Monday, April 26, 2010

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.

42 comments:

  1. I love writing too:) parisakins@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, to have such a creative mind! When I mowed lawn, I thought of how hot it was!!!

    Please enter me. Your books sounds great. I love redemptive themes. Separates the good books from the not-so-good.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Forgot:

    I am a subscriber.

    I'm also a follower.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please enter me in the drawing. I would really like to try her books. I am a subscriber on Google Reader.

    quiltyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would so like to win this book. Please enter me and thank you for the opportunity.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am also a subscriber.

    I am a follower.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to read this, I like the theme of it.
    debp
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am a email subscriber.
    debp
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm a follower and subscriber!

    Would love to win a book~I've been pretty blessed lately with winning things!

    Doreen
    priviesandprims@ yahoo .com

    ReplyDelete
  10. the books sound awesome! Would love to read both!! Thanks for having the contest!
    djbt(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh it's time for a good read. It's been a long time. Please enter me. I follow and am a subscriber. Thank you for hosting this giveaway:) Carol
    moonbatty at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellent interview. I wandered out to Teresa's website and Amazon to check the synopsis for Streams of Mercy. That book sounds superb.

    I would love a chance to win these books.

    Wishing you great success,

    Cheryl

    cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am both a follower and subscriber by email to your blog at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com.

    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am now following Teresa's blog.

    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for offering these books.
    I am also a follower here and a subscriber of Theresa's blog.

    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I checked out Teresa's website and these books sound good! Please enter me!

    I am a follower.

    inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com

    When does this giveaway end, then I can post about it at winning readings.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Teresa's website reminded me of a great memory. My husband, a truckdriver, always commented on how beautiful Ashland, KY is, and always wanted to take me there. Sadly, he died nine years ago, and we never went together.
    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'd love to win these books!
    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm a follower
    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm a subscriber
    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I follow Teresa's blog
    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm interested in reading these, especially the mystery. :) I like real and deep characters, as the reviews indicate are in these books.
    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Looks like a great read. Please enter me.

    I'm also a subscriber.

    I'm a follower.

    julesreffner@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love stories of redemption. It's one of my favorite themes. Please enter me in the giveaway. I am also a follower and subscriber. Thank you!
    carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I wish I could write but since I can't I read.

    Carman sent me...

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Looks like a terrific book!

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. These books sound great! I haven't read anything by Teresa Slack so I'm very interested to see her writings. I love to check out new authors of Christian fiction. I too am so thankful for Christian writers and publishers.
    plhouston@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  28. please enter me
    marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am a follower
    marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for the great interview. Count me in, please.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Please enter me in this giveaway.

    (Carman sent me!)

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am a follower!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for hosting this giveaway. I would very much like to read this book ... GREAT INTERVIEW!

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love Teresa Slack's books. Thanks for the opportunity to enter for this giveaway.
    Maureen

    Carmen Sent Me

    alekee02@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I enjoyed the great interview. Teresa is a new author for me and I would love to win her books. I know I will enjoy reading. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    I am follower

    I am subscriber

    I follow Teresa


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hope I'm not too late to enter for the giveaway. I'm a follower and always enjoy your guests interviews and book reviews. Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Please enter me! Teresa's work sounds great!

    Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm an email subcriber!

    Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm a follower!

    Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I would love to win these books.

    mrs_kelly76 at hotmail dot com

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  41. New follower.

    mrs_kelly76 at hotmail dot com

    Sara

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)

FTC Rules

According to new FTC rules I must let you, the reader know, that all views shared on this blog are strictly my own. Books to review are either provided for me by the author, publisher or ones I have purchased and I am under no obligation whatsoever to present anything, but my true opinion on any product. I receive no monetary compensation for anything written on this blog. Any giveaways on this blog are provided by the author/ publisher and I am not responsible for any views they express in their work or on this site. Giveaways are void were prohibited and chances of winnng are based on the number of applicants. A random winner is draw when a book is given away.

 
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