Pamela Thibodeaux: Christian Fiction

Mary Rosenblum

Hello all.

Welcome to our regular Professional Connection live interview.

Tonight, Pamela Thibodeaux has graciously returned. We had a great time at her last chat

and she was very informative and helpful about the Christian market, what it is, what editors want, and how to figure out where your work belongs.

Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the co-founder and a member of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and ACRW (American Christian Romance Writers). Multi-published in fiction and 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." Author's Website: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com

ashton

Thanks for coming back, Pamela. I've really been looking forward to tonight.

Mary Rosenblum

Yes, thank you very much, and welcome, Pamela!

How have you been?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Thanks Ashton and all, I'm excited to be back!

I've been good, lots happening though

Mary Rosenblum

Oh, fill us in. Do you have something new coming out?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Well, yes and no.

Tempered Hearts and Tempered Dreams have both been released by ComStar Media .

http://www.comstar-media.com

and the edits for Tempered Fire are underway

Mary Rosenblum

How wonderful will Tempered Fire be out with ComStar, too?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, ComStar contracted the whole "Tempered" series

which initially began with 4 books, but will one day be 5 .

So there's a lot going on

and as you know, I live in Louisiana, so hurricane season created havoc in our lives

but we are recovering J

Mary Rosenblum

Were you personally damaged by the hurricanes, Pamela?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, Hurricane Rita left Lake Charles and the surrounding areas in pretty bad shape .

Everyone seems to know about Katrina in New Orleans, but

not many realize that Rita left Cameron, Johnson Bayou and Hackberry in just as bad of shape.

There is nothing left in those communities

however

personally, we sustained minor damage, and are getting things back to normal .

slowly but surely.

And working in the Insurance industry now, it has been hectic

but is quieting down. :-)

Mary Rosenblum

I bet it has been more than hectic, working in insurance! Yes, unfortunately the devastation in other areas

didn't get the national attention that New Orleans did. And many were hit even harder.

How has that affected you as a writer being party to this cataclysm?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, that's true, but we are a tough breed of people, so we will survive.

Well, it has slowed my writing down substantially.

You may remember my husband's brother was ill during our last chat --

well, he passed in June.

Mary Rosenblum

I'm so sorry.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Then my husband was diagnosed with the same heart disease in August,

then the hurricanes --

so, writing has slowed down tremendously.

However, I'm getting back to submitting, etc.

I've sent a project to Harlequin and to Kensington!

Mary Rosenblum

Oh, good for you, and good luck!

Pamela Thibodeaux

And of course promoting like crazy!

thanks

Mary Rosenblum

Which lines did you submit to in the Harlequin universe?

Pamela Thibodeaux

I submitted my project The Inheritance to their NEXT line.

This is the same novel that was under consideration twice with The Hallmark Channel

for a possible movie,

but they declined saying that they can only look at fully developed scripts.

So now, I'm trying to outline that and hope to get it into script format and resubmit.

So that's another reason the actual writing something new is non-existent right now,

however

it seems like a perfect fit for the NEXT line, we'll see J

Mary Rosenblum

Let's see, what is the Next line about? Women moving on, something like that?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, the 2nd half of their life,

after divorce, widowhood, empty nest, etc.

Mary Rosenblum

Ah, so it uses older heroines. And how cool that you were considered for the movie, even if you didn't get it.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Thanks, it was exciting, but now it is a challenge to learn to write a script.

Heaven knows I can't afford to hire a script writer LOL!

Mary Rosenblum

Harlequin Romances

That's the link to eharlequin.com where you can find descriptions

of all the Harlequin and Silhouette lines.

I have writer friends who have 'gone over to the dark side' and do scripts. :-)

They like them better

I guess it's what you enjoy doing.

Pamela Thibodeaux

LOL, I can't imagine writing just a script. I like description too much.

Mary Rosenblum

Me, too. And characterization.

Pamela Thibodeaux

But they say (you know whoever 'they' are) anyway,

they say it's easier.

My challenge is to outline the novel in less than half of the total page count,

then pare that down into 90 pages of good dialogue and fast action scenes.

Coming along ok, but without much time to work steadily -- well lets just say it is a challenge.

But I'm always up for a challenge!

So how about some questions :-)

sweett

From Ginger8 - Could you please explain the difference between a Christian romance and a standard romance?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Hi Ginger8!

