Tag: Interviews

Interview | Blog Tour Stop at We’ve Got Pockets

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Today I’m over at We’ve Got Pockets with a very fun and different interview! What details do I slip into my books that no one really knows about but me? What honor would I choose for my book? Which book am I most proud of? Find my answers for these and more over at Esther’s blog here.

Interview | Blog Tour Stop at Writings from a God Girl

Published on by Amanda Tero1 Comment

Yesterday I had the fun of doing an interview with Medomfo at Writings from a God Girl. She asked questions such as: When did you start writing with the hope of becoming an author? What inspired Befriending the Beast? What kind of books do you enjoy reading? What Christian contemporary books would you recommend to new contemporary writers?

Read my answers here.

Countdown to Release: 4 days, More Q&A

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Last Monday, I featured three Q&A’s from upcoming interviews. Today, here are three more Q&A’s. I’ve been asked some really thought-provoking questions!

Q) What made you decide to write stories that bring glory to God?
A) This is actually a long story, but I hope to be brief and not bore you out here. I have loved writing since I was probably six. As I entered my teens, I began to write stories that were exciting and adventuresome, but I had a hard time finding how to fit God into my stories. I mean, I was a Christian, so I had to write Christian, right? I just couldn’t figure it out. I actually took a few years off fictional writing in my late teens because I just couldn’t come to peace with what I was writing and what I should be writing (and how to get there). In that time, I wrote blog posts and inspirational articles. I actually thought at one point that I’d not write fiction again. But, the Lord allowed me to bring it into my life again, and this time, I feel a peace with the balance He’s helped me to find. I don’t write Christian fiction just because I’m a Christian so I “have” to. I write Christian fiction because I personally believe that God has given me a gift in writing, and that He wants me to use it for His glory—and in writing inspirational fiction, I can bring to life spiritual lessons and Scriptural principals.
Q) Did writing Quest for Leviathan help you grow in your walk with God?
A) When I think back to the whole process of this story and the things I’ve been going through in life… I think the main thing God has taught me is along the lines of trust in Him (again). I’m a big schedule-person, but His timeline is perfect. Completely perfect. I wanted to have this short story done in one month, it took one year. But if it hadn’t taken a year, there are certain things that wouldn’t have been set in place for its release. Which is such a valuable lesson for me right now, as I’m about to start college (for the first time) and my writing may have to take back burner. God knows what He’s doing, and His timing for all of my ideas will be perfect!
Q) What do you hope readers will take away from Quest for Leviathan?
A) The main quote that the entire story wraps around is, “If we were to understand all of the ways of God and His workings, then we would be above mortal man, and God would not be God.” Not only do I want my readers to be reminded of the power of God, I also wish to remind them of Him as a personal Savior, and not just a big scary judge—because, while He is Judge, He also is loving and merciful.

Interview with Author Sharon Connell

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
Today I’d like to introduce you to an author that I met last year via a FaceBook group: Sharon Connell. I haven’t read any of her books yet, but being a Louisiana girl by birth and relocated to Mississippi, her novels about hurricanes intrigue me. I had the privilege of interviewing her. If you scroll down to the end, you can find out information on her books and how to connect with her.


Me: How did you get started in writing?
Sharon: I had been corresponding with another author for years before I started writing. Whenever I would tell him what was happening in my life, he would tell me, “You need to write a book.” In 2004, I was living in Pensacola, Florida when Hurricane Ivan hit. Having lived most of my life in the north, I went through a night of terror. Afterward, I told my friend what I experienced. Again, he said, “You need to write a book.” This time I felt he was right. So I started writing about the hurricane. However, when I finished my story, it wasn’t about the hurricane at all.  There was only a slight mention of the damage from the hurricane in the town. 

Me: What was your first story idea–and is it published?
Sharon: Paths of Righteousness was that first story idea spawned by the hurricane, but it turned into a romantic story about a girl who worked in a doctor’s office and her traumatic life. It was published in 2014, but I’m now rewriting the story into the deep point of view style to make it a better read.

