A Noble Life

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Kathi Macias, one of the contributing authors in 21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love, the first book in my Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. Her story is called “A House with Pillows.”

Thanks so much for doing this interview, Kathi. Please tell something about yourself as a person and as a writer.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember—probably from the time I first learned to read and fell in love with words—long before I started school.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I have a heart for social issues, including homelessness, and I believe Jesus is the answer to all those social issues and His church is the vessel He works through to meet those needs.

Are any parts of this story taken from something that happened in your own life or the lives of people you know?

I have known a few homeless people over the years, but the story is completely fiction.

What else do have you written?

I’ve published more than fifty books (fiction and nonfiction), plus numerous magazine articles and a weekly newspaper column.

What genre(s) do you like to read?

Contemporary or historical fiction.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Brock and Bodie Thoene, Francine Rivers.

Do you write part time or full time? Do you have a job, kids, hobbies?

I’ve worked at writing and editing full time for decades now, but am currently in the process of transitioning to part time so I can spend more time with my recently retired husband as well as our kids and grandkids.

Where and when do you write?

At my desk in my add-on office, and early hours are more productive than late ones.

What do you love most about writing?

Developing plots and characters for fiction.

What do find most challenging about writing?

Marketing. UGH! I do NOT like that part.

Share one of your most rewarding moments connected to your writing.

I was doing a book signing for my novel No Greater Love, set in South Africa just before the end of Apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. A young man (about 17 or 18) came in specifically to tell me that my books made him “want to lead a noble life.” It doesn’t get any better than that.

What one piece of advice would you share with aspiring writers?

Be absolutely sure that God has indeed called you to write, because you are in for a tough time. Being sure ahead of time will keep you from throwing in the towel when you receive your fiftieth rejection letter and realize you could be making more money flipping burgers. Always remember—whether writing or something else—you don’t become successful when you reach the “top of the heap” of your profession/ministry, but rather when you say yes to God’s call and step out in faith to fulfill that call.

Thanks again for sharing with me and my followers, Kathi!

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Her novel set in China, Red Ink, was named Golden Scrolls 2011 Novel of the Year and was also a Carol Award Finalist; her October 2012 release, Unexpected Christmas Hero, was named 2012 Book of the Year by BookandAuthors.net. She has recently taken the position of Senior Vice President of Acquisitions for Elk Lake Publishing.  Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.