Today I am delighted to introduce y’all to one of my favorite writer people, Melissa Tagg. Melissa has this infectious joy that simply makes her a delight to be around. She is bright, incredibly gifted as a writer, and has this heart that is after God. I love her! Can’t you just see the joy in her smile? Anyway…She has a new book, Keep Holding O
n, releasing this month, and here’s a link to the first chapter. I’m also doing a giveaway at the end. I asked Melissa if she would join us for a quick Q&A. She graciously agreed. So without further ado, here’s Melissa.
We’re going to start with an easy question: what’s your favorite writer fuel?
Okay, this is going to sound terribly cliché but it’s the truth: coffee. Actually, beverages in general. I like to have a glass of water and a cup of coffee and then when I get stuck, I trade in the coffee for a Diet Coke with Lime. I’ve been trying to be more diligent about drinking water lately, though, so I generally don’t allow myself a second jolt of caffeine until I’ve finished off a couple glasses of water.
You’re so healthy! What’s the one thing you wish you had learned early in your writing career?
That I am not a girl who handles deadlines very well. LOL! But seriously…when I suddenly went from writer to contracted writer, this writing gig took on a whole new flavor. And because I have a full-time day job that’s also very much a calling for me, dealing with deadlines got…not so fun. But honestly, I think it’s good to learn these things about ourselves. Because once I realized why I was struggling so much, I was able to make some decisions to help smooth out what had become a very wrinkled and exhausting schedule. I had to take some risks to change things up, but I feel like a different person now than I did earlier on—i.e. I’m healthier and happier and don’t come into work looking like a zombie anymore. And frankly, I think my writing is better for it.
Also, I wish I’d learned earlier that it’s okay to do things differently than other authors. I think I spent a lot of time trying to perfectly shadow others, write and market and just be exactly like them. And in doing so, I was pushing against the kind of writer and woman God wants me to be.
That not copying others is hard! What’s your favorite book of all time? Other than the Bible.
Oh man, that is SO hard to answer. I don’t know if I can truly pick just one, but one of the books I have read over and over and over from childhood to adulthood is Christy by Catherine Marshall. In fact, it’s been a couple years, so I’m pretty sure I’m due for a reread.
Now for some writing book related questions. Do you have a favorite writing book? What is it? Do you have a fight favorite writing tool? What is that?
My favorite writing book is any craft book by Susan May Warren. She has this awesome way of teaching that just works…doesn’t matter whether you’re a plotter or pantser or smack in between like me, you can incorporate her teaching and truly grow in the craft. I also love every writing book I’ve read by James Scott Bell, including Plot & Structure and WriteYour Novel from the Middle.
As for my favorite writing tool, it’s an app called Freedom that turns off your Internet for however long you specify. It’s such a great tool to help me focus. (Although, sometimes I just go super hard core and turn off my wi-fi completely and hide my phone in my garage or walk-in.
What surprised you most while writing Keep Holding On?
This shouldn’t have surprised me because it legit happens with every. single. book. And yet, somehow it’s still a surprise every time…and that’s the moment when I realize exactly why God has me writing this story at this time. It’s usually because he’s working on something in my heart. I know, I know, the appropriate author sentiment to express is that we write to uplift and inspire readers…which, of course, I do. But truly, deep down…I write because that’s how God communicates with me. He just does.
Somehow, in journeying with my characters, He whispers (or sometimes shouts) exactly what my heart needs to hear and what my mind needs to process. And in the case of this latest book, that thing I needed to hear and chew on and really truly grasp is that God keeps holding on. I don’t know about you, but I have seasons where my passion dries up…my faith gets all dry and dusty. And then I feel guilty. And then that ugly mix of apathy and guilt just sorta builds a wall between me and any kind of intimacy with God. And yet…God keeps holding on.
Even when I’m on the brink of letting go, he’s still there holding on. That is a life-giving, soul-quenching truth and something I’ve very much needed to spend some time dwelling on. Funny thing is, I had no idea that’d end up being such a personal journey for me back when I titled the book Keep Holding On.
What’s your favorite Needtobreathe song? Just had to throw that one in there for fun.
Oh my goodness, this is almost even harder to answer than the favorite book question. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! People think I’m joking when I say I want to just quit everything and become a roadie and follow them around the country…but I’m about 75% serious. If I HAD to pick a favorite song, it’d probably be Wasteland. I first heard it during a hard season in my life and I felt like it’d been written just for me.
What’s your favorite kind of coffee or writing beverage?
Coffee-wise, I love hazelnut coffee. I drink it straight black. Oh, and a good Americano makes my heart soar. As I mentioned above, I also love Diet Coke with Lime.
At what point in the book did you hate it? And at what point in Keep Holding On did you go oh my gosh I really can write? I know when I’m writing I usually have one or the other if not both…in the same weekend.
