Thursday, March 12, 2009

Interview with Pamela Thibodeaux

The Blog Studio Band performs the last notes of a lively tune as the curtain rises and Carol Ann walks on stage.

"Good morning, Blog Studio audience!"

THE AUDIENCE RESPONDS IN UNISON: GOOD MORNING!

"I can't believe this weather. My mother says it's because our world is being flip-flopped and soon we'll be having the weather from the North Pole while they have ours. I'm not sure I agree with that, but two days ago it was 80 degrees, and today I'm wearing a heavy winter coat."

THE BAND RESPONDS WITH A SHORt RUN ON THE PIANO

"I was afraid the weather might keep my guest from showing up today, but she's very brave. It is my pleasure to have inspirational author, Pamela Thibodeaux join us. Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a member of White Roses in Bloom Authors. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” Please put your hands together to help me welcome, my friend, Pam Thibodeaux!!

THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AS PAM WALKS ON STAGE AND TAKES A CHAIR ON STAGE OPPOSITE CAROL ANN



CAROL ANN: Hi Pam. So glad to have you here in the studio today.

PAM: Thanks for inviting me.

CAROL ANN: (Holds up a book and the camera pans in)




CAROL ANN: I love this cover. Tell me about WINTER MADNESS.

PAM: Actually the premise for Winter Madness came with a scene of childhood sweethearts meeting up in a coffee shop on a cold, winter day. I knew from the opening they were complete opposites - he a pessimist, she an optimist. What she considered lovely, he thought madness. The story developed from there.

CAROL ANN: And the old cliche is that opposites attract. Tell me, for you, what is the hardest aspect of being a writer?

PAM: Balancing writing with the time necessary to promote and the fact that I’ve been so busy editing my existing work for publication and promoting my current titles, I doubt my ability to write a full-length novel from scratch.

CAROL ANN: I have to agree. Balancing everything is sometimes a difficult task. What comes first in your writing process? A scene, characters, title? Are you a plotter?

PAM: As a seat-of-the-pants writer, writing starts with any or all of the above. I’ve had stories develop from a scene, a simple thought, or characters just appear and start talking. Rarely have I had a title come first, but hey, anything is possible.

CAROL ANN: I often wonder what non-writers think when they hear us say we hear people in our heads. **grin** What stumbling blocks have you encountered and how have you overcome them?

PAM: The greatest stumbling block I’ve encountered is that my writing doesn’t fit the genre for which I write. The CBA/EPCA publishes conservative Christian fiction – I write “Inspirational with an Edge!” I’ve overcome by staying true to myself and finding publishers who appreciate my work for what it is.

CAROL ANN: I admire you for staying true to yourself. Many of my writing friends have conformed to fit what is currently popular trends. Staying true is what makes a good author, in my opinion. So, tell me, who can you always count on to make you smile, even if you are feeling down?

PAM: My grandchildren and great nieces & nephews – innocence has the innate ability to make one laugh.

CAROL ANN: Isn't that the truth! Nothing makes me laugh like picking up the phone and hearing another funny story about my grandchildren. Here's a question I ask every author I interview. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

PAM: Oh yes, the sword maims and kills, words have the ability to soothe, heal, teach, and entertain.

CAROL ANN: I'm going to put you on the spot. Imagine that you are sitting in a restaurant with several friends when someone thrusts a microphone in your hand. You have one minute to give a message of hope to the world. What will you say?

PAM: Hope is the life-blood of existence, faith is the substance of things hoped for, and Jesus is the answer to all circumstances.

CAROL ANN: **claps** You did great. Now, let me ask you something personal. We really like to know the good stuff about our guests. So, what do you have under your bed?

PAM: **laugh** Dog hair and dust bunnies – regardless of how often I clean.

CAROL ANN: **laugh** At least you are honest. Tell us about the hero in your life. Who is he?

PAM: My husband – he is strong yet gentle, hard-headed yet kind, stubborn and sensitive. He is my biggest supporter and greatest fan. He is truly the wind beneath my wings.

CAROL ANN: I hope he's in the audience to hear this! THE BAND BEGINS TO PLAY Oh no, our time is up already. Pam, thank you for coming by. Before we go off the air, do you have links you’d care to share?

PAM: Link to my TWRP page: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=142

Website: http://pamelathibodeaux.com
Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Member White Roses in Bloom Authors: http://whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com

Co-Founder/Member Bayou Writers Group: http://bayouwritersgroup.org

Email: pthib-7@centurytel.net; pthib07@hotmail.com; pthib07@yahoo.com

I belong to numerous networking sites – check my blog for links to all!

CAROL ANN: Thanks, Pam!

PAM: Thank you!

CAROL ANN AND PAM GET UP AND WALK OFF STAGE WHILE THE BAND PLAYS AND THE AUDIENCE CLAPS AS THE CURTAIN COMES DOWN ON ANOTHER EPISODE OF "THE BLOG STUDIO"

3 comments:

Sharon Donovan said...

Great interview Pam! Your simple honesty is very rich and truly inspiring. Best of luck with sales. Carol Ann, you did it again. You have a real gift for this studio blog. Here's to another smashing success! I love it.

Pamela S Thibodeaux said...

Thanks for stopping by Sharon and THANKS, Carol for the interview.

I agree, Sharon, Carol truly has a gift for making a simple interview into somthing special.
PamT

Carol Ann said...

Thanks to both Sharon and Pam for their kind words and for allowing me to interview them in The Blog Studio. It's always fun.

Be sure to check out Pam's newest release!