Me: What are your goals in writing? Who do you hope to reach? What do you hope to accomplish?
Sharon: My goal is to write as many books as I can in the time given here on earth. I plan to reach as many people as I can with my stories of hope, God’s mercy, His love, and the gospel message. 

Me: Tell us a little bit about your newest release!

Sharon: My last release, out November of 2017, is A Very Present Help. It was written after Paths of Righteousness, but was the first book I had published, and actually started out as a short story. When it grew into a full novel, I decided to attempt publishing it first because I had stolen one of the characters from Paths of Righteousness. A Very Present Help is about a young teacher who is engaged to her childhood sweetheart. She finds that life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will. As problems arise, she struggles with her own faith in God because of the things He allows to happen in her life. She fears that He has forgotten all about her. There is a lot of suspense as well as romance in this story.

Me: Would you mind sharing your salvation testimony with us?
Sharon: Are you kidding. I love to share it. 


I was a preteen going to a girl’s club called Pioneer Girls at a Bible Church in Chicago when the Teen Club from that church invited all the preteens to attend their yearly retreat. It was in February of 1958, in a camp called Camp Wonderland on Lake Michigan. And yes, it was frozen over. LOL I was twelve years old. 

After a day of fun in the snow, and then dinner, we gathered together to hear one of the teen club counselors deliver a message. All I remember was fidgeting. I knew I was a sinner. He didn’t have to tell me that. But I resisted the invitation for salvation at the end of the message.

After some snacks, our little group of girls from the girl’s club went back to the room they had given us. We all got ready for bed, but before light’s out, our own counselor, Jan Wynn (I’ll never forget her name), decided to add her own words to the message from that night. When she asked where we thought we’d be if we died that night, it pierced my heart. She explained what Jesus had experienced on the cross, and why. When she said He did it all for me, my heart broke. Along with a couple of my friends, I bowed my head there in the bottom bunk and asked Jesus to come into my heart and save me. I told him I knew I’d never get to heaven on my own, and I needed His Blood to cover my sins. When I opened my eyes, I remember taking a deep cleansing breath of relief. I wasn’t going to wind up in hell.

Me: I’d like my readers to get to know you a little better! What are three of your favorite things to do?
Sharon: 1. Write, 2. Read, 3. Garden

Me: Who is your favorite author?
Sharon: My #1 favorite author is J.R.R. Tolkien, with Jane Austen coming in a very close second.

Me: What is one thing you’d tell aspiring writers?
Sharon: Don’t…no matter what you hear or read…don’t let anyone discourage you if you know you should be writing. Get the story down. Don’t worry about the grammar, the structure, the mistakes you’ll make. Get the story down. Then go back and make it the best story you can write.
Connect with Sharon
Website: http://sharonkconnell.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sharonkconnell
Author’s book page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averypresenthelpbook1
Group Forum on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChristianWritersAndReadersGroupForum/?fref=mentions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKConnell
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SharonKConnell
American Christian Fiction Writers: https://www.acfw.com/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkconnell 
Book links:
His Perfect Love http://amzn.to/2iCMALI
A Very Present Help http://amzn.to/2yuF4eE  Kindle http://amzn.to/2AjdYU3
Book trailers:
His Perfect Love by Sharon K. Connell https://youtu.be/e3tRr6mLzZk
A Very Present Help by SharonKConnell https://youtu.be/wYyoOE5IzS0 

Sonrise Stable | First Lines and Author Interview!

Published on by Amanda Tero10 Comments
Last fall, I virtually met author Vicki Watson. Since then, I’ve been able to read and review her entire Sonrise Stable series. I’m in my mid-twenties, but I still love reading a good, solid Christian children’s series. And that is exactly what the Sonrise Stable books were for me. I loved that I could hand them over to my younger sisters without any worries about a bad influence coming across the pages.
All of that being said, I’ve got a whole herd of first lines for y’all today, as we’re going to flip open the first pages of each book in this series!! 🙂 But don’t stop there. Continue reading for a thoughtful interview with Vicki!

