Hey, y’all!! My name is Emery Lincoln, (although I go by Emmy on my new
blog, The Spymaster Files). And, fun fact, yes, that’s a pen name!! (All credit to
my sister, actually, but that’s a story for another time.) In reality, I’m a young
Christian writer and college student from the midwest who’s up to her eyeballs
in Microeconomics at the moment. 😉 I’m a small town girl at heart, and some
of my favorite things include big dogs, big trucks, loud country music, jeans and
boots, sweet tea, and playing guitar.

But y’all didn’t come to read me rambling, so let’s get into it, shall we?

On to the questions of epic proportions!

Q: What made you first get into writing? Do you enjoy writing
for school?

Funny story about that, actually. Until I was about eleven, I actually hated writing. Despised it from the bottom of my heart. The depths of my soul. (You get the point.) I did a more in-depth post about this on my blog, (here’s the link if you’re super curious and wanna read the whole thing) but basically all it took was one amazing Classical Conversations tutor to turn that all around. I started writing for fun, and not just for school or because I had to. I started planning novels, drafting stories with friends, you name it! And I had a blast doing it!

Nowadays, most of my writing is done in the form of essays and discussion posts for college… Yeeeeah, not the most exhilarating stuff out there. But I still love my creative writing, and there isn’t a moment of the day that goes by that I don’t have one idea or another lurking around in my brain.

Q: Where did you get your current story idea from?

I have a few ideas I’m chewin’ on at the moment. But the main one is a series (currently untitled, much to my endless sadness), about a tactical protection company. Those who know me know I’m virtually obsessed with all things related to personal protection, street fighting, guns, knives, etc. (Not in a creepy way though, I promise!) So it’s not uncharacteristic of me to throw my lovely characters deep into perilous situations, and then force them to figure out a way out.

But, more to the point, the first two books of this series are the main focus of my attention when it comes to my creative writing. The first book, (which I originally wrote and self-published almost three years ago now, only to unpublish earlier this year) (here’s the full story on that one wink) is in the author reading stages currently. My fantastic alpha readers are currently attacking what was originally a novella and ripping it to shreds. (Lovingly, of
course.) As soon as they’re done, I’ll dive into the first round of revisions and expansions to turn it into a full-length novel with the hopes of one day republishing it!

The idea for that book, currently titled Whispers of Vengeance, came to me while I was on painkillers after a major knee operation in November of 2022. Needless to say, I don’t remember exactly how I got the idea. I have the inkling of a memory that I was researching Navy SEALs (don’t ask, I don’t know) and read something on Google about how no SEAL has ever been MIA. (no clue if that’s true; you can’t always trust Dr. Google.) But regardless of whether it’s accurate or not, it gave me the idea for WoV.

You see, I was taking a creative writing class that year, and the project for the second semester was to write a novella. And so, in eight short weeks, the entirety of this novella came to life. And then, just for fun, I self-published it in September of 2023!

The second book in the series continues right after the first one, and although the plot gave me grief for well over six months, I’ve finally gotten to the point where I feel like I have a solid idea of where the book’s going. Which means I’m diving headfirst into the first draft!

Q: What is your favorite genre to read in? To write in?

I kinda touched on this earlier, but I read generally the same thing I write: romantic thriller/suspense with a military fiction twist. Additionally, I love reading good westerns! And the occasional sci-fi. Although contemporary is usually where I hang out.

Q: Why do you feel called to write? Is it just a hobby for you or is it more serious?

I strongly believe that each of us has been given a unique set of gifts that are capable of reaching people in different ways. Writing just happens to be something I’ve been gifted in. So no matter the story, regardless of what it is I’m writing, I want to do it for the Lord. Because He’s called me here.

At the moment, my writing has unfortunately been moved to the backseat for the time being. I’m a freshman in college this year, so between traveling to Unbound events and my online courses, not to mention work and other responsibilities, my days have been pretty full lately. So right now, writing has taken the place of a well-loved hobby, though I look forward to the day when it can once again be a more serious part of my everyday life.

Q: What are your favorite and least favorite parts of writing?

Oofta. Outlining, FOR SURE!! My brainstorming buddies can attest to the fact that I detest outlining. If I could avoid one part of the writing process, it would be that. But, unfortunately, my brain has decided that we are now PLANNERS!!! Which basically just means I have to have every single little detail of every single line of every single chapter planned out and written out before I actually write the scene. It’s incredibly time-consuming, and I wish I could flip whatever switch you flip to go back to being a pantser, like I was when I was younger. But oh well. Here we be, I suppose!

My favorite parts of writing are probably character profiles and action scenes. I LOVE both of these. I use an online resource called Campfire Writing to craft my character profiles, and they’re so incredibly detailed–I love it!! And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good fists-flying-guns-out-guts-and-glory kinda thing??

Q: What is your favorite color? Favorite food?

My favorite colors have long been black and sapphire blue. Black because… well, I wear it all the time! 😉 And sapphire blue because sapphires are my favorite stone. And I think they’re beautiful.

Favorite food… Yoikes, that one’s hard! But I’d have to say it would either be a King crab bucket (a massive King crab with corn on the cob and boiled potatoes) with a side of hushpuppies and TONS of sweet tea, or chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and chicken pakora. chef’s kiss I’m gettin’ hungry just thinking about it!

Q: Chocolate or vanilla?

I’m a vanilla girl, through and through! Unless it’s concerning eating chocolate, and then just gimme the whole bag! But in regards to ice cream, cake, etc. I’ll always aim for the vanilla!

Q: What would you say has been the greatest help to you in your writing journey? Any good resources, programs, books you love?

I’d say the Young Writer’s Workshop has been the biggest asset to my writing. Although, to be fair, the creative writing class I took through Scholé Academy was incredibly helpful as well and I’d highly recommend that!

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring young writers like you?

Easy plus one. Find what’s easy for you, and then push yourself a little bit harder; see how far you can go. Test your limits. Do hard things, and don’t sell yourself short. You’re gonna make mistakes; that’s just part of life. But you don’t lose if you learn. So whether you win or you learn, do it all for the glory of God. Live deliberately. And that begins with believing God is deliberate. He gave you these drives and talents for a reason. Use them. Press into them. Lean into Him. He loves you more than anyone ever could.

— Emmy