Author Interview with Theresa Lynn Hall

 Hi all, Angela here with Theresa Lynn Hall. Very excited about our guest today so let me give a brief introduction:

As a native Texan, Theresa loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s an elementary teacher and mom to two boys—the oldest being in law enforcement, which comes in handy when she’s researching. When she’s not teaching kids or writing, she loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She actively promotes fellow Christian Fiction authors on her blog. She also loves to hear from readers who enjoy Christian Fiction and can be found at www.theresalynnhall.com and @theresalynnhall. 

Welcome! We're so glad you could visit us today. What made you decide to become a writer?

I always loved to read when I was a kid. I never thought about writing until junior high, when I had teachers begin to complement me on my papers in school. One day I saw an interview with Jackie Collins on television. I was too young to read her books, but I remembered her saying that everyone has at least one book inside of them. That statement stuck with me and I promised myself one day I was going to write that one book. A lot of years went by and I didn’t start writing until I was a stay-at-home mom with my first son. I sent my manuscript to a small publisher, who of course rejected it, but she took the time to make it a personal rejection.  She told me I had talent as a storyteller. That’s all I needed to hear.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

My favorite thing about being an author is getting lost in the story as I write.  It’s like therapy to me. I’m a pantser, but I do make a tentative outline and get the story in my head.  Once I start writing, that outline means nothing. I just go with it. 

Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from? 

My publisher, Pelican Book Group, started a new series called Passport to Romance^Ò . To spark creativity, they had a list of international cities along with three things that must be included in the story. My husband had recently stayed in Rio for two weeks on business and brought back pictures and many stories about the culture.  I knew this was where my story was going to take place.  As for the plot, I believe that was a gift from God.  I never know where the ideas come from, they just pop into my head. 

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing? 

Years ago, I tried my hand at writing mainstream books.  I struggled so much with it that I conferenced with my pastor. I knew what God was telling me to do, but the market for Christian fiction was small and I thought if I wanted to be published, I needed to “fit in” somewhere else. No matter how hard I tried, I received one rejection after another. Finally, I listened to what God was telling me. My characters suddenly felt real to me and my stories began to flow. That’s when I sold my first book.

What do you want readers to come away with after reading your books?

When I was first introduced to Christian fiction, I thought the only purpose was to bring nonbelievers to Christ.  And while I still hope that holds true with as many people as we can reach, I began to see Christian fiction as something that allows Christians to take stories and hopefully relate to them in a way that brings them closer to God. I want my readers to be entertained and see themselves in my stories. To see God in my stories.

What is one of your favorite scenes in Ransom in Rio?

One of my favorite scenes is when Lexi is being held hostage.  I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s truly a point in her life when she realizes she only has two choices.

When you are stressed, maybe a deadline’s approaching too fast, what is your favorite snack food? Or so you have another way to cope?

Oh, my goodness…it’s chocolate! I try not keeping a lot of if in the house at one time.

If time and money were not a concern, what one skill would you like to learn?

I would love to learn to play the piano. I have a piano and only took a few lessons as a child. I would love to have the time to devote to practicing it.

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

The town I live in now isn’t where I grew up. I live near Houston, but I grew up in a small Texas town with one caution light, a little store, and a post office. I love the slow pace of small towns and the close-knit communities. I was truly blessed to grow up where I did.  As for Texas, I wouldn’t live anywhere else. It’s the only place I can fit in with this Southeast Texas accent!  

What are you working on next? 

I’m working on another suspense, which hasn’t been contracted yet. It’s about a woman who has overcome one obstacle after another trying to find peace and happiness, but trouble always seems to find her first. She’s a witness to a terrible crime and now people want her dead. Coming to her aid is a handsome police officer who is trying to save himself from his own past and doesn’t want to get too close to her. It will obviously have a HEA ending, but it’s their journey to get there that’s so exciting to write about.

Private Investigator, Braden McCoy wants nothing more than to finish out the week doing a little fishing from his boat. The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career. He’s learned to put his past behind him and enjoy his blessings. Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans.

Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional. Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much. Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator. What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel, quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers, who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does. Lexi soon realizes that life comes with a price.