Interview with Kathy Macias

1. How did you get started with writing?
I've always wanted to be a writer-can't remember ever wanting to be anything else. I was an avid reader as a child, particularly because I was sick quite a bit and couldn't always go to school or, when I did, couldn't play with the other kids during recess. So I read everything I could get my hands on! When I ran out of things to read, I began to write my own stories. I wrote a story in the third grade that the teacher liked so much she showed it to the principal, and they decided to turn it into a play for the entire PTA. I was
thrilled-and hooked!
2.Were you a child writer?
Definitely! As I stated in the previous question/answer, I started early. By the time I was in junior high, I had my mind set on writing professionally, even though I didn't really understand how that would happen. But I remember telling my boyfriend, Al (now my husband) when we were about 14 and walking home from school one day that I was going to be a writer when I grew up. He reminds me of that often, and tells me how blessed I am to be able to do what I dreamed of for so long.
3. If so, do you have advice for children writers?
If you love stories and enjoy writing, do it every chance you get-and also read as often as possible. You will develop your style and polish your gift and talent by reading/studying other people's works and practicing your own. I also encourage you to take journalism classes. Though I only worked as a reporter/columnist for a short time, it taught me great discipline in my writing and enabled me to write quickly and concisely. Another area of study that helped me a lot was drama. Learning to "get inside someone else's skin" as an actor enables me to bring my characters to life on the written page.

4. What do you love the most about writing?
I write fiction and nonfiction and enjoy them both, but I suppose I prefer fiction because I love being able to create stories and watch them unfold through my characters' lives. There are times those characters become so real that they actually try to take over my story; then I have to reign them in and remind them who's in charge! It's hard work, but a lot of fun too.

5. How did you get into Bilingual writing?
I studied Spanish in school and speak it passably-conversationally, actually. But I use a professional translator for my Spanish books and weekly Spanish devotionals. I don't trust my command of the language to do it accurately. It's been great, though, as I have met people in countries all over the world, some who say they read my weekly devotional in English and some in Spanish. What a joy!
6. How many books have you published?
I've published just over 30 of my own books (with more in the works), but I have also written several others for well known people-as a collaborator or ghostwriter. As a result, people are often reading my work without even knowing it!
8.Tell us about your latest book.
My most recent release is Red Ink, the third book in my four-book Extreme Devotion fiction series from New Hope Publishers. Each of the four books is set in a different country (No Greater Love in South Africa, More than Conquerors in Mexico, Red Ink in China, and People of the Book in Saudi Arabia). Red Ink is a fictionalized account of my own personal hero, Li Ying, a young woman currently serving a ten-year prison sentence in China for the crimes of printing and distributing Christian materials and teaching
children about Jesus. Realizing the price she pays for obeying God's command to preach to gospel makes me appreciate my freedom to do so every day.
9.Tell us about your relationship with Christ. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, but one of my younger brothers became a believer when he was about 20. Soon he led my mom to Christ and then my other brother too. My dad and I were the "hold outs." Then, when I was 26 and my life was falling apart, I remembered what my mom and brothers had told me about Jesus, and I turned my life over to him. That was 36 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. (My dad finally came to the Lord too-in his last week of life at the age of 88. What a faithful God we serve!)

10. What ministries are you involved in?'

I've been involved in many over the years, including teaching both children's and adult Sunday school; jail/prison ministry; homeless ministry; biblical counseling; working with the persecuted Church and helping to free modern-day slaves from the human trafficking trade (which will be the topic of my next series). Primarily I spend my time writing and speaking/teaching about those subjects. I'm also my almost 90-year-old mom's primary caretaker (she lives with us).


Check out her Blog amd website for free book giveaway
http://www.kathimacias.com/

http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/

alandkathi@ca.rr.com