Category Archives: Interviews

“Interviews with authors who have a heart for writers ”


Interview and Book Give-Away with Author and Speaker Patty Mason

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By Vonda Skelton | April 24, 2012

It’s author interview and book give-away day and I’m so pumped to introduce my friend, author and speaker Patty Mason, to you. Patty and I met in May ’09 at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference where her book, Transformed by Desire: A Journey of Awakening to Life and Love, won an award in the Bible study category. At that conference, Patty also attended my How to Develop a Speaking Ministry to Women continuing class at Blue Ridge and I later endorsed her book. Then, in January 2011, Patty participated in our very first Christian Communicators Conference at Lake Keowee, SC, and I can tell you, she’s an amazing speaker.

As you can see, Patty and I have developed a lasting relationship and I’m honored to be able to share her books with you today.

Be sure to check out Patty’s bio below, but for now, just take my word that she’s someone you want to listen to. :-)

And if you’d like the opportunity to win a free copy of Patty’s book, just leave a comment below and you’ll be in the running! (Be sure to check back next week to see if you’re the winner.)

Thanks for being with us today, Patty. I can’t wait for the readers to hear your story. First of all, tell us about your newest book, Finally Free: Breaking the Bonds of Depression Without Drugs. Why did you write it? Who did you write it for?

Patty: Finally Free is my story—my personal battle with depression. In the book, I share how I got there—even to the point of becoming suicidal—to how I was instantly delivered from depression without drugs. When I first began to write Finally Free, I had other depression sufferers in mind. I know the pain of their anguish. I wanted to reach out to them and offer hope, to let them know they are not alone. However, during the months it took to write the book, many people approached me and told me how their mother, husband, friend, etc. was suffering. They were looking for answers because they didn’t know what to do to help those they loved. From these conversations I saw another need: To reach people who are living with a depressed loved one.

How difficult was it to write from both perspectives?

Patty: I know depression from both sides of the well. I know what it is to suffer, and I know what it is to live with someone who is depressed. About seven years after I was healed, my husband became depressed. Listen, I am not a doctor, so I do not share medical advice in the book. I wrote purely out of personal experience. I know what worked for me when my husband was suffering, so in the back of the book I share some practical tips, some do’s and don’ts, when handling someone with depression.

That sounds like a valuable resource. Would you share a couple of those tips with us?

Patty: First of all, be a good listener. Don’t judge or criticize how your loved one feels. Don’t say, “Oh, you’ll get over it.” That is what my husband would say to me. Prior to his depression my husband didn’t understand what I was going through, so he dismissed it as something I would “get over.” If someone has never experienced depression, they will not understand. However, when my husband began to experience his own trouble with depression, he apologized to me profusely.

Another good helpful tip is to get them out of the house. Depression suffers tend to hide from people and life, and a change of scenery can help. I took my husband and our three children on vacation for a few days, and that trip helped tremendously.

Although I’ve had down periods, like after the death of my daddy and while caring for my terminally-ill sister, I’m blessed that I’ve never suffered with lasting depression. Can you tell us more about what you went through? How did the depression start? Did you seek help? How did you find your way out of depression without drugs?

Patty: Disappointment and disillusionment caused me to fall hard into my well of depression. From the age of 18, I went on one pursuit after another expecting “people and things” to fill me in some way. By the time I was 35 I had everything. I had a husband who loved me, three beautiful, healthy children, a nice home and successful career, yet none of it gave me the sense of worth and satisfaction I was looking for. For a long time I wore the mask that told those around me I was fine and I had it all together. Outwardly I looked like I had everything, but inwardly I was dying. I didn’t want to admit I had problems, so I didn’t seek help at first.

Finally, once I figured out I couldn’t help myself, I began to seek help through family and friends. When that didn’t work, I turned to the medical profession, but I couldn’t find any doctors who would help me.

The most critical day came when I had come to the end of myself. Suicidal, I cried out to God to help me. “Only you can help me!” I told Him, “Please, help me!” Later that same day, God reached into my well of darkness and pulled me out. And when I came out of that well, I came out a different person.

What an amazing story of the power of our God! Since your book came out, I know your story has been told numerous times. Would you tell us about some of the places you’ve had opportunities to share your story of God’s healing grace?

Patty: Actually, I began sharing my story before audiences back in 1997, shortly after the healing took place. God has given me many opportunities to share it over the years at various conferences, churches groups, and workshops. But since the release of Finally Free, He has opened doors for me to share on numerous television and radio programs, including CBN 700 Club. My story has also been published in several magazines, on blog sites, and in books by other authors, such as Unshackled and Free and Recycled Women.

