INTERVIEW WITH BEVERLY NAULT

EDITOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

BY DEBORAH MALONE AND RITA PROCHAZKA

I am thrilled to introduce you to my editor of over ten years, Bev Nault. Bev is an amazing writer, editor, and now she is a screenwriter. She just keeps adding on accomplishments in her winter season. I have known Bev for years but had not had the pleasure of meeting her. This past summer we visited my husband’s cousin in Arizona and Bev lived only about thirty minutes away. I was thrilled when we got the opportunity to meet. I’m thrilled to have you as a guest on our blog, Bev. Without further ado let’s get right into the interview!

Questions From Rita Prochazka

Can you share some of your testimony, Bev?

I was born into a family of Baptist pastors, missionaries, and school teachers in the late ’50s. The world was ushering in the Cold War, hippies, the Vietnam War, and post-Darwinism. My Billy Graham following grandmother, who had ridden a horse to school and was raised on a cotton farm in Tennessee, still had the offspring of her grandparents’ slaves on her property.

The times, they were a-changin’, as the song goes.

I answered the alter call to the classic hymn, “Just As I Am,” joined the church, and learned about Jesus on felt boards in Sunday School and Training Union. Fast forward to married life. We brought up our kids during the praise music era in non-denominational plants after the Jesus movement spread east with new concepts of worship. Now, my kids attend mega-churches where contracted musicians compose original music for the darkened theater, with high production value, and jumbotrons project lyrics in lieu of hymnals. Gimme that old-time religion. Can I get an Amen? Bev this is Debbie, and you have my Amen!

Looking back at the rapid changes in the church, I’m not surprised my generation’s head has been on a swivel, trying to keep up. Chiropractor anyone?

I struggled with Darwinism in college and into my twenties until I was led to the ministry of Answers in Genesis, which helped me know I could believe in the Bible as it is written from the very first verse. Then I was off and running. I learned to make scripture my own by attending Bible Study Fellowship, where I was a Children’s Leader, and then Community Bible Study with my kids when I homeschooled them.

To remain in the Word during Covid, I learned, with many others, to worship during streaming services and to Zoom in to homegroup meetings. What’s next, Lord? Hologram productions and pastoral messages from Mars?

Bev, in your walk with God in this season of your life, what have you learned?

It’s never too late, is my motto. I’ve been reading a fictionalized account of the parable of the talents called, “The Servant with One Talent,” (all quoted material is from this book) by Michael Ivanov. His account reminds me that no matter my age or place in life, God has given me an opportunity to use my abilities to serve Him, and not bury them in the desert/old age excuses. Appropriate since I now live in Arizona in an old age…ahem, senior community! Sometimes, He has to be very literal with me.

“At the end of my days, if I am bitter and regretful, it is only because I left my talents buried in the desert.”

How have you prepared/been prepared for your ministry?

I began studying writing in college, then worked in industry, which taught me organization and deadlines, editing, and working with others who needed gentle but firm direction to produce the best, most professional product possible.

I took correspondence courses to learn to write creatively. Remember when magazines had those small, classified ads in the back? I found that “Write for Children” course back in the day when assignments were mailed back and forth. I was pretty bad at that. But I kept practicing, and when I took the Jerry Jenkins’ two-year course for writing fiction and non-fiction, my mentor, Kathy Tyers (who wrote the classic sci-fi Firebird Trilogy) was ever-so patient and modeled not only how to build a world with interesting characters, conflict, and emotion to tell a compelling, satisfying story, but also how to be a great editor and sounding board.

I joined writing critique groups, found writing partners, and attended conferences.

Did I ever have doubts about whether I was hearing what He wanted me to do? Yes. But whenever I asked him to close doors, remove my desire and passion for this work and ministry, to steer me somewhere else, He never did.

And when I grew impatient or doubted, He would either send me a new client for my freelance business who had a story or memoir that blessed me to work on, or He’d ignite a fire in me for a new project.

Now, I’m writing screenplays for Christian films. He’s got a sense of humor, doesn’t He? I never dreamed I’d be doing that, but I have peace that I’m in the right place because I’ve learned that when I dedicate my work to His glory, He leads me to the right project. But really, God!?

