About the Author
TIA MCCOLLORS is a national bestselling author who secured her spot in the publishing industry with the release of her debut novel, Zora’s Cry. She received her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina. After ten years as a public relations professional, Tia emerged as an inspirational speaker and author of faith-based novels. Her other titles include The Truth About Love and A Heart of Devotion. She continues to pen inspirational works and is currently writing a series of children’s early reader chapter books targeted towards girls, ages 7-9.
In addition to being a novelist, Tia is a motivational speaker and instructor for writing workshops. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers organization, and serves as the vice president of Visions In Print. Tia was voted as the Breakout Author of the Year by the Open Book Awards of the African American Literary Awards Show.
Tia lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area with her husband and son. For more information, visit her online at www.TiaMcCollors.com.
Tia, tell us about yourself.
I’m walking through this thing called life with an amazing, hard-working husband and two children who work hard at working me! One thing I can say is that my family is a team. I believe even my young children understand that. We work together, yet allow each other to be “who we are” and function in the gifts that make us happy and fulfilled. Writing novels does that for me. They allow me to micromanage sometimes (but not without complaint), and they don’t mind that they might eat some kind of casserole at least twice a week or eat breakfast for dinner because Mama doesn’t really like to cook. Despite all of that, I’m dedicated to my family and I’m a loyal friend. And oh yeah, I love Chick-fil-A milkshakes, especially the limited time Peppermint Chocolate Chip milkshake the offer during the holidays!
What type of jobs or careers have you worked in the past?
Before my first real job that actually paid me a check, it was my unofficial job to boss around my younger brother and sister. Since my Mama refused to pay me for that, I didn’t work until my junior year of high school. I actually only two jobs (not at the same time!) in high school. One of them was at a local drug store but that didn’t last long at all. One night at closing I went to the back to clock out and the manager accidentally locked me inside the store and left to go home. That was the only reason I needed to justify quitting!
Other than that, my post-college jobs were all related to my journalism and mass communication degree. After ten years in the corporate world as a public and media relations professional, I was fortunate to be able to leave my job in 2006 to pursue my writing career and take care of my family.
Who are your favorite authors?
I’m going to cheat on this one because the list could go on and on. There are authors that have been out for a while that I’m just beginning to discover, so to speak. My goal this year is to read three books a month. I recently read Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult and The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I found myself waking up in the middle of the night and reaching for the books off of my nightstand. Talk about engaging reads! I enjoy the teachings of Dr. Myles Munroe so I’m working my way through one of his books as well. You have to “live through” his books. They aren’t for entertainment, but for application.
What are your favorite books?
Even though I read across genres, I especially enjoy reading the kind of books that I write – Christian fiction. They’re real, yet refreshing. They can make you laugh, make you roll your eyes, but at the same time, make you think. Also, a couple of years ago I had my first literary taste of legal thrillers. I’d never read the genre before because I didn’t think I’d like it, then I got hooked on Pamela Samuels Young.
When did you begin to realize you wanted to write?
I think it originally started in seventh grade when I had an “advice column” in my school’s newspaper, called Tia Talks. When I entered high school, I decided to take “Newspaper” as one of my electives…and I was hooked. But even before that I used to enter every fiction writing competition that was school and county-wide. However, I never fathomed that my love for writing would lead to a career as a novelist. It wasn’t until I was included in a round of layoffs at a job in 1999 that God I truly began to search for my passion and purpose.
Tell us about your journey to publication.
That’s a lot to fit in such a small space. To pack it into a very small nutshell, I was “pushed” into pursuing my true calling after being laid off from a job in 1999. I started to write my book…dabbling here and there….eventually going back to a full-time job. I didn’t get focused on the book until 2002 when I put together a writing and critique group with another aspiring author. In May 2003, I attended Book Expo America in Los Angeles, California and met a sales representative for Moody Publishers. He encouraged me to contact the acquisitions editor and submit my manuscript proposal, so I did. In July 2003, the editor asked for my full manuscript. Then two days before Thanksgiving in 2003, I was contacted and told that they were interested in publishing my manuscript. As they say, the rest is history.
Are you a full-time writer? If so, describe your day?
When my husband and I made the decision for me to stay at home after my son was born, I thought that I’d have hours to spend writing. Boy, was I wrong! Now with two young children, I have to be very deliberate about my writing time. I schedule my writing time on days they are at school or in day care. Once the children are home, my writing time is typically over. I squeeze in marketing tasks or work on plot outlines when they’re running around. I used to try and write late at night, but seeing that I’m an early riser and not a night-owl, I haven’t been successful at that!
Currently, the majority of my days are being spent working on promotions for my February 1 release, Steppin’ Into The Good Life. Over time I’ve found that I’m most effective when I leave the house and go to my local library or coffee shop. It prevents me from procrastinating and finding household chores and projects to do! I’ll work for a couple of hours, take a break, then go back at it until I run out of steam.
About the Book
Shelia Rushmore thought she’d be the last woman standing when it was time to fight for her man. Instead Ace, her boyfriend of two years, chose to reunite with his ex-wife, leaving Shelia emotionally devastated. It’s a year later when Sheila is convinced that sneaking into their wedding ceremony will put closure on the gaping hole in her heart.
But it’s on the back pew of the church where a new relationship begins for Shelia. She can’t explain the touch she received from God on that day, but she’s determined to be a better woman-a woman of faith. Since high school, Shelia has been chasing her definition of the good life – it’s left her with no home, no man, and no money. But now that’s she’s living life for God, things should get better, right? Shelia learns that living a faith-filled life isn’t always easy.
With faith, tough love, and some tough decisions, Shelia realizes that the life she’d been praying for she could have for herself is actually attainable. Being wrapped in God’s arms, she decided, was by far the safest place she’d ever been.
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For More Information
- Visit the author online at http://www.tiamccollors.com.
- View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/SteppinIntotheGoodLife
About Renee Williams
Renee,
Thank you for being a host on the Steppin’ Into the Good Life Blog Tour with Tia McCollors.
My pleasure!
Sounds like a interesting read !!
Hi Tia.. I can’t wait to read this one. Renee, Thanks for another great interview
Beautiful cover. Sounds like a book many women should read!
Hi Renee – Thanks for everything….your support of the literary world is appreciated! Blessings, Tia
Great interview! Good book too.