Hey everybody! I’d like to introduce my dear friend and fellow author Teresa Tysinger. She’s got a great post for you today! As of now, she’s the only author in my collection team I’ve had the privilege to meet in person (though I’m praying that changes before long, because I LOVE these women).
Here’s us having coffee last month:
An author of Southern Contemporary Romance inspired by grace, Teresa writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications and public relations professional. Her acclaimed debut novel, Someplace Familiar, released in 2017. Teresa is a member of ACFW, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She loves coffee, traveling, and prides herself in knowing and loving almost every genre of music. Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.
And now, without further ado:
Thank you, Jaycee! As a student I dreaded group projects. I would much rather be on my own and not be forced to share the responsibility of earning a good grade with other random classmates. Maybe it’s the introvert in me or the sort-of perfectionist? I also think it’s why writing suits me. Sitting at the computer is a quiet, solitary activity. I don’t have to debate with anyone else what to name my characters. I get to decide what happens. And, as an independently published author, it’s ultimately up to me what I “turn in” to readers.
Things changed when I was invited to contribute a novella for the Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection, releasing later this month. (See below for more details about this fun collection!) My initial excitement of being included in this amazing group of authors was quickly overshadowed by a little anxiety when the group decided to link the stories by making our heroines old friends. GULP. My story, while mine alone, suddenly felt much more like a group project. What if I didn’t agree with some of the details the others decided on? What if their stories somehow messed up the plans I had for mine? And [insert nail biting], what if they didn’t like my writing?
Spoiler Alert: I had nothing to worry about.
Instead of my “what if” worries coming true, I instead experienced some very real perks of writing as part of a collection.
- Perk 1: Your voice matters. I went into this first collection experience worried that my opinions would get overshadowed by the others. Instead, every conversation in our private Facebook group was collaborative, open and inviting, and everyone had a voice. I really felt part of a true team. And, oh boy, if only you could see some of the message chains as we tossed ideas around—from the silly to the ridiculous, we had a blast!
- Perk 2: Five heads are better than one. You’ve heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes as many other authors as you let in to “raise” a good book! In my case, five heads were better than one! The other authors on this collection has years more experience and collectively dozens of books under their belts. I gained instant writing mentors the minute I signed on for this project. Using Dropbox to share files, we tweaked synopses, edited manuscripts, helped fix plot issues, and even brainstormed cover design ideas together. My novella wouldn’t be the same without their input!
- Perk 3: All for one, and one for all! My concern that these authors wouldn’t like my writing, of course, stems from my own insecurities. We all have them, and none of us are perfect. But I was not necessarily expecting to feel so championed by the kind, encouraging women I’ve met on this collection team. In the niche of Christian fiction, I think most authors would agree it’s a very encouraging and competition-free community. Add to that working toward the same goal of putting out a quality project and the support can’t be beat!
- Perk 4: New friends. I’m extra lucky to say that a major perk for me of joining this collection is gaining new friends. This has not been just a simple business transaction. We’ve shared about life, prayed through hard times, celebrated individual victories, and enjoyed hanging out and laughing over Zoom calls. This perk is hard to beat and the one I’m most grateful for.
Man, this experience has been so fun! As is often the case, my worries were replaced by so many more blessings. I hope if you’ve ever been curious about how these collections come together, this sheds some light on it. Have other questions about it? Leave those in the comments and we’ll get a discussion going.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! I invite you to also check out Suddenly Forever, my next novel and the second in the Laurel Cove Romance Series. Available on October 6, this poignant and tender story of grief and hope is near and dear to my heart. Learn more about it and my other books at https://teresatysinger.com/books/.
FALL BUNDLE GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate the release of Suddenly Forever I’m hosting a giveaway for a bundle of my fall favorites. I’d like to invite you to join in the fun! Enter HERE (https://forms.gle/764agVnAKjr4rsNd7). The winner will be announced on October 9 during my book launch “bonfire” event on Facebook. Details for that are on the giveaway form.
**This giveaway is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Inspy Romance. **
It sounds like a good series
Hope you enjoy it, Sylvain!
Your book series sounds very interesting & can’t wait to read.
Thanks, Amy. I hope you enjoy it!
Sounds good. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading!
Sounds like a great series and i Love meeting New Authors Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Sarah. Blogs like InspyRomance are such a great way to learn about new authors…it’s the same for me.
Sounds like a wonderful anthology.
