Note from Erin Elizabeth Austin: Last week, Katy Kauffman guest-blogged for us. There was such a big response to her blog, I interviewed her this week about her newly released book, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory. Although this is a different format than our regular blogs, I know you will be blessed after hearing what Katy has to say. If you've been encouraged by Katy these past two weeks, I encourage you to purchase her book. The link is at the end of the interview.
Katy Kauffman 1) Tell us a little about yourself. What makes you uniquely you? (i.e. Are you a skilled scuba diver? A ninja assassin? Master chef?)
Although I can’t own up to being a ninja anything, I love adventure, but also cherish time at home. I believe that homeschooling gave me opportunities I might not have had otherwise. I started homeschooling in fourth grade, and that gave me the chance to travel internationally with my family, go on six mission trips to Brazil, be very active in our church, and study the Bible more. I can see how God gave me the training and experiences I needed to be a writer today. I just didn’t know that’s what was happening!
2) What's your favorite thing to do in your downtime?
Hanging out with friends and family. I love being with people—at church, at home, at the movies, at dinner, at my favorite scrapbook store. Writing can isolate you because you need time to study, think, and write. So I look forward to the time I get to spend with family and friends.
Although I can’t own up to being a ninja anything, I love adventure, but also cherish time at home. I believe that homeschooling gave me opportunities I might not have had otherwise. I started homeschooling in fourth grade, and that gave me the chance to travel internationally with my family, go on six mission trips to Brazil, be very active in our church, and study the Bible more. I can see how God gave me the training and experiences I needed to be a writer today. I just didn’t know that’s what was happening!
2) What's your favorite thing to do in your downtime?
Hanging out with friends and family. I love being with people—at church, at home, at the movies, at dinner, at my favorite scrapbook store. Writing can isolate you because you need time to study, think, and write. So I look forward to the time I get to spend with family and friends.
The first time I met Katy at a writers' conference. 3) What made you want to become a writer?
I have always loved stories, especially movies. When I was little, I would make up spin-off stories of my favorites movies. As I grew older, I wanted to do something in church-related ministry such as teaching Bible studies. About five years ago, God expanded my dream of teaching to include writing and publishing. I enjoy the interaction of small group Bible studies, but I found that you can reach even more people with the written word.
4) What's your favorite book and/or book series?
Well, I love the movie versions of Pride and Prejudice (the five-hour version), Anne of Green Gables, Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton’s version), Hunt for Red October, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. After all, movies are books in a hurry. My absolute favorite book is the Bible.
I have always loved stories, especially movies. When I was little, I would make up spin-off stories of my favorites movies. As I grew older, I wanted to do something in church-related ministry such as teaching Bible studies. About five years ago, God expanded my dream of teaching to include writing and publishing. I enjoy the interaction of small group Bible studies, but I found that you can reach even more people with the written word.
4) What's your favorite book and/or book series?
Well, I love the movie versions of Pride and Prejudice (the five-hour version), Anne of Green Gables, Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton’s version), Hunt for Red October, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. After all, movies are books in a hurry. My absolute favorite book is the Bible.
5) What made you decide to write about 2 Timothy? Why not 1 Timothy?
God highlighted 2 Timothy for me. It’s just four, comparatively short chapters in the Bible, but it’s packed with encouragement and “go get ‘em” to keep going when life gets tough and to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. I needed the principles that were there as I was writing about it, and I hope those principles bless other people too.
6) What's the favorite thing you learned through studying and writing this book?
We can make it. As long as we depend on God, we can survive—and even excel—in any storm, trial, or struggle. It may take some time and a lot of prayer and persistence, but we can be overcomers because God equips us with the resources we need and He stirs our hearts with the motivations that propel us forward.
7) For people who are leery of reading a Bible study, why should they read this particular Bible study? What's the takeaway?
This Bible study arms you with practical ways to win life’s spiritual battles. It shows our part in winning the victory and God’s part. Forty devotions take you through 2 Timothy, and you come away with over 275 principles of how to fight life’s battles and win!
8) Is it too hard/deep for a person with no background in Bible college to understand?
Not at all. Insights and application are woven throughout the devotions to bring out the treasures of 2 Timothy. The devotions take five to ten minutes to read and answer the questions. They begin with a story or intriguing thought, give insights and application of Scripture, and end with questions and a prayer.
9) What do you want your next book to be about?
The real-life stories of Bible characters who had struggles but saw God help them win the victory. There’s so much we can learn from their stories so that we grow stronger in our own faith and courage. The title will be Faith, Courage, and Victory, and it will be in the same devotional format as 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory. (A pattern may be emerging…)
10) Do you have a website and/or blog? What's the best way to follow you (i.e. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.)?
The best way to follow me right now is through my Facebook page: Katy Kauffman, Author. My current blog is called “Life with God” found at www.katykauffmanadventurewriter.blogspot.com, and I will have a new blog soon that I’ll announce on my Facebook page. I am also on Twitter and Pinterest. (I love Pinterest! It’s like scrapbooking for the internet.)
God highlighted 2 Timothy for me. It’s just four, comparatively short chapters in the Bible, but it’s packed with encouragement and “go get ‘em” to keep going when life gets tough and to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. I needed the principles that were there as I was writing about it, and I hope those principles bless other people too.
6) What's the favorite thing you learned through studying and writing this book?
We can make it. As long as we depend on God, we can survive—and even excel—in any storm, trial, or struggle. It may take some time and a lot of prayer and persistence, but we can be overcomers because God equips us with the resources we need and He stirs our hearts with the motivations that propel us forward.
7) For people who are leery of reading a Bible study, why should they read this particular Bible study? What's the takeaway?
This Bible study arms you with practical ways to win life’s spiritual battles. It shows our part in winning the victory and God’s part. Forty devotions take you through 2 Timothy, and you come away with over 275 principles of how to fight life’s battles and win!
8) Is it too hard/deep for a person with no background in Bible college to understand?
Not at all. Insights and application are woven throughout the devotions to bring out the treasures of 2 Timothy. The devotions take five to ten minutes to read and answer the questions. They begin with a story or intriguing thought, give insights and application of Scripture, and end with questions and a prayer.
9) What do you want your next book to be about?
The real-life stories of Bible characters who had struggles but saw God help them win the victory. There’s so much we can learn from their stories so that we grow stronger in our own faith and courage. The title will be Faith, Courage, and Victory, and it will be in the same devotional format as 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory. (A pattern may be emerging…)
10) Do you have a website and/or blog? What's the best way to follow you (i.e. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.)?
The best way to follow me right now is through my Facebook page: Katy Kauffman, Author. My current blog is called “Life with God” found at www.katykauffmanadventurewriter.blogspot.com, and I will have a new blog soon that I’ll announce on my Facebook page. I am also on Twitter and Pinterest. (I love Pinterest! It’s like scrapbooking for the internet.)
Note from Erin: I hope you've enjoyed getting to know Katy these past two weeks. You've gotten to see just a small part of why I admire this woman. Since she is a friend, I may be a tad biased, but I love her book, and I believe everyone who reads it will be blessed. The link to purchase Katy's book is listed below or by clicking on the picture of her book in the interview. If you've been touched by something Katy has said, I encourage you to show your support.
Important Links:
Important Links:
- To buy Katy's book, go to: http://www.amazon.com/Timothy-Winning-Victory-Katy-Kauffman/dp/0989611280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382543826&sr=8-1&keywords=2+timothy+winning+the+victory
- If you missed last week's blog written by Katy, you can read that by clicking on this link: http://www.erinelizabethaustin.com/1/post/2013/10/everything-we-need.html
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