INTERVIEW | Tia McCollors
Tia, describe yourself for our visitors.
I recently told someone that I had a country girl smile with a city girl style! In my mind that means that I enjoy the simple things in life like spending time with friends, reading a good book and enjoying a meal that makes you want to go to sleep afterwards. I don’t need all of the fanfare that a big city like Atlanta can make you think that you need. (Unless of course it’s a cute pair of shoes. That’s an entirely different story!)
How do you find time to connect with God?
I try not to just find the time, I make the time. God is on my mind the first thing in the morning before my feet even hit the floor. Literally. I had to condition myself in the mornings so that I wouldn’t jump up and start my to-do list the second my eyes opened. It’s the calmest time of the entire day for me. On the best days I tip downstairs, praying the entire time that I don’t hit that one spot on that one stair that wakes up my children!
Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?
I tend to read in “clumps.” I’ll hook onto a certain genre of books or one particular author and get stuck there for a couple of months. I must admit I’ve been into legal thrillers for a while. Those authors really know how to create page-turners.
Tell us about your journey to publication.
I went to Los Angeles, California in May 2003 to attend Book Expo America. I met a few editors there and was introduced to a few publishing imprints that I felt would be a good match for my first manuscript. When I returned home I sent out several proposals and ended up getting a call about two months later from the acquisitions editor at Moody Publishers. My first novel, A Heart of Devotion, was released in January 2005.
Tell us about your current book?
If These Shoes Could Talk is a 30-day devotional for women of faith. I’m so proud of this book because it’s my first self-published project and it’s been on my heart for quite some time. For a while I fought it because I told the Lord, “I’m a novelist. I don’t write non-fiction.” Well, we know Who is the boss!
How did you come up with ideas for this book?
I’m so glad I was obedient to His voice. This book is like a heart-to-heart talk between girlfriends. It’s inspiration infused with humor and wisdom that delivers a message that will move women forward in their lives of faith.
At the end of each reading are scriptures to “Stand On The Word,” as well as a self-reflection section to “Think It Out. Write It Out. Walk It Out.”
Some devotion titles include: “Your Royal Highness,” “Me and My B.I.G. Mouth,” “Upgrade Me,” and “Pantyhose and Rubber Bands.”
If These Shoes Could Talk is the first book in the Prissy Purse Devotions series.
What valuable lessons do you want readers to learn from your book?
Everyday life. I began to be keenly aware of God speaking to me during what I considered the most mundane days. I was walking through the daily routines of my life, and He began to show me that He was in fact with me in every step. The only thing I had to do was: Stop. Look. And Listen.
So often we try to force our feet into other women’s shoes without truly knowing the path they’ve been given to walk. Be comfortable in your own life and be the shining star for your script. I always say, “Wear your faith like a designer label!”
What’s next for you?
I’ll be working on another book in the Prissy Purse Devotions series and also crafting another cast of characters for a novel.
Where can readers find you online?
Great interview. Congratulation Tia on your first non-fiction work.
To God be t he Glory