Welcome Paula Mowery to my blog today!
Paula is a pastor's wife, mom, speaker, author and acquisitions editor. Yet she managed to find time amidst the busyness of her schedule to answers my questions for today's author interview feature. *Applause*
A generous heart, Paula has agreed to give away one, free e-book copy of her book Legacy & Love. More details about the book giveaway contest are found toward the end of Paula's author interview.
Thank you SO much for taking the time for me and my blog readers, Paula. We appreciate it!
I'd say it's time for the interview, wouldn't you? Let's proceed...
*Interview questions from Alexis in bold, answers from Paula are not in bold.
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Alexis: Why do you think your writing career is a calling from God?
Paula: My writing was confirmed as a calling from God when I put out a fleece. I had been writing for several years, sharing with a couple of friends. Back in 2011, one of those friends challenged me by asking if I would ever pursue publication. This question started running around in my head and I finally decided to pray and ask God to give me a sign as to whether my writing was to be for publication or just a hobby to share with friends. The next morning after that prayer, I received an email that one of my articles had been selected for a national magazine. God had my attention. Not long after, I received my first book contract. I felt God was calling me to write and have been following His leading ever since.
You believe writing for a “godly cause” is worth it. Why? Explain what you mean by “godly cause.”
To me a godly cause means that my writing contains truths and messages from God. My stories are entertaining but have deeper meaning and purpose. I can honestly say that writing for a godly cause is worth it even if only a few people read a given book. When I put out that fleece, I also told God that I promised to write the story even if it was only for one person. Isn’t one person worth it? Each one is in God’s eyes. God has confirmed what can happen if I just be obedient and write His message. Readers have shared with me how my stories have encouraged them in their faith. That is the best motivation to keep writing for God’s cause.
Give an example of how the books you write touch people for the cause of Christ.
One reader shared with me how Be The Blessing touched her. She found herself encouraged to be a blessing to others as we are told in Scripture. To me that will have the domino or multiplication effect. If that person blesses another person then that person does the same, then that equals more encouragement for the body of Christ.
Tell me about your book, Legacy & Love. What inspired you to write it?
I had written two different novellas and noticed that both had the godly influence of a grandmother. My own paternal grandmother was really the inspiration for both of the grandmothers portrayed in these stories. Her Christian legacy was strong and still being passed on.
Who are your main two characters in "The Prayer Shawl"? What do they like and dislike? What did you enjoy the most about creating and getting to know each of those two characters?
The heroine is Hope who is a pediatric nurse who shares God’s love in her words and actions. She learned to create prayer shawls from her grandmother and she passes on this tradition to friends and patients. The hero is Sean who is a reporter always out for that next big magazine article. During college, he becomes disillusioned about his Christianity and strays. I enjoyed creating a strong Christian in Hope who comes face to face with Sean who wants to dispute her beliefs at every turn. It was fun making them attracted to each other but so at odds when it comes to matters of faith. You’ll have to read for yourself to see how that turns out.
Who are your main two characters in the story "Inheritance"? What are their strengths and flaws? How did you create the perfect names for these characters and do those names have special significance to the story?
Alex is a woman who has never really started her life. She now returns to her nana’s house which she discovers is deeded to her now. This is a good thing because her career opportunities and lack of funds to pay for her small apartment just fell through. But, she soon discovers that her grandmother had a secret. This is a secret that Chase knows but there’s still a missing piece they have to figure out together. Alex feels she’s messed up too often for God to put her on the track to her life’s plan again. Chase becomes instrumental in helping Alex find God’s plan again.
And, for choosing names, I have a baby name book which gives the meanings as well as spiritual significance. Sometimes I choose names based on meaning but sometimes just by flipping through until one stands out. Alex is named after her grandmother – Alexandra or Alexa which means benefactor or generous. Chase’s name means "pursuer of truth" or "hunter".
You are a published author, acquisitions editor and speaker! How do you do it all and still take time for yourself, your husband and your daughter?
I keep a calendar and organize my time! My daughter is attending Liberty Online and my husband is a pastor. I write and edit during the day and then stop to spend time with them at night unless a deadline restricts me. I really do take advantage of every moment I can. I can read and write in the car (when my hubby is driving). I have been known to work while cooking supper or in waiting rooms.
Who is your publisher? Are you a hybrid author, indie author or traditionally published?
I have been fortunate to be traditionally published by two wonderful publishers – Pelican Book Group and Prism Book Group. I also have been published traditionally in several collaborative devotional books.
How does your faith in God affect your storytelling?
