About Me
I grew up in Kansas, majored in music education, taught for a few years—first in the country of Jordan and then in the state of Missouri, went to grad school and changed my career to publishing in 1990. I’ve been editing books for Loyola Press for ten years, working with authors such as Margaret Silf, Chris Lowney, Dom Grassi, Mary Jo Pedersen, and Daniel Harrington.
I’ve written three novels and one Christmas novella. The two earlier novels—Grace at Bender Springs and Velma Still Cooks in Leeway—are out of print but can likely be found (cheap!) second-hand. (Vinita also has copies of these she will sell you at a good discount and mail to you.) The novella, The Winter Seeking, is also available only through second-hand sources. The latest novel, Dwelling Places, won Christianity Today’s award for Best Fiction of 2007.
My nonfiction titles that are all still in print:
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Simple Acts of Moving Forward—this grew out of the creativity/spirituality retreats I have presented for several years. It provides great ideas for getting your day unstuck. |
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Days of Deepening Friendship—develop an authentic, dynamic relationship with God through these spiritual meditations for women. |
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A Catalogue of Angels—all about angels in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. |
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The St. Therese of Lisieux Prayer Book—part of a series from Paraclete Press. |
If you would like to explore the possibility of my speaking in your area, you can contact me through the Loyola Press Web site or at wright@loyolapress.com
My personal life is pretty calm. My photographer husband, Jim, and I live on Chicago’s far South Side with two dogs and two cats. We try to travel often enough to see Jim’s grown sons and the four growing grandchildren. I enjoy puttering in the kitchen and feeding people. Jim and I enjoy living on our back porch in the summer, watching movies, and making the dogs and cats as codependent as possible. In case you’re wondering, the dogs are Nala (mixed shepherd breed from the shelter), Buddy (stray mixed Lab breed); the cats are Little Buddha (stray yellow tabby) and Mr. Bones (stray gray tabby-Siamese mix who wandered up very skinny but did not remain that way).
When not editing at the Loyola Press offices, you can find me at home trying to write my next novel. I have a little writing room that used to be a porch, and Little Buddha and I hang out together and snuggle while I write, try to write, pray, or try to pray. Little Buddha seems to pray just by existing, and this is a great spiritual help to me, since I should probably give more energy to existing and less to trying.
I will soon be a great-aunt. My two sisters and their families live in Missouri, and my mother is still in Kansas. My father is deceased but probably enjoys watching from heaven as his eldest daughter collects animals the way he did.
Please visit www.vinitahamptonwright.com to keep up with where I will be presenting talks and retreats. Visit my blog on that site and post comments—I’ve decided to take blogging seriously now and need people to keep me honest and checking in frequently. I’ll be posting articles soon on the blog—about Lent, food, life changes, and so forth.
You can also visit me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter @VinitaKS.
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Vanita,
My second comment. I just finished reading about you and I had to add this; I have two dogs (shelter mutts) and two cats (homeless that my granddaughters brought me because they had too many and knew I needed them). Dogs are female, Maggie and Anja. The cats are long-haired males, Oliver and Chester.
Peace,
Mary
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Vinita Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Don’t you think animals make a difference in a home? I know my and my husband’s blood pressure are healthier for it. We spoil them, but their presence–even when they get into trouble–is so gentle and positive. I grew up with lots of pets and I enjoy having them now. Blessings on your own furry family members!
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Vinita,
Your comment about “don’t worry” God doesn’t want us to worry, hit me like a ton of bricks! I am always worrying about something. I rush from one thing to the next trying to cram it all in. I look forward to a change in attitude this Lent.
Gratefully, Theresa
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Vinita Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Don’t we all need help in slowing down and giving up anxiety!
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My life is so full every day, taking care of grandchildren, enjoying my elderly mother, daily life with my husband, running errands, enjoying our married children and their families, that my day seems unending. I’m not complaining, I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s. I would like to schedule myself better so I may have more time to pray and do some things for myself. What I really want is to be able to spend more quiet time with God daily.
I know I will learn how to improve this quality time that I am seeking. Thank you Vinita for this retreat. God bless you!
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Vinita Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Gracie, for centuries people have prayed “on the run” and I believe that every expression of love to those around you is its own expression to God. Jesus said that everything we do to others, even the “least of these” we do to him. So keep looking for some quiet time but know that you are deeply enjoyed by God as you go about your busy days.
All peace, Vinita
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I have listened to the Ash Wednesday retreat twice now. I feel I get more out of it, each time I read it. You say that this is a retreat for women. Thank you. There isn’t much in the Bible for women and it is nice to finaly have something that does refer to women. I find time to be with God early in the morning. This is my retreat time. May God bless you and your family.
