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Teresa Tysinger is a wife and mother transplanted from North Carolina to North Texas. When not working as the Director of Communications for a large downtown church, she writes charming southern romances inspired by grace. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Religious Communicators’ Council, and the Association for Women in Communications, Teresa has spent over a decade committed to telling stories of faith through written word. She also offers graphic design and marketing services to other authors through her freelance business, Good Day Publishing. She loves coffee, caramel, and stories with happy endings.
Visit her at http://teresatysinger.com
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Welcome to the blog, Teresa! I’m so happy you could join us today!
So tell us… When did you first start writing?
Would you count “The Bunny Family” I wrote, and illustrated, in second grade? It was probably that early that I started feeling pulled to storytelling. I started writing poetry in later elementary school, too. Your typical tween girl need for expression. Ha!
Love it! Nothing wrong with that. 🙂 What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on independently publishing my first novel, Someplace Familiar, a contemporary romance set in the mountains of North Carolina. It’s the first of a four-book Laurel Cove Series; each book will be stand-alone with the quaint town at its center. Right now the book is with beta readers, then it goes to my editor the middle of February. Look for it available in late Spring!
Oh wow, that’s exciting! So close! Can you tell us about one of your favorite characters you’ve written so far?
I’ve begun writing the second Laurel Cove book. Its heroine really gripped me from the start. She’s got a lot of baggage, is fiercely independent (to a fault), but her tender underbelly sits so close to the surface that it’s nerve-wracking to write her. Her need and subtle desire for grace is palpable. I guess I’m rooting so hard for her; I’m invested to see her story through and reveal where God takes her.
What’s something you love about your home state?
Even though I grew up in Florida and now call Texas “home,” I consider North Carolina my home state. It’s where my husband and I spent the first ten years of our marriage. I absolutely love having access to both beautiful beaches and breathtaking mountains – only a few hours apart. (The food is pretty great, too!)
My hubby and I spent some time in North Carolina on our honeymoon. I’d love to go back. Such a pretty place!
What’s one of your favorite books?
I’m sure I’m not the first author to groan at this question. How are we to pick just one? I tend to be most loyal to the titles that grabbed hold of me as an early reader. Anne of Green Gables did just that, and remains a favorite.
What is one of your favorite Scripture verses?
While in confirmation classes in 6th grade, we had to choose a “life verse” to memorize and study. God knew then that I would need the comfort of Isaiah 41:10 for my whole life as a person who struggles with anxiety and worry. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
A favorite of mine too. 😉 Can you tell us about a special moment from your writing journey so far?
More than just one moment, I have to say the most special apart of this journey has been the individuals I’ve met within this community of Christian writers. The encouragement is unsurpassed, support second to none. If I could shout out to two authors who I actually consider mentors (without them knowing I’ve given them the position – ha!): Jaime Jo Wright and Laurie Tomlinson have taught me more about the process and gone the extra mile on many occasions to celebrate the tiniest accomplishments. I’ve also learned more about writing from my several critique partners than almost any of the many classes I took in college and graduate school. I could go on and on about this community. God did good putting us ALL together!
Yes, the writing community is AWESOME! 😉
What’s been one of the most challenging aspects of writing?
Finding time. I work full-time, have a daughter who’s involved in several activities, and am married to a wonderful husband whose fun job in professional theater often takes up his nights and weekends. Truth be told, it’s one of the reasons I’ve decided to pursue independent publishing. It allows me to maintain the pace of my writing career instead of feeling pressured to meet demands of publisher-set deadlines. Once I made that decision, a big sense of peace came over me.
Name a few authors who inspire you.
The list is too long! But I want to give a shout out to Linda Davis who won the coveted ACFW Carol Award in 2016 for her DEBUT novel, The Calling of Ella McFarland, at an age most of us would be winding down! In addition to giving the most entertaining and memorable speech for the award at the ACFW Gala (oh my gosh, so funny!), Linda encourages us all that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. So inspiring!