You know what’s crazy? This is probably the first book I’ve written where I didn’t actually have a moment of hating it. Some big things changed in my life while writing this book that removed a lot of previous stress, so I’m sure that’s part of it. That said, I ALWAYS struggle with two specific chapters in every book (I won’t say which two ‘cause I don’t want anyone to read them and go, “Yep, I can see why she doesn’t like these ones). And that was definitely still the case this time around. I wrote and rewrote those chapters and they still don’t feel entirely right to me. But there comes a point when you have to just say, “Okay, whatevs. It’s done.” LOL!
As for a moment when I thought, “Oh my gosh, I really can write”… that actually happened while writing the very first scene, which is super unusual for me. But I just love the first scene of this book! It’s the first time I haven’t drastically changed my opening from first draft to final draft. What you’ll see on the page now is very close to exactly what was on the page when I first drafted it. And I feel good about it. Which is nice.
Thanks so much for joining us, Melissa. Folks, I love her books. She writes such fun contemporary romance, you really need to try them if you haven’t. You can find all her books listed on her webpage or anywhere books are sold.
Comments 35
Paper, if at all possible. But I’ve learned to accept the occasional ebook, though it’s generally for emergency purposes.
Author
I’m with you. I’ll read ebooks, but prefer paper every time — except international travel.
I actually like both. I have gotten countless ebooks for free. Some of them are actually good!
I think I prefer paper even though I am now using my Kindle all the time. I still like to go to the library and checkout a real book every now and then. Just something about actually turning the pages I guess.
Author
There’s something about seeing and touching a book…
I like both, but I prefer ebook because with my husband and I and our 6 children (and one on the way) living in a 1600 square foot house, there’s just not a lot of place for me to keep books. I also like ebook forms because they’re so easy to take with me wherever I go-I usually read on a Kindle app on my phone so I pretty much always have a book with me because I always have my phone with me.
Author
I end up giving away a lot of books because of space issues.
Love Melissa’s books
Hard question! I like them both… I guess I will go with paper. 🙂
I love my Kindle, but I will always prefer print books for sure!
I prefer paper if given a choice. Two main reasons,
1. When I’m writing a review I can refer back to pages in the book for specific information I need. Much easier with a paper copy.
2. When I’m finished reading and reviewing I donate them to my church library. This keeps my husband happy and I know where it is if I ever want to re-read it.
Author
I couldn’t agree more on both…I remember where things are in a book. Hard to do that with an ebook.
Fun interview! I am so excited to read this one!
Author
Me, too! I just checked and it’s on my Kindle app now. Squee!
This could be a complicated answer. Paper or ebook? I like both equally, but at this point in time, with my eyes being sensitive due to allergies, I see the ebooks better. So I favor those. But there’s no substitute for a good book in the bathtub!
Author
Oh! I’m so sorry about the allergies, Beverly! Hope you feel better soon!
Even though I have a Kindle and it is LOADED to the hilt with books to read, I still prefer paper. There’s just something about turning that page….
Author
I Like ebooks for reading on the treadmill…that’s about it.
I like to read paperback books or e-books. I enjoy books whatever way I can get them. I would love to win Melissa Tagg’s newest book, “Keep Holding On”, thank you for the opportunity to win this book.
Author
Good luck, Judi!
When I got my Kindle a ew years ago I was so excited and started reading the books I downloaded. But I changed. I read at bedtime and it is too heavy to hold above my face and I fear it falling on me at any time! I still love books that are printed on paper. When I am done I share them with friends or donate them to my church library or the local public one. I am not a hoarder of books, I like to share. If the book is on my Kindle I can’t share.
Author
I love to donate books to church libraries. I’m thinking about doing retirement homes next.
Paper because there is just nothing like holding the book in your hands but I do have to admit that I read more e-books lately. 🙂
Congrats, Melissa, and thanks for the interesting interview and the giveaway opportunity, Cara and Melissa!!
I enjoy the convenience of e-books when I am “on-the-go’, however – paperbacks will always be my fave format!!
Author
I will admit I do read ebooks on my iPhone, but my thumbs get tired of swiping 🙂
I always prefer reading a print copy but ebook bargains are hard to pass up!
Author
I have discovered some new to me authors that way which is great!
Paper! I have to use all my senses to remember well and paper offers that. 🙂 There’s nothing like the smell, feel, and sound of real pages turning.
I am a book person, love to use real bookmarks to keep my spot.
Author
Oh, me, too! I love a pretty bookmark.
Though I read a lot of e-books, I definitely prefer paper ones! 🙂
Paper – it’s the real deal.
I always prefer a paper back book. I like how it feels in my hands and I love turning the pages and using a bookmark. Guess I am old fashioned.
I prefer ebooks. Easier on my arthritic hands.
So hard to choose. Advantages to both. I choose ebooks most of the time now for price and portability.