Meet Our Writers Week 15-On Terri

Tell us about yourself.

 I am 53 years old, happily married to my husband Mark whom I write a lot of my poetry for/about.  I have 3 children, 32 - 25 - 13, 4 step-children, 3 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren.  I was struck down with MS when I was 46 years old.  I thought that I had a stroke due to the partial paralysis of my right side, my mouth drooped, my leg dragged behind, no short term memory at all, etc.  And here I am 7 years later, only by the grace of God and His enormous generosity towards me, writing again.  I have my days when I'm doing really good and then some not so good.  I don't have much of an immune system and catch about anything that is going around, especially in the winter but I'm not complaining.  I don't have to use a walker anymore, my memory is sharper than it was before (still not great by any means),  I can walk across a room without falling down, etc.  I have truly been blessed in so many ways.  God knew that I would need someone to see me through all of this and He gave me Mark.  The most wonderful, caring and supportive man that I have ever met in my life.

 When have you started blogging?

I wanted to get my story out to inspire others and tell them that you are never beyond hope and the hand of God can reach even into the darkest pit to lift you out.  I get tired of how society is cutting God out.  Especially in the news.  You rarely hear them declare anything a miracle anymore.  They always try to offer some scientific explanation as to the reason something happened and I find myself yelling at the TV "What about God?"  Hence the name of my blog.

Tell me about your blog(s), name(s), what does it mean to you? 

I started my blog around mid January of this year.  I had no clue what I was doing and, in the beginning, I rambled a lot.  Mark brought it to my attention one day, my greatest ally/critic, and I made more concerted effort since to refrain from that.

My blog link:  http://terri0729.wordpress.com/

What's the theme(s) of your blog(s)? What do you write most? poetry, fiction or novel, or  short stories?

The theme is God, Jesus, Christianity, Angels, etc.  I write daily thoughts posts and poetry.  I don't write conventional poetry though.  I've never studied it nor learned its different forms.  I just write it in my own style.

 What are the inspirations of your writing?

The inspiration for my poems comes from my life, pictures that I see, quotes I read, and of course, my husband and children.  I write a lot of my poems for them.

  
Does music impact your writing?

No, music doesn't impact my writing.  As a matter of fact, it has to be quiet when I write or I can't concentrate.  The MS is mostly the reason for that.  I used to have great powers of concentration but no longer, lol.

You are involved with Bluebell Books Short Story Slam writing challenge? How do you feel about it so far? What's the benefits of it?

 I love the Bluebell Books writing!  I was so thrilled when I was invited to join.  I have since been invited to several other sites as well but it all started here.

 Do you have a favorite blogging friend to share? Tell us about his/her blog link and the writing in it!

I have made many dear, wonderful blogging friends since I first began.  One in particular is dear to my heart and I have actually adopted her as my cyber-daughter.  That would be Aby at chicpress.wordpress.com. 

 Do you have a favorite book or author?

Unfortunately, I can no longer read anymore.  I loved, loved, loved to read before the MS.  I would tare through a novel in a matter of days but now my concentration and memory loss make it impossible to do it.  Plus, I can't even make it through a magazine article without falling asleep.  My favorite book is the Bible.  My favorite authors used to be John Gresham and James Patterson and then went to Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye (The Left Behind Series) and C.S. Lewis.

 Do you have a favorite quote?

I love quotes!  I have so many it would be hard to choose just one.  I guess my favorite quote would be from the 23rd Psalm, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me."  During the years of my abuse, I lived in constant fear and turmoil.  I will "fear no evil" ever again.  Death holds no terror for me anymore.  After my near-death experience,  I know what joy awaits us on the other side.

  

Any tips for those who started blogging and wish to become successful in it.

My advice for new bloggers would be to speak from your heart, be honest, courteous, and practice makes perfect.

What's your writing plans in the near future?

Just to keep writing my blog.  I would like eventually to write an autobiography about my experiences with addiction, abuse and my journey through MS and back, to give the glory to God that is His due.  But for now, this is enough reward.

Thanks again for requesting this interview and God bless,

Terri