Author: Carol Underhill
Meet the Author: Susan TeBos
Author Susan TeBos
I recently met Susan at an author event near my hometown in Michigan. Susan, it was a pleasure to meet you and learn about your book. Thank you for joining me on my blog today.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a homegrown Michigan author with a not so common story. This may surprise you, but becoming an author wasn’t on my bucket list. I didn’t intend to write books. But when the need arose in our family (we adopted 3 children from Russia within 5 years) writing, researching, interviewing, and the hope to offer help to our family and others urged me forward. In the beginning, I knew very little about what was involved in writing a book, such as taking an idea to the page and then to a publisher. All this felt a bit overwhelming. I had to learn how to write creatively. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Eventually, I signed up for a writing class and then another, junior and senior level courses I could take at a local college. It was a writing game changer. I guess you can say I am persistent, if anything, and that’s a good attribute for being a writer.
What is your book about?
My recent book is for adoptive and foster families and anyone who wants to understand the heart of an adoptee. It’s called We’ve Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens. I believe that every adopted child reflects on their adoption and needs guidance to process and express their emotions and thoughts. If not, many feel isolated as they ponder what happened to them, their self-worth and identity.
My favorite thing about this book is the interviews. This is a collection of 34 stories told to me by teenage and young adult adoptees from around the United States. They open up about things that they rarely talk about and things they wished others would have told them. Plus, they offer encouragement and some good advice for teens on their own journey of self-discovery and healing from loss. I learned so much from these amazing people.
What did your family think about you writing this book?
My daughter, who was adopted at 18 months, was 17 years old at the time I was researching and writing this book. Imagine a teenager hovering close by, sometimes reading over my shoulder while I was typing up the interviews. That says a lot. She longed to know what adoptees like her were experiencing and how they were handling things. One day I asked her if she’d share a story, and she leaped into the air yelling yes!! She had her own story to share about grieving her birth family that she felt others would resonate with. Two of my three kids contributed stories.
The collection is written in a journalistic style. It is written for adoptees first, but also for families and anyone who wants to understand the heart of an adoptee.
Who would like your book?
There are millions of people with adoption or foster care in their story, so many of us are connected or know someone that is adopted. Additionally, counselors, social workers, therapists, adoption agencies, church adoption ministries, libraries, families, grandparents, and of course adopted people of all ages.
How do you find time in your day for writing?
Set small goals. 300 words a day. I commit to 300 words each day of the week even if I don’t feel like it or have nothing to say. From my experience, if I can free write crappy copy 300 words this exercise turns into 700 words or more. Goal setting like this keeps me accountable.
Are you part of a writing group?
Not formally. Mostly, I have writer friends that like to meet for coffee and talk about everything from writing to platform to book proposals to selling books. Being in a community is helpful, even if it is informal.
Do you have a favorite author or book?
My favorite genre is historical fiction, regency period. Jane Austin and books like hers serve as a retreat for me. I get lost in the pages and time slips away. My brain cells appreciate it. I also read books like A Gentleman in Moscow.
Have you experienced writer’s block? If so, what do you do to get through it?
Yes, I do get blocked. There are a few things that help me. I free write with a prompt. Just stream of thought. No edits. Just move the pen on paper. It works. Also, I have paper and a pen next to my bed. It is common for me to have some pretty great ideas appear at 3:00 am
What’s next for you as an author?
I currently don’t have a book idea. However, I’m writing a couple of articles here and there for publication, and trying to improve my book visibility on my website. I also am a podcast guest and speak at adoption and foster care conferences.
Susan, thank you so much for being my guest today. Before we go, where can readers find you online?
You can find me at susantebos.com and https://www.facebook.com/SusanTeBos.Author/
https://www.amazon.com/Weve-Been-There-Surprising-Insights/dp/0825447313
Susan’s book is also available at any bookseller and at libraries.
The End Goal
Our Detroit Tigers worked hard playing baseball but didn’t quite make it to their goal.
On the other hand, our Detroit Lions are consistently winning their football games after many years of living with defeat.
Football and baseball players invest their lives in the sport and work hard towards the goal of winning championship titles.
I never liked playing sports. I couldn’t hit, throw or catch a baseball. The one time I played backyard football I didn’t realize when the quarterback threw the ball to me I couldn’t throw it to someone else. Everyone was running towards me, and I wanted to get the ball out of my hands.
Could I have become better with more practice?
Maybe I could have, but you never know. I didn’t try.
My goal in school wasn’t to play on sports. No, it was to write stories that other people could read.
I attended college with an eye on journalism. I got sidetracked when I went on to Mexico to study, then returned a few years later to teach.
My goal at that time was to become a mission–or rather, a Missus. I had my eye on the prize, wanting to become a bride. When my husband came into my life, I got caught up in a whirlwind of romance and married him nine months later. (No regrets).
Now my goal became to have children. So a year and a half after our wedding, our first child was born, then a year and a half after that, our daughter. (No regrets).
Okay, a boy and a girl. A few years later, we made the choice to try for one more, and successfully became a family of 5. (No regrets).
Then my husband passed away while my older two were teenagers and youngest only ten.
Now we were a broken family circle.
I felt defeated. Lost and confused. Angry and trying not to question God. My husband used to say, we’re all going to die sometime. But why him, why now?
And how could I possibly go on without him?
One day at a time.
One song at a time played in those moments when I needed the extra words.
Time after time of crying out to God in my loneliness and heartache.
I got up each morning, got the kids off to school, took the dog out in the yard.
Yet daily I struggled with grief compounded by mental health issues.
Over time it became apparent that I needed help to get to a better place in life.
I found that help. I stuck with it, worked hard on the things I could change and got back into church.
Today I am coping with life better than I thought I ever would. I have minor setbacks and defeats, but overall I am in a good place.
My goal is back to writing stories, where I first began in high school. Fortunately, none of those are still in existence. One time on a whim, I tossed them all in the dumpster. (No regrets).
What are some of my other goals today?
To maintain a purpose in life. To work hard and support myself financially.
To love my kids without reservation and to make good memories with them.
To encourage others who are on various paths in life and judge them not.
