Interview with JACQUELIN THOMAS (2003)
WP:It is my pleasure to welcome author Jacquelin Thomas to the Word
Praize family. Jacquelin, thanks so much for joining us today.
JT: Thanks so much for the invitation--it's a pleasure.
WP: The first book I read by you was SINGSATION, your first inspirational title. Can you describe how the Lord led you to writing that book? Now having written several faith-based books, how do you feel about your decision to write in this genre?
JT: I knew I was called to write Christian fiction from the very beginning of my career--I just didn't for several reasons. One was that I didn't feel qualified or worthy to do so and the other was that I felt that it wouldn't be any fun. I didn't want to write books that preached to others, being a Christian, etc. Looking back, all I can say: Boy was I without a clue! Talk about being lost ....
I do not regret this decision to write Christian Fiction at all--this has been the most fulfilling times of my career. God really worked on my heart until I became a willing participant and the good news is that He has never left my side. I found that anything I needed to know in the way of scriptures--he led me to my pastor, the Bible and others who were able to keep me on track. I've learned so much about the Bible.
WP: One of things that strikes me most about your writing is your lush descriptions and the strong romance between your characters (or strong emotion in the case of your mainstream titles). Did you develop some of your writing trademarks during the Arabeque years? Now that you're writing both romance and inspirationals, do you struggle to keep the two styles separate or is it an easy transition?
JT: My last romance came out in December 2003. Writing for
Arabesque certainly helped me with writing the relationships between
men and women. Writing romance gives writers a chance to really
explore your characters emotionally--as it's the romance that carries
the story. It's good practice and I think it's really made me a much
stronger writer. I don't just think physical but more emotional when
it comes to developing my characters.
WP: This May, you'll be hosting the Faith Based Fiction Lover's Weekend in Durham, North Carolina. You also have a faith based fiction club on MSN. Can you give us a definition of what faith-based fiction is, and how it differs (if at all) from other titles, such as inspirational or Christian fiction? How did you and Victoria Christopher Murray come up with the concept of Faith Based Literary Events, Inc.? What are your plans for the future? Also, tell our readers how to join your club and register for the sure to be exciting literary event.
JT:There really isn't any difference for me when it comes to Faith-Based Fiction and Christian Fiction. Christian Fiction books show readers that loving God and trying to live right doesn't have to be boring or that you have to give up anything. It also shows that just being a Christian doesn't make you perfect or immune to the drama of life either. Living wrong is easy but it's a daily challenge to live life for God. In Christian Fiction, you will find that God is always the answer--no matter the problem or situation. The gospel message is upfront and center.
Victoria and I attend many literary events throughout the year and there is usually always 1 panel for Christian Fiction. Well we wanted to expand on that to feature other authors writing Christian/Inspirational fiction as most are not real well known. We really want to see this genre grow and we want to help promote other authors. It's important that we all continue to pray for this genre and it's authors. Faith-Based Literary Events, Inc. was formed to promoted the efforts of Christian/Inspirational Fiction authors by bringing readers and writers together. This is the purpose of the Fiction Lovers Weekend and proceeds raised will be donated to the Impact Movement. For more on the Impact Movement, here is a link: http://www.impactmovement.com/. We are planning to host several intensive writers retreats throughout the year as well.
Readers can join my online book club by visiting my website: http://www.jacquelinthomas.com/. For more on the Fiction Lovers Weekend, readers can go to: http://www.fbfictionlovers.com/.
WP: With eighteen books to your credit, you show no signs of slowing down. Rather, you're picking up the pace with new sales to Steeple Hill and the Blessed Assurance anthology. Can you give us a peek at your writing day? What advice would you give to authors who want to follow in your footsteps? :::I'm listening attentively:::
JT: God is so good ...... My writing day starts around 9 am with my checking and responding to email. After that, I tend to try to make and/or returns any phone calls that are necessary. My actual writing usually starts around 10:30 or 11:00. I write until 1 and then make a point of having lunch with my hubby. It's back at work around 2:12-2:30 and last until 4:30 when my son comes home from school. When I'm on deadline, I'll pick up again around 8:30 when my son goes to bed and work until 11 when my hubby comes home from work. I don't write on weekends unless I'm behind schedule as those are travel days and/or I'm hanging with the family. I'm very disciplined when it comes to writing and tend to stay very focused.
I believe it's very important to sit your family down and explain the writing process--your writing process. Explain what it means to be on a deadline--even if you haven't sold yet. Prepare them for what is to come. Note I didn't say what may come .... My husband is very supportive and normally will assume all household chores while I concentrate on my writing. I always do something special for him when the check arrives because he deserves it.
Develop a system that works for you and stick to it. I actually allow myself non-writing days in the event--something happens. For example, if I have a book due in May--I will count the days (excluding Saturday & Sunday) beginning today until the due date. I then subtract 20 non-writing days from the total. I divide the days left into the expected number of pages I plan to write--say 400 pages and that will tell me how many pages I need to write per day. This way I can pace myself but I allow myself some lee-way and allows me to do some final polishing.
WP: I mentioned the Blessed Assurance anthology earlier, a compilation of stories from you, Patricia Haley, Victoria Christopher Murray, Maurice Gray, Terrance Johnson and S. James Guitard. Tell us a little about this project and its tour. What things did you all do as a group to promote this book? Also, what advice do you have for authors looking to collaborate together since you've done several anthologies?
JT: Blessed Assurance was a wonderful project. There were times the devil got into the mix but God is good ... We've formed a strong bond and have continued to travel and do events together--even now. We will be together in February for a weekend event in Augusta, GA to promote Blessed Assurance. We hosted several launch parties over the summer in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Delaware and North Carolina that were very successful which led to high sales for which we are very grateful and we feel blessed.
I'm proud to say that the idea of Blessed Assurance was my brainchild. We came together to do the collection because we were traveling together and promoting our own books--we wanted our readers to be able to take home a little bit of all of us. This way they would be exposed to all of our styles and maybe be encouraged to read some of our other works.
The stories in the collection are modern day renditions of Biblical stories and we had a lot of fun writing our versions. The Bible is filled with drama we found and not unlike what's going on in today's world. The good news is that God is true, the same and always will be.
WP: Being an admirer of your work, I could sit here all day and ask
you
questions, but I know that if I do, we won't have another great
book to read. So I'll end here by giving you the floor to share
anything the Lord would have you say that I haven't covered. We so
appreciate this time with you today and I pray that everyone will visit
your site at www.jacquelinthomas.com and purchase A CHANGE IS GONNA
COME and BLESSED ASSURANCE if they haven't already.
JT: Thanks so much for this opportunity. I want to say thanks to everyone for all the support shown me and don't forget that my first New Spirit hardcover, SOUL JOURNEY, will be released May 2004. It's about a determined young woman torn between pleasing the father who raised her and obeying the call of the Father who created her .....