Y'all, I seriously can't say enough good things about my publisher, Scrivenings Press. And one of my favorite parts is how much we feel like a family. We support each other, cheer each other, answer questions, and get to know each other through monthly meetings even though we live all over the US. One of the newer authors I've been getting to know lately is Mary Pat Tedder. Her first book looks like a lot of fun, just like she is. Read on to find out more. Mary Pat, congratulations on your first release. I know it's set at a gym, so I'm curious. What made you choose that as your setting? Hi, Amy! I’ve had a gym habit for a long time…it really helps with this “sittin’ on my rear” writing job. So one day when I was at the gym, praying about where to get started, I felt like the Lord whispered into my spirit that I could use a gym as the backdrop for my story. I guess it fell into that “write what you know” philosophy. But it helped with the fear factor—I knew about gyms, so writing about one seemed like a doable step. All three of the books in your new series will feature a brave veteran re-entering civilian life, right? What made you choose that theme? Two of the books and a novella feature veterans. In the fourth and last book of the series, the main character is a policeman who had a difficult adjustment from civilian to police life. Overall, my inspiration came from my son, who deployed during the war with Afghanistan. When he returned, his re-entry into civilian life wasn’t easy. While his PTSD was not severe as some, it was still traumatic for him and those who loved him. It took a while, but he recovered and is doing well. He even helped me write a short story about Afghanistan to use as a prequel for the series. That's amazing. I'm so appreciative for his service and glad you could turn that bad experience into good. As a former speech and writing teacher, how much of your past teaching career has helped as you transitioned to writing? When I taught, I learned organizational skills and discipline. After all, with classes of students, I had to teach whether I felt like it or not. No taking the day off if the muse didn’t show up. And teaching speech was a huge help with the marketing part of writing. I know that speaking is one of the number one fears, but that one doesn’t bother me. I was a lot more afraid that my writing wouldn’t be good enough to “make it” as a writer. Your series is set in Valiant, Texas. Is this a real town or one you've made up? If made up, did you base it on any real places in Texas? I currently live in Victoria, Texas. Even though Valiant is a product of my imagination, it has some similarities to Victoria. Same size, same juxtaposition between country and city living. I kept the bigger surrounding cities as is, like Houston and San Antonio. I know you love your dachshunds. Will we run across any animals in your books based on them? In Book 2, there’s a short scene with a black dachshund who just had a litter of pups, but dogs often appear in my stories. Also in Book 2, Cyrus is a beautiful black German Shepherd who has just lost his master. Cats and kittens show up too…just because. Can you give us a sneak peek into your second book that you're working on now? In Book 1, Jesse is the main character, and his best friend is Rory. In the prequel, they agree to be accountability partners about the women they date. That decision leads to several conversations ranging from hilarious to all-up-in-your face serious. Book 2 is Rory’s story. His dream has always been to have a big family, but as an amputee, he needs to find the woman who sees beyond his disability. And Vi, his love interest, has secrets of her own. Are any of your characters more like you than another? In what way? Most of my characters are composites of people I know. I had an especially hard time with Brenna, the female lead in Book 1, because she’s not like me. She’s whip smart and into numbers and running. None of that describes me. You compare your writing career to a sea turtle. Can you tell us more about that? The writer’s trek to publication is perilous, like a sea turtle hatchling’s trek to the sea. The path is fraught with natural enemies. Like the tiny sea turtles, writers are vulnerable and affected by doubt and outside circumstances. Many don’t make it. They fall by the wayside, injured or become so distracted, they can’t focus enough to move forward. It took me a long time to get past the fear of failure and outside distractions. Last but not least, can you leave us with one thing very few people know about you? Surprisingly enough, most people don’t know I’m a die-hard romantic. Since I also write a column for the local newspaper, people are used to reading about my faith and my grandchildren, but nobody ever suspects I write sweet, clean love stories as well. Only my small circle of writers, friends, and family are aware that I write romance. I think there's a lot more romantics out there than we expect. We're glad to have gotten to know you today, Mary Pat! Thanks for letting me interview you. Can Brenna count on Jesse when trouble strikes? Accountant Brenna McKinley only wants what’s best for Peeps, the wildly popular gym in Valiant, Texas. But when money goes missing, and she’s the obvious suspect, will she be able to clear her name or face criminal charges? Keeping her dream job matters, but falling in love with her boss isn’t part of the plan. Neither is the creepy guy stalking her. Young veteran Jesse Jacobs manages and co-owns Peeps. He needs help to gain accreditation for the exercise facility, and his new accountant is all in. But is she who she seems? Too bad he’s falling for her like a man with no parachute. When the pressure builds, PTSD renders him moody and volatile, risking everything he loves. Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from years of teaching speech and writing. She’s written devotions for an online publication and had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul. She currently writes a biweekly faith column for the local newspaper. Countin’ On Jesse is her debut novel, and she’s hard at work on the rest of the Valiant series. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war. As she kept writing, her focus generalized to include ordinary people who learn how to move forward after devastating events. Her writing has a strong spiritual thread since she considers a return to faith in God the solution for what ails the civilized world. She lives in South Texas with her husband and their two dapple dachshunds. Her grown children and five grandchildren are useful sorts who keep her grounded with her reading/writing obsession. You can find her at the gym, at her computer, or reading a good book. Countin’ On Jesse placed second in inspirational contemporary romance in the TARA contest. It was also a finalist in the Crown and the Maggie contests for unpublished authors.
Website: http://www.marypatjohns.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marypatjohnsauthor/ Instagram: @marypatjohnsauthor
2 Comments
9/4/2023 10:13:25 am
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Amy. I've enjoyed getting to know you through zoom meetings and your writing.
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Amy
9/4/2023 10:45:47 am
So glad you were my guest this month!
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