. She is also a religious broadcaster on HSBN.tv, CWWN.tv, Spotify, and other social media outlets. She is Founder and CEO of Life That Matters Ministries; AuthorizeMe® Consulting, Coaching, & Editing Firm, and Literary Agency LLC; and Milk & Honey Life Retreats. Sharon serves as co-director of West Coast Christian Writers’ Conference.

She and her husband James live in Southern California and enjoy their church, their children, and their grandchildren.