Hello Darlings!! Today I want to introduce you to a very special young woman by the name of Tessa Hall.
Tessa is a 19-year-old author of Purple Moon, her YA
Christian fiction novel to be published September 2013 (THIS MONTH!)
by Lighthouse
Publishing of the Carolinas. She is also a freelance writer, the editor
over the faith department for Temperance Magazine, a column writer for
Whole Magazine, a contributing writer for More To Be, as well as the PR
for God of Moses Entertainment. Other than writing, Tessa enjoys acting,
music, Starbucks, and her imperial Shih Tzu—who is named Brewer after a
character in her book, as well as her love for coffee. What's not to
love about this girl!! So, when she asked me to do a post for her I
seriously could not resist. Tessa also writes an award-winning blog, Christ is Write,
where she post writing tips, teen devotions, book reviews, coffee
recipes, and more. So, if you're an author to be or just someone who
happens to love coffee with a passion her blog just might be the place
where you need to chill.
What
inspired you to write “Purple Moon”?
I wanted to write a character-driven
story about a teenager who has fallen way from the relationship she once had
with God after her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. In the story,
Selena is forced to leave her apartment in NY and stay with her snobby cousin
in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab. It was initially
inspired by the song “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North, as well as the skit
that many churches have performed to the song “Everything” by Lifehouse.
In what ways can you relate to your
protagonist, Selena?
Even though Selena has a completely different past and family
situation, I did incorporate a little bit of “me” in her. For example:
she’s passionate, a dreamer, an artist, somewhat of an introvert, has the same
style as I do, a romantic, and loves coffee a little too much. I've also given
her some of my flaws. However, when I wrote “Purple Moon”, I mainly tried
crafting Selena in a way that I hoped many teenagers would be able to relate
with—whether they share the same backstory as she does, possess many of the
same qualities, or are experiencing some of the same struggles that Selena deals
with in “Purple Moon”.
When did you start writing Purple
Moon, and how long did it take?
I started writing the first version
of “Purple Moon” when I was fifteen. When I was sixteen, I completed the first
draft and landed a publishing contract with Lighthouse Publishing of the
Carolinas. It’s difficult to pinpoint how long it took to complete “Purple
Moon”—the more I learned about the writing craft, the more I continued wanting
to go back and rewrite the story or add a few changes. However, I have finally
reached a point where I am happy with the story and can’t wait to get it in the
hands of my readers.
What
are you working on now?
I just completed my second book, “Unwritten Melody”, which is
going to be a stand-alone novel. As of now, I am brainstorming and beginning to
write the first draft of “Fallen Leaves”, which will be the second book of the Purple
Moon Series and a continuation of Selena’s journey throughout the next season
of her life. I am also going
on a blog tour this fall and will continue to write the
teen column for Whole
Magazine.
What
do you hope to accomplish in your writing career?
I hope to never stop writing,
whether or not that includes having my work published or seeing my name on the
best seller list. I hope to never stop encouraging people—especially
teenagers—to follow their dreams. But more than anything, I hope that my
stories will represent the power of God’s unending love and His transforming
grace. That’s my number one goal, my number one reason for wanting to pursue writing
for the rest of my life.
Back Cover Copy:
Selena’s life isn’t turning out to be the fairy tale she imagined as a kid.
That hope seemed to vanish long ago when her dad kicked her and her
mom out of the house. This summer might finally hold the chance of a
new beginning for Selena … but having to live with her snobby cousin in
Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab wasn’t how
Selena was planning on spending her summer. She soon begins to wonder
why she committed to give up her “bad habits” for this.
Things don’t seem too bad, though. Especially when Selena gains the
attention of the cute neighbor next door. But when her best friend back
home in Brooklyn desperately needs her, a secret that’s been hidden
from Selena for years is revealed, and when she becomes a target for one
of her cousin’s nasty pranks, she finds herself having to face the
scars from her past and the memories that come along with them. Will she
follow her mom’s example in running away, or trust that God still has a
fairy tale life written just for her?
What people are saying about “Purple Moon”:
“Purple Moon is a story of
redemption as powerful as any I’ve read. Selena’s story is one of deep
brokenness and healing redemption–the same story that can be found in so
many teen hearts today. Tessa Emily Hall, a talented debut author, is
one to watch. Writing for her contemporaries, Hall understands the
delicate social lives of teens and the need to strike the right balance
between role model and reality.”- Laura Anderson Kurk, YA author of Glass Girl and Perfect Glass“Purple Moon radiates with a light of its own, offering YA readers relatable characters and an inspiring message to encourage teens everywhere to shoot for the moon–and never stop reaching.”
~ Betsy St. Amant, YA author of Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK
“Purple Moon is a story of ache and courage, of hunger and
hope. Selena’s unflinchingly honest voice will keep teens flipping pages
well into the night.”
~ Stephanie Morrill, YA author of The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet and The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series
“Tessa Emily Hall writes with an authenticity that is both
compelling and original. I very much enjoyed this new voice in YA
fiction. Hold on to your heartstrings—Selena will tug them all over Lake
Lure!”~ Rachelle Rea, freelance editor“I think Tessa Emily Hall is a very gifted new author…The book deals with very actual issues for teenagers today and I think the youth will be able to identify themselves with the main character Selena…The message is very deep and moving. This is the first book that really brought tears to my eyes since reading Nicholas Sparks’ ‘the Notebook’. All I can say is a big THANK YOU and AMEN to the author’s writing.”
~ Becca Maurino, freelance writer
My Piglet and I had the privilege to do some apple and peach picking with a dear friend of mine who happens to live in our neighborhood. It was so much fun! Baby girl actually enjoyed it more than I thought. But she really enjoys anything out doors. This will always be one of those days I will look back and smile on always. Because going apple picking every year was always a tradition I wanted to start and now that I'm doing it with my daughter I'm so excited!! Hello new yearly tradition!! Oh and did you happen to notice the pony tail on her head? EEK! =D
The pony tail is kinda a bittersweet thing for me right now because she looks so much older with it!! However, it's to cute not to do!