Author Interview and Book Giveaway: Streams of Mercy AND A Tender Reed

Teresa Slack has written for nearly as long as she can remember. From scribbling in a notebook during school to jotting notes while walking down the hall, she has always had a mind brimming with story ideas. Since the early days, Teresa has written five contemporary novels for the Christian market with several more to be launched. I am pleased to present an interview I had with Teresa recently. She has graciously agreed to give away a copy of TWO of her books, Streams of Mercy and A Tender Reed to one fortunate winner!




Teresa, thank you for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you taking the time to answer these few questions, letting us get to know you better.

1: How long did you write before you were published?
I can’t remember not writing. I entertained myself with stories while mowing the yard as a kid. Every Saturday the stories got longer and more in depth. If there was a pencil and paper handy, I wrote them down. I only wish I knew where those notebooks were today. I got my first contract in 2001 from Tsaba House, but it wasn’t until Summer, ’04 before I actually held a real book in my hands. That was the longest 2 years and 10 months of my life.

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?
“I did it. I did it. I did it.” Of course I knew Who was actually responsible for that gift. I still thank God every day for allowing me to do what I love while sharing my faith with others.

3: What do you find the hardest part about writing?

Fastening my rear to the chair and keeping it there. I work better under pressure. As a writer, you often have to create your own urgency or you waste a lot of time.

4: How do you coordinate time between writing and other responsibilities?
I try to adhere to a schedule. Afternoons are my alone time, so I strive to focus completely on writing during those hours between lunch and dinner. Sadly I’m better at thinking about it than actually putting the concept into practice.

5: What are you working on now?
Besides some short stories that are a lot of fun even if there isn’t much market for the medium, I’m working on a mystery that takes place during one of the most severe blizzards in modern history. The blizzard actually happened, so the research was a lot of fun. But the story of how an old man ended up at the bottom of a flight of stairs in a remote farmhouse the morning the blizzard hit is purely my creation.

6: Where can readers find out more about your books?
They can visit my website http://www.teresaslack.com/  or visit my blog Joy in the Journey at http://www.teresaslack.blogspot.com/  The books are available nationwide at any library or bookstore in the country. If your library doesn’t carry them, ask and they’ll get them for you.

7: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?
Redemption is the most common theme that runs through my books. I didn’t make it a point when I began writing, but it seems to recur in each one. Regardless of where we are in our faith or on our life journey it is easy to get off track, even temporarily. I want my stories to have a message of hope. I want readers to know God is always there waiting should we get off track. He leaves us, flaws and all.

8: Why did you choose this profession?
Like a lot of writers, I think this profession chose me. It’s too demanding and brutal with little monetary gain for a person who actually wants to pay the light bill on a regular basis. Sometimes I envy people who go to work, put in their 8-12 hours, and then go home leaving work at the office. They don’t realize how easy they have it. Writers never have that luxury. Even when we aren’t working, we’re working. It’s exhausting. Voices wake us up in the night. Characters tap us on the shoulder and demand our attention. Much of the time those who love us the most pooh-pooh what we do and think of it as a hobby. But then again, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?
Keep reading. If not for readers of Christian fiction, publishers would stop publishing books and writers like me would have to get a real job. Aargh! But seriously, I am so thankful for the readers I’ve met, for the lovely emails I receive. If you enjoy an author’s book, don’t be shy. Take a moment and let them know. It means the world to us.

I am especially thankful to the Lord for lending me this gift. Scripture admonishes that we not hide our talent in the ground. I am so blessed to be writing for such a time as this. Inspirational fiction is the largest and fastest growing segment in publishing. Writing allows me to minister to the heart of readers through characters and situations the reader can relate to. What could be better.

Thanks, Casey for the opportunity to share with you and your readers.

Readers to enter to win two of Teresa's books, PLEASE LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS! If I draw your name and there is no email, YOU WILL NOT WIN!
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

And a NEW one:
~Follow Teresa's blog.
(to do this, simply copy and paste her address, visit your dashboard and click "add" under the list of blogs you follow and follow the instructions. : )

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items of said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter!

Ends May 7th.