Tess Thompson – Author Interview

Being an author isn’t the easiest job in the world, but when you approach it with grace and determination, good things are likely to happen. Our interview with Tess Thompson.

Why do you love to write?

I love to write stories about redemption and second chances, particularly as they relate to finding love again. I’m always drawn to stories that are hopeful in nature, based on human decency and feature characters who are honorable and brave.

Where do your ideas come from?

I’m inspired by the stories of real people in my own life and those I hear about on the news. I’m amazed by what people can endure and still get up every morning to fight another day. The cruelty of some baffles me, particularly in the electronic age where we can hide behind computers and spread hate. But as disheartening as that is, all around us are people doing the opposite. Spreading love, giving of themselves with no expectation of anything in return, laying down their lives so that others might live, sacrificing of themselves for the good of others, loving despite incredible loss and pain. Ordinary heroes are all around us if you look close enough. They inspire me.

What is your background?

I grew up in a small town in Oregon surrounded in the love of my family and our community. After graduation from high school, I earned a degree in Drama at USC. With my degree in hand, I moved back to the Pacific Northwest and became a receptionist, which led into a fifteen-year career in business. During that time, I worked in small theaters in Seattle as an actor and director. My yearning to write, however, was always a primary goal. Once I figured out I was a novelist and not a playwright, everything fell into place.

Who is your favorite author or favorite book?

There are too many authors to name, but my first love will always be To Kill a Mockingbird.

What do you want say in your current book Riversnow

Riversnow is about courage. A particular kind of bravery displayed by women who must go on after suffering through sexual assault. I wrote it for all the friends I’ve known over the years who suffered through such experiences, often at the hands of men in their inner circle – men they should have been able to trust. It saddens me to think how many. However, like my character, Gennie, they fought hard to regain their lives after the violence, taking down the inner and outer demons who wanted to destroy them. These women are the embodiment of courage.

Author Tess Thompson is obviously unafraid of tackling serious subjects in her novels, but she surrounds her protagonist with real people, characters that have depth and lives of their own. They aren’t just background scene painting so the topic at hand isn’t the only reason keeping readers turning the pages.

Riversnow is coming soon, May 2, 2017 to be exact, and fourth in the very successful River Valley Series. The first novel in this series, Riversong, has more than 600, 4 and 5 Star Reviews at Amazon, so this latest book is much anticipated. It is priced at $3.99, but it’s free for those with Kindle Unlimited.

 

 

 

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