“…when I gain new skills and increase my abilities, my mind becomes full of confidence, and there is little room for fear. Thus, I will raise my abilities to diminish my fears.”

Questions from Deborah

What would your advice be to other “seasoned” women on ways to stay active in ministry?

There are no excuses because ministry can range from something as “small” as a comforting phone call to a grieving friend, to a warm hug, or as “big” and exhilarating as speaking in public. Or writing a screenplay! We can take on a new “job” we’ve always been interested in pursuing or build on ones in which we already have a solid foundation.

A friend of mine just retired from teaching elementary school. Now, she’s learning sign language to use in her church for an emerging deaf ministry. Go girl!

I firmly believe that whatever talents and skills we learn on this earth will be useful to Him in the new heavens and the New Earth. That gives me energy and encouragement. Whatever I struggle with here will be smooth sailing where there is no weeping and gnashing and split infinitives!

“If I desire to increase the quality of my life and the quantity of gold (service to God), I will raise my value to the world…I will become a friend a neighbor can rely on…I will develop my abilities and reap the rewards.”

Bev, can you share a little about your ministry with our readers?

I believe my greatest God-given gift is encouraging other writers with gentle “correction” and helping bring out their best voice and talent in their work. I’ve been blessed to have writing peers with whom I swapped critiques and clients who have excellent stories that need tweaking and grooming and have gone on to win awards. I’m so proud of each one of them.

Deborah here: I can attest to Bev’s ability to “gently” correct a manuscript because she has worked on nine of mine. I appreciate all she has done for writers, and I like to call her my “editor extraordinaire.”

Bev, what challenges have you had to overcome in this time of your “seasoned” ministry?

I have “comma-tosis.” Correct comma placement doesn’t happen for me, and I praise God for proofers who understand them. Lately, I’ve subscribed to Grammarly, and boy, howdy, that girl catches me on a lot of comma abuse!

Seriously, I never became the best-selling writer, except for my book with Mary McDonough about her life growing up on The Waltons television show. I was published by medium and small publishers, but all the marketing was done by me, and I never had a ton of money to throw at that, so it was hardscrabble to make sales and find an audience.

I’ve had lots of self-doubt, just like everyone else. Am I good enough? Is my writing reaching anyone? Should I be in another “ministry?” Is this where he wants me?

“I have abilities my neighbor does not. My neighbor has abilities I do not. I cannot lay claim to the wages my neighbor has earned, nor can (s)he lay claim to mine.”

Despite my doubts, I’ve remained passionate about all things written. I devour books, attend lectures, and learn as much as I can. While I wrote this, I was attending an online workshop! He’s kept me working at a pace that allows me to be a good wife, mom, and now grandmom. And now He’s orchestrating a new phase in my life as I consider how to become a movie producer of my own screenplays…! Ack!! Is this really what you want from me, Lord?

Any last words, Bev?

My heart’s desire for all of us who serve Him is that we’ll one day hear these words when we step into Glory:

“Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:23

[With thanks and appreciation to Michael V Ivanov, the author of The Servant with One Talent, Five Succes Principles from the Greatest Parable Ever Told. Copyright, 2021 Michael V Ivanov]

Bio: Bev’s a graduate of the Jerry Jenkins’ “What’s Your Story” writing course, which resulted in “Lessons from the Mountain, What I Learned from Erin Walton” with Mary McDonough, and “Fresh Start Summer,” both in March 2012.

“Fresh Start Summer” is the first in the Season of Cherrydale, a Christian fiction series where neighbors care, gardeners share, and God allows do-overs. Bev chose Cherryvale as the name for her charming small town and then became an honorary citizen of the real Cherryvale, Kansas, which is also full of colorful and warm characters. Life imitates art imitates life!

Awards include Ella Dickey Literacy Award, Real Simple 21 Summer Reads, Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Gold medals, San Diego Book Award Finalist, InD’ytale Magazine Must Read, Nancy Bayliss Award for Excellence in Writing, Books GoSocial Quality Book.

Her editing credits include: Acquisitions editor for the Eastern Iowa Review from 2015-2017. The literary journal publishes nonfiction pieces and poetry from distinguished writers on a juried basis. The books she has edited have won the Selah Award, Georgia Book of the Year (Inspirational), and other noteworthy acclimations.