This begins our series of interviews with Christian authors. We’ll dive right in with straight-forward question and let the authors answer. These questions are for Mavis Thompson, author of the new book, Angels Come In Strange Disguises.
Did you feel led by God to become an author? If so, when and how did you realize you should write?
When I first started writing the stories it was to remind me of these unusual events. However I realized that my poems seem to be guided by God and when my daughter in law, who is a great believer in angels encouraged me to write it, I felt that God was telling me to put them into a book.
How long did it take you to write your book?
I had the stories in my computer for many years, but once I collated them it was just a matter of two to three weeks.
How did you come up with the title?
The stories support the fact that angels appear in many forms and it seemed to sum up that thought.
Who supported you in writing this book?
My daughter Sharon who is a PR consultant in Australia gave me a lot of advice and proof read it for me. I have also had great support from Authoright in the compilation and style. My husband Michael, gave me great encouragement.
Do you have anything specific that you’d like to say to your readers or potential readers?
My purpose in writing this book in short stories who may not have any faith that they will find some encouragement and that religion needn’t be heavy and oppressive. Christ’s spoke in parables so everyone could get the message.
What do you think is the hardest thing about writing?
I am a “Jack of all trades and master of none.” I am a very active person and live a very busy life. It is difficult to be disciplined and to have self belief in your writing.
Is there a special message behind your book cover?
The colors, I feel represent the Holy Ghost, as being something vibrant in our lives. The countryside gives the idea of freedom and tranquility. The image of the man in the bowler hat gives the message of Angels appearing in different images to that we imagine as being very ethereal.
Any amusing stories that happened to you along the way to writing your book?
We are fortunate to have built a beautiful stone house on the delightful island of Karpathos, in the Greek Islands, and are there for four months in the year.
On one occasion recently, we took a boat trip to the deserted, historic island of Saria where there are ancient dwellings of great historical interest. On arrival we left our picnic in a bag hanging in a tree and walked up the rocky gorge to a very high spot where there is small church, overlooking the stunning bay with its myriad colors of blue and green. It was an exhausting climb for us pensioners, but we were delighted we achieved it and it was a good two hours before we returned to the beach. We returned to retrieve our picnic to find the bag ripped open and the sandwiches gone! We soon found the culprits a satisfied looking group of goats! We had declined the barbecue prepared on the boat, so had to make do with just drinks.
We then went for a long swim. I plonked my hat on my head after the swim and we climbed aboard the boat for our return journey. On board the breeze arose, so I took off my hat so it would not blow away. My husband turned, open mouthed, to me and said, “What on earth have you done to your hair, it is bright red.”
“How come?” in disbelief, I gasped, “maybe the sea water affected the blonde shade I have now.” The other tourists roared with laughter and one woman took a photo of me and showed it to me! It was scarlet! We had regaled them with the story of our picnic being consumed by goats and this was the icing on the cake!
I beat a retreat to the lavatory to look in the mirror and there it was, a dazzling scarlet! I opened my make up bag and found what had happened. When I had combed my hair after the swim, my lipstick had melted in the heat and the comb was coated with this vivid color.
Luckily I had a scarf in my bag and was able to put it on for when we went to the tavern when we got back to the town. Our meal never tasted so good as we were starving by that time.
The tour operator is still telling tourists about those mad English who not only had their meal consumed by goats but her hair turned bright red!