“There’s Grandma’s house!” Rosie’s mother was the 
only other person in the car,
 so there was no need for this announcement.

Add book one to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.
Get your own eBook for free here!


As the pickup truck traveled down the freeway, 
Carrie turned and searched for Bandit’s 
head through the small window in 
the stock trailer behind them.

Add book two to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.


“Eohippus was the first horse. He lived 
sixty million years ago.” Emily paused and 
smiled broadly as she pointed to a small 
creature on her 4-H poster.

Add book three to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.
Note for those concerned: this book features discussions about evolution and refuting its common claims.

The straw felt soft beneath me as I lay 
on my side and stretched my legs.

Add book four to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.

Rosie beamed with pride as she led her 
brown-and-white foal out of the back of the trailer.

Add book five to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.

“Help! He’s running away with me!” 
Rosie’s arms flapped wildly.
Add book six to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.

Rosie leaned over the side of the bed 
and pressed one hand against the hardwood floor.
Add book seven to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.
“How about this one?” Rosie led the way 
to the next pen at the livestock auction barn.

Add book eight to your Goodreads here. Find my review here.

I encourage you all to keep reading through Vicki’s testimony. It blessed me to read her answers!
Before I share the interview though, wanted to slip in a mention of the lovely other bloggers I do First Line Fridays with over at Hoarding Books! Hop over and connect with your first line!

Also, feel free to comment here!
What is your favorite animal to see featured in a book?
What is a first line from your current read (or the book closest to you)?
How do you identify with Vicki?




Interview with Vicki
(follow Vicki on Goodreads!)


Me: When did you decide to write the Sonrise Stable books?
Vicki: When my mother died in 2006, I began to contemplate what kind of long-term impact our lives have – whether anything we do lives on after us – here or in eternity. At that time, I was approaching fifty. Suddenly, the brevity of life filled me with a sense of urgency to accomplish something worthwhile. I wasn’t sure what that “something” might be. It had never been a life-long dream to write a book. 

An idea came to me one day about a girl and her pony, and how I could use a story about them to make the Gospel message real to kids. I immediately rejected it, reasoning that I didn’t know how to write a book, and even if I did write the story, no one would read it. The problem was, the idea would not leave me alone! For months, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Finally, to relieve myself of that mental torment, I sat down and wrote what I thought would be a short story for a picture book. The funny thing was, after writing those thoughts, I got another idea, and then another. It quickly turned into a chapter book, which became Rosie and Scamper, the first in the Sonrise Stable series.

Me: What was your inspiration for this series?
I homeschooled my daughters through high school. One of my most satisfying experiences was teaching them each how to read. As they became voracious readers, it was important to me to monitor what they were putting into their hearts and minds. I scrutinized the books they selected and was often dismayed at the content, even sometimes from Christian publishers. What I found particularly troublesome was the increasingly child-centric focus that often depicted children as smarter than the parents and able to function relatively independently from them. The books frequently had one or both parents missing, children disrespecting their elders, and siblings not getting along with each other. I really wasn’t interested in having my daughters read such warped representations of family life.

I guess that was a negative inspiration, however, once I started writing, I was determined not to write books that followed that trend. I’ve often thought of my books as a mixture of Black Beauty, The Waltons, and a bit of Grandma’s Attic, with me being the grandmother. God set up the family structure for a reason. I think kids today would be comforted in knowing that they don’t have to solve all their problems on their own. That doesn’t mean that adults dominate the Sonrise Stable series. The main characters are children, but they manage to get along with their siblings and respect their parents and grandmother – at least most of the time – as did my own daughters.

Me: Which Sonrise Stable book is closest to your heart? Why?
Vicki: There are parts of each book that stick out to me, but if I had to pick one, it would be Operation Christmas Spirit. Although there are many picture books about Christmas, there are few chapter books, and not many of those have a spiritual focus. After resolving to write a Christmas book, I felt a terrible weight descend on me. To write a meaningful and accurate story about the birth of our Savior seemed like such a daunting task, that my mind went blank for a long time. Then one day I read a short story by Pearl S. Buck, Christmas Day in the Morning. I cried at the emotions it stirred in me. And with that as a jumpstart, I began to write. 

