For the Love of Rachel by Sally Campbell Repass

My guest today is Sally Campbell Repass. Sally live in the hills of southwest Virginia and loves to write, sing, read, do family genealogy, Facebook, and spend time with her family. Welcome to Piedmont Island, Sally. Let’s talk writing!

Anne - When did you first realize you were destined to be a writer?

Sally - I knew from a young age that I had a good imagination and always dreamed of being a writer but it wasn't until I wrote the Children's Fairytale Book in 2010 that I realized that I had to try my hand at writing. I give God all the credit for any talent He has given me. I am still in awe that I started writing books at age 65.

Anne – Tell us about your book. 

Sally - FOR THE LOVE OF RACHEL is my first book in the PARKER/STERLING Family Series. I was sitting in the den one night watching TV with my husband. My mind was wandering and this thought came to me... "She sat staring out the window" so I got a pen and paper and wrote it down. The next morning I started my book. I used that as the first sentence in my book.

Anne - What do you enjoy most about writing? What part do you loathe?

Sally - What I enjoy most about writing is creating all these characters who become so real to me. I feel like they are my family and I can envision what each one looks like. I feel so close to them and feel their sadness when tragedy strikes.

It is also very relaxing for me when I write. I forget everything else and concentrate on my character family.

There is NO part that I loathe!

Anne - Of all the characters you’ve created, does one hold a special place in your heart? Why?

Sally - I would have to say that RACHEL is my favorite character. The story started with her and she became like my family. I shared her sorrow and her joy. I guess she was almost perfect. But there were times when she let her family know she wasn't perfect. She will always be special to me because she was the beginning.

Anne - What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself from writing?

Sally - I’ve learned that I can ACTUALLY do it! I was also surprised at how I got so involved in creating the characters and how they became so real to me.

Anne - How many rejections have you received? Was one more memorable than others? Why?

Sally - I have never submitted a manuscript to a publishing company. I self-publish. I was told by an author friend of mine that she tried and they wouldn't gave her the time of day. She said if you weren't well known they wouldn't bother with you. How do you get well-known if NO ONE gives you a chance?

I have set up at various bazaars and only sold a few books. That is discouraging, but the worst time was when I set up and stayed all day and never sold any at all!

Anne - Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Sally - I would have to say my biggest accomplishment is having my 5 wonderful children and raising them in church. They are all wonderful, well-educated children with great jobs. They make me very proud!

Anne - Have you experienced writer's block? If so, how did you work through it? 

Sally - I've heard of authors getting it, but so far I haven't had it. When I sit down at my computer and start writing...the words just flow...almost faster than I can type. When I'm not at my computer writing, my mind is always turning with ideas.

Anne – Thanks so much for dropping by, Sally. I wish you every success with For the Love of Rachel.

Readers, as always, your comments are welcome and appreciated. Becoming a follower will ensure you never miss an interview, announcement or blog post. Plus, you’ll have my eternal gratitude. J

Happy reading!

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Mattie's Meltaways by Mary Manners

Mary Manners lives in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and two cats they rescued from local animal shelters. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Smoky Mountain Romance Writes. During the school year, she teaches middle-schoolers reading and Algebra. In her free time, she loves to garden, take long walks with her husband, and read romance novels in a hammock beneath century old shade trees.

Welcome to Piedmont Island, Mary. Northern Minnesota is spectacular at this time of year, although, it is a tad chilly. But no matter. We’ll be cozy by the fireplace, sipping our favorite hot beverage, and munching warm cinnamon buns fresh out of the oven. (Ah, the wonders of cyberspace. It’s a place where everyone, including me, can be a domestic goddess!) And just look at that view of Lake Superior. Isn’t it spectacular? Now, if you’re comfy, let’s talk writing!

Anne - When did you first realize you were destined to be a writer?

Mary - I joke that I was born writing! Really…my earliest memory is of me at about the age of three, standing in my family’s basement, leaning on the dryer with a pad of paper and a pencil, scribbling a ‘story’ (I didn’t even know how to print my name yet). I just knew that words told stories, and I had something I wanted to tell. From then on, I have always carried a passion for writing. I cannot imagine life without writing.

Anne - Tell us about your book.

Mary – It’s called Mattie’s Meltaways. Mattie Spencer has spent the last decade raising her three younger sisters and grooming Sweet Treats Bakery into a thriving business. Over the years, she's watched her sisters grow into beautiful women and find the men of their dreams. Now it's her turn, but, at thirty-five, she feels too old to dream of a husband and children of her own.

Tyler Jacobs, a firefighter in the small town of Mount Ridge, keeps busy raising his seven-year-old daughter. The death of his wife during three years ago still haunts him, but morning stops into Sweet Treats, along with a dose of conversation and a handful of Mattie's delicious mint meltaways, kindle a desire he thought was extinguished forever.

Now Tyler has just one goal—to convince Mattie that love knows no age.

Anne - What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself from writing? 

Mary - I have learned on just how little sleep I can function! No, seriously, I have found that I can go hours at a stretch lost in my own little world of romance and intrigue, without speaking to so much as another living, breathing soul. That’s an odd accomplishment for a woman who has spent more than half of her life standing up in front of a classroom full of kids, teaching!

Anne - Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Mary - Write, write write…never stop writing. Write about what you love, and believe in yourself. Join a writers’ group (or two) and enter contests. Go to workshops and immerse yourself in learning. Most importantly—have faith in yourself and never give up.

Anne - Have you experienced writer's block? If so, how did you work through it?

