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Interview with author
Tia McCollors
SP: Tia, it is a pleasure to
meet you! Thank you for stopping in and talking with us today.
Tia: The
pleasure is mine. Thanks for the opportunity. Hello Soul Pen readers
and a big virtual hug to you!
SP: Tia,
your online bio states you were laid off from your job in 1998. How
were you able to move from that experience into a productive writing
ministry/career?
Tia: During
that period in my life I decided to seek the true purpose God had for
my life--live my life instead of it living me. When I realized my
calling was attached to my natural talent, there was no turning back.
One day I sat down and just started writing and let the beginning of a
story pour from my mind. I only wrote about three or four chapters then
before I tucked it away. I was dealing with some things in my personal
life that ended up helping to shape the novel. Although I dabbled with
the novel for a few years, in 2002, I started feeling the urgency to
write seriously again. God divinely connected me with another sister
from an online Christian group of writers who became my accountability
partner. We put out a call for other Christian fiction writers living
in our area and the group continued to grow to the solid ten writers
that we have today. I met a host of writers and publishers at Book Expo
America in 2003 and that lit the fire for my passion to another level.
When I returned, I submitted my proposal to Moody Publishers in July
2003 but still continued to sharpen my craft. I was contacted by Moody
Publishers in November 2003 and offered a deal. This entire journey has
been a faith walk and God doesn't want us to get comfortable. He
continuously takes our ministries and our relationships with Him to the
next level.
SP: Your
debut novel, A Heart of Devotion,
is currently in stores everywhere. Tell readers how your book is
different and why they should read this recent arrival to the Christian
fiction scene?
Tia: Reading
A Heart
of Devotion is like talking to
a close girlfriend. It makes you laugh, cry, holds you accountable and
forces you to look at yourself. Who doesn't need a good girlfriend like
that, Mata? It's 321 pages of a best friend.
I'm not sure I would consider A Heart
of Devotion as extremely different from other Christian fiction
works simply because we all ultimately have a purpose to lead readers
to the heart of God and encouraging people to stand on their faith in
the midst of life's trials. I do believe that every author has their
own unique voice and style of writing and ministering, just as singers
are anointed in different ways.
SP: Those
who write books can certainly attest that completing a book takes
patience and commitment. How long did it take you to write A Heart of Devotion, and what were
some of the challenges you faced?
Tia: As
I mentioned before it was 1998 when I first started penning the novel,
but it was 2003 before I completed it. There were a number of
hiatuses--I guess you could say--between those times. The biggest
challenges I had to overcome were my own excuses. When I complained
that I could focus better if I had my own house, God blessed me with a
home. When my excuse was that I needed a computer at home so I wouldn't
have to write everything long hand and then go to a friend's house, I
was blessed with a desk top computer and eventually a laptop so I could
always take my work with me. We can sometimes be our own biggest
obstacles.
SP: Tia, how
important is it to participate in Christian writer's conferences and
what benefit can writers glean from the experience?
Tia: There's
nothing like a meeting of similar minds. Christian writing conferences
are a place to sharpen your skills, hone your craft and learn from
published authors. At the same time writers can focus on the purpose of
writing as a ministry tool.
You have to envision where you're going, so meeting and networking with
other Christian writers is priceless and broadens your horizons. Not
only that but it's a place for encouragment from other writers who are
fighting the same battle with the power of the pen.
SP: Whatever
our career, it is important for each of us to pursue balanced lives.
When you are not writing, what other things do you enjoy doing?
Tia: I
currently work full-time in public relations for a private academic
institution so that takes up my weekday hours for the most part. When
I'm not writing, reading of course is one of my favorite past times and
I've recently taken a new liking to traveling. Other than that I
confess I'm a homebody and enjoy spending quality time with my husband
camped out on the couch watching movies or having brainstorming
sessions about building our family legacy. We can go for hours until I
eventually fall asleep on him--I'm not a night owl unless deadlines
force me to be!
SP: Tia,
thank you! You have blessed us by sharing with us how God has blessed
you. We certainly look forward to reading more about you and your books
as you continue writing.
Tia: Thank
you, Mata! It's been a joy and I'll drop through often to read the
insightful features that Soul Pen has to offer. To your readers, I'd
love for everyone to drop me a line on my guestbook at my online home
at www.TiaMcCollors.com. Happy
reading!
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