Today’s special guest is Christian fiction author Yvonne M Morgan. We’re chatting about her new contemporary novel, Gypsy for God.
Yvonne is in the midst of a virtual book tour with Wow! Women on Writing. Check out her other tour stops, listed below.
Welcome, Yvonne, please share a little bit about yourself.
I share stories that help deepen a relationship with God. My passions are sharing Christ, missions, and writing. I am a wife, mom, & grandmother and was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. And as an award-winning author, blogger, and prayer warrior, I enjoy sharing stories of trusting the Lord to help deepen relationships with God. I learned to trust God when He called me to help orphans after losing my son.
Please tell us about your current release.
Kathleen is a middle-aged woman who loses her job, which leaves her doubting herself and fearing the future. This event sends her on a journey to find purpose and meaning in her life. She flourishes in a new career as a travel agent, but fear and doubt keep her from experiencing all life has to offer. Finally, an unexpected encounter changes everything as God reveals His plans to Kathleen. Each new country she visits brings her closer to finding her real purpose.
What inspired you to write this book? I think, as we age, many of us struggle with our life changes. Our children grow up and move away and then we approach the retirement age. We might feel like we are losing our purpose in life or experience a feeling of uselessness. I wanted to offer hope for readers seeking meaning in their lives regardless of their situation or age.
Excerpt from Gypsy for God:
This was the worst Friday of my career. A beep from the computer reminded me of the meeting that marked the end of life as I knew it. My heart thumped wildly in my chest. A sense of dread enveloped me. The door to the conference room stood open. A cacophony arose from those inside. I sighed, then sucked in a long breath and strode inside with my head down. Colorful streamers and banners decorated the walls while balloon bouquets adorned eight tables. I wanted to hide from my friends and coworkers and walked like someone going to the gallows as I made my way to the center of the room. Smiles and laughter erupted around me. Friends smiled at me, but numbness kept me from responding.
On a side table sat a giant cake covered with colorful icing flowers and the words “Happy Retirement, Kathleen” in bright red icing. My heart ached even more.
The one bright spot came as I realized that these fifty people came to wish me well in the next chapter of my life. But then a rising fear overtook me, and panic made me think about escaping to the nearest exit. Will I ever feel useful again? Because right now, I feel like a failure. I disguised my feelings by pretending to smile back at friends and coworkers. What does God have planned for
my future?
Yup, Kathleen Johnson, put out to pasture after almost thirty years of faithful service at Smith Accounting, Inc. Discarded like an old rag. My face flushed and my throat tightened at the injustice of the situation.
I had planned to work until at least sixty-five, not fifty. But everything changed a few months ago. After years of climbing my way up the corporate ladder, I discovered the company placed more importance on saving money than remaining loyal to their long-term employees.
What exciting project are you working on next? I’m wrapping up another children’s chapter book called “Mary the Missionary.” It should release in the next few months. Then I hope to work so more on the sequel to “Gypsy for God.” I have lots of ideas for my main character, Kathleen, as she deals with more changes in her life. I enjoy addressing some challenges we all face in our life and faith and the second book with follow that same pattern.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I never set out to become a writer. After years of short-term mission work, I felt God nudge me to write about those experiences. So, I wrote my first book as a memoir of those trips. I really thought that was the end of my writing career until I kept getting nudges to write more. I think I finally thought of myself as a writer after my third book, which was a Bible study. Now, I can’t imagine not writing. And in-between my books, I write weekly on my blog to keep my skills fresh.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I now write full time. When I first started, my children had grown up and were out of the house. I worked full time as a program manager and wrote in the evening and on weekends. On Mondays and Tuesdays, I write my blog each week and then I use the rest of the week for my books. I usually write three or four hours a day. Some days, I spend several hours researching information as well. I prefer to write earlier in the day, after my first cup of coffee.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t outline my books. But I do have notes and ideas about what to include, but I like to add the detail as I go. I also write while sitting on my couch with my laptop in my lap. Probably not the best of posture but I find it very comfortable.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I used to dream of being a missionary after hearing several of them speak at church as a child. I remember my Barbie’s going on mission trips as I pretended with them. Who knew that this was a foreshadowing of my years of short-term mission work?
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Like my main character, I learned several years ago that God can use any of us, no matter our age or circumstances. Besides writing, I still do the mission work. We now operate a charity that cares for orphans in Myanmar and Nepal and we help with several feeding programs in India and Pakistan. God has a purpose for each one of us. If we seek Him out, He will show us. Following these purposes has given me the biggest blessings in my life.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Blog | Goodreads | Amazon
Blog Tour Calendar
August 7th @ The Muffin
Join us over at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Yvonne M. Morgan’s blog tour for Gypsy for God. You can read an interview with the author, follow along our blog tour, and enter to win a copy of the book. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
August 7th @ Rockin Book Reviews
Join Lu Ann for a guest post written by Yvonne M. Morgan about trusting God in all circumstances.
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
August 8th @ Pages and Paws
Join Kristine for her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://pagesandpaws.com/
August 9th @ Rockin Book Reviews
Join Lu Ann again for her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
August 9th @ Create Write Now
Visit Mari’s blog for a guest post by Yvonne M. Morgan about finding our real purpose in life. https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
August 9th @ Speaking of Spirit
Don’t miss Linda’s review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://interfaithmoments.blogspot.com/
August 11th @ One Writer’s Journey
Sue shares a guest post by Yvonne M. Morgan about making a difference in the world around us. https://suebe.wordpress.com/
August 23rd @ Boys’ Mom Reads
Join Karen for a spotlight of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
August 15th HERE!
August 18th @ The Plain-Spoken Pen
Lisa features an excerpt from Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://theplainspokenpen.com/
August 19th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Visit Linda’s blog for an in-depth interview with author Yvonne M. Morgan about her book Gypsy for God. https://bootsshoesandfashion.com
August 21st @ One Writer’s Journey
Visit Sue’s blog again for her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://suebe.wordpress.com/
August 22nd @ Michelle Cornish’s blog
Join Michelle for a guest post by Yvonne M. Morgan about getting started in writing. https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
August 25th @ Beverley A. Baird’s blog
Join Beverley for her feature of Yvonne M. Morgan’s guest post about dealing with grief and loss. https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com
August 25th @ The Plain-Spoken Pen
Lisa shares her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. You also have the chance to win a copy of the book, too! https://theplainspokenpen.com/
August 28th @ From the TBR Pile
Visit Kari’s blog for a guest post by Yvonne M. Morgan about enjoying the adventures in life. https://fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com/
August 29th @ Speaking of Spirit
Join Linda as she features Yvonne M. Morgan’s guest post about deepening our faith. https://interfaithmoments.blogspot.com/
August 30th @ Beverley A. Baird’s blog
Stop by Beverley’s blog again for her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
September 1st @ Carol G. Stratton’s blog
Join Carol for her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://www.carolgstratton.com/blog/
September 3rd @ World of My Imagination
Join Nicole for her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://worldofmyimagination.com
September 5th @ Jill Sheets’ Blog
Visit Jill’s blog for her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
September 7th @ Rox Burkey’s Blog
Join Rox for a spotlight of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://roxburkey.com/
September 9th @ Free to be Me
Visit Leslie’s blog to read her review of Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan. https://lesliesvoice.com/
September 10th @ Jill Sheets’ Blog
Visit Jill’s blog for her interview with author Yvonne M. Morgan. http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