A "Christian" romance is governed by the CBA guidelines where a 'standard' or 'secular' romance is

usually what you find in the stores.

Lines like Harlequin, Shilouette, etc.

are 'standard' or 'secular' romances.

Mary Rosenblum

I gather that the CBA is the arbiter of what is 'secular' and what is 'Christian'? Do you want

to tell us a bit about the CBA, what it is and how it operates? I'm baffled, personally.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, you're right.

The CBA (Christian Bookseller Association) decides what is 'Christian' and what isn't.

they have a standard set of guidelines that, though easing up a bit, still tend to be very conservative,

especially when it comes to subjects such as domestic abuse and sensuality.

However, they are venturing out into mystery, thrillers and sci-fi --

as long as the story stays within the proper guidelines.

Subjects like divorce, women preachers, abuse, sensuality are taboo and, if allowed

must be handled VERY carefully.

Mary Rosenblum

Christian Booksellers Association website

ginger8

Where could I find out about the CBA guidelines?

Pamela Thibodeaux

You can visit any CBA publishing house and get the guidelines.

Tyndale, Multnomah, Bethany House, Barbour Publishing which puts out the HeartSong Presents line,

Steeple Hill (a division of Harlequin) which puts out the Love Inspired line as well as a WF line --

all of them have their own guidelines, but if you print them out, you'll see the similarities.

Before we go further

please let me reiterate

EVERYTHING that gives God glory deserves to be praised!

I have nothing against the CBA or it's guidelines I read and enjoy a lot of the books.

It’s just not what I write..and I'm not saying my writing is better, only different. :-)

geezer

Thomas Nelson, Westbow, W

Mary Rosenblum

I guess these are also Christian publishers.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, these too are Christian publishers.

Mary Rosenblum

So there ARE Christian markets that are not under the sanction of the CBA?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Warner also has a Christian line called Warner Faith

No.

These markets must adhere to the standards set forth by CBA in their publications.

In fact, I recently chatted with one of the editors for Steeple Hill (Harlequin) and she told me

Pamela Thibodeaux

that they have even a harder time in what they publish because the powers that be watch their publications very closely.

ashton

What about the Love Inspired line? What's that considered?

Mary Rosenblum

Does that merit CBA approval?

Pamela Thibodeaux

LI is considered CBA even though it is published by Harlequin they adhere to a strict standard set forth by the CBA

ginger8

Can you please explain the difference between a Christian romance and a standard romance?

Mary Rosenblum

What IS the difference? The Christian theme predominates?

Is it stronger than the Romance plot, or just a pervasive background, for example?

Pamela Thibodeaux

In A Christian romance, God is very integral in the lives of the characters and in their relationships.

No, I believe the Christianity is very predominant.

Pamela Thibodeaux

there must be a relationship there between the characters and God.

geezer

In defense of CBA, I am a church librarian and people would have my head if the books I select don't adhere to CBA guidelines.

Pamela Thibodeaux

No defense needed geezer!

the CBA readership are very secure that what they are reading is what they want to read

so the publishers listen.

However, I've found that there are those of us who wouldn't mind a little more (whatever ) in our books

that whatever is different for everyone --

sensuality, reality, whatever.

Anyway, many feel it makes the story stronger and more realistic --

at least that's what I've been told by my readers :-)

Mary Rosenblum

Is this the 'Inspirational' genre, then?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, for me, this is where Inspirational and Christian differ,

however ,

Inspirational is a broad term also.

A book can inspire someone without even mentioning God.

What the book inspires depends on the book it can inspire to good or evil,

but for me, Inspirational is what I write and hopefully I inspire to good :-)

Mary Rosenblum

I have to say that I haven't paid a lot of attention to the Christian market mainly because I don't write for it

but two author friends have been hired to team up with very well known NF writers in the Christian publishing world

to write novels. They fully expect these novels to make the NY Times bestseller list. This is a HUGE market.

Pamela Thibodeaux

yes, it is a huge market and getting larger every day

if you think about it, the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort books could be called -and probably are- called Inspirational

Mary Rosenblum

They are indeed called Inspirational. :-)

geezer

I read an article that said the Christian market is growing 15% a year while other markets tend to be flat.

Pamela Thibodeaux

mmm I don't know about that

but the romance market seems to always be on the rise.

beryl

Are there secular publishers of romance that publish without sex or profanity, just good strong storyline?