Me: I loved how you included so many details in the family’s life–like ASL, horse rescue, and camp life. When (and how) did you decide to add these into your series?
Vicki: As I look back, it’s interesting to see how God prepared me over the years to write these books. I was painfully shy when I was younger. I did a lot of thinking and very little talking. I had extensive conversations in my head, with me coming up with the words everyone said. Not surprisingly, dialog is one of the easiest things for me to write!

As a horse lover from as far back as I can remember, horses have been an important part of my life. Some of my happiest childhood memories involved horses. My daughters and I share many memories of 4-H, county fairs, horse shows, and trail rides together. Many of those experiences found their way into the books. My oldest daughter is in fact a nurse. And my middle daughter is an ASL interpreter. My youngest, who was only about thirteen when the first book was written, did stay involved with horses longer than the other two. She did not become a horse trainer – however she would make a good one. She is currently studying engineering in college and still owns the horse Scamper was based on.

Years ago, I attended a Sermon on the Mount presentation by horse trainer and counselor, Lew Sterrett. He demonstrated how the relationship between a horse and its master is similar to our relationship with God. That opened my eyes to seeing spiritual lessons in my own dealings with horses. Sterrett’s presentations was aimed at an adult audience. I realized that I could use my own experiences with horses to bring similar lessons down to a level that young people could understand. At that time, writing a book hadn’t occurred to me, but my daughters and I started the Christian Cowgirl Club, a day camp for neighborhood girls.  In those camps, the girls learned to ride and take care of horses, and I passed on some of the spiritual lessons connected to horses, that I was learning myself.

Me: I’d love for my readers to “get to know you” a little better. What are three of your favorite things to do?
Vicki: I am down to one pony, Toby, which my eight-year-old foster daughter and I purchased at an Amish auction this summer. We enjoy driving him around in the pony cart. I enjoy having children over to help take care of the pony and learn how to harness him for driving.

I used to be a jogger, but now enjoy walking, hiking, and biking. I work as a freelance web designer and computer programmer. I love that combination of logic and creativity, and it allows me to work from home on my own schedule. I wouldn’t call myself a nerd though. I definitely view the computer as a creative tool rather than an entertainment device. My mind is like an idea factory. Sometimes I feel bombarded with all the ideas I have for projects – more than I’ll ever be able to accomplish in this lifetime.

Me: Would you please share your salvation testimony with us?
Vicki: I grew up in the 70’s, when the women’s liberation movement was really taking off. It all sounded great to me at the time. In a class of about one hundred at the public high school I attended, there was only one student that I would have identified as a Christian. She never witnessed to me, but the fact that she was willing to be different stuck in my mind. It was an atmosphere where what was wrong was made to seem good, and what was good was made to seem wrong.

I attended a liberal, mainline denominational church – because my mom made me, but the gospel was never clearly or strongly presented. I didn’t see anything different in the lives of the people who attended there. I went through the membership class at age eleven or twelve because that was the thing to do in that church. I thought I would feel something different after joining the church, but I didn’t. If anyone had asked whether I was a Christian, I would have said yes, but there was no certainty. That experience left me feeling empty and confused. Was that all there was to Christianity? 

Ironically, the few people in my life who I was reasonably sure were Christians, never spoke to me about it. Outwardly, I was a kind, sensitive person, so I guess they equated that with Christianity. Inside, however, I felt lost and unloved. I floundered my way through my early to mid-twenties, half-heartedly seeking God, but never fully committing to him. Looking back, I realize that God had His hand on me from a young age, and it was His steering and nudging that kept me from going too far astray. 