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Vinita Reply:
February 25th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hello Rose–I’m glad you’re finding this retreat helpful. Although I don’t make this retreat so exclusive to women that men will feel unwelcome, I hope that women feel especially comfortable and free as they read, listen, and do the exercises. The book itself is more focused on women’s experience. You can read the chapters we’ve posted. Thanks for your good words–Vinita
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Morning Vinita,
This is lovely, I am just going to Mass, and this week I am reading. I love todays reading “Issiah58:9/14. The line really spoke to my heart today.”He will give strength to your bones”. For two weeks now I have had a very painful back, I fell putting out the rubbish (very symbolic) I have a lot more to dump!! ust love hi retreat. I will also old you in my heart all day. With love, Jacqueline x
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Vinita Reply:
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:59 am
Jacueline, thank you. I pray that this retreat will give you exactly what your soul needs. Peace, Vinita
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The retreat helps me stay focused trying to keep Lent in a house full of young teens and young adults…and it does help me tooo
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Vinita Reply:
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Hello Paula: At church yesterday we were talking about how hard it is to even think about Lent when life is so frenetic and, especially right now, feels quite unstable. All we can do is sit for awhile with God, with the Scriptures, with one another. All peace, Vinita
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As the mom of three kids ages 4-9, I haven’t had a chance to do a retreat in a very long time. Thanks for giving me something to work on at home in the quiet of the evening. I’m trying to make this Lent meaningful for myself and my family. Your retreat will give me the strength to do that. Your prophet reflections was very powerful and thought provoking. Thank you for sharing.
I have a friend, the mom of two preschoolers, who is dying of cancer. Please join me in prayer for Deana Reynolds. You can read more about her story and my little prayer crusade on my blog http://www.crosspollinationadventures.com .
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Bridget Smith Reply:
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
oops! That’s http://www.crosspollinationadventures.wordpress.com …sorry!
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Vinita Reply:
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Thanks for joining us, Bridget, and for sharing your prayer concerns. Peace–Vinita
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Blessings Vinita,
I have just joined the retreat and have found out how much I have missed. Taking care of a 2 year old is challenging after having raised five of my own. So finding time to do the retreat is not so easy. What captured me the most is when you mentioned what you would do for Lent. You mentioned holding your cat more. I will do the same by holding my grand-daughter and spending more time just contemplating her innocence. She has a spontaneous smile and loving ways that teach me how simple life really is. No wonder Jesus said, Let the children come to me. I am laughing more since I started caring for my grand-daughter.
She has taught me to see the wonders of God during our walks. I have learned patience just by walking behind this wonderful two year old.
In Christ’s Love,
Corina
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Vinita Reply:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Corina, I’m so glad you’ve joined us. And what you’ve shared about your granddaughter is lovely–and it illustrates so well how our prayer can happen in the midst of daily tasks and relationships. This time is not only rich for you, but the attention you give this little girl is making a loving impact on her life. These are gifts no one can take from us. All peace–Vinita
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Dear Venita,
Thank you for this amazing retreat! Tears came to my eyes when you said that the Holy Spirit conveys our prayers and emotions to God even when we do not know what or how to pray! I definitely need someone in my corner today!! With the down turn of the economy our family has become one of the statistics. We are in jeopardy of losing the material things we have worked hard for these many years. It is frightening to say the least. I often ask God to simply bless our efforts with more financial security. Have I lost favor with God? Why does it seem as though my prayers have fallen on deaf ears? Do you have any ideas? Thanks
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Vinita Reply:
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:06 am
Dear Teresa, I don’t have any satisfying answers to your questions. I can say with confidence that what you’re going through has nothing to do with God’s favor–Jesus said as much when the disciples asked him whose fault it was that a man was born blind. He said it was no one’s fault–and given the chaotic state of things right now, many good and faithful people are suffering along with those who perhaps have brought hard times upon themselves through foolish or wasteful living. This world is a huge community, and what one person does, by exercising free will, has an impact on others. This economic mess is the result of unwise dealings from the top Wall street players all down the strata of society. You may have acted wisely all along, but you have no control over layoffs or other terrifying events. The hard truth is that when Jesus promised us abundant life, he wasn’t promising that everything would go smoothly. Often the church has absorbed the attitude of the surrounding culture–that life owes us the best of everything and to make us safe always. The history of God’s people (Israel, and now the Church) tells a different story. God is present with us no matter what–and sometimes we suffer through no fault of our own but because we live in a damaged world. I apologize for preaching, but I want you to let go of this idea that God is punishing you or that your prayers are not heard. When we’re in the midst of painful events, we’re not always able, emotionally, to perceive anything but the pain we’re in. It’s no surprise that we feel blank when we pray. Our perceptions can be far from reality. I am praying for you now, you and your family, that you will get the help you need. Don’t hesitate to let other Christians around you know what you’re going through. All peace to you–Vinita
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