Can you tell us a bit about your family, and what it
is like where you live?
My family is a typical Midwest family—some are country folk, others city folk. I
do have a bit of trivia for you. I’m related by marriage to three famous
people: Frederick the Great of Prussia, Vincent Price, and Rush Limbaugh.
Is
there a story behind Cut It Out!?
I knew I wanted the mavens to venture outside the world of hair and the
quest for personal beauty to social issues. As I was researching ideas I came
across an organization called CUT IT OUT®. Their Salons Against Domestic Abuse
program is dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the
epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the U.S. by building awareness and
training salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer
clients, colleagues, friends, and family to local resources.
I further learned that 1 in 3 women will be abused by an intimate
partner. This compelled me to bring this issue into the mavens’ world in the
hopes that readers would be informed of this tragic state of affairs, and learn
of ways to help.
For more information about CIO® you can check out their website at: https://probeauty.wufoo.com/forms/zywwjf80d18a7x/
What is unique about the setting? How does it
enhance the story?
The reason I chose a hair salon is that this is a culture most women
understand. You know that marvelous moment when your hairdresser finds the
perfect cut and/or color and style for you—when you walk out of that salon
feeling like a million bucks because the woman holding those scissors saw you
and knew what you needed. If you have experienced this, then you can understand
the impact of bringing a group of hairstylists—who are on their spiritual
journey to Jesus—together who give more than good hair, they offer a
life-changing style to women.
Do you have favorite spiritual themes?
Unity. It was Jesus’ passion—enough that He prayed for it in the Garden of Gethsemane .
Tucked inside The Hair Mavens series are modern day Ruth and Naomi
stories. Ruth and Naomi were one of the first examples of how unity can change
the world.
What
is the last thing you wrote?
A devotional for Kimberly’s
Musings Blog.
What’s
the first thing you ever wrote that you still have?
Jilly the Teddy Bear’s
Adventures. Yeah, I was six.
What’s
your favorite genre of writing?
To write? Women’s contemporary.
To read? Thrillers and mysteries.
Who
is the most fun character you ever created?
Hands down, Harriet. I love her. She speaks her
mind, but has no idea how brilliant she is. And her wit? Golly, I wish I could
come up with her one-liners at the drop of a hat. Oh wait—I guess I do. J
Who
is the most annoying character you ever created?
It’s got to be Mrs. Nellie Talbot. She’s wealthy and
compulsively superficial. Sometimes her humanity unexpectedly comes through and
it’s always delightful.
How much research do you have to do for the genre in
which you write?
Many readers ask me if I am/was
a hairdresser. I’m not. For a number of years I sold advertising and
specialized in hair salons. Just loved the culture.
Also, in our 40 years of
marriage, my husband’s jobs have taken us all over the country, so I’ve gone to
many different salons. Today, I have a wonderful stylist who lets me brainstorm
my ideas and keeps me as authentic as possible.
Do you have a writing system? What works best for
you?
Yes. It’s
called the TIS system—Tush in Seat.
Where
do you most like to write?
I have a gorgeous loft with snuggle-worthy chairs
and an ottoman. Shelves and shelves of books and resources. A huge desk. A
whiteboard. And where do I end up writing? In the kitchen, at the breakfast
bar.
Do
you believe in writer’s block? If so how often do you get it? How do you fix
it?
Yes. I believe God implants stories into those He
has called to write when He weaves us together in our mother’s womb. These
stories are waiting to be born. My theory is that writer’s block is rooted in those
things in our lives that interfere with hearing from the Lord. At least, that’s
what it has been in my life.
Once everything is cleared out and I can hear from
the Lord—not necessarily about the story, just life in general—then I can
write.
Do you type or write by
hand? Computer? Typewriter? Legal pad? Any special reason for choosing to write
this way?
Ooo. I love the romantic notion of using a
typewriter—like riding the handlebars through a tree- and flower-lined lane, while
my husband pedals the bike—but the practicality? Nope.
Otherwise, in the early stages of writing, I might
use all the other media, along with scraps of paper, envelopes, my arm, etc.
Do
you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it?
Yes. The Hair Mavens Series had been abandoned for
six years. She Does Good Hair was
finished in 2007. Over the years I’d pull it out, dust it off, speak words of
encouragement and commiserate with it. You know, the usual stuff. I had plotted
Cut It Out! back in 2008, but didn’t
begin writing the book until early this year.
I just learned yesterday that the children’s chapter
book I wrote in 1979 is still on the “yes” pile of a publisher—and they want to
further discuss a series. Like The Hair Mavens, periodically I would pull it
out and try to make it better. Hopefully, next year will be the year for this
“child.”
How
many writing projects are you working on right now?
Four I think. Book three of the Hair Mavens, Bad Hair Day—I think it may be the last
one. But, it depends on the mavens—they may have more to say.
Another series called Hands of Mercy, the first book
is, Holding Hand, The first draft is
finished.
A fantasy for YA entitled, Shabby Throne.
Still waiting to nail down the contract (hopefully)
for the children’s chapter book series, The Chronicles of the Voice.
What
are your five favorite words?
Yeshua. Hope. Exquisite. Love.
Yes.
Are
you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write your first draft?
NO! Should I be?
How
do people react when they find out you write?
Depends. People who know me, it’s no big deal. In
fact, I can practically read their minds. “And she gave up her career for
this?”
People who don’t know me are more
impressed that I’ve published.
Do
you have, or have you ever had a writing mentor?
Yes. Marlene Bagnull and Angela
Hunt.
When
is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Book three of The Hair Mavens
Series—Bad Hair Day, should be out in
2015.
The mavens venture into the streets with makeovers
for homeless and “street” women. The juxtaposition of one of the character’s
big expensive wedding and the needs of women in shelters will hopefully be an
interesting one. You can be sure there will be lots of humor, inspiration,
romance, and the climax of Katya’s confrontation with her rapist.
As one reader shared, “One minute I’m crying, the
next I’m laughing out loud.” That’s always my goal, laughter from tears.
To purchase her book:
Terri Gillespie is giving away a copy of Cut It Out. The
giveaway is only available to U.S.
addresses.
To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment along with your
email address. You may enter the book
giveaway twice -- once on each spotlight post. (It's not too late to go back
and leave a comment on yesterday's post.)
Off
to read another great book!
Sandra
M. Hart
7 comments:
I enjoyed the first book in this series, I am looking forward to this one as well.
I wrote my first short stories on a manual typewriter, then graduated to an electric. My novels never would have been written if I'd had to use a typewriter. lol. Great interview. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book in the series.
Interesting interview today..
dkstevensne AT outlook DOT coM
I can't wait to read Terri's new book - it is already on my TBR list for 2015!
I am not familiar with this author or her books but they look like "good reads".
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gamil(dot)com
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Ladies! Thanks so much for reading about my zany self and your diplomatic and encouraging comments. I recognize a few familiar names and am honored that you're interested in the Mavens. Blessings to you and your family, especially in this season of celebrating the Messiah and Savior of the world.
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