All of my writing includes truths from God and His Word. God has given me gifts and experiences exclusive to me and from those I write.
Do you only write books for the Christian fiction market? Why or why not?
I only write for the Christian market. I like knowing that my stories are not just to entertain for a couple of days and then be forgotten. When including a Christian message, the impact could be long-lasting. That’s what I believe my calling calls for.
Who is your favorite author and what book of theirs impacted your life?
Share details. Wow. This is way too hard to answer. I review for many Christian authors through ACFW and The Christian Online Magazine and I love so many of them. And, I have found many of them to speak to me in different ways.
You're known for writing books that are “thundering with emotion.” What does that label mean to you?
This label means that evoke in my reader the emotions my characters are feeling so my reader can truly experience my stories.
Where did you grow up and how does it compare to where you reside now?
I grew up in East Tennessee. My hubby and I moved to Fort Worth, Texas, for him to attend seminary and then we were called to a church in Southern Maryland, Amish country. But, about fifteen years ago, God brought us back to East Tennessee, an hour from our families. I love being back here in the Smoky Mountains. I grew up hiking and fishing.
Give us insight into our life as a pastor’s wife and mom to a college student. What’s a typical day like for you? Do you as a pastor’s wife feel the pressure to appear and act perfect? How do you and your family spend your free time?
I learned many years ago that I couldn’t be that picture perfect, do what is expected pastor’s wife. I can only be who God made me to be and I’m responsible to follow His plan. The college student mom is a different role for me. I homeschooled my daughter through all twelve grades and now, someone else is her teacher. That was hard for me to get used to.
A typical day probably doesn’t exist around our house, but I have a part-time job as an assistant in the school system to pay for college tuition. (Can I get an “Amen”?) I get up at 5:45 and then work from 7:10-12:15. Then I come home and my daughter takes a break from her schooling online. We have a quick lunch. Then, I’m off to my “hole” in the back bedroom where I write and edit until my hubby comes home sometime after 5:00. We have supper and normally I sit in the living room while my hubby watches the latest sports and I read. But, we’re together.
Now, when emergencies happen in the church, everything changes. We try to spend Saturdays as a family. Sometimes that just means staying home and cooking on the grill. We like to “run off” to the mountains and take in the scenery. My daughter enjoys photography so we’ll go on picture-taking excursions.
Complete this sentence: At the end of the day, I am________________ because________________________.
At the end of the day, I am a blessed child of God because He allows me to write for Him.
Thanks for the interview, Paula! Please leave a question for my readers to answer, which will qualify them to enter the book giveaway contest and win one e-book copy of your book Legacy & Love.
Paula’s question for blog readers: Is there someone in your family tree who left an intentional Godly legacy? Who was that person? Are you continuing that legacy?
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Author bio:
Paula Mowery is a published author, acquisitions editor, and speaker. Her first two published works were The Blessing Seer and Be The Blessing from Pelican Book Group. Both are women’s fiction, and their themes have been the topics of speaking engagements. Be The Blessing won the Selah Award in 2014 in the novella category.
In November of 2013, her first romance released in the anthology, Brave New Century, from Prism Book Group. This book went to number five on Amazon’s bestseller category, historical Christian romance. Legacy and Love is her first solo romance.
Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living. She wrote a section for Join the Insanity by Rhonda Rhea. She has devotionals included in several collaborative books.
As an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group, Paula particularly looks for romance stories with Christian values at its core. She’s especially attracted to those manuscripts that leave the reader mulling over the story long after turning the last page.
Having been an avid reader of Christian fiction, she now puts that love to use by writing book reviews. She is a member of ACFW and is on the author interview team. She was a member of the 2014 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference faculty.
Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.
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Blurbs for the two stories in Paula's book, Legacy & Love:
Story #1: The Prayer Shawl
Sean Holland is a magazine reporter always looking for the next story. Hope Weaver is a pediatric nurse who shares Christ through making prayer shawls. The shawls are just the touchy-feely story Sean needs, even though he’ll have to endure Hope’s strong Christian beliefs to get it. An unexpected connection brings them together as a couple. But, can they find love if they don’t share their faith?
Story #2:Inheritance
Alex Lyndon’s life has been a series of fits and starts with no finishes. She finds herself jobless and divorced. Now her only family, Granny Olivia, is critically ill.
Chase Carson had to step into running the family business when his father died. The time is past due to visit Miss Olivia.
Alex and Chase must go on a treasure hunt. Will each find purpose and love for their lives in the process?
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Buy Paula's book Legacy & Love:
