Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Theresa Lynn Hall

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Theresa Lynn Hall

Linda:  Welcome back! Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your debut Love Inspired Suspense novel Accidental Target. It sounds intriguing. What was your inspiration for the story?

Theresa: Thank you so much for having me, Linda.

I’m a pantser, so when I started the story it began with the idea of what would happen if someone was involved in a car accident and suddenly became the target of a killer. I think I was watching the news when I came up with it. From there, the characters began to take over.  

LM: Getting a book accepted by Love Inspired is a big accomplishment. How did the opportunity come about?

Theresa: I just so happened to be on Facebook and saw a post by Emily Rodmell announcing The Great Love Inspired Author Search. I was working on a suspense and had the first six chapters written, so I decided to enter for feedback. I never dreamed I would end up with a contract! I polished up the first three chapters, wrote a synopsis, and a query letter, then sent it off. In the meantime, I continued writing the book. After I got the request for the full, I started to get really nervous. Emily Rodmell was the editor who received my submission and she gave me edits to do based on those first three chapters. After getting “The Call” I still had more edits to do, but Emily’s ideas really brought the story together. Even if I hadn’t been offered a contract, just getting the chance to work with her and learn from her has made me a better writer.

LM: With your son in law enforcement, you’ve got a ready-made subject matter expert close at hand. What other research did you conduct for your story?

Theresa: I also have a son who is a volunteer firefighter and we have several other police officers in the family, so I’m very fortunate to have plenty of experts I can reach out to for help. Some of my research also came from reading articles online, books about law enforcement, listening to podcasts and watching lots of YouTube videos. I watched a video on how to escape zip-ties to help me with a scene in the book. Great knowledge to have but I hope I never need it in real life!

LM: How do you decide where to set your stories?

Theresa: I’m a native Texan, and Texas is a BIG state. There’s literally every type of landscape you can imagine here. I like setting my books in fictitious Texas towns that resemble real towns.

LM: If money were no object, where would you vacation?

Theresa: Oh, that’s an easy one! I would travel to Scotland and visit a real castle. Many years ago, I researched my dad’s family, and with the help of relatives, traced it back to 16th century Scotland. I’ve wanted to visit there ever since.

LM: Quickies:

Theresa: Favorite Childhood book: The Little House on the Prairie series

Favorite food: Mexican food

Favorite way to spend a day off: Writing (because I’m a full-time teacher.)

 LM: What is your next project?

Theresa: I’ve got a couple of them, but one I’m working on right now is about a serial killer who is tormenting a female police officer. Although, she’s pretty tough and she doesn’t scare easily. It’s fun writing about a female character who can handle herself in just about any situation.  She also has a handsome Texas Ranger helping her hunt down the killer. It will be interesting to see how they pull it off!

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Theresa: I have a website at www.theresalynnhall.com and I’m on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theresahallauthor. I also have other social media accounts listed on my website. I also blog to help promote other Christian authors.

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About Accidental Target:

On an icy road in the dead of night what she sees might get her killed.

Allison Moore can't deny what she sees—a lifeless hand sticking out of a tarp in the back of a crashed pickup truck. Seconds later, she's on the run with a murderer on her heels. Nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted...except police sergeant Jackson Archer. But with someone set on silencing her, can Jackson keep his promise of protection?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/32cRVQg

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Suspense Author Theresa Lynn Hall

Talkshow Thursday: Suspense Author Theresa Lynn Hall

Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. My readers love a good mystery or suspense novel, so they will be very excited to hear about your latest release, Ransom in Rio.  

Here's the blurb: Private investigator Braden McCoy wants nothing more than finishing out the week doing a little fishing from his boat. The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career. Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans. 

Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional. Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much. Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator. What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does. Lexi soon learns that life comes with a price.

It sounds intriguing! What was your inspiration for the story?

Theresa: Thank you so much for having me here, Linda. My publisher, Pelican Book Group, has a series called Passport to Romance. They request books from different international locations that include 3 particular items to show up in the book. One location was Rio, Brazil with the items being a formal event, a family secret, and an emerald necklace. The significance of the items can vary.  As luck would have it, my husband was assigned to go on a business trip to Sau Paulo, which included a few days in Rio. The man assigned to host him while he worked there showed him the culture and language. He took a lot of pictures and brought back many stories. I even had to learn some Portuguese so that I could call his hotel. I also learned very quickly that this Texas girl can’t pull that off!

LM: How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on any real people in your life?

Theresa:  Great question! And one my friends and family are going to want to see the answer to! Actually, I do not base my characters on real people intentionally. I have found that my husband tends to influence my hero quite a bit and some of my quirks sneak into my heroine. In Ransom in Rio, Lexi is very determined and strong. She’s a fighter till the end. In the book I’m writing now, my heroine is a bit more vulnerable and less sure of herself. The two women have completely different personalities but each strong in her own way. Neither of them are based on any one person intentionally.

LM: The age-old question for writers: Are you a plotter or a “pantser?”

Theresa: I am typically a “pantser” but it does get me bogged down. I’ve learned to change my process a bit. I’m a full-time, first grade teacher and my job is mentally and physically exhausting. There are weeks when I can’t write at all. On another side note, I also have an autoimmune disease which causes extreme fatigue. When I was a full-blown “pantser” I would find myself getting lost when I came back to the story. I couldn’t focus and I had no real plot. Now, I start out the first few chapters without an outline (which is always the most fun!) and then I stop and outline the rest of the book. It helps me stay on track. However, I always change the outline as I write because my characters usually have a way of doing what they want anyway. But, yes, if I have to identify as one or the other then I’m a “pantser”—with a few modifications.

LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing? For example, do you listen to music or set up in a specific place?

Theresa: I think we all have our fantasy writing spot. Like that deserted island, watching the waves roll in with my laptop, while having food and drinks handed to me. Lol! But in reality, I have an office at home where I have everything set up. I also have a laptop and an iPad. I have strike it while the iron is hot, so to speak. I’m one of those people who can write in front of the TV with people talking around me. I can tune out pretty much anything if I’m in the zone.

LM: What one thing would you like to learn how to do?

Theresa: I’m loving your questions! I’m having to really think on this one. Well, this answer is probably boring…but, writing related I’d have to say I’d love to learn how to successfully use social media for promoting my books. I’m such an introvert and never know what to say! On a personal level, I’d love to learn how to play the piano. I have one and can hardly play it. I took lessons as a little girl but have forgotten a lot.

LM: Quickies:

Favorite Color: blue

Favorite Book: Bible

Favorite Movie Actress: Sandra Bullock

LM: What is your next project?

Theresa: I always have a few going but one I’m focused on now is about a young woman who thinks she’s finally getting herself together and is suddenly thrown into something so corrupt that she’s running for her life. The officer trying to help her soon finds himself running with her, not knowing who to trust next. Underneath the suspense and drama, it’s about two people who have to learn how to trust not only each other, but God’s plan for their lives.

Theresa:

Website: http://www.theresalynnhall.com

Blog: http://www.theresalynnhall.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theresalynnhall
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theresalynnhall
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/theresalynnhall
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/theresalynnhall

Purchase link