At twenty-seven, I was married and expecting my first child. In the months before her birth, I resolved to read all the way through the Bible, for the first time in my life. I didn’t understand most of it, but I made it all the way through Revelation before she arrived. God used that baby girl to finally break down the barrier that surrounded my heart. That might sound strange, but it makes sense. After all, He showed His love for all of us in a similar way – by sending a baby Boy to Bethlehem. 

Suddenly, my whole world was different. Things that had seemed right to me before, I knew were wrong. I had a fire and passion for God and His word. I began reading my Bible, not because of some resolution I had made, but because I wanted to – and it was beginning to make sense!

Soon after that, I went back to the church I’d grown up in, excited to tell those people that there was more to Christianity. I begged the pastor to start a Bible study, but he refused. He actually told me that my experience was just emotion and it would pass. Thirty years later, that fire for God and His word has only grown stronger.

I’ve often wondered why no one witnessed to me when I was younger. I was a lost and lonely girl, seeking a true relationship with God. If someone had reached out to me then, it might have kept me from making some costly mistakes in my life. That’s part of the reason why the books in the Sonrise Stable series have explicitly Christian messages. As a young person, I was aching to know truth, and no one would share it with me. I don’t want to make that same mistake. As an author, I don’t have anything better to offer young readers than the eternal truths found in God’s word.

Me: Who is your favorite author to read?
Vicki: After I became a Christian, since I attended a church that oddly enough, didn’t have Bible studies, I began studying on my own. For the next fifteen years, I devoured commentary after commentary. During that time, I read very little fiction, other than what I read to my daughters. I remember, in particular, reading  The Genesis Record by Henry Morris. That book opened my eyes to the truth of creation versus evolution. 

After fifteen years, I finally commentaried myself out. The problem then was that I couldn’t find many good Christian fiction writers. I think there’s a huge need in this area. I remember scaring myself silly, late one night, reading Frank Peretti’s, This Present Darkness. Many people criticize the Left Behind series, however those books were a huge influence on me. They may or may not be correct in their interpretation of end-time events, and their literary quality can be debated, however the series filled me with a sense of urgency to witness to people.

These days my reading consists primarily of weighty tomes on php, javascript, html, css, and other equally exciting topics!

Me: Thank you so much, Vicki! I loved reading the answers to your questions and get to know you better! Your books have been a blessing, and I pray that God will continue to use them in the lives of many young readers!

Interview with Ellyana | eBook giveaway

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Remember, there’s an eBook giveaway going on! Be sure to check it out here if you missed it.

As part of this giveaway, all of us authors are swapping interviews! So hop on over to all of our blogs and see what everyone has to say. 🙂 
Now that you’ve looked into all of the above authors… let’s find out more about Ellyana!

Me: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Most people look at writers as if that’s all they do. 😉 So what are some of your top favorite things to do?

Ellyana: Being the oldest of 6, there’s always something to do! Me and my brother enjoy doing voice-overs with our youngest siblings and yelling Shakespeare lines at each other from across the room or on long car rides. (to the bitter annoyance of our parents) But I will be found with riding horses whenever I get the chance. I love reading mysteries, Shakespeare, and historical fiction. I’m also a baker, archer, crafty-person, crocheter, and music player. (e.g Guitar, Piano, Tin whistle, and Ocarina) And I have a slight British accent because I watch too much Narnia and read far to much Shakespeare.

Me: Now, to explicitly writing. How long have you been writing?
Ellyana: I first started writing before I knew how to spell “fall”.

Me: When did you first dream to become a published author? When did you realize that dream would become actuality?
Ellyana: Honestly I never thought my book would be published. It was my brother who said that this was a book that had to be out. (As well as the encouragement of some dear friends) I also thought that publishing was something scary that only adults, who knew everything, did. So, two years ago, once I realized how easy it was to publish, and how much I adore writing, I embarked upon the epic journey!