Mary Rosenblum

Don't some of the Har-Sil lines do that, Pamela?

Pamela Thibodeaux

yes, though I'd be hard pressed to name them.

I do believe one of the best places to pitch a story like that would be Har-Sil!

Those are called 'sweet' romances.

Mary Rosenblum

Beryl, if you missed it, I dropped a link to Har-Sil's website earlier it'll be in the transcript.

ginger8

Do you think the whole battle over the Da Vinci code has had a positive or negative influence on the Christian market?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Oh, I don't know, it's gotten tons of attention.

Think about The Passion by Mel Gibson.

All of the controversy just makes people want to see/read it,

so who cares really, the author is doing what he wanted to do and making a mint doing it LOL.

Mary Rosenblum

There is NO bad publicity. That old cliché is more true than not.

Pamela Thibodeaux

True..

Personally, I haven't read DaVinci Code-- it

just doesn't appeal to me.

I like to believe that God is God and will not be figured out that easily .

geezer

There are many books on "Breaking the Da Vinci Code"

Mary Rosenblum

Yes, including the author's estate that just sued and lost over infringement.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Oh, I can imagine a ton of people will jump on the DaVinci Code bandwagon and ride the wave of publicity.

speckledorf

Does fantasy and sci-fi do well in the inspirational market?

Pamela Thibodeaux

I'm not sure, but I heard that one editor

wait, I'll think of his name soon..

anyway, he is open to fantasy and sci-fi.

Jeff Dunn

at River Oak.

Told you I'd think of his name LOL.

Mary Rosenblum

Ah, that's interesting. :-)

Pamela Thibodeaux

There is also a publication called Dreams & Visions out of Canada that publishes sci-fi/fantasy Christian short stories.

Mary Rosenblum

River Oak Press

There's the link to the River Oak Press website.

They do various genres, apparently.

ginger8

Wouldn't the "Left Behind" Series be considered inspirational Sci-fi?

Pamela Thibodeaux

I'm not sure, I believe they are considered inspirational but not so much sci-fi since they are based on scripture.

Revelations talks about those that'll be left behind and the Bible talks about two being in the field --

one being taken and the other left behind.

Hence the name of the series.

Mary Rosenblum

They're not considered SF by the SF field. :-) Dunno about the Christian Fiction field.

geezer

Peretti and Dekker are cleaning up in the Christian market. They do thrillers.

Pamela Thibodeaux

they are just more Christian Fiction

true geezer! I've heard a lot of good about them too

as well as Randy Ingermanson (I'm probably misspelling his name and I apologize for that)

another is

Brandilynn Collins who writes thrillers too

Mary Rosenblum

I have to say that I got my eyes opened at the last conference. If you enjoy writing fiction with a strong Christian element, this field has HUGE sales figures. It's a very large market.

cosmos

I've attended two writing conferences 2-3 years ago put on by the Oregon Christian Writers. It was announced that the northwest has the highest number of Christian writers. Is this still the case?

Mary Rosenblum

I don't know. Do you, Pamela?

Pamela Thibodeaux

sorry, but I have no idea either

Mary Rosenblum

Let's face it, the Northwest here is crawling with writers! It's the perfect climate for a productive writing life.

300 days of rain a year.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Hey, over here it's too hot to do anything but write!

;-)

sweett

How do you balance the Christian ideals with the romance? Does this vary according to guidelines? Do you use Scriptures with a heavy hand or lightly splashed throughout?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Tough but good question sweet.

Personally, I balance the Christian ideals with the romance according to the story and the characters.

If the scene or story line calls for lots of scripture (as in Tempered Dreams) then I use them, but I try and use them

in a very realistic way.

My characters don't go around spouting scripture all the time or pray over every little thing

though that is what we're called to do.

But my characters are usually dealing with some type of emotional healing and struggling with their faith in the process.

speckledorf

Do you feel your characters are more realistic than the typical "Christian" stereotypes?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Hi speck!

yes

i've been told that my characters are more realistic

even had a reviewer say that so I guess so

Mary Rosenblum

Nice praise. :-)

pokeefe

Are there certain ideas that go over better than others?

Pamela Thibodeaux

I'm not sure what you mean pokeefe.

Do you mean certain plotlines or what?

