What's an Authormorph?

The Before

Welcome to an afternoon tea! Let me pour you a nice cup of Lady Grey. Please help yourself to some yummy treats. 

Do you like to read autobiographies? I do. To me, some celebrities' journeys are better than fiction! Some of my favorites are Jackie Kennedy, Lauren Bacall, and Coco Chanel. Do you have any? Today, I wanted to share how I morphed into an author. I'd love to hear your comments on morphing as well!

How does an ordinary housewife become a writer? It's not like one dreams of writing a book. Being an author was probably the farthest thing from my mind until things began to happen that changed my trajectory. 

Martha Hyer

Years ago, a fellow juror handed me a newspaper clipping of an actress named Martha Hyer and told me I looked like her. Maybe to him I did. But the real kicker was someone telling me I looked exactly like Angela Lansbury. Now, as many may know, Angela Lansbury starred not only in Gaslight, The Manchurian Candidate, and Blue Hawaii, but she also starred in a 10-year run of Murder, She Wrote.

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote

After I believed I looked like Angela, I think I tuned in for all ten years of that series, which left quite an impression on my brain coupled with discovering a special display in the library where I took my young children every week.

A library benefactor had bequeathed the entire leather bound set of the Agatha Christie Mystery Collection, and those books called to me until I had checked out and read every one...again and again.

Over the years raising children, leading the PTA, organizing Vacation Bible School, spending time with girlfriends giving luncheons, throwing tea parties, and reading Agatha Christie, little did I realize it was all a dress rehearsal preparing me for writing the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series. 

When time came for an empty nest and an outlet for my creative urges, it was if the Lord turned on the switch and the stories began to flow. 

That was the fun part. 

The struggle came when readers would give critical reviews. I wanted to give up, but I prayed hard, asking God for direction. Ever been there? 

He directed me to writing groups and blogs where I found help. There are amazing people out there who I consider to be super heroes. When you ask God for direction, He will always show you what to do.

Four years and nine books later I finally realized I had morphed into an author. 

Worth the struggle? You bet! The only thing I could live without are the "stretch" marks. 

Seriously, it's humbling to know people all over the world read the adventures of Jillian and Teddy. Many have said they can't wait for the next one.

If you want to read a mystery where you find an inexpensive escape to luxurious hotels, a place to eat fabulous food without gaining weight, indulge in afternoon tea without all the work, and have an adorable little fur ball for a virtual companion, then you'd probably enjoy the adventures of Jillian Bradley and her Yorkie, Teddy. 

Begin with Book 1 - "Murder in Half Moon Bay" 

Available on Amazon.com for only $3.99 

Cheers!

The After

~Nancy Jill

P.S. You can also read Murder in Half Moon Bay for free on Wattpad.com. 
To learn more about Nancy Jill visit http://www.nancyjillthames.com.

I'm Not Complaining...By Nancy Jill Thames

I think I should order this tee shirt - really. After a rough week I need to share two lessons I've learned.
First, here's what happened. My sweet, precious neighbor had heart valve replacement surgery. Pretty serious, right? So me, over achiever that I am, goes to the store, comes home, unloads groceries, makes homemade ( that's homemade) lasagna, and bakes a pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting topped with walnuts (to make you drool a little). I cut the lasagna into twelve portions and freeze each in waxed paper and foil and along with a package of Texas Toast, a cobb salad, and a Bertolli frozen bag dinner, take two totes full of the food down to my neighbor and her husband. Mind you, I'm still wearing my apron.
I feel so elated to have been a help. Really. Really? They probably thought I was nuts! And what happened? For the next three days I had such a backache that I could hardly move!
How to solve the problem? Next time go to the store on a different day, or buy a frozen lasagna and deliver the goods. OR, buy KFC.
The next lesson I learned was not to get upset over perfectly normal activities of young grandsons. One of mine (no names mentioned) decided he would use the back of my wing back chair as a canvas to color on. Did I get upset at the discovery? You bet I did. I, unfortunately for my family, am a perfectionist.
Here's what happened. The very next day after my rant, I get a giant toothache! It puts me in bed for two days until I have a talk with the Lord and He reveals that it's caused by stress. Has to go somewhere, right?
So I turn my frustration over to Him and the toothache goes away. Thankfully!
But, as an added bad bonus, since I stayed in bed because of the toothache, my hip gets sore. So last night I get up to take some Nupraxin and because I haven't eaten much due to the toothache, while trying to open the bottle I pass out! Pass out and scrape my elbow.

Paperback $7.99
Kindle $3.99
Nook Book $3.99
Smashwords $3.99
Kobo $3.99 

Still, as my husband pointed out (he was out of town when it happened) at least I didn't get seriously injured from the fall. I'm counting my blessings on that one.
It's funny, because in Book 3 "From the Clutches of Evil"
Jillian Bradley has similar challenges, only they're brought on because of her suspicious nature instead of perfectionism and being over zealous.
In Book 8 "The Long Trip Home" (2014) Jillian will experience illness and the need to cope.
Perhaps what I've been through will be helpful when I write those scenes. We'll soon see.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear readers. (And avoid situations like mine this past week!)

                See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill Thames

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames has published Christian fiction since 2010. The author of seven books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award-winning blogger and listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List. In addition, she won first place in her church's 4th of July celebration for her chocolate cream pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers' Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW),  CenTex Chapter-ACFW, and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales. She resides with her husband in Leander, Texas.

CONTACT INFORMATION jillthames@gmail.com

If you would like me to sign your ebooks please click the link.
 I love technology!
Authorgraph 

Enjoy Book 1 MURDER IN HALF MOON BAY on your e-reader for free!

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