Can you share a word of advice to other writers out there on the road to publication?
I would love other writers to know that your unique writing career might not look like that of other authors. And that’s ok. In fact, it might just be part of a divine plan. Listen to God’s small, still voice. He will guide you to the path he’s set out just for your career.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Teresa. I’ll be looking for your book this spring! 🙂 Have a blessed 2017!
Let’s spread the love, reading friends! You can help encourage and support Teresa’s writing by connecting with her at the sites below.
Website: http://teresatysinger.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresatysingerauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmtysinger
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teresatysinger/
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READERS, Teresa has a question for you…
Readers, no matter the genre, I feel books should leave an impression on us when we’re done. That’s what hooked me way back when I wrote “The Bunny Family” and then later got sucked into Anne’s world at Green Gables. What is a book that left a lasting impression on you? Why do you think?
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Hi Teresa,
Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love will always be a memorable novel on my keeper shelf. I’d heard of this story for so long and finally read it in recent years. Oh, my word. It really touched my heart in ways I’m still processing.
Congratulations on YOUR future novels, Teresa! I look forward to reading. 🙂 Keep us posted in your wonderful newsletters!
Great questions, Savanna! *waves* 🙂
Thanks, Cynthia! I’ll have to check out that one by Francine.
Hi Cynthia! So happy you visited. 🙂 Will I see you Saturday at our meet-up? 🙂
Ah, Redeeming Love. I read it years ago and I still remember it in detail. One of my favorites! Teresa, you must add it to your TBR list. 😉
Hi Teresa,
Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love will always be a memorable novel on my keeper shelf. I’d heard of this story for so long and finally read it in recent years. Oh, my word. It really touched my heart in ways I’m still processing.
Congratulations on YOUR future novels, Teresa! I look forward to reading. 🙂 Keep us posted in your wonderful newsletters!
Great questions, Savanna! *waves* 🙂
Thanks, Cynthia! I’ll have to check out that one by Francine.
Hi Cynthia! So happy you visited. 🙂 Will I see you Saturday at our meet-up? 🙂
Ah, Redeeming Love. I read it years ago and I still remember it in detail. One of my favorites! Teresa, you must add it to your TBR list. 😉
You just made my day, Teresa! Love this interview, and I’m so grateful to have you in this community! ❤❤ Love the shout out to Linda Davis, too!
Thanks, Laurie! I hope you know you’re a HUGE part of making this community so special to me.
Hi Laurie! I’m so glad you could swing by. 🙂
You just made my day, Teresa! Love this interview, and I’m so grateful to have you in this community! ❤❤ Love the shout out to Linda Davis, too!
Thanks, Laurie! I hope you know you’re a HUGE part of making this community so special to me.
Hi Laurie! I’m so glad you could swing by. 🙂
Teresa, how exciting to hear you’re writing about the mountains of North Carolina…where I live! Have you read Pepper Basham’s A Twist of Faith or Tamara Leigh’s contemporary series based in Asheville? Fun books! Blessings on your debut!
Sondra, YES! Pepper’s A Twist of Faith is one of my favorite recent reads. I’m hoping to do some book touring in your area once the book is released, so keep an eye out. 🙂 Blessings!
Oh how fun! Thanks for stopping by, Sondra. I LOVE Pepper’s books, but I haven’t read any of Tamara’s yet. Sounds like I need to change that. 😉
Teresa, how exciting to hear you’re writing about the mountains of North Carolina…where I live! Have you read Pepper Basham’s A Twist of Faith or Tamara Leigh’s contemporary series based in Asheville? Fun books! Blessings on your debut!
Sondra, YES! Pepper’s A Twist of Faith is one of my favorite recent reads. I’m hoping to do some book touring in your area once the book is released, so keep an eye out. 🙂 Blessings!
Oh how fun! Thanks for stopping by, Sondra. I LOVE Pepper’s books, but I haven’t read any of Tamara’s yet. Sounds like I need to change that. 😉