Mary Rosenblum

Yes, Pokeefe says that's what is meant.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Well, just as in ordinary romance, there are certain plotlines that are standard --

cowboys, brides & babies.

It’s how the cowboy obtains the bride and babies that count LOL!

For instance

orphaned children (nieces/nephews) single moms or dads (due to death, not divorce or unwed pregnancy)

these are still pretty standard plotlines and sell if well written

Mary Rosenblum

Is the 'testing of faith' a recurrent theme?

Pamela Thibodeaux

In many instances, yes,

for it is in the testing that our faith is refined and purified and that is important,

not only in our stories but in our lives.  If we never had a test

we wouldn't have a testimony,

and if our faith isn't tried and tested, it wouldn't be strengthened and we would begin to

believe in ourselves and our abilities instead of needing God's help.

Make sense?

Mary Rosenblum

It does indeed. Thanks.

cosmos

Are interfaith relationships in Christian romance becoming more common or are the guidelines to stay within the bounds of your own faith?

Pamela Thibodeaux

hmmm again, I'm not too sure of this

I believe if it is well written and a realistic situation is presented, the idea might sell.

However

that is another thing that would have to be very careful about.

Most of the CBA guidelines don't allow for religions to be really written in the story.

Most want simply to be 'Christians' with 'Christian beliefs and practices' they don't want specific

denominations mentioned.

Another reason Tempered Dreams didn't fit the guidelines --

the heroine is unapologetically Catholic..though not 'die-hard' Catholic.

But that was the religion of her youth and the means by which she sought God.

ashton

Say I wrote about an unwed mother who falls for a man of faith, which changes her in the process. She gives her life over to God. Would this kind of story make it into the standard Christian market say the Love Inspired line? I like to write realistic Christian fiction and trying to figure out where my type of writing falls.

Mary Rosenblum

Got any guesses off the cuff, Pamela?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, I think it would work IF she is in the process of changing her life when she met the man.

God must come first though the hero can aide her in developing her relationship with God.

Again

you would have to be very careful, but I think it could be done

geezer

In your manuscripts, what translation did you use for Scripture? I used King James because it wouldn't violate copyrights. Is this an issue? Is it something the publisher handles?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Well, I mostly have my characters speak the scripture when it's called for and they don't talk like the language

spoken in King James times I don't think it's the version you use, but how the scripture is used.

As long as it is used in a way to help another's growth, I think it would be ok.

I don't think there is any specific guideline on the use of scripture unless you are using it as a reference.

And that's not really done in fiction (that I know of).

writermom

Is there a rule to how much scripture you should use? I'm working on what I like to call Christian fantasy and have pretty much eliminated any direct quotes of scripture.

Pamela Thibodeaux

No, I don't think using scripture is a rule.  It is the PRACTICE of Christianity that counts.

Not every Christian even knows scripture inside out.

For instance

I can quote scripture but not always in it's complete context (word for word) and most of the time I

can't even tell you the exact place where it is in the bible, but I can say

I think it's Proverbs or Psalms or something like that and it's close enough to get the point across.

Then if someone wants to look it up, they can.

Make sense?

writermom

yep

cajunguy

I believe there is a specific number of verses you can use in another work, but I don't remember the number.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Hey cajunguy .

You must be from LA!

I'm not sure of a specific number but I seriously doubt anyone would try and sue you for plagiarism

for using too much scripture.

That would really be hard to take/understand since Christianity is all about loving your fellowman and all.

cajunguy

Flyleaf of my Life App. NIV lists the specifics. Up to 500 verses 25% of a work etc.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Oh, good to know!

Mary Rosenblum

That gives you a lot to work with. :-)

Pamela Thibodeaux

Of course, that would mean verses quoted word for word too not paraphrased like most people do to get their point across.

jyinxy

Okay say you have a character who - in a vision - sees a man nailed to a cross. The man then looks up and says "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." We all know who the man is - would there be a problem using the text in that sense?

Pamela Thibodeaux

No, jyinxy, I don't think so depending on who is having the vision and why.

Say your character is on drugs or something and this 'vision' saves his life --

that just might be ok.

But say he is a mass murder and it is a satanic trick.

That would most probably be unacceptable.

I guess the best piece of advice is to Write from Your Heart! and then

submit, get feed back, edit/revise/resubmit.

ginger8

So am I to understand that the Christian story is a telling of the way someone comes to their testimony?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yeah, ginger8, that's a good way of putting it.

