Interview with Author Fay Lamb

This story sounds intriguing and I love the fact that the author, Fay Lamb used her oldest grandson on the cover! So precious!

Marji - Every author has a diverse background, and just like the characters they write about, their own goals, ambitions, dreams and values. So before I ever get to the story itself, the burning question that I have is: what inspired you to become a writer?

Fay - For me, inspiration seems to say that I had a choice. As far as my writing, I don't believe I ever had a choice. I am a miserable human being when I cannot create with words, and from a very early age, I have been a storyteller.

Marji - What is your ultimate goal for writing in general?

Fay - My ultimate goal is to glorify God with what I write. For me, that means ministry--meeting a need, reaching out to hurting people that I could touch in no other way except through the stories I write. Most of the issues my characters face, I have faced, and the lessons my characters learn are lessons that I have been taught through God's loving hand.

Marji - And for some folks who don't read non-fiction, it is the only way to reach them. I love the ministry aspect of that. How does Because of Me satisfy that goal?

Fay - In Because of Me, promising young investigative reporter, Michael Hayes, allows ambition to blind him. He leads his fiancée, Issie Putnam, into a dangerous situation that changes their lives forever. Michael is sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit, and Issie is left alone to face the consequences of his actions. When Michael returns to protect Issie from the man who attacked her that night so long ago, he finds Issie isn't alone. She has a seven-year-old son. While the boy does not belong to Michael, he is definitely on this earth because of him.


Because of Me is a vivid showing of Romans 8:28, in that all things do work together for good to them that love God. Michael doesn’t expect a blessing to come from Issie’s choice of keeping her son, but he receives one just the same—and in the end, they both realize that had things happened any other way, something precious would be missing from their lives.

Marji - What a deep and moving theme. What inspired this particular story?

Andrew-Lee Potts as Michael Hayes

Fay - The story actually began when Michael Hayes stepped onto the stage of my imagination and told me about the little boy he knew. He told me that Cole wasn't his son, but Cole was born because of him. That gained my attention, and as I wrote the story, I realized it was a love letter to my husband and to my sons. Not only do they love and support the crazy writer in their midst, but they are found within the pages. There’s something irresistible about a man who can love children that he didn’t bring into this world. The hero, Michael Hayes, and my husband have a lot in common. And Cole Putnam has a bit of both our boys woven through him.

Marji - Books are especially meaningful when they hold such a huge piece of our hearts. So while your husband inspired Michael Hayes, what actor might play him if they ever made a movie out of your book. And who would you wish to play Issie?

Fay - Michael Hayes is most definitely an English actor named Andrew-Lee Potts. I always saw Alicia Silverstone as Issie Putnam. Cole Putnam, well, the little boy on the cover--his name is Jacob Johnson, and he just happens to be my adorable oldest grandson.

Alicia Silverstone as Issie Putnam

Marji - I just think that's the sweetest thing. So what line might grab readers and last in their memories?

Fay - I tend to like the humorous lines the best, but my favorite comes from Ted McGillicudy, a crusty old man who looks out for Michael like a father would a son. When he sees Michael after a bit of an absence, Ted tells his wife, Roberta, "Well look a here. If it ain't the pain in my rear already returned. Roberta, where' my hemorrhoid cream?"

Marji - That's hysterical! And it would certainly stay with me. With so many demands on an authors time, how does writing fit into your regular day-in-the-life?

Fay - Well, my regular working day has been stretched to about sixteen hours each day. Writing is only a part of it. I do try to write 2,500 words a day, but I'm not always successful. If I find myself struggling to do that, I will usually work between 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. when my creativity is at its peak.

I really appreciate Fay visiting with us and hope that you are as curious about her book as I am! You can get  Because of Me at this link. From the back cover:

Because of Me:

Issie Putnam’s life took a detour the night she was raped at gunpoint in front of her fiancé, Michael Hayes. Instead of marrying Issie, Michael, a promising young investigative reporter, along with the man who attacked her, and the man who held the gun on Michael, are imprisoned for conspiracy to assassinate the local district attorney—a crime Michael was trying to expose but had no intention of committing. Issie’s name is ruined, she lost her perfectly-planned future, but she gained Cole, her son—born of that rape.

On the eve of her attacker’s parole, Michael, already released from prison, follows through on his plan to return to the small town of Amazing Grace and protect Issie from the madman who promised to seek revenge. There, he meets Issie’s seven-year-old son for the first time.

Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart? Will Michael be able to protect the woman he loves from the man who will stop at nothing to destroy them all?

About the Author:

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel is soon to be released by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing.

Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010.

In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board.

Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren.

News. Reviews. Previews.

I had so much fun planning this week. I've got some new blog ideas and am actually considering moving my blog over to Wordpress instead of keeping it here at Blogger. Have any of you done that? I'd love to hear your advice on the matter!

So I've got these new things that I'm so pumped about sharing. But I want to
wait to make it all just right before I do a grand opening! So excited!

Speaking of excited, did you notice the change in the header. I promise the picture that was there before was only a half-dozen years old, but it made me look much younger. So this one is only a few months old. My dinky twinky did a great job on it! (BTW, Dinky Twinkies is code for my twin girls. thus Dinky Twinky would be a single.) Precious Redhead said it made me look mysterious. I would be flattered except that yesterday she said my grin made me look constipated. I think I'll go looking for compliments elsewhere - just sayin'. :)

This weekender will offer:

• Some great blog articles from authors including Staci Stallings, Jody Hedlund, David Walker, and Julie Cantrell.
• Last week's blog review
• ROW80 Update
• Next Week's Blog Expectations

News

I'm getting better at visiting blogs, this week. Of course with my Grace Readers' Weekly, I don't have to rely only on my own blog touring. Some Twitter buddies offer their favorites as well.

Review

Last Monday, I got to share the Best Almost Kiss winner at the Clash of the Titles. I'm enjoying being part of their blog Alliance every other week. On Tuesday, I shared about my boy's rugby team at the University of Texas at Dallas in G is for Grrrrr! Highs and lows and how to live through them was my topic on Wednesday with another ROW80 update. Then I shared all I've learned about writing a Synopsis on Thursday. An interview with author and missionary Zeke Lam rounded out the week with a discussion of his book, Submission. Please visit the links here if you missed one of the articles!

ROW80 Update

Like I said, I'm inspired. I've written about 5k in a new story and am in the process of laying it out. I've taken two of my other stories, along with a serial I wrote using one of the characters, and am in the process of weaving the serial into my second story to connect them in a series. This third one that I'm writing now will complete the set and I'm really excited how things are going with it. 

I got better at blog visiting, started on Pinterest (I'm totally addicted!), began tweeting more regularly, and set up some new surprises for later. Oh and I also played volleyball for an hour and a half! So sore after sitting around for 2 weeks! Now if I could just get off of potatoes again!

Preveiw

I think my plans may change, but for right now, I'm planning to Review a brand new book by debut author Bonnie S. Calhoun on Monday. On Tuesday, I'll be highlighting the letter H. Hmmmmmm. I'll have another ROW80 update on Wednesday, along with an inspirational article about life and writing. On Thursday, I'll be chatting about learning styles and how they affect adults as much as kids. Then Friday will hold an interview with Author Fay Lamb. 

Hope you've had a productive week and will have a delightful weekend. I'm going to watch my Dear Boy beat up on the UT of San Antonio for the Texas State Rugby Championship! (That's the way I've pictured it in my head anyway.)

Have you blogged with both Blogger and Wordpress? Which do you prefer? Do you think I should switch to Wordpress?

News. REviews. PREviews.

Last week's posts had some new things!

• Monday - Review of Camy Tang's newest book: Protection for Hire
• Tuesday - MY FIRST VLOG! 
• Wednesday - Writing Tip: Revision Guide
• Thursday - The Big Picture (Visual Puzzle)
• Friday - Interview with Author, Karen Baney about her new release, Nickels

Next week has a most special day!

• Monday - Christmas Parties
• Tuesday - Celebrate with me! It's been twenty-five years! WOW!
• Wednesday - Journaling my Writing Journey
• Thursday - Writer Tip: Those Pesky Details
• Friday - Interview with Author, Staci Stallings

Karen Baney - Interview

I've gotten involved with a group of Christian authors at a Facebook site called Grace and Faith Authors. They're also on Twitter. It's been such a joy to interact with these gals and guys. I've learned about their books and their journeys, and I've tweeted about several of the new releases. 

One of the founders of the group, Karen Baney, is my guest today and her new book, Nickels, comes out next week! As with most of the authors I interview, I'm intrigued about their motivation, to write in general and how their current book came into being.

Marji: What inspired you to become a writer?

Karen: In early 2010, I went through some tough health issues.  Through that process, I re-learned to depend on God.  It was then that I asked Him one simple question:  I know you haven’t called me to be a mom, so what have you called me to do?

News and Updates

At this point, I'm in the homestretch of my story. The last 30k word (or so) included the most exciting sections, the climax of the romance, the dark moments. I would say that it's my favorite part of the story - the words in the separate scenes certainly flow quickly. But it's also the part of the story where I have to make sure the two ends of the circle match up as I draw them to a close. I added 14k to my story this week. Wasn't nearly as tough as I thought it would be since I'm liking it so much!  Can't wait to finish.

I still have the goal of having it done by the end of November and am really looking forward to the revisions and polishing that I get to do during December on my first novel.

Faith Reader's Weekly

UPDATE!!! I'm so pleased that I'm able to keep up with me word count goals for round 4 of a Round of Words in 80 days (ROW80). My goal is 1500 words ON MY NOVEL each weekday. I've actually been able to do closer to 1700 each day so far and I'm really pleased with what I've written. My new romantic suspense is a little more than 35% complete.

Because I'm not including any other writing in my word count, I haven't been really satisfied with the postings I've done on my blog this week. I don't like putting them off until the last minute. So in an effort to correct that situation, I've worked up some of the meat of my postings ahead of time. I'm even working on some of the ones for the following week. I prefer to stay proactive anytime I can be!

What are your goals for this week beyond those for ROW80?

Faith Readers' Weekly

Woohoo! I'm back on track on my ROW80 goals after doing a revamp on my story. My goals were over-accomplished the last two days of the week, even with all-day volleyball tournaments. *Yes, I brought the story with me!* Overall, I'm still behind by a few thousand words, but the writing is much easier now that my plan is more complete.

People are Characters with Skin On: A Redhead's Story

Thursday is the day I set aside for goofy characters. This brilliant group of young people was FULL of those!

To say that the National Bible Bowl trip to Cincinnati was fun would be a gross understatement.


Cincinnati Christian University sponsored a nacho party the first night in town. There's just nothing like watching teenagers play in bounce houses and race through an inflatable obstacle course.