Denise, I hope you enjoy it!
That was a goal for me as an author, to be part of a collective experience. I LOVED A Christmas to Remember, and it was everything I hoped it would be. Great post!
I’m so glad to hear you had a wonderful experience! I’ve been in a few, and while they’re all different, a shared love for the Lord has made each one a joy in its own way!
Julie, I’m so glad you’ve had a chance to work with others in a collection! Indeed a blessing! Thanks!
Sounds like a wonderful experience!
I’m sure Teresa will pop in herself to comment shortly, but yes! I’ve certainly loved working with her and on this collection! (BTW her upcoming novel, Suddenly Forever, is absolutely beautiful!)
Hi Natalya! I’m sorry I’m just now replying. Yesterday was my daughter’s birthday and I was busier than expected! Thanks so much for reading today. The collection really was a great experience!
What a beautiful expression of our life in Christ! The unity of the Spirit, the creativity of the Image of God within, the welcome of family brought about by the adoption that is ours in Christ and the joy that results when all of those are swirled together in a wonderful potpourri whose scent rises to the Father and, like prayer, it is a delightful aroma to Him.
Way to rock the perks! The collection sounds good, too! 🙂
Amen! Thanks for popping in, Lincoln. 😆
Thanks so much, Lincoln!
Hi, your book and the other ones sound like very good reads! I’m glad it has worked out for you and that you had fun with it and found new friends. Thank you so much for sharing about your novella and your other books. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. Very nice to meet you.
Thanks for stopping by! And I can tell you from personal experience—Teresa’s books are wonderful! She also has quite a few projects slated for 2021!
Alicia, thank you so much! I really hope you enjoy the collection and if you pick up one of my other Laurel Cove books, be sure to let me know. I love connecting with new readers!
Sounds like you all had a great time writing this collection. I’ve been looking forward to reading it.
So happy to hear that! It’s been a fun project for all involved. 😊
We really did, Megan! Thanks so much.
I really enjoy novella collections where authors collaborate to bring us readers a delightful & fun set of books to read! I’ve read many such collections and am always amazed how the authors collaborate so seamlessly….but I know that hard work has taken place “behind the scenes” to make sure that they work together so well. Both the stories and the authors! 🙂
The Christmas Weddings collection sounds really good! And that cover just draws me in 🙂 Also, thanks for the heads up on the contest. What a wonderful prize package.
Teresa’s artwork is stunning, isn’t it?! You’re right, the “seamless” flow is definitely the result of a lot of behind-the-scenes work. I enjoy reading collabs almost as much as I enjoy working on them!
Trixi, thanks for your comment! I really love how this cover turned out, too. It was so fun. And, yes, there’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff that goes on, but so fun and I’m always amazed how many ideas come out of our group!
I have always been more of a work-alone person than a team-player, too. But I have recently wanted to branch out and gain some new author friends. I’ve been feeling pushed by the Lord to step out and collaborate in a multi-author series like this, but I’m not sure where to start.
If it’s something you’re called to, then He will provide! We all sort of found each other through Facebook and many of the Christian indie author groups there.
Lila, like Jaycee said, keep your eye out on social media. And don’t be afraid to reach out to authors with whom you connected. As it goes, the worst that could happen is they say “not right now” but it could plant a seed for a better time!
Wow! Welcome, Teresa! I like reading collections like this. I read the Tales of the Grace Chapel Inn series all by different authors, the Chapel Cove series by Autumn MacArthur, Alexa Verde, and Marion Ueckermann, and others that are standalones with different authors where the theme or location ties them all together. I really like them! I sometimes have read one author but not others, so find good new ones easily!
Collections are a wonderful way to discover new authors! Thanks for commenting, Trudy!
Like you, I love discovering new authors when I pick up a collection that includes an author I do know. Thanks, Trudy.
Welcome, Teresa! I tend to like group projects as an author, too, at least if they fit into the scope of what I already have planned. So many stories to write, so little time! And I love the non-competitive nature of most Christian authors, as well. That’s one reason I love our crew here at Inspy Romance so much 🙂
I feel the same, Valerie!
Valerie, it really is a hugely supportive community. Such a blessing! Thanks for the comment.
It really is a wonderful experience to work within a supportive, focused team, the diversity each team member brings to the project can create a much richer product. Great post. Thanks.
So true, right? Be blessed and thanks for stopping by!
You’re so right! Thanks, Dianne!