Today, I'd like you to meet Pamela S. Tibodeaux.
As an award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder
and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles,
Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative
non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as,
“Inspirational with
an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as
“steamier and grittier than
the typical Christian novel without decreasing
the message.”
Links:
I have a number of questions for her.
Let's start with the re-release of The Inheritance.
Question:
What inspired this novel? How did it come about?
Answer:
The Inheritance is one novel that began with a simple thought: They
say life begins at forty, but for Rebecca Sinclair that’s far from
the truth. Of course, as a nosy writer I had to find out why
Rebecca felt that way.
Question:
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Answer:
The hardest part of writing The Inheritance was making
sure Rebecca’s feelings and emotions around her husband’s
illegitimate child were authentic and stayed within her character –
not what I would do or think.
Question:
How did you come up with the concept and the setting?
Answer:
Characters came first then setting for The Inheritance.
My step-children live in Washington and I’ve visited Hammondsport,
NY so the places depicted in the novel are drawn from my memories and
impressions of both.
Question: What is the message you
hope to get across in this story?
Answer:
That, when it comes to love and forgiveness, we are called to be true
imitators of Christ. I hope Rebecca’s handling of her deceased
husband’s illegitimate child will encourage readers to open their
hearts and minds and broaden their perspective on areas of pain,
anger and unforgiveness in their own lives.
Question:
What is the one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?
Answer: Q:
To what or whom do you credit your success?
A:
Many people have a love/hate relationship with their muse. My muse is
the Holy Spirit and I accredit every ounce of success to the grace of
God because without HIM I seriously doubt I could write a single
word, much less stories that bring hope and healing to so many.
Question:
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
Answer:
Unlike many writers, I'm not strictly disciplined. However, when I am
actively writing, I write—very little editing, or working on other
projects, limited time online, not much networking or blogging, sleep
comes only in snatches, meals are scarce and light, and definitely no
playing!
Question:
When do you feel like it all began to come together for you as a
writer—was there a particular moment?
Answer:
After years as a closet writer, penning stories in 5-subject
notebooks, I'd have to say when I purchased my first, USED
word processor and started typing in all those handwritten
manuscripts I really began to feel like a writer.
Question:
Who has influenced you most as a writer and why?
Answer:
There is really no one person to whom I can attribute this to, so
many have helped me along the way. I’d have to say that my love of
reading has influenced me the most. Reading opens doors to the
imagination, takes you places you’d never be able to go otherwise
and improves your visualization and vocabulary skills. Now, I’m
able to implement all those things into my own writing.
Question:
What are some of the challenges you face as an author?
Answer:
The biggest challenge I face is not having my work accepted by the
“Christian” publishers. As one reviewer said, “though
undeniably Christian, it is never dogmatic or insular; offering faith
rather than religion.” (Review of Tempered Dreams
by Elizabeth Burton for Blue Iris Journal) My books deal with issues
in a way that is unacceptable in the traditional CBA market. Now that
is not saying that my books are better than those published through
traditional CBA publishers, only different. As I’ve said many
times, everything that gives God glory deserves to be
praised!
Question: What are a few writing tips you
could share with aspiring writers?
Answer:
The bible exhorts us to “study and show yourself approved.”
Keep studying, keep writing, keep learning, stay open to constructive
critique and NEVER GIVE UP! Writing is both gift and talent
given to you by God. Don’t hide your gift or bury your talent.
Whatever you write, write well. Strive for excellence. Stay
teachable, pliable, and flexible. Never believe that you know it all
because knowledge is power and the more you know the more valuable
you become. Above all share what you learn with others and make
someone’s load lighter to bear.
Question:
Any marketing tips?
Answer:
Marketing is an intricate part of the publishing business and
publishers today expect authors to do their fair share. However,
marketing/promotion can be overwhelming as the more you learn, the
more there is to learn. For every thing you accomplish, there are
hundreds more you can do. My motto is: Do something every day and
your best then let God do the rest and remember it takes time
to build a career.
Question: What is your goal or
mission as a writer?
Answer: A committed Christian, I firmly
believe in God and His promises. God is very real to me. I believe
that people today need and want to hear more of His truths wherever
they can glean them and I do my best to encourage readers to develop
a personal relationship with Him. The deepest desire of my heart is
to glorify God and to get His message of faith, trust, and
forgiveness to a hurting world. My hope is that all of my stories
will touch the lives of everyone who reads them and - in some way -
bring them a truer knowledge of God and urge them into a closer walk
with Him.
The Inheritance (2
nd edition – newly edited, revised, and updated!)
Keywords: The Inheritance, Pamela S Thibodeaux, @psthib, Pelican Book Group, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Inspirational with an Edge! Rafflecopter giveaway, book giveaway, PBG
Tagline: After her husband’s death she discovers a future she never expected and a family she never imagined.
Blurb: Widowed at age thirty-nine and suffering from empty nest syndrome, Rebecca Sinclair is overshadowed by grief and loneliness. Her husband has been deceased for a year, her oldest child has moved to New York in pursuit of an acting career and her youngest child is attending college in France. Having spent over half of her life as a wife and mother, she has no idea what God has in store for her now. Will an unexpected inheritance in the wine country of New York bring meaning and purpose to her life and give her the courage to love again?
US Postal worker Raymond Jacobey has been in love with the little widow since he first set eyes on her. A wanderer searching for the ever-illusive soul mate, Ray has never stayed in one place too long. Raised by self-centered, high-power executives, he’s longed for the idyllic life of residing in a cozy house in a small town with the love of his life. Will he gain the heart of the lovely widow or will he lose her to the wine country of New York?
Excerpt:
“I love you Raymond Jacobey.”
Ray rolled his eyes and grinned. “Now she tells me. All the cozy dinners, romantic movies and late night calls, and she tells me while sitting in a tree in the back yard.” He chuckled. ‚I love you too, Becca.
Now”—his voice lowered a notch—“let’s see if I can get this right.‛ He began to sing. ‚Ray and Becca, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n....” each phrase, each syllable, was punctuated by a teasing caress of his mouth against hers. By the time he finished the rhyme, Ray had her cradled against his chest with one arm. He slid the other around her and pulled her closer.
Ending the kiss by slow degrees, Ray eased her back against the tree trunk, grasped it with both hands to keep them from tumbling off and buried his face in her neck. “Now, Becca, any more nursery rhymes I need to learn or obstacles I have to overcome before you agree to marry me?”
Thanks for sharing Pam.
All the best with your book,
Tina