They have a conflict and the resolution is found through faith and God's Word living it.  

After all, the Bible says that "we are living epistles read of all men" so if your character comes to his/her resolution

through his/her faith with or without the help of other Christians then that 's the main crux of the story.

cosmos

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints used to be under the cult section in Christian bookstores. Is this still the case? Do Mormons safely fall under the Christian banner?

ginger8

Is the Masonic order taboo in Christian writing?

Mary Rosenblum

What about these, Pamela?

Are they 'outside the fold'?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Oh Wow, I'm afraid to tread where angels dare not trod LOL!

That is really a tough question.

Again, the CBA requires that no specific denomination is mentioned, but that Christianity be portrayed.

Mary Rosenblum

This might be a piece of homework for you to do in your local Christian bookstore, Cosmos and Ginger

that's a great place to find out who is publishing what.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Good idea Mary.

In the CBA what counts is the belief in God and the practice of Christianity --

prayer, going to church, Bible study.

These are the things that matter --

not necessarily where they go to church, or which version of the Bible they read

or what specific prayers they say  --

just that they do.

Mary Rosenblum

But you don't have to actually include quotes from scripture, right?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Right I don't think quoting scripture is a requirement,

however, if your character does do so, make sure they are correct in doing it.

For instance

I have a scene in my book where the character says --

oh, I can't remember it word for word but something like the earth declares the glory of the Lord and the mountains

declare His handiwork.

Anyway, he then says "that might not be an exact quote, but close enough."

See

the man knows that the beauty he is surrounded by is God's handiwork and THAT is what counts.

Also

the heroine watches a gorgeous sunrise over the mountains.

She knows the scientific reason it is so beautiful but prefers to believe it's God's artwork

That's what counts -- that God is found and expressed

in all things, especially the lives of the characters.

Mary Rosenblum

Cajun passed on a good point about the earlier question about Masons:

cajunguy

Ginger. The Masons are a charitable order, but I'm not sure about "Christian."

Mary Rosenblum

I believe they have a Christian connection but they are not a religion. :-)

Pamela Thibodeaux

i think you're right mary

info

Does the CBA have a problem if our character, for instance, notices a Quaker or one of these sects who live their lives without cars? (forget what they are called.)

Mary Rosenblum

It's just an issue if it's central to the plot, right?

That 'no specific denomination' taboo?

Pamela Thibodeaux

No I don't think they would have a problem with the character seeing one of these folks, or even

associating with them.

The problem would be if the 'Christian' character lorded it over the other.

The Bible says that if our brother is practicing in honest faith, who are we to judge whether he is right and that we should

not mock or judge. That

again, not an exact quote but close enough :-)

geezer

There is a series in my library which I can't think of right now that is all about Quakers.

oma

Beverly Lewis writes about the Amish

Pamela Thibodeaux

I believe the market is open as long as the work that's written is an honest portrayal and not judgmental by any means.

After all

who’s to say that their ways of practicing faith are any better or worse than ours?

The definition of 'religion' is "an outward expression of an inward belief".

Who are we to judge someone else's ways of worship?

Ok

off my soapbox :-)

janecj333

Did you read much of other genres before deciding to write romance?

Pamela Thibodeaux

No, I've always read romance.

I love romance.

So writing romance came natural to me,

however, when I recommitted my life to Christ in 1989, that's when my focus changed from

'romance' to something more glorifying to Him.

jyinxy

Do you plot out your story before you write or do you sort of "fly by your seat" and see where the characters take you?

Pamela Thibodeaux

I'm a SOTP writer jyinxy

I very seldom know where all the characters are going to take me until I'm right in the middle of their mess LOL.

babbles

What kind of creative non-fiction do you write Pamela? I'm working on our town's fire history but want to make it interesting for everyone of the community to read young and old alike I've been married to a firefighter for 28 yrs.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Wow, babbles, that sounds interesting.

As for my creative non-fiction, I write essays, devotionals, articles, etc.

I've also written a couple of Vocational Biographies which fit in the creative non-fiction category.

Mary Rosenblum

Those are the semi-fictional biographies that illustrate a particular job? Am I remembering that right?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Correct, Mary.

They are not really fictional at all

since you use a real person to write about.

It's just 'creative' in the way that you describe the job, why's and wherefores of the person in the job.

