An Interview With Tina Pinson

1) Have you always wanted to be an author? If not, what made you decide to write, and how long have you been at it? 

I have been writing since I was in elementary school. I have always had a love for words, but I guess I truly started formulating stories because I was already making them up for my parents and those were getting me in trouble. So I decided to use my imagination for something more worthwhile.

2) What do you love about being a writer, and what do you like the least? 

I love getting lost in my stories with my characters. It allows me to travel to places and times I never could go. And even make up some places. What drives me crazy sometimes, is all the people who have a story that they could write and get published right now. And those people that tell me I could serve the Lord better by writing non fiction story about people of faith. I remind them that Christ used parables to get a story across.

3) Are you a plotter, a pantser, or a combination? 

I am a punster. I freak out whenever I try to get too much into to plotting. It throws my unequalibrium off.  :) I will write down certain points from time to time, but only after I've started writing.

4) Do you write full time, or do you work it in alongside a full-time job? 

I have instances where I have done both and watch my grandchildren in the process. Right now, I am not working full time, nor really writing as much as I probably should or want to, because of my back and how life in general has hit this year.

5) What do your kids think about your being a writer? 

My children think it's great and they are still waiting for me to hit it big so I can share the wealth.

6) How do you get your best ideas? 

Dreams and perhaps a sense of what if.  I see a story unfold in my mind and I dream it through and begin to write it.

7) What do you do to get past writer’s block? 

I just try to write through it. If it gets too bad. I give myself the grace to take a break and catch up on some reading or other pursuits.

8) What’s your favorite method for keeping a story’s middle from sagging? 

Crunches. I like cliffhangers throughout the story. Probably let out a bit of secret in the middle that uncovers a bigger secret. Allow the characters to get closer and perhaps rip them apart.

9) Writing is a sedentary occupation. What do you do for exercise? 

I write while walking on the treadmill sometimes. And try to do some exercise. Unfortunately, I hurt my back and it's been playing havoc with my exercising and willingness to sit for long. Which makes writing a touch tougher.

10) Do you have any pets? Do you own them, or they you? 

I have a dog. She is about 13 and while I think I am the big bad master, she can still woo me with those brown puppy eyes. Amazing. Perhaps we give and take in the boss arena, but with my husband she is the boss as he is truly a push over. I have added pets to several stories because they lend themselves to showing the character's heart or lack there of. The same can be said for children. In my latest story, Then There Was Grace, I've added three-year-old twins, which helped soften the main character and make him seem more reachable.

11) What fun fact would you like your readers to know about you? 

I'm not sure there are any fun factoids about me. I am the middle child of five girls and the only blond. Because of my circumstances, I grew up being told I was adopted which irritated me. So I used my imagination to work up stories so my sisters would get their due. And I used to make money in elementary school drawing naked lady pictures for the boys. Seems I could draw them pretty good. Not your basic stick figure. But that was many moons ago.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for a chance to win a free copy of Tina's latest release, Then

There Was Grace.

Tina Pinson resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of thirty plus years, Danny. They are blessed to have three sons, and seven grandchildren. Tina started her first novel in elementary school. Her love of writing has caused her to seek creative outlets be it writing poetry, songs, or stories. She also loves to doodle and enjoys gardening. It is her prayer that her stories, though fiction, will transport you to worlds beyond and touch your spirit and give you a closer insight to yourself and God.

Learn more about Tina on her Blog, or connect on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.