Talkshow Thursday: Pearl Ada Pridham

Talkshow Thursday: 

Meet Pearl Ada Pridham

I'm pleased to welcome Pearl Ada Pridham to my blog for the first time. Get to know the lovely author.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I love it when the story takes off and tells itself to me as I write. It’s a special experience that doesn’t happen by planning or when reading someone else’s book.

Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?

Yes. Especially those who read my first book, Something I Haven’t Told You. All the comments were positive. Many people said they liked my writing style because it was easy to follow and kept them reading on. A lot of people thought it was an important topic. Some people related strongly to the main character because they had once found themselves in the same position as a pregnant teen.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

My three published books are in a series called Love Shines Through. My favorite is my debut novel,

Something I Haven’t Told You. I worked on it for a very long time, but I liked it better and better the more I improved it. I learned a lot about the craft of writing by continuing to whittle away at it.

What was your inspiration for the story in Something Old and Something New?

Something Old and Something New is the third book in the series. While the first book centers around the teen girl who gets pregnant, this one centers around her grandmother. A lot of my readers are grandparents. I wanted to explore how grandparents can be supportive.

What is your process for writing? (do you outline, have a special place or time of day you write, etc.) What is your favorite part of the process?

I need to write in the mornings and treat it as a part time job. Otherwise, I just don’t get to it. I use Scrivener and divide the book into sections. Each day, I write on a certain section, trying to complete a chapter when possible. My favorite part of the process is when the story gains momentum and carries itself forward as I type. This happens in spurts.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

I would start by thinking about your purpose for writing and who will read it. Publication can be quite complicated. If it’s memoirs for your family, you might want to self-publish or pay a small publisher. But if you wish to write novels for a wider audience, you might want to find a traditional publisher. In that case, you will need to know a lot about the craft of writing. I learned a lot about that by attending writers conferences on Zoom and by reading articles. I find being a member of ACFW and FHL Christian Writers to be very helpful.

What writers or books have influenced you?

I like Robin Hatcher’s books, and she has given me occasional tips and encouragement. I read a couple of her dual time novels. She told me they have been successful, so I thought I would try that with Something Old and Something New. Diane Tatum was the editor for my debut novel, and I thought she did a wonderful job of it. I recently read her latest novel, The Widow’s Honeymoon; Suspense on the Rhine. I love how both of these authors integrate spirituality into their stories in a natural way through their characters’ thoughts. I do the same.

What is your next project?

I’m currently working on another book in the series, this time centered around the sister of the girl in the first book. She travels to Switzerland, so a lot of the setting is there.

About Something Old and Something New

Jennifer, not yet that old grandmother of four, suddenly learns that she is soon to become a great grandmother already. Initially upset that her teenage granddaughter is pregnant, with the support of her husband, she puts things in perspective. As she knits a blanket for the baby, she recalls her own teen years, growing up in the sixties.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3L7VdwP

Follow me on my website at https://PearlAdaPridham.com.

Photo credits:

Author Photo: Courtesty Pearl Ada Pridham

Coffee and notebook: Pixabay/Edar