VR: When did you know that you were chosen not just to write, but to become an author?
TM: A job lay off in
1999 prompted me to begin to pursue purpose for my life. I was
journalism major so of course I was always writing throughout my career
track – whether I was working in marketing, public relations, etc. But
during that time when I didn’t have to wake up for my 9-to-5, God really
spoke to me and told me that he was going to “marry” my love of reading
and writing.
VR: What has your literary journey been like for you?
TM: Ups and downs.
Sometime it isn’t what I thought it would be, and at other times it’s
been more than what I expected. I just hold on for the ride. Overall
it’s still been such a blessing. I’ve learned that with publishing, it’s
sometimes about finding the trends and changing with the times.
VR: What is your writing process like?
TM: I’m more
productive in the mornings. I find that I do best at the library so I
can turn off all of the distractions and not get pulled into things like
washing clothes, reorganizing my daughter’s closet, or deciding it’s
the perfect time to clean the carpet! LOL! I usually start off
free-flowing the first five chapters or so to get my writing muse
started, then I begin to outline scenes and chapters.
VR: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in any of your books?
TM: No. I think all
of my books were the best that I could do at that particular stage of my
writing. I learned a new skill from writing each book.
VR: What were the challenges you faced in bringing forth any of your books?
TM: Time management.
Just recently I had to ask my publisher for an additional month past my
deadline. I have three children – ages 8, 5 and 9 months. I think I
underestimated how much time and attention go into having an infant at
home. However, my baby boy quickly reminded me!
VR: What advice would you give aspiring authors
TM: Write! Write!
Read! And write some more. Many aspiring authors become consumed with
the publishing process, but they don’t have anything to publish in the
first place. Finish what you start.
VRAre you working on any new projects?
TM: Yes, always. Sunday Morning Love, the second book in my Days of Grace series, is scheduled for release in October 2014.
VR: What is something that your readers would find interesting about you?
TM: 1. I like peanuts and cashews, but can’t stand the taste of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and all those other nuts!
2. I’m great at organizing papers and filing systems.
3. I can’t swim, even
though I wish I could! When I graduated from college in 1996, one of
the requirements was that you had to pass the swim test. I took a
beginning swimming the last semester of my senior year and subsequently
passed the required test. But my fear of the water stole my skills away.
One day, however, I’m going to swim like a fish!
- See more at: http://thecertainonesmagazine.com/friday-night-love-author-tia-mccollors/#sthash.URnPzi6I.dpuf
About the Author
Tia McCollors used to dream of being a television news anchor, but
her destiny led her behind the pages instead of in front of the cameras.
After earning a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from
UNC-Chapel Hill, she went on to build a successful career in the public
relations industry. In 1999, a job layoff prompted Tia to discover and
pursue a writing career as an author. Following the birth of her son in
2006, she left the corporate arena to focus on her family and her
expanding writing and speaking business.
Tia’s first novel, A Heart of Devotion, was an Essence Magazine
bestseller. She followed her popular debut with four other inspirational
novels including Zora’s Cry, The Truth About Love, The Last Woman
Standing, and Steppin’ Into The Good Life. In 2012, she released If
These Shoes Could Talk, her first devotion book of The Prissy Purse
Devotions series. Friday Night Love is Tia’s sixth novel.
Author Interview with Editor-In-Chief, The Certain Ones Magazine
Vanessa Richardson
VR: Hello Tia! It's great to interview you. I have been an fan of your literary works for years. So it's an honor to finally chat with you. First question: when did you know
that you were chosen not just to write, but to become an author?
TM: A job lay off in 1999 prompted me to begin to pursue purpose
for my life. I was a journalism major so
of course I was always writing throughout my career track – whether I was
working in marketing, public relations, etc. But during that time when I didn’t
have to wake up for my 9-to-5, God really spoke to me and told me that he was
going to “marry” my love of reading and writing.
VR:What has your
literary journey been like for you?
TM:Ups and downs. Sometime it isn’t what I thought it would be,
and at other times it’s been more than what I expected. I just hold on for the
ride. Overall it’s still been such a blessing. I’ve learned that with
publishing, it’s sometimes about finding the trends and changing with the
times.