I’ve watched your video interviews and you do a great job of telling your story. I hope the readers will visit your website to find out more about Liberty in Christ Ministries and to check out your videos.

But now, let’s switch to writing. Tell us more about your journey. What are you working on these days?

Patty: My writing began at the age of nine when I won my first writing contest. From then on my mother would tell me, “Patty, you’re a writer.” My writing career, however, began 34 years later. I wrote my first book in 2003. Since then I have had the privilege to write five books, including two Bible studies. Transformed by Desire: A Journey of Awakening to Life and Love was released in 2010; then Finally Free in 2011.

I’m currently working toward publishing my second Bible study, Know That I AM God, and working on the video series that will accompany the workbook. In between all this, I’ve written several magazine articles and on various blog sites.

Writer’s conferences have played a big part in my developing career; as well as the guidance from my writing mentor, Doc Hensley, who I met at the first writer’s workshop. And as you said, Vonda, we also met at a writer’s conference—whoo hoo! You, too, have played a big part in my writing and speaking. What I have learned from you is priceless to me.

Wow, thank YOU for your kind words and for sharing your wisdom and journey with us. It’s been a joy to watch God bring glory to Himself through your faithfulness.

And readers, don’t forget to leave a comment below for Patty and you’ll be in the drawing for a free book! Be sure to check back next week to see if you’re the winner.

Thanks for joining us today, Patty.

Patty: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my heart and my story of God’s healing mercy.

Author Bio:

Patty Mason is a wife and mother who found hope and healing when Jesus reached into her well of depression and set her free. From her painful past God created Liberty in Christ Ministries, a ministry dedicated to helping others find hope, healing, and freedom for their souls. As a speaker and Bible teacher, Patty continues to speak at women’s luncheons, events, workshops and conferences and has reached audiences all over the world through Sisters on Assignment, Christian TV, Salem Communication’s Light Source, WLGT Blog Radio Live, and CBN 700 Club.

Website: www.libertyinchristministries.com

Contact info: patty@libertyinchristministries.com

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Author Interview & Book Give-Away with Phoebe Leggett

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By Vonda Skelton | March 27, 2012

Phoebe Leggett

Hello readers! It’s the 4th Tuesday of March, so that means it’s time to talk with an author and give away a book! Today’s guest is Phoebe Leggett, a friend I met at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference who is now part of our local Word Weavers writer’s group!

Be sure to leave a comment for Phoebe and you could win a free book!

Welcome, Phoebe! Let’s just start at the beginning. When did you first begin writing?

As a child I wrote poetry and children’s songs. After my husband’s employment moved us to new locations, I began creating poems about my children when they were younger and other topics when an idea hit.

When my son was killed in 2004, writing about my struggle through grief produced the poems featured in my book. Journaling my thoughts and feelings helped put my grief into perspective.

Tell us about your first publication.

My first published article was in a magazine called Who’s DANN. This publication supported handicapped and disabled persons by encouraging them to tell their story. My bio, poem, and MS article were accepted for publication as I have multiple sclerosis. It was exciting to see my work in print. At that point I was given space in the magazine, and Phoebe’s Corner was born–featuring a poem each publication. A couple of years later the magazine lost its funding, and was cancelled. By that time, I was well on my way as a freelance writer.

You certainly were! What else has been published under your name?

Many children’s stories have been published in Our Little Friend, a Pacific Press Publishing Company for children’s literature. Articles, stories, and poetry have found their place in Christian literature and various monthly publications. The Upper Room featured one of my devotionals last year, and other devotionals have been published at www.christiandevotions.us. This past year an article on kayaking was published in Heartland Boating, along with articles published in The Evangel, Live, a weekly journal of Practical Living, MS Focus, MS Connection, with poetry in SheMom, and Harold and Banner Press.

Several poems have been read on air at WORD Radio in Greenville, South Carolina. And, I serve as Assistant Editor for www.DevoKids.com.

Wow, that’s quite a list! Do you currently have work featured in a publication?

Every month, Greenville Critter Magazine features one of my poems about animals. Since I love cats and have three of my own, it’s easy to write about them.

How do you decide what to write about?

When an opportunity presents itself, I write per the publisher’s request or guidelines; or look through my files and find something I’ve already written that can be submitted.

When did you decide to write your book, It’s My Time To Grieve?

When my twenty-two-year-old son was killed in a car crash, I felt a deep desire to help others who were also grieving. My dad had already passed when my son died. A couple of years later, my best friend was diagnosed with cancer, and later passed. Following her death, my mother died. These deaths prompted me to write my first book, It’s My Time To Grieve.

Tell our readers what the book is about.

When I received a tragic call in the middle of the night nearly eight years ago, my life was forever changed. My twenty-two-year-old son had just been killed in a car crash. Devastated and confused, I embarked on a long and difficult journey to recovery.

Using personal experiences as a guide, I share personal stories in my book It’s My Time to Grieve while providing a resource for others to successfully navigate through the grieving process. This includes:

  • Moving through the stages of grief
  • Managing the holidays
  • Handling the emotions of fear, anger, and regret
  • Dealing with the death of a child, spouse, parent, sibling, friend, or pet
  • Sharing the pain
  • Gaining comfort and healing from the Bible
  • Moving forward

It’s My Time to Grieve offers hope for the brokenhearted with the comfort God provides.

I know you have contributor stories in your book. Could you talk a little bit about that?

The best of contributor stories are included in my book, It’s My Time To Grieve.

  • Ann Tatlock, an award-winning novelist from North Carolina, reveals the crush of losing her mother, and the devastation that followed.
  • Belle Woods from Illinois writes about losing her husband of many years when he passed during the Christmas season.
  • Carolyn Knefely from South Carolina writes about the infant daughter she lost years ago.
  • Cathy Pendola from Texas shares personal pain after her teenage son lost his life in a fatal car accident.
  • Lori Marett from North Carolina writes how her close relationship with her dad helped her deal with his death in a positive way.
  • And of course, you write about the passing of your father in the Foreword, and the horrendous pain you felt following his death.

Other writers provide exceptional contributions to the book.

What a great way to let others express and work through their own grief. Thank you for that opportunity. So, do you have another book in the works?

Currently, I’m writing my second book titled No Weapon Formed. This book features my own struggle as a battered wife with three small children, and how I escaped my abuser. Valuable information for battered women will be offered in the book. Contributor stories from women in similar circumstances will also be part of the manuscript, along with Bible verses that provide God’s point of view concerning abuse, and restoration.

Wow, Phoebe, that sounds like another much-needed book for those in similar situations. Your life and your books are proof that, if we give it to Him to use for His glory, God never wastes any hurts. Thanks for sharing with us.

And readers, don’t forget to leave a comment and you’ll be in the drawing for an autographed copy of Phoebe’s book, It’s My Time to Grieve.

You can get your own copies by visiting Phoebe’s website at www.phoebe-leggett.com.

Phoebe Leggett is a freelance writer who has published articles, stories, devotionals, and poetry. Although she spends many hours developing her writing craft, her family is most important. She resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina with husband and three felines. This is Leggett’s debut book. I hope you’ll visit her online at www.phoebe-leggett.com.

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Author Interview & Book Give-Away with Robin Bryce

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By Vonda Skelton | January 24, 2012

What a joy to introduce Robin Bryce to you! Robin and I met back in 2005 (I think) and she has been a blessing to me ever since…just as I know she’ll be a blessing to you today.

Be sure to leave a comment for Robin and you’ll be in the drawing for a free book!

Robin founded iGETitLIFE as an extension of her speaking and writing ministry and developed a conference for women called Capture Me! She is a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of three with only one left to graduate. Robin speaks and writes while caring for her family and other critters on their Possum Walk “Ranch” in Texas. She blogs about life and ministry at www.RobinBryce.com and you can connect with her here.

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Writer’s Headlines: BONUS Author Interview & Book Give-away with Edie Melson!

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By Vonda Skelton | December 29, 2011

Today is a fifth Thursday, and with my new blog schedule, that allows me to post whatever I want, so we’re going to talk with author, speaker, and social media guru, Edie Melson!

Edie needs no introduction on this blog. As you know, we started out together after meeting as conferees at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference back in 2001 and have worked on many projects together. You can read Edie’s complete bio below, but I just want to say here that she has become the go-to person for social media and her book, Social Media Marketing for Writers, has been an Amazon #1 Bestseller. Way to go, Edie!

But today I want to introduce you to Edie’s newest book, this one from the heart of a mom. Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle, debuted on Veterans Day, 2011, and is a devotional book for those with family members in the military.