Mary - My writer friends at White Rose Publishing know that I have experienced writer’s block from time to time, and when it strikes I…mow. Yes, I push mow my two acres, and the stories just flow. There’s no better medicine for writers’ block than a few hours of push-mowing!

Anne – Would you share an excerpt from Mattie’s Meltaways with us?

Mary – Certainly!  

Tyler was thankful for the bite of a cold breeze as he trekked across the square to the fire hall. The chill cleared his head and brought his heart rate under control. Seeing Mattie did weird things to his insides…things that felt unsettling and pleasant at the same time. He couldn’t put his finger on it. But the brush of her hand kindled a need buried deep in him…how long had it been since he’d felt the gentle touch of a woman?

   

And Tessa, asking him to feel the baby growing in her belly…it brought back memories of Lydia, and the devastating childbirth that took both her and his son. Jessie should have a baby brother, but she remained an only child—and motherless, to boot.

   

Tyler tried not to dwell on the loss. Three years had passed since he’d lost Lydia and Noah. He’d stumbled through all the classic stages of grief and shaken his fist at God more times than he could count. There were no answers…he simply needed to trust. And he did. Yet sometimes the loss still burdened his heart.

   

But not around Mattie. No, never around Mattie. She filled something in him that was missing. He wanted more, but he didn’t know how to go about asking for it. He was nearly twenty years out of the dating scene, and the game was beyond terrifying. But he’d asked her to dinner, and she’d said yes. Tyler picked up the pace, his chest suddenly a bit lighter. Maybe it wasn’t so bad…navigating through the dating waters.

   

But was it a date? Did Jessie’s birthday party count? He shook his head, the slight bit of confidence shattered. Oh, well…

   

He delved into the pastry bag, took one of the square meltaways and tossed it into his mouth. The chocolate—smooth with a hint of mint—dissolved on his tongue and left him longing for another taste.

Anne – Thank you! That sounds like my kind of story. Mattie's Meltaways is definitely going on my TBR list. Where can readers reach you online?

Mary – At my website, and on my blog, Creative Writing Forces. 

Anne – I wish you every success, Mary with Mattie's Meltaways. Thank you for dropping by Piedmont Island. Come back any time!

As always, your comments are welcome and appreciated. Become a follower and you’ll never miss an interview, announcement or blog post.

Happy reading!

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The Visionary by Pamela Thibodeaux

My guest today is award-winning author Pamela S. Thibodeaux. 

She 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.”

Welcome to Piedmont Island, Pamela. It’s a great day to sit by the fire and chat about writing and books. Let’s not waste a precious moment of our time together.

Anne - Tell us about The Visionary.

           

Pamela  - 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 disturbingly prevalent in today’s society.  Can the love of God and the 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.

Anne – Would you share an excerpt with us?

Pamela – I’d love to.

Trevor hovered in the place between wakefulness and sleep, darkness and light, heaven and hell. He could hear his sister’s voice, but he couldn’t see her, couldn’t find her in the darkness, and couldn’t reach her in the red haze of pain and fear. He was hot, so hot. He burned with anger and shame and shook with the fear that kept him bound, unable to get to her. He felt trapped, helpless. She called to him again, but it was the sound of a little girl whimpering. He mumbled her name, assured her he was there, that he’d save and protect her. It wouldn’t happen again, he promised and struggled to jerk his hands from their restraints, to break through the darkness and rescue her.

Anne – That’s riveting, Pamela. It’s a perfect example of why your books are “inspirational with an edge”. What do you enjoy most about writing? What part do you loathe? 

Pamela - I love the creative process and have come to enjoy the editing and promoting - what I loathe is time it takes between writing and publishing and the seemingly endless process in between. 

Anne - Of all the characters you’ve created, does one hold a special place in your heart? Why?

Pamela - The hero in my novel, The Visionary, Alex Broussard holds a special place in my heart because out of all of my heroes, he is the one who most reminds me of my deceased husband. 

Anne – I’m sure I’m not the only one with a tear in my eye, Pamela. What a wonderful way to honor your husband and the love you shared.

Do you have any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Pamela - Never give up. Keep growing, learning and honing your craft. Be flexible and open to advice from those who’ve been where you are and share your knowledge and experience with those coming up behind you.  Stay true to your voice and your characters--afterall, it is their story, you are just writing it down. Don’t quit -- writing is a gift and a talent, don’t bury your talent or hide your gift.

Anne - Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Pamela - Being a wife and mother is by far & foremost accomplishment I’m most proud of.

Anne - Have you experienced writer's block? If so, how did you work through it?

Pamela - I doubt there is a writer on the planet that hasn’t experienced writer’s block to some degree. For me, this malady usually occurs when I’m under tremendous stress in some area of my life or when I’m trying to write the story my way instead of paying attention to what God is showing/telling me. I work through/overcome by taking a break and spending time in prayer and quiet meditation.

Anne - Quick. Your five favorites – author, actor, movie, song, quote.

Pamela - Nora Roberts, Melissa Gilbert, Pretty Woman, any song by Third Day, “When the going gets tough, the tough get on their knees.”

Anne - To what or whom do you credit your success?

Pamela - 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.

Anne – I can’t believe it’s time to wrap this up already. I’ve enjoyed our time together and want to thank you for dropping by Piedmont Island, Pamela. I also wish you every success with The Visionary. Before you leave, I have one final question. Where can readers reach you online?

Pamela – At my website, Blog, Bayou WritersGroup, FaceBook and Twitter.

Anne – Thanks again, Pamela. Readers, your comments are welcome and appreciated. Become a follower to ensure you get every interview, announcement and/or blog post. Last, but certainly not least, have a super day and happy reading!

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