Author Interview with Pamela S. Thibodeaux

The Blog Studio is alive with music, and hand clapping as the band plays "He's Alive!" The curtain opens showing a screen with Dolly Parton singing this uplifting gospel song. The audience is on their feet singing along. Finally, the band notes fade away and the curtain closes. The audience quiets and sits. All is quiet for several seconds, and then the Blog Studio theme song begins and Carol Ann walks on stage.

"Good morning!"

The audience answers with a resounding, "Good morning!"

"I loved the Dolly Parton and band rendition of 'He's Alive', didn't you?"

Loud applause follows.

"Well, since you loved that, I just know you are going to love my guest author for today. Pamela S. Thibodeaux is multi-published in fiction and non-fiction. Her writing has been tagged as “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “Steamier and grittier than the typical Christian without decreasing the message.”


She is the Co-founder and a member of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. As a former member of American Christian Fiction Writers (formerly ACRW), Golden Triangle Writers Guild, Coeur de Louisiane and RWA, Pam won Coeur’s 1999 “Diamond In The Rough” as well as their 2000 “Ruby” Award and received her RWA Pro Pin in 2001.

A committed Christian, she firmly believes in God and His promises. God is very real to her and she feels that people today need and want to hear more of His truths wherever they can glean them. Although her writing is Inspirational, she does her best to encourage readers to develop a personal relationship with God.

The deepest desire of her heart is to glorify God and to get His message of faith, trust and forgiveness to a hurting world. Her hope is that all of her stories will touch the lives of everyone who reads them and – in some way – bring them a truer knowledge of God and urge them into a closer walk with Him.

Please join your hands together to welcome Pamela to the stage!

The audience applauds as Pamela walks onstage and joins Carol Ann in one of the two wicker cushioned chairs.

CAE: Pam, I'm so delighted that you have agreed to come to the Blog Studio for an interview.

PST: Thanks for having me.

CAE: Let's get started by my asking you to share a bit about what you’ve written in the past and what is available now.

PST: My past is checkered with fiction and non-fiction. To date I have 5 full-length novels (4 part Tempered series http://amzn.to/97hRxU and The Inheritance http://bit.ly/d6O6eA) published. My debut women's fiction novel, The Visionary is due out Nov 2011. I also have 6 short stories available through White Rose Publishing http://bit.ly/f2RNF2 as well as countless articles and essays to my list of publishing credits.

CAE: With all your releases, you've certainly got a bright future ahead. Have you ever experienced writer’s block? If so, what did you do to overcome?

PST: Is there a writer alive that doesn't? LOL! Usually when I experience that dreaded malady, it is because I'm either working too hard or I'm trying to write the story my way instead of the way God wants it written. To overcome I take a break and of course pray and often repent :-)

CAE: I really don't like the phrase "writer's block," becaue you are right. It isn't a block, but actually God whispering in your ear that you've gotten it wrong somehow. Let's suppose we are sitting in a restaurant enjoying a nice conversation and lunch and a reporter appears and shoves a microphone in your hand and says you have one minute to tell the world something important. What would you say?

PST: Life is meaningless without Jesus and He loves you more than anything or anyone else in the whole world - may I introduce you to Him?

CAE: I love that! As authors, we spend a lot of time alone with our craft. Sometimes we get to feeling lonely or a little down. When that happens, who can make you laugh?

PST: We've all heard the old adage "out of the mouths of babes" well that is so true when it comes to the young ones in my life...grandchildren and great nieces & nephews who have the corner on making me laugh.

CAE: I can relate to that! My grandchildren have given me so much joy and so many funny stories. I'm really good with family gatherings, but I shy away from other ventures where I might be in a crowd of people I don't know. I consider myself an introvert because of that. Are you an introvert or an extravert? How does that play into your writing life?

PST: Extravert - I love people! Being around & observing folks helps tremendously in writing as I never know what snippet of conversation I'll over hear or behavior I'll notice that will round out a character in any given moment or scene.

CAE: Oh, I wish I could be like that! I know I miss many opportunities to get tidbits to help my writing by observing others. If you are like me, you have a large collection of books. Besides books, do you have any collections?
PST: Not really. I love horses and have quite a few on my shelves. I also love angels but to pinpoint one thing I honestly would collect had I the time, money and space, I'd have to say anything that has to do with Jesus, especially depictions of the Nativity, the Last Supper and crosses--I could go BROKE collecting crosses!

CAE: We’ve all had one of those “embarrassing moments.” Would you share one of yours with us?

PST: No LOL! Honestly life is full of little moments we wish we could go back and redo but I can't think of one that would be interesting or funny enough to share.

CAE: Do you have any phobias? Afraid of heights, spiders?

PST: Snakes....I despise them - in fact every one is a Cobra LOL!

CAE: Have your phobias, collections, or embarrassing moments come to play in any of your books?

PST: Yes, in 2 of my Tempered books, the heroine is confronted by a rattle snake.

CAE: I know you suffered the tragic loss of your beloved husband. Have you been able to release some of your emotions in your writing?

PST: Yes. I wrote an essay titled "Pillow Talk" in which I described my need to have his picture on his pillow/case - something tangible I could hold on to during those long, dark nights of the soul. This has been submitted to a couple of places but not accepted as of yet. I've also started working on a story/novel titled "My Heart Weeps" which will depict one woman's journey from wife to widow to individual and through grief into new life and possibly new love. I also often write my thoughts, feelings, fears, hopes and emotions in my prayer journal.

CAE: Can you share with the readers what we can expect in your next book?

PST: I'd love to! A Visionary is someone who sees into the future; Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disgustingly prevalent in today’s society. Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives? Find out in The Visionary coming November 2011 from Five Star Expressions http://bit.ly/hvEDGS

CAE: Pamela, that you so much for allowing me to interview you. It has been my great pleasure. Audience, be sure to check out Pamela's website at http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com/ to learn more about her and her books. And don't forget to watch for the release of THE VISIONARY in November of this year.