Meet Virginia Lieto!

Virginia Lieto is a Theology professor at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, where she also obtained her Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology. In addition to teaching, she is a public speaker on faith. Her first book in a series is “Adventures of Faith, Hope and Charity – Finding Patience,” a Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval recipient. Ms. Lieto also maintains her own blog, writing about virtue and morality at www.virginialieto.com.

Tell us about your newest book.

Adventures of Faith, Hope and Charity – Finding Patience centers on three sisters who learn the value of the virtue of patience from their parents. This enchanting tale, (which includes loveable puppies), shows God at the forefront of the story. Both educating and entertaining, this book offers parents and educators a means for teaching children about patience.

For children, waiting for anything seems endless! Faith Livingstone would agree, having just moved to a new town, and about to enter a new school. Faith wants so badly to make new friends. She wants to feel like she belongs in her new surroundings. It all can’t happen fast enough for Faith.

This story is perfect for children ages 4-8, especially those who have recently moved, those changing schools, or those who just feel out of sorts. It’s when we are stressed that our impatience rises. That’s true for children and adults! We can all use a little more patience.

What genre do you focus on and why?

Children’s stories come easy to me. In remembering my own childhood struggles and joys, I draw on these memories to bring relatable stories to life for children. Teaching them the virtues, in a manner they can understand, prepares them well for growing up into mature, morally upright adults.

Why do you write? What drives you?

I write for enjoyment, literally when the Spirit moves me. One day, as I was preparing for the release of Finding Patience, I was thinking about the topic for the next book. I had one idea in mind, but felt a clear “No!” The Spirit placed upon my heart Finding Acceptance, a story about bullying and dealing appropriately with diversity regarding the physically challenged. That book is now written and edited.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

For Finding Patience, the main character is the oldest sister, Faith Livingstone. For Finding Acceptance, the main character will be Hope, and for the third book (still in my head), Finding Love, Charity will be the lead character.

I chose Faith, Hope and Charity as the names for the three sisters because they represent the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Faith has black hair, because she represents the virtue of Faith, where God will find you, even in the darkness and give you the light of Faith. Hope has blond hair because she represents the light of Christ. Charity has red hair because she represents Love. Each of the three girls’ personalities also mimic their names, where Faith is serious, Hope is bubbly, and Charity is filled with love and admiration for her older sisters.

What does a day in your writing world look like?

I spend much of my time grading assignments for my Theology students. Beyond that, I write my blog posts for each month in a sit-down session that takes about two to three days a month. My children’s books, on the other hand, stay swirling in my head until I have the entire story plotted out. Then I sit down and pump it out (first draft).

Being a public speaker, I also spend a good deal of my time crafting presentations. I can spend as much time doing that as any author would to publish a book.

What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?

Marketing and Distribution – not my strong suit.

What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?

Reading to children at the local schools – I love being around them, feeding off their excitement.

What are you most proud of?

I’ve been married to the same wonderful man for 38 years!

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

Not yet. Finding Acceptance is in process. Finding Love is next up after Finding Acceptance gets to market.

What are you working on now?

Trying to find an illustrator for Finding Acceptance, who can draw the characters in the same way as drawn for Finding Patience.

Website: http://virginialieto.com

Link to book: http://amzn.to/2s5uR3Z