VR:What is your writing
process like?
TM:I’m more productive in the mornings. I find that I do best
at the library so I can turn off all of the distractions and not get pulled
into things like washing clothes, reorganizing my daughter’s closet, or
deciding it’s the perfect time to clean the carpet! LOL!
I usually start off free-flowing the first five chapters or
so to get my writing muse started, then I begin to outline scenes and chapters.
VR:If you had to do it
all over again, would you change anything in any of your books?
TM:No. I think all of my books were the best that I could do at
that particular stage of my writing. I learned a new skill from writing each
book.
VR:What were the
challenges you faced in bringing forth any of your books?
TM:Time management. Just recently I had to ask my publisher for
an additional month past my deadline. I have three children – ages 8, 5 and 9
months. I think I underestimated how much time and attention go into having an
infant at home. However, my baby boy quickly reminded me!
VR:What advice would you
give aspiring authors?
Write! Write! Read!
And write some more. Many aspiring authors become consumed with the publishing
process, but they don’t have anything to publish in the first place. Finish
what you start.
VR:Are
you working on any new projects?
TM:Yes, always. Sunday
Morning Love, the second book in my Days of Grace series, is scheduled for
release in October 2014.
VR:What is something
that your readers would find interesting about you?
TM:
1. I like peanuts and cashews, but can’t stand the taste of
almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and all those other nuts!
2. I’m great at organizing papers and filing systems.
3. I can’t swim, even though I wish I could! When I
graduated from college in 1996, one of the requirements was that you had to
pass the swim test. I took a beginning swimming the last semester of my
Senior year and subsequently passed the
required test. But my fear of the water stole my skills away. One day, however,
I’m going to swim like a fish!
VR: When did you know that you were chosen not just to write, but to become an author?
TM: A job lay off in
1999 prompted me to begin to pursue purpose for my life. I was
journalism major so of course I was always writing throughout my career
track – whether I was working in marketing, public relations, etc. But
during that time when I didn’t have to wake up for my 9-to-5, God really
spoke to me and told me that he was going to “marry” my love of reading
and writing.
VR: What has your literary journey been like for you?
TM: Ups and downs.
Sometime it isn’t what I thought it would be, and at other times it’s
been more than what I expected. I just hold on for the ride. Overall
it’s still been such a blessing. I’ve learned that with publishing, it’s
sometimes about finding the trends and changing with the times.
VR: What is your writing process like?
TM: I’m more
productive in the mornings. I find that I do best at the library so I
can turn off all of the distractions and not get pulled into things like
washing clothes, reorganizing my daughter’s closet, or deciding it’s
the perfect time to clean the carpet! LOL! I usually start off
free-flowing the first five chapters or so to get my writing muse
started, then I begin to outline scenes and chapters.
VR: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in any of your books?
TM: No. I think all
of my books were the best that I could do at that particular stage of my
writing. I learned a new skill from writing each book.
VR: What were the challenges you faced in bringing forth any of your books?
TM: Time management.
Just recently I had to ask my publisher for an additional month past my
deadline. I have three children – ages 8, 5 and 9 months. I think I
underestimated how much time and attention go into having an infant at
home. However, my baby boy quickly reminded me!
VR: What advice would you give aspiring authors
TM: Write! Write!
Read! And write some more. Many aspiring authors become consumed with
the publishing process, but they don’t have anything to publish in the
first place. Finish what you start.
VRAre you working on any new projects?
TM: Yes, always. Sunday Morning Love, the second book in my Days of Grace series, is scheduled for release in October 2014.
VR: What is something that your readers would find interesting about you?
TM: 1. I like peanuts and cashews, but can’t stand the taste of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and all those other nuts!
2. I’m great at organizing papers and filing systems.
3. I can’t swim, even
though I wish I could! When I graduated from college in 1996, one of
the requirements was that you had to pass the swim test. I took a
beginning swimming the last semester of my senior year and subsequently
passed the required test. But my fear of the water stole my skills away.
One day, however, I’m going to swim like a fish!
