“As the Ink Flows” Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Melony Teague

As we close out this Thanksgiving week, I am delighted to have one of my dearest friends here on the blog today! Melony Teague joins me today to kick off a 5-day series spotlighting As the Ink Flows, the devotional book for authors which she cowrote along with four other delightful ladies (whom you’ll get to meet over the next few days).

Besides being such a sweet friend, Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell and each story is unique and sometimes wilder than fiction. She loves to uncover the good news in society and writes human interest and community pieces. Melony is an editorial contributor for newspapers and magazines in the Greater Toronto Area. Melony’s guest columns address issues pertaining to the life and health of her community. She loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words. In her spare time she reviews books, and interviews authors. These reviews can be found on her website: melonyteague.com

Melony Teague was born in South Africa and immigrated to Canada in 1999. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their two children.

As the Ink Flows is a devotional by writers for writers, integrating the craft of working with words with the faith of people of the Word to deepen, sustain, and expand ministry in the world. This collection of 90 devotions features a focus Scripture, a brief meditation on the text and the writing experience, and a prompt for personal reflection and creative response. Written by five members of a Christian writers’ group, As the Ink Flows offers inspiration and encouragement for writers and speakers who want to connect their convictions and their craft for the glory of God and the equipping of God’s people.

“As the Ink Flows is a truly inspirational read that will lift your spirits and feed your soul on a daily basis. A wonderful resource for Christian writers and speakers, it is a book that will be a welcome addition to any personal library.” —Jen Turano, bestselling and acclaimed author of The Ladies of Distinction and A Class of Their Own series.

Hello, my friend! Welcome to the blog!! 🙂

Mel: Hello my dear Carrie! What a pleasure to be here, thank you! I will try to behave myself. Hugs, hugs, hugs!!

Carrie: Behaving yourself is highly overrated!

As you know, I start all of my guests out with a fast four:

Mel: Apples, you can make pie out of them

Carrie: Mmmmm, yes you can. In fact, we did that yesterday. My sister-in-law made an apple pie for Thanksgiving. But not just any apple pie. BUTTERSCOTCH apple pie. Pure delicious awesomeness. I may have to go hunt down another piece right about now actually…

Mel: I was born in Africa, so I love the Canadian winters, all the way up until the last 3 weeks of it, and then I am so over it.

Carrie: I really should start wintering in Canada…

Mel: Cats. My two cats would protest if I answered any other way! And… I understand cats, they live life on their terms.

Carrie: Quick! We don’t have much time! I shielded Zuzu from your answer, so you’re safe for the moment…but I wouldn’t get too comfy.

Mel: I like both, but since you are making me choose: Coffee. Why? Well I can’t function without it. Although a good Matcha Latte also does the trick.

Carrie: <googles ‘Matcha Latte’> hmmm…

Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Mel: My super power would be landing myself in the craziest situations, and then I think to myself, “How did I get here?” – no I am not talking about the time I managed to switch my navigation to the “French” setting and had to listen to French directions all the way home. (note: my French is not THAT good – True story!) I tend to agree to do stuff before thinking it through, and then the panic attack comes afterwards. For instance, on more than one occasion I have agreed to work on a project and then I find myself meeting with, or interviewing celebrities in their field (whether it be sport, entertainment or the publishing world) and I have to pinch myself and say, “This is really happening!”

Carrie: haha! Yes… but I think the “pinch me” moments far outweigh the panic attacks, don’t they?

Books are kind-of a big deal around here. When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head first?

Mel: The Christian Fiction Section, followed by the YA section and the documentary/memoir section.

Carrie: I’d be with you until you left CF… and then I might drift through the YA section just to see if anything caught my eye. But … no offense … whilst you’re browsing the memoirs, I’m heading to mysteries!

How did the five of you find each other and how did you all decide to team up for As The Ink Flows?

Mel: For me, I met Carol at a memoir writing class, at the time, I was going to Siberia on a mission’s trip and so Carol connected with me and on my return I gave a presentation at the local community center. Carol brought Claudia along, and I met her there. Annually we have a large street festival in Toronto called “Word on the Street” and I met Marguerite there after just having read her Hot Apple Cider contribution the night before. We connected instantly! Later on, Carol invited me to be part of the writer’s group she was starting and that is how I met Glenda. The rest, as they say, is history. We have been meeting since 2012.

Carrie: I love stories like this (and like our own!) of how God brings different people together through what might seem like coincidences but are really evidences of His hand in our lives.

Why is a devotional for writers so important? And, what makes As the Ink Flows unique?

Mel: Writing can take many forms, but for most, it can be a lonely, solo experience, with many hours spent staring at the screen. I wanted to inspire, challenge, motivate and advocate for writers and this seemed like a good way to do that, all wrapped into one.

Carrie: The more I talk with authors, the more I have seen how true your first sentence is!

Which devotional from the book is your personal favorite?

Mel: I have always loved Ezekiel from when I was a teenager. I used Ezekiel 37: 1-3 in “Getting Dirty in the Valley” and this one talks about the writer’s challenge when faced with subjects that are not all warm and fuzzy. To quote the devotion, “It is tempting to do our best Jonah impersonation and head for safer ground.”  I firmly believe as writers we have a voice, and a responsibility to say what needs to be said in a loving way in order to bring healing and redemption. Some of my favourite Christian Contemporary writers embrace this, and I am all for it! For God’s Glory!

Carrie: Amen, my friend!

What do you most want authors (or readers or bloggers) to take away from As the Ink Flows?

Mel: Inspiration, motivation, a sense of community, and a clearer picture of their role as writers not only in their own lives, but in the Kingdom.

My sweet friend, thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you!

Mel: Keep reading, Keep reviewing, Keep writing.

Carrie: I love the sound of that!

One of my readers (living in either the US or Canada only) will win a copy of As the Ink Flows! Give it to your favorite author or keep it for yourself! I have it myself and really enjoy it!

Giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies.

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Come back tomorrow to hear from Carol Ford & another chance to win!