Mary Rosenblum

How did you get that job, Pamela?

Pamela Thibodeaux

I heard about Vocational Biographies from John Riddle, researched them, asked for info, and then wrote 2 --

one on a lady sheriff (a first in Louisiana) and one on a medical transcriptionist.

But working and trying to set up interviews and write proved to be too much for me so that was the only 2 I wrote .

Pays well though and good experience.

Mary Rosenblum

Where could writers here check that out?

Pamela Thibodeaux

www.vocobio.com  I believe is the website.

Mary Rosenblum

Ah, thanks and while we're on the subject of marketing

do you have a good Christian market index to recommend? The general ones

don't include a large selection of Christian publishers.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide is the best publication to research the markets.

She lists publishers, magazines, take home papers, periodicals all kinds of markets!

All Christian

btw .

John Riddle is the I Love to Write Day guy

babbles

I'm using newspaper clippings and real live interviews for my book and am not sure how to transform the news clippings or should I just use them as is?

Mary Rosenblum

What do you suggest, Pamela? This is for the history of the fires in her town.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Oh, be careful with that babbles, get permission to use them as is.

Otherwise, use them as research and rewrite them in your own words careful of plagiarism..

However, getting permission and having actual news clippings just might make the book more authentic..

But get that permission!

ashton

I do that a lot write by the seat of my pants. I've found that I end up rewriting the beginning, but it always generates another story idea. (smile) Do you find the same to be true? Always good writing practice no matter what I end up with.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yes, ashton, that is good practice.

I don't always end up rewriting a whole story or even a large part of the story,

however, I do sometimes end up with another story to tell

That's how the Tempered series came about.

Characters just kept telling me "hey, here's my story, isn't it good enough?" :-)

babbles

The news clippings came from the historical society. They’ve been a big help and have published many of our town story books. I'm dating this from 1923-2005 research.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Oh good, babbles, and I don't mean to make a big issue of it, but there is so much negative stuff out there

and I don't want you to get caught up in it.

If you simply get the historical society to give you permission to use the clippings and include a note in your book

that says "used with permission from yada, yada, yada" you should be fine.

ashton

Who are your favorite authors and what is it about their writing that grabs you?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Well ashton, my favorite authors are: Nora Roberts, Francine Rivers and Judith Leger .

As I said in an interview I did for Writers Manual

Nora Roberts is the Queen of Romantic fiction.

Francine Rivers can take an otherwise boring account from the Bible and turn it into a beautiful love story as well as

powerful message of God's Redeeming Love ,

and Judith Leger can write fantasy that even I believe is real --

just check out her story The Wraith's Forest in ComStar Media's anthology Tavern Tales!

Mary Rosenblum

Before we run out of time, Pamela, remind everyone what you have coming up!

Pamela Thibodeaux

Well, Tuesday the 25th I have a chat at Coffeetime Romance.

The edits for Tempered Fire (book 3 in the series) are underway and hopefully we'll have a late Spring/Summer release

and hopefully, I'll have more news soon from either Harlequin and/or Kensington!

Oh and

Tempered Joy will be released sometime late this year or early next year and finally

Tempered Truth -when I get the time to write it- LOL!

Mary Rosenblum

Wow, busy lady!

Drop me a note when the books come out and I'll mention the release in our website updates!

Pamela Thibodeaux

Yeah, and trying to write that script in my 'spare' time ;-)

Mary Rosenblum

So what parting bit of wisdom would you like to share with our audience?

Pamela Thibodeaux

Thanks!

If I can leave you with only 1 piece of advice it is this;

writing is a talent a gift from God.

No matter how you choose to use it, don't bury your talent or hide your gift under a bushel.

You have something to say so say it with pride!

Mary Rosenblum

Amen!!!

babbles

Thanks, Pamela, I wanted to make sure I was headed in the right direction. Ohh Nora Roberts, love her too.

ginger8

Thank you for all your great information Pamela!

ginger8

I really appreciate your great information, God Bless!

sayre

Thank you

ashton

Thanks for coming again, Pamela. As always, you've been an inspiration. Night, Pamela Mary everyone!

cosmos

Thanks so much for coming.

Pamela Thibodeaux

Thank You ALL for having me!

The pleasure has been all mine

Mary Rosenblum

Ditto the thanks, Pamela!!! I really enjoy chatting with you.

And thank you all for coming!

Bye!