- See more at: http://thecertainonesmagazine.com/friday-night-love-author-tia-mccollors/#sthash.URnPzi6I.dpuf
About the Book
CAN LOVE HEAL WHAT INFIDELITY TRIED TO DESTROY?
Zenja Maxwell was widowed in her twenties; she never thought she’d be
a divorcée, too. Yet that’s the destiny she resigns herself to after
learning of her husband’s dalliance with infidelity and kicking him out
of the house. She
plans a cruise with her best friend, Caprice, to take her mind off Roman and celebrate moving on with her life.
But Caprice won’t let her give up that easily, especially when Roman
seems committed to reconciling. She and her husband invite Zenja and
Roman to Friday Night Love, a weekly event for couples. Zenja hesitates,
but the promise of food and fellowship prevails. She figures she can
put up with Roman for one night.
At the events, the women are issued a series of Bible-based
challenges designed to help them cultivate respect for their husband.
Zenja struggles at first; she isn’t even sure she wants to rekindle the
relationship. But Roman is persistent in his pursuit of her, even when
he finds out that she nearly cheated on him. Through tragedies,
triumphs, and trusted friends, the couple learns never to underestimate
the Author of marriage when husbands and wives surrender to Him.
Purchase the Book Online at:
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com
Visit the author online at:
http://www.TiaMcCollors.com
View the blog tour schedule at:
Friday Night Love New Release Tour with Tia McCollors
http://tywebbinpublicity.com/?p=10808
Tia McCollors
Inspirational Author of If These Shoes Could Talk,
Steppin' Into The Good Life & other faith-filled books!
Twitter: @TiaMcCollors
VR: When did you know that you were chosen not just to write, but to become an author?
TM: A job lay off in
1999 prompted me to begin to pursue purpose for my life. I was
journalism major so of course I was always writing throughout my career
track – whether I was working in marketing, public relations, etc. But
during that time when I didn’t have to wake up for my 9-to-5, God really
spoke to me and told me that he was going to “marry” my love of reading
and writing.
VR: What has your literary journey been like for you?
TM: Ups and downs.
Sometime it isn’t what I thought it would be, and at other times it’s
been more than what I expected. I just hold on for the ride. Overall
it’s still been such a blessing. I’ve learned that with publishing, it’s
sometimes about finding the trends and changing with the times.
VR: What is your writing process like?
TM: I’m more
productive in the mornings. I find that I do best at the library so I
can turn off all of the distractions and not get pulled into things like
washing clothes, reorganizing my daughter’s closet, or deciding it’s
the perfect time to clean the carpet! LOL! I usually start off
free-flowing the first five chapters or so to get my writing muse
started, then I begin to outline scenes and chapters.
VR: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in any of your books?
TM: No. I think all
of my books were the best that I could do at that particular stage of my
writing. I learned a new skill from writing each book.
VR: What were the challenges you faced in bringing forth any of your books?
TM: Time management.
Just recently I had to ask my publisher for an additional month past my
deadline. I have three children – ages 8, 5 and 9 months. I think I
underestimated how much time and attention go into having an infant at
home. However, my baby boy quickly reminded me!
VR: What advice would you give aspiring authors
TM: Write! Write!
Read! And write some more. Many aspiring authors become consumed with
the publishing process, but they don’t have anything to publish in the
first place. Finish what you start.
VRAre you working on any new projects?
TM: Yes, always. Sunday Morning Love, the second book in my Days of Grace series, is scheduled for release in October 2014.
VR: What is something that your readers would find interesting about you?
TM: 1. I like peanuts and cashews, but can’t stand the taste of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and all those other nuts!
2. I’m great at organizing papers and filing systems.
3. I can’t swim, even
though I wish I could! When I graduated from college in 1996, one of
the requirements was that you had to pass the swim test. I took a
beginning swimming the last semester of my senior year and subsequently
passed the required test. But my fear of the water stole my skills away.
One day, however, I’m going to swim like a fish!
- See more at: http://thecertainonesmagazine.com/friday-night-love-author-tia-mccollors/#sthash.URnPzi6I.dpuf
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