Author Interview: Pamela S Thibodeaux

Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, award winning author, Pamela S Thibodeaux’s writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” Her website: http://pamelathibodeaux.com

1)      How did you develop an interest in writing? I’ve always been an avid reader but never consciously thought about writing until in my early twenties and while pregnant with my daughter who is now twenty-eight. After reading one-too-many disappointing books, I thought I could do better. I picked up a pen and notebook and started writing. For many years I was a closet writer, thinking others would consider me foolish. Then one day my mom read my story ‘Temper Tantrum’ (published now as Tempered Hearts) and she loved it. Of course, moms always love their children’s work, but what sealed the deal for me is that she, an avid sports fan, read it instead of watching the football game that day. After her, my brother (also an avid reader) read it and was impressed. Those two affirmations helped build my confidence and encouraged me to come out of the closet LOL!

2) Please tell me a little about your blog. I started my blog http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/ after signing my novel, The Inheritance with The Wild Rose Press’s White Rose line (now White Rose Publishing). Until then, I’d blogged occasionally for another site but didn’t have my own. Since, I’ve made this my main blog where I talk about what’s going on in my life as well as host other authors on blog tour and/or with my Saturday Spotlight feature. I also participate as a Clash of the Titles blog alliance blogger – where their clashes and winners are spotlighted.

3) What other styles do you write? I write inspirational romance and women’s fiction although, no category romance (Love Inspired, Heartsong Presents, etc). I also write creative non-fiction in the form of poems, articles and essays.

4) Is this a hobby or do you plan to make a career from writing? My idea of a ‘career writer’ is one who makes a living from his/her words. Therefore, I’m way past the hobby stage but not quite a career writer. However I plan to continue writing as long as God gives me the stories.

5) What authors do you admire? Although I enjoy many books, my favorite fiction authors are Nora Roberts & Francine Rivers. I’m also a huge fan of spiritual/inspirational non-fiction from authors such as Max Lucado & Marianne Williams.

6) What music, places, people inspire you? Other than rap and heavy metal I appreciate just about any type of music but am a huge fan of Christian & Country. I enjoy people and try to appreciate and connect with everyone I meet. Places vary as I love nature (beaches, parks, mountains) but one place that inspires me the most is Bandera, in the hill country of Texas. This is also where my Tempered series is set.

7) What do you do when you have writer's block? Pray, take a break, walk away for a while. Whether personally or directly related to the story - writers block normally indicates a disconnect from the Holy Spirit in some area of my life.

8) How long did it take you to write your current MS? The original draft of The Visionary took 4 months to write and under normal circumstances the first draft of a full-length novel, takes approximately 6 months to complete. Depending on what else is going on in my life, a short story can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Articles and essays can take 30 minutes to several days.

9) Are you part of a critique group or writer's guild? Yes, I am the co-founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group http://bayouwritersgroup.com in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

10) Have you ever attended a writer's conference? Yes, I’ve attended several but my favorite is BWG’s annual Bridge to Publication conference.

11) When working on your current MS did you complete an outline first or did you just start writing? Like most of my novels, The Visionary was initially written in long-hand in a five-subject notebook. A 100% SOTP writer, I’ve never outlined a book. I simply sit down and write. Sometimes I’ll get a scene and jot that down, but most of the time I write in chronological order. At times I think I’d love to plot out everything in advance (even loosely) but I’ve found even writing the synopsis first makes me cringe.

12) What is your writing process like? Mornings are my most productive time of the day. When I’m actively working on a project, I write – anywhere, any time and as much as I possibly can. Like many, the story holds me captive until the first draft is done. During these instances, I may eat and sleep only in snatches. However after that first rush, I take things a lot more slowly and weave in details and description. When I’m not actively writing, I’m usually editing or promoting my work or working on a paid editing/promotion project for another author.

13) Do you have an editor or agent? No, not at this time.

14) Would you care to share your opening paragraph (hook) with us?

First the blurb: A visionary is someone who sees into the future, Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disgustingly prevalent in today’s society.  Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives?  Find out in…The Visionary ~ Where the awesome power of God’s love heals the most wounded of souls

Chapter One (opening scene): Taylor Forrestier awoke with a muffled scream. Her feet tangled in the bedcovers when she tried to bolt, and she landed on the floor with a thud and a whimper. She kicked free of the sheets and blankets then crawled into a corner. Eyes wide with horror, she tried to make sense of the shadows that danced around her, to separate the ones in the room from those in her mind. Her heart thundered. Breath escaped in short pants. She drew her knees to her chest, took several deep breaths to keep from hyperventilating, then closed her eyes and rested her head. Shivers overtook her slender frame. A sob escaped. Oh, God, would the nightmares ever cease, the ghosts ever rest in peace?

            Resolve straightened her spine. Eyes still closed, she inched her way to the bedside table. Her hand trembled when she turned on the lamp. The light forced darkness from the room, but only one thing would push it from her mind. Agility born of fear drove her to her feet. She fumbled into a sweat suit, socks and tennis shoes, scraped her hair up into a ponytail, then fled.

The Visionary is now available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Please check back on Friday when I’ll post my review of this book.