Author Spotlight - Kathi Macias

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association)atthe annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley.

www.kathimacias.com

http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/

Tell us about your current release and where you got the inspiration for it.

My most recent release (I’ve had four within the last year, with five more scheduled in 2010) isMothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today from New Hope Publishers. It is a beautiful hardbound gift/devotional book, with stories about fifteen different biblical mothers who dealt with issues similar to those encountered by mothers today. The book includes a dedication page for gift-giving, as well as a mother’s prayer and making it personal section at the end of each of the fifteen chapters. This book was suggested to me by my former agent when we were chatting about ministering to moms, which is where my heart is.

Is there a particular event that helped you become an author?

I can’t remember when I’ve ever wanted to do anything but write. I love words, and communicating God’s truth, whether in speaking or writing, is my passion. My first book was published by Regal Books in 1988, when I was working in their editorial department. I imagine having that connection was a huge step in getting that first book accepted for publication.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?

My journalism professor once told me, “Whether you want to be a good writer or mechanic or teacher, find someone who already does it well and hang around them.” Excellent advice! Find a good writers’ conference in your area (they’re everywhere!) and go there. Soak up everything you can; meet with authors, editors, publishers, agents; and maybe even get your proposal into the right hands at the right time.

What is your next project?

I am currently in the middle of a four-book fiction series for New Hope Publishers (their first-ever venture into fiction) titled the “Extreme Devotion” series, which deals with stories based on real-life modern-day martyrs of the faith in different countries (South Africa, Mexico, China, Saudi Arabia). I also just finished co-authoring a stand-alone historical (third-century) novel with Susan Wales; the book will be released by Abingdon Press in Fall 2010.

What other work of yours has been published?

I have actually published thirty books of my own, hundreds of magazine articles and short stories, and have ghostwritten/collaborated on at least 100 other books. One of my more recent releases,How Can I Run a Tight Ship when I’m Surrounded by Loose Cannons? (also from New Hope), is closest in style and focus to Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today.

Who is your favorite author?

Oh, that’s a tough one! For nonfiction, I love Brennan Manning, Max Lucado, and C.S. Lewis (also one of my favorite fiction writers, as I love the Chronicles of Narnia). For fiction I love to read Francine Rivers, the Thoenes, Susan Meissner, Mary DeMuth, Jeanette Windle, and Bonnie Grove.

Do you have a quote that motivates you?

Oh, my goodness, again, there are so many! Apart from the Scriptures, I suppose I have been most motivated by a quote for whom I have no author but heard it often from my high school creative writing teacher: “If there is owing in the eyes of the giver, there is no gift.” I’ve never forgotten that, and it motivates me to life selflessly.

BLURB:

Challenges that mothers face day in and day out are not unique to this time, and modern-day moms have much wisdom to gain from true examples recorded in Scripture. InMothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today, readers meet ordinary women of their day who, by God’s incomparable grace, were used for extraordinary purposes. Beautifully designed, this book makes the perfect gift for a mother on any occasion.

Excerpt:

Chapter 3

Rebekah: Playing Favorites

Before he [Abraham’s servant, Eliezer] had finished praying,

Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder….

The girl was very beautiful, a virgin

(Gen. 24:15, 16).

Suggested Scripture Readings:

Gen. 23:17-20; 24:1-4, 58, 66-67; 25:20, 21-26, 28; 27:6-12; 28:5

As a mother, have you ever been tempted to cover or even lie for your child in order to obtain special treatment or to override negative consequences in that child’s life, rather than trusting the Lord to work according to His purposes? Have you ever been involved in a family situation where there were “favorites” among siblings? Though this chapter depicts Rebekah as a loving wife and mother of twin boys, she ends up favoring the younger son, while her husband favors the elder. This results in a lot of manipulating and maneuvering, as well as downright deceit and trickery, which literally leads to the physical breakup of the family. It is a tragic story, with much to speak to us in similar situations today.

***

Rebekah is first introduced to us, literally, on “the wings of a prayer.” As Abraham’s servant Eliezer later told Rebekah’s brother Laban, “Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out” (Gen. 24:45). In a setting of romance and purity, bathed in prayer, this beautiful virgin girl, fulfilling the mundane task of drawing water for herself and her family, appears and steps into her God-ordained destiny, agreeing to marry Abraham’s son Isaac and eventually becoming one of the great matriarchs of the Bible. It is an idyllic, scriptural way for a marriage to begin, but—as many of us can attest—our lives and relationships haven’t always begun with or followed such a perfect pattern.

But before you think Rebekah’s life can’t possibly have any relevance for your own, let me assure you that this young woman experienced many trials and heartaches in the fulfillment of her life’s calling as wife and mother. Let’s take a look at Rebekah—where she came from, how she ended up where she did, and the price she paid for some of the decisions she made in her life.

Thank you Kathy for sharing your talents with us,

Cami

Cami Checketts is a wife, mother, exercise scientist, and proud supporter of Cold Stone Creameries. Her third novel, The Sister Pact, will be in bookstores August 1, 2009.