It is our pleasure to once again welcome author and entrepreneur, Tyora Moody. Ty, the brain behind Tymm Media, is usually hard at work promoting authors which she has been doing for the past 12 years. Today, she is on the other side of the fence, having recently completed the second book in her Victory Gospel Series, When Memories Fade. Ty has taken the time to answer some questions for us, so please enjoy this interview and also read below to find out how to win a copy!
DeeSWrites: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
My interest to write started when I received a journal in high school. I was 14 or 15 at the time. I poured my thoughts into that journal and have kept many over the years. I also was encouraged by a high school English teacher who let me write short stories for extra credit.
DeeSWrites: I was a journaler myself. What inspired you to write your first book?
In 2006, I entered that year with a deep desire for change. During my journal writing time, I started to write scenes. My curiosity grew and the scenes became chapters and after several stops and starts, a story had grown into a novel. I knew by the time I finished my first novel that a few of the characters would have their own story, so the Victory Gospel Series was born.
DeeSWrites: Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
If you like Christian Fiction and a mystery/suspense driven story, then you will love reading one of my novels.
DeeSWrites: I believe that every author infuses his or her book(s) with a piece of himself or herself. What piece of you would you say resides within the pages of your book?
There is a theme of forgiveness woven into When Memories Fade. We consciously know forgiveness is necessary for us to heal and move on, but knowing this and actually moving through the process are two different things. As I wrote about a situation Angel was struggling through, I too had similar questions in my own personal life. When you closed the door on hurt and bitterness, you definitely allow a door to open for something even better.
DeeSWrites: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in this book?
No. I have felt pretty good after several rewrites and edits that I told the story given to me to tell.
DeeSWrites: Nice. How did you come up with the title?
Titles come to me as I learn more about the story. Fading memories of her missing mother are what drive the main character. I also included a critical character who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. The title When Memories Fade was very fitting.
DeeSWrites: Who designed the cover?
The graphic designer for Urban Christian – Smiley Guirand
DeeSWrites: How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I can’t say I did an official celebration. I just jumped into book promotion.
DeeSWrites: If readers get nothing else from your book, what is the one takeaway that you hope they do not miss?
My stories are mystery and suspense, but there is always a deeper theme that is meant to encourage the reader. In When Memories Fade, I deal with aging. Most of us will deal with an aging loved one (caregiving) or we will grow older. In the first novel, When Rain Falls, I deal with grief and loss. My characters go through extreme trials, but they are very relatable to anyone. Hopefully something about the fictional character’s situation will encourage.
DeeSWrites: Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Meeting readers online and in person. I think every author should take the time to correspond and be available to readers. It really helps you remember why your write in the first place.
DeeSWrites: True. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
I would have to say readers. Readers accepted me as a new author and have given me great feedback about When Rain Falls. It was very encouraging to hear as I wrote When Memories Fade.
DeeSWrites: What would equate success for you, with regards to the release of this title?
- Purchases
- Kudos on your writing skills
- Message received by intended audience
- All of the above?
Probably all of the above, but with the first novel it was really about reaching the intended audience. Now, I hope to see further growth in my writing and readership.
DeeSWrites: What did you want to be when you grew up…was author on the list?
No, I can’t say author was on the list. At one point I wanted to be a teacher, a nurse, a fashion designer and an architect. Not at the same time! LOL!
DeeSWrites: Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I have the first novellas in a series being released June 2013. Deep Fried Trouble is a cozy mystery that centers around Eugeena Patterson, a retired school teacher and grandmother turned amateur sleuth. It’s a bit of a different read and very humorous compared to the Victory Gospel Series.
I’m also getting ready to write the third and final book in the Victory Gospel Series. I’ve been waiting years to write and look forward to developing the story behind Lenora Freeman, the First Lady of Victory Gospel Church.
DeeSWrites: Favorite Candy?
Smarties
DeeSWrites: I didn’t know anyone else called them smarties! Favorite smell?
Vanilla
DeeSWrites: Favorite scripture/quote?
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
DeeSWrites: Pet peeve?
People who drive too close.
DeeSWrites: Guilty Pleasure?
Chocolate
DeeSWrites: TV or Movies?
Once Upon a Time, Grimm, Revenge, Scandal – the best writing on TV!
DeeSWrites: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Merry Christmas
DeeSWrites: Coke or Pepsi?
I drink both depending on which one is available.
DeeSWrites: What was your favorite children’s book?
Charlotte’s Web
DeeSWrites: What book(s) has most influenced your life?
The Bible
DeeSWrites: Do you have a specific writing style?
I like to outline my chapters before I start writing. Since I write mystery and suspense, an outline serves as a guide to help me keep facts and clues consistent.
DeeSWrites: What’s your favorite season/weather?
Spring
DeeSWrites: Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts or one big expensive one?
Small gifts
DeeSWrites: In the 1999 film, The Matrix, the main character Neo is offered the choice between a red pill and a blue pill. The blue pill would allow him to remain in the fabricated reality of the Matrix. The red pill would lead to his escape from the Matrix and into the “real world”. If you were given such a choice, which pill would you choose and why?
Red pill. God gives us free will in this world. I doubt any of us would really be living if our life was controlled.
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Please leave your comments on this blog post. You could win a copy of When Memories Fade.
- Three (3) copies will be given away during this tour.
- There will be a GRAND PRIZE – All the books in the Victory Gospel Series (When Rain Falls and When Memories Fade) will be included in a special customized Thirty-One Gift Bag – https://www.mythirtyone.com/prjoy/