Me: When did you first get the idea for The Wings of Antheon? In contrast, how long did it take for you to write, edit, and publish it?
Ellyana: I got the idea, actually, from a toy I had seen when I was eight. It was a man with the splendid wings of a hawk. I loved the idea and added it to my world of imagination – which I entered every night, deep into the night. I wrote The Wings of Antheon because my friend challenged me to do NanNoWriMo a little over 2 years ago. I popped the book out in a hasty 4 months at only 40k for words. I thought it was fantastic when I first made it. But when I went back and read it again I realized that I had created a world that held a lot more potential. I knew it needed more. I fixed it up in another year and sent it to a PenPal of mine. She promptly delivered the Honey and the Hatchet, ripping my book apart and pointing out the Good and Bad. It was back to the drawing board for another year until I finally produced a book that I don’t cringe at and actually can’t think of anything else I could ever put in to make it better! Also the book doubled to 80k for words as the story plot grew so complicated that I needed to keep a separate book to keep track.

Me: Do you have any other works in the thinkings right now? 🙂
Ellyana: I tend to think of new ideas faster than my fingers can type! The Fall of Antheon is currently being edited. (no release date yet) And the last book for the trilogy The Five Thrones of Antheon is in the holding dock due to a new inflow of ideas that I haven’t had time to put in. Some other works I’m hoping to begin after I finish the Antheon Trilogy is a series called Sage Land Series about a young Christian teen and her life in the boonies. (Drawing heavy inspiration from my own life out in the Blue Mountains with no neighbors that I can see) And one that I am super excited to start is Prince of Pirates, which will be about a young exiled prince named Reynold, his band of pirates, and the mystery of the French War that destroyed Reynold’s life.

Me: Who most inspires you as an author?
Ellyana: An author named Chuck Black. I was so tired of reading books that were considered “Christian” and finding a dumb teenage drama with the name of God tossed in to slap the title on. I picked up Chuck’s book, The Knights of Arrethtrea, with heavy skepticism. Needless to say, I was blown from my chair. His books were truly Christian and even had biblical references for some of the lines he said. And it’s medieval with tales of daring knights. What’s not to love!? I would finish each book challenged to become a warrior for Christ! I want to show people that you can write a wonderful book without anything gratuitous.

Me: If you could tell an aspiring author one thing, what would it be?
Ellyana: Write for the glory of God! If He lives in you than it should show in how you write.

Me: How does your relationship with Jesus Christ influence your writing?
Ellyana: Whenever I think of a problem that my character has I’m always solving it according to how Christ tells us. If it’s bitterness, they need to forgive like Christ forgave us. If it’s anger, they need to learn that love overcomes everything. If my character is running away from authority so they can rule their own life, they learn that it’s so much harder to do it yourself. Humans were made for God. We all have that God shaped hole in our hearts.

Find out more about Ellyana’s book here.

Jansina | Author Interview

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
This week, we have author Jansina over for an interview!
In a nutshell, what do you write? 
Christian romance for young adults—with a few more difficult subjects mixed in (abuse, deception, alcoholism, &c.)—and hopefully humorous short stories.
Wow, what a challenge to include those topics–yet I know how needful in our day and age! What spurred on the desire for writing? 
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. That may have more to do with my poor memory than with my passion for words, but I choose to believe it’s the latter. When I was eight, I finished my first story and my mom had it bound into a “real” book (she stapled it together). That sparked my dream of being published.
How neat for that “first book!”
How do you balance writing with living—or is writing your full-time job? 
I try to write or edit something of my own every day, whether it’s a blog post, short story, novel, or a scene just for fun. Having a word count goal or a set amount of time when writing takes the main focus helps give a sense of accomplishment.
That’s a great idea!
Who do you hope to reach with your writing? 
Teens and young adults who can relate to the topics (or at least understand similar feelings) in my books.
If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be? 
Make writing a priority. Life gets busy and so many other things vie for time, but if it’s really a passion of yours, it’s worth half an hour to an hour of each day.
Good point! What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing? 
Dancing (swing and Irish), playing board and card games, and getting coffee with friends.
About Jansina
Jansina has published three novels and two short stories to date. She is also an editor and graphic designer and runs a nontraditional publishing company, Rivershore Books (www.rivershorebooks.com). Her goal is to honor God in her writing and encourage other authors to do the same with their own.
Blog: www.thilly-jansina.com
Other: www.rivershorebooks.com (my nontraditional publishing company)
www.facebook.com/jansina

www.twitter.com/jansina18
Books: 
Forgotten Memories (smile.amazon.com/Forgotten-Memories-Jansina/dp/1463624352)
Shrouded Jewels (smile.amazon.com/Shrouded-Jewels-1-Jansina/dp/1478164638)
As Fairydust Settles (smile.amazon.com/As-Fairydust-Settles-2-Jansina/dp/0615933017)
Sanisfreeda (smile.amazon.com/Sanisfreeda-Jansina-ebook/dp/B006X528BU)
Life is Crumbly (smile.amazon.com/Life-Crumbly-Jansina/dp/0615940463)

Lesa McKee | Author Interview

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
I’m happy to have one of my newer author-friends here on the blog today with her newest release!

In a nutshell, what do you write​?​

I write feel good fiction. Everything I write tends to have a bit of humor in it. I love the combo of faith and fun. I have a short story series coming out soon, ‘Operation Space Cats’ that reflects this sentiment. And another in the works. A Christian historical romance series, ‘Bridal Falls’.

I love humor in writing (and in life in general 😉 ). What spurred on the desire for writing​?​I had one interviewer ask me if I thought writing was a gift or a curse. And I told her a gift because God doesn’t make mistakes.:) So I think of writing (just as my love of singing) as a calling.

Couldn’t agree more! How do you balance writing with living — or is writing your full-time job?

Writing is my full-time (unpaid as of yet) job. It’s my dream job, and I want to make the most of it.

Nothing better than being able to do your dream job! Who do you hope to reach with your writing?

I think Christian parents/ homeschooling moms (and the kiddos) would LOVE the Operation Space Cats series. The cats are fun, but they also teach lessons in faith along the way. At the end of each book there’s a list of questions for kids to ponder that recaps the lessons in the book.

Bridal Falls is more a Christian woman’s read. Those who love a smile served up with their sweet (and clean) romance. Faith, of course will be on the menu.

Sounds like a fun series! If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be?

Find some critique partners, and learn how to critique (and how to gracefully accept your work being critiqued). I had no idea how much there was to learn about writing (I mean, I’d been an avid reader all my life) until I joined a critiquing site, submitted my stories, and bam! My perfect storylines were riddled with bad writing mistakes. The whole critiquing process made me a much better writer, and I’m still improving.:)

Fantastic tip! I have definitely learned a lot from my critique partners! What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing?

Other than writing and reading? Since that’s pretty obvious.:)

Flower shopping, and flower & container designing. Spring is the best time for this! I look forward to it all winter.:)

I love to bake. I always wanted to open a little bakery, and in another interview I did I mentioned I should combine these two loves (writing and baking) and open an Indie books & cupcake shop.

I would name each cupcake after a fellow Indie author, and design their cupcake around their latest book. How about a Vanilla bean cupcake with strawberry filling and cheesecake frosting with a miniature train on top for yours, Amanda? 🙂

I love it!! Those happen to be flavors I love too. 😛 Delicious!

ABOUT LESA

Lesa McKee grew up at her Grandmother’s knee, listening to the French folk-tales her animated Grandma Ida shared. A love of stories was born and her imagination took off!
She’s now living her dream as a Christian Indie writer of feel-good fiction, including a short story series of far-out space cats, titled ‘Operation Space Cats’. These purrific feline adventures are filled with faith, friendship & fun!

Connect with Lesa online:http://lesamckee.com/
http://lesamckee.com/blog/

http://www.amazon.com/Lesa-McKee/e/B01GD3JX28/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_2

https://www.facebook.com/lesa.mckee/

https://twitter.com/MckeeLesa

https://www.pinterest.com/mckeelesa/

Rebekah Morris | Author Interview

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
I’ve “seen” Rebekah around author circles the past year, but it wasn’t until a few months ago that we really began “talking” to each other via email. It has been such a joy to get to know her better!
She recently released a new short story. You may see my review of it here.

About the Story
Newly married, Elizabeth Leffler moves with her husband to his farm in the foothills of the western mountains. Eager to be a part of the town and community, she is disappointed by the cool welcome she receives. In her eagerness to fit in and find a place for herself, Elizabeth does the unthinkable.

Purchase this story on Amazon.

Interview with Rebekah
You have been a busy writer in the past few years! Can you tell us a little bit about how God led you to become a writer and how you’ve become published?
God’s ways sure are not man’s ways. Looking back now, I can see His hand guiding me toward writing even when I hated it! I loved reading and listening to unabridged books, which established a very good foundation for sentence structure, style, plots and so much more. I also loved to pretend. Seriously, my best friends and I were ALWAYS pretending something. It might be taking our “children” to church, or riding our “horses” (that looked an awful lot like bikes), or manning a ship on the sea. Anything and everything was play acting , and I think that really helped me be able to “become” the characters that I write about now.
Once I was ready to write, stories just started coming and I had to write them.
Getting published. When I was ready to publish my first book, I didn’t know of another homeschooled author who had written and published their book. I was on my own. After much looking, I decided to publish with Xulon Press. That was great. Except . . . I had no control over the price, I couldn’t make the book and ebook, I didn’t have money to advertise at all, and it would probably have taken me another couple of years to earn enough money to publish a second book. Enter Homeschool conference. There I met someone who introduced me to CreateSpace. I signed up for his short course, followed the steps, and published my second book. And the rest, is history.
What is your favorite stage of writing?
Oh, I love when a new story starts and I can hardly write fast enough to get my ideas down. But I also love watching the story unfold beneath my fingers as I type. And then ending, seeing the last few pages become a reality . . . But I really think my favorite part is when I get to tell my readers, “Hey, it’s finished!” and watch their excited responses, hear their delighted reviews and know that I’ve given them a good story to enjoy.
What is your least favorite stage of writing?
Probably those times when the story feels stuck. When I want to write and can’t. I think that is worse than editing because I edit as I go so I’m never stuck with an entire book to edit at once.
Do you have any future plans for writing novels?
Yep. Right now I have four novels started. Two are a little over half-way done while the others are patiently, or not, waiting their turn. And there are more stories in my head. I don’t think I’ll run out of stories to write any time soon. 🙂
Do you find much of your real life reflected on the pages of your novels?
Quite often I’ll find my characters going through things that I’ve gone though, thinking the same sort of thing that I’ve thought. And if you really want to know, most of the time, when the characters are talking and they scratch their neck or yawn, or something like that, it’s because I just did it. 🙂
What is the #1 piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring writer?
Learn from other authors, but don’t try to make yourself like them. Get ideas from them about how to write, but don’t decide that that is how you “have” to do it. Everyone is different and works differently. Be okay with being unique.
What are three non-writing things you enjoy doing?
Does reading count as non-writing? Because I LOVE to read!
I love knitting baby hats.
Playing the piano and my violin are near the top of my list.
So is hand quilting. But not piecing the quilt! 🙂
Okay, now for some 1-word answers (if possible ;))
Favorite verse?  Right now it’s Psalm 16:11.
Favorite color? Red (Always have loved red.)
Coffee, hot chocolate, or hot tea? Hot chocolate! Hate coffee and don’t like tea.
Winter or summer? Winter hands down!
Can a book be read a dozen times? 😉 Or two dozen times. 😉

About Rebekah


Rebekah A. Morris has lived her entire life (as of now) in Missouri. Being home educated during her school years was great, except for writing. That was the worst subject (along with math) that she had to do. It wasn’t until after she graduated that she discovered the joys and wonder of writing. Now she can’t write enough. After spending six years in research and writing, she completed her first book, “Home Fires of the Great War,” a 500+ page, historical fiction about home life in the United States and Canada during the First World War. Since then, she has been an avid writer and always has more than one story going on at once because only one story at a time got tiring and dull.