And readers, be sure to leave a comment for Edie and you could win a copy of her new book!

Welcome to the Christian Writer’s Den, Edie! I love to hear this story, but for those who haven’t heard, tell us why you wrote this book.

Our oldest son decided to bypass college and go straight from graduation, to Marine Corps book camp, to Iraq. I struggled with fear during his time in the military – especially during the deployments. I looked for resources for families and only found things written for military wives. I decided that if I survived his time in the military I’d write about how God had kept me sane.

What do you hope the readers get from this book?

I hope they realize they are part of a community. They aren’t alone. So many of those families struggling with deployment don’t live on a military base. That can cut them off from a group of people who understand the experience.

I want this book to be a resource and to point loved ones to the ultimate help, God.

What held you together during his times of deployment?

I have to give all the credit to God. He surrounded me with family, friends and an amazing church, to give me the support I needed.

How can other families dealing with this issue find help?

I have a great community blog with tips and encouragement from others who are and have experienced the deployment of a loved one. It’s also important to let those around you know what you’re dealing with. Our church family was a great resource for prayer support during Jimmy’s deployments.

My website is www.WinningTheWarAtHome.com

Also, for moms of active-duty or honorably-discharged kids there is an organization called Blue Star Mothers of America. This is a 501(c)3 organization and there are chapters in most cities and areas of the US. I’m a member and they helped me immensely by providing a place where everyone understood what I was going through.

As a matter of fact, my publisher and I are donating a portion of every book sold to the troops through the Blue Star Mothers organization.

Speaking of Jimmy, is he out? How is he doing?

He does have some disability from the time he served, but he’s doing really well. He and his wife live about three and a half hours from us and he’s in college full-time right now. He wants to go into teaching – but I suspect he may turn out to be in denial about his own writing abilities.

So, how long have you been a writer?

I’ve been a writer as long as I can remember. I was in denial for a long time, but I actually wrote my first novel – long-hand – when I was in eighth grade.

What pulled you out of your writing denial?

A lot of things helped. But the defining moment for me was feeling like God was calling me to share His message through the written word. At that point writing became less about me and more about obedience to Him. Soon after that I began attending writing conferences and as they say, the rest was history!

So you don’t have any kind of writing degree?

Nope, I started the hard way. I learned the craft of writing by attending years of online classes and workshops as well as writing conferences and reading writing books. And…most important…by WRITING!

If someone wants to be a writer and they don’t have a degree, how do you recommend they get started?

I think it’s vitally important to take classes and attend conferences. It’s also important to be part of a growing community of writers – like an online or in person writers group.

I think you also have to ask yourself if you could be happy doing anything else but writing? If you could – go do it! This is a great business, but it’s also brutal. You’ll never survive if you don’t love it.

Do you have any conferences you recommend?

One of my favorites, of course, is the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. It was one of the first I attended, back in 2001. Now I’m the co-director, along with Alton Gansky.

Why are conferences important?

They give you the opportunity to learn the craft, network with industry professionals, and meet other writers.

If it hadn’t been for Blue Ridge, I might not have ever gotten published. It was the mentoring of faculty and opportunities presented by editors that gave me my start.

Back to your book. How can someone get their own copy?

They can order it online from Amazon or Barnes and Noble or they can have their local bookstore order it. It’s available as an eBook or a traditional print book.

Or, if you want an autographed copy, I’ll be happy to arrange that through either my writers website: www.theWriteConversation.com or the book’s website: www.WinningTheWarAtHome.com

And as I mentioned earlier, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home isn’t your first book.

I do have another book out, Social Media Marketing for Writers. And as you said, it actually hit #1 in its category on Amazon this past summer. It’s available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble as an eBook.

Thanks again for joining us, Edie! What a personal joy it is for me to see all your successes…and to know first hand that they didn’t come easy. Writing is hard work, but so worth the effort!

Readers, be sure to check out the rest of Edie’s bio here: Edie is a freelance writer and editor with over 16 years experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, publishing over 700 articles in 2010. She also has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation and is a frequent contributor to many others. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, Social Media Marketing for Writers, is available on Kindle and Nook.

As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Southwest Christian Writers Studio, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is also the Assistant Acquisitions Editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us.

Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home, is Edie’s latest project. This devotional book for those with family members in the military debuted on Veterans Day, 2011. www.winningthewarathome.com.

She’s a member of numerous professional writing organizations, including the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, The Christian Pen, The Christian Writer’s View I and American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s also an assistant copy editor for the Voices E-zine, a publication of My Book Therapy and a part of the My Book Therapy Special Teams Blog and The Social Media Coach for the My Book Therapy Core Team www.mybooktherapy.com .

Married 30 years to her high school sweetheart, Kirk, they have raised three sons. You can contact Edie directly at ediegmelson (at) gmail (dot) com.

And readers, don’t forget to leave Edie a comment below and you’ll be in the drawing for a free book! Don’t forget to check back next Thursday to see if you’re the winner!

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You Have TWO More Days To MoGo! 

That’s right! The 2011 MoGo7000 Challenge will end at midnight, December 31 and someone is going to win $100–it could be YOU!

I’ll ask for your totals next Thursday and those who wrote at least 7000 new words on a book project will get another entry into the drawing. The winner of the $100 cash prize will be announced on January 12.

But don’t stop writing! The new 2012 MoGo7000 will begin on January 1, so be sure to keep a record of your word count. Check the MoGo7000 guidelines here and then get to work on your new goal.

I can’t wait to see who wins!

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What a joy to meet up with you each week. Thank you for your encouragement and support, not only for me, but for writers, like this week’s Dianne Matthews and Edie Melson, who share their knowledge–and their books–with us!

Write on!

Vonda

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Author Interview and Multiple Book Give-aways with Dianne Neal Matthews

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By Vonda Skelton | December 27, 2011

With having just celebrated Christmas and looking toward a new year, it’s a great time to introduce my devotional-writing friend, Dianne Neal Matthews. Dianne’s publishing credits include three daily devotionals including The One Year Women of the Bible and Drawing Closer to God: 365 Daily Meditations on Questions from Scripture. She has also written magazine and online articles, newspaper features, Bible studies, and stories in compilation books. She serves as a correspondent for FindingGodDaily.com, and also enjoys speaking and teaching at writers’ conferences. Dianne is a member of Advanced Writers & Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and Toastmasters International. She and her husband, Richard, live in Salt Lake City where they miss their three children and two adorable grandchildren. To learn more, visit www.DianneNealMatthews.com or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

And great news, readers! Dianne has offered to give away not one, but THREE of her books! Next Tuesday I’ll announce two winners of Drawing Closer to God, a devotional book for men and women, and one winner of her book, One Year Women of the Bible! All you have to do is leave a comment for Dianne and you’ll be in the drawing for one of THREE books! Be sure to check back next Tuesday to see who the winners are.

Now, let’s get started. I can’t wait to share Dianne’s story with you!

As writers, we always want to know: When did you decide to be a writer?

As a little girl, I loved to make up stories and share them. Writing assignments were always my favorite part of school. But as an adult, I lacked the confidence to pursue creative writing. It was just something I fantasized about until my mid-forties when I began writing articles for my church’s newsletter. Urged by a friend, I attended a writers’ conference asking God to show me if writing was His will for me or my own self-centered dream. He answered clearly that week and I’ve never doubted my calling since then.

Now you’ve published three daily devotional books and have a fourth one set to release next year. What do you find most rewarding about writing devotions?

Writing devotionals keeps me excited about how fresh and relevant God’s Word is. I love finding ways to illustrate Scriptures and draw out practical applications. And it’s such a blessing when someone tells me that a devotional has spoken to their specific situation. A woman in Australia emailed to say how amazed she is that the pages of The One Year Women of the Bible often mirrored what was going on in her own life. An older couple sent me several notes as they read The One Year On This Day together. One young mom wrote that she was feeling spiritually dry and unable to serve God, but now she’s going through one of my devotionals and keeping a journal which she plans to pass on to her two daughters some day. Comments like that remind me what a privilege this is.

Tell us a little about your latest book.

Last fall Baker released Drawing Closer to God: 365 Daily Meditations on Questions from Scripture. Each devotional is based on a question asked by someone in the Bible—God, Jesus, Satan, an Old Testament character, or a New Testament writer. The meditation explores the setting, and ties it into a spiritual principle or practical application. The day’s entry closes with either a question for readers to ask God or a question to ask themselves.

How did you get the idea for Drawing Closer to God?
I began noticing how many Scriptures are in the form of questions and how relevant these still are today. Old Testament characters like David voiced honest questions that we’ve all probably felt at some point but may be reluctant to say out loud: “Why are you so distant, Lord? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1) New Testament writers used questions to explain spiritual principles. Jesus asked questions as a powerful teaching tool: “Can any of you add an hour to your life by worrying?” (Luke 12:25) “Why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)

Many questions in the Bible can be matched with a verse that answers it. Before Pilate asked the universal question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), Jesus had already answered it when he prayed: “Your words are truth.” (John 17:17) As we go through hardships, we may wonder as Gideon did, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:13) Then we read in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble.”

The more I studied these questions, the more I was struck by how much God communicates to us through them. It intrigued me to think that sometimes we can find answers by looking at the questions.

Did writing Drawing Closer to God impact your own spiritual life?

Yes, the fact that biblical characters expressed their questions and doubts so honestly reminded me of how God wants me to approach my relationship with him. Now when I see a question in the Bible, I use it as a springboard to look for what God wants me to discuss with Him or what He wants to teach me. I’m in the process of pulling out a core list of questions from the book to use in my quiet time. I want to periodically go through them as a sort of spiritual check-up to assess my spiritual walk and keep my focus where it should be.

What is the main thing you hope readers take away from this book?

If we approach the Bible with a teachable attitude, God’s Spirit will use the questions written so long ago to comfort us, convict us, and transform us. I hope these devotionals will encourage readers to feel comfortable examining their own questions through meditation and prayer. I believe God wants us to cry out to him when we don’t understand something—and in the process we’ll be drawing closer to Him.

Amen, sister, I agree He wants us to cry out to Him. And I’m trying to learn that truth more and more in my own life.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Dianne. And especially thank you for giving three readers a chance at winning a book! Friends, don’t forget to leave a comment and then check back next Tuesday for the winning names!

Until next time…

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

 

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Author Interview and Book Give-Away with Kristi Butler

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By Vonda Skelton | November 22, 2011

I know you’re going to enjoy meeting my friend, Kristi Butler. Kristi and I met years ago at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and it’s been a joy to watch her growing success as a writer and speaker. (Although I must admit, this is the first time I’ve ever had a headshot of a critter in a blog post!)

Kristi is the author of Gracie’s Groundhog Day Surprise and Grover Groundhog is NOT Hibernating This Christmas!, a picture book series for kids. Read on as she shares the story of her journey.

So let’s get started! (Don’t forget to leave a comment and you’ll be in the drawing for your choice of a free book!)

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Interview & Book Give-Away with Author Eddie Snipes

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By Vonda Skelton | October 25, 2011

headshoteddiesnipes

I’m thrilled to introduce my friend, Eddie Snipes, President of the Christian Authors Guild. You’re in for a treat! You’ll want to get the whole scoop on Eddie below, and don’t forget to leave a comment and you’ll in the drawing for a free book!

Let’s start with an easy question everybody always wants to know: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

In school, I grumbled that I had nothing to write. I often tell people that I was so good in Grammar that I was invited back to take the class four times.

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Interview and Book Give-Away with Cindy Rooy

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By Vonda Skelton | September 27, 2011

cindyrooyheadshotWhat a joy to introduce this week’s visiting author, Cindy Rooy. Cindy and I met years ago at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and it’s been a joy to watch God bless her work. Cindy is the author of the Bible study, Trusting God Through Troubles & Tears. She presently hosts a bi-weekly radio show in New Mexico called Faith Flash and is an inspirational newspaper columnist for three papers covering southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. You can read more about Cindy and her ministry at the end of the interview, but be sure to leave a comment and you’ll be in the drawing for a free book!

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It’s Been 10 Years by Steve Matheny

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By Vonda Skelton | September 13, 2011

mathenysToday’s post is written by our dear son-in-law, Steve Matheny, who could have been lost at the World Trade Center ten years ago. This is the first time he’s told the full story.

He’ll tell you he’s not a writer, and as far as I know, has no inclination to be one.

But the truth is, whether he believes it or not, he IS. After reading his story posted on his Facebook page, I knew I wanted to share it with you. After reading it, I’m sure you’ll agree that he is, indeed, a writer. 

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Author and Book Give-Away with Julie Papievis

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By Vonda Skelton | August 23, 2011

juliepheadshotOn May 10, 1993 Julie Papievis’ life was changed forever because someone ran a red light. In the horrendous car accident, she suffered a severe brain stem injury and medically died, rating a 3 on the Glascow Coma Scale, the lowest number possible. According to medical experts, 96% of the people with such a severe injury either die or remain permanently comatose. The few who survive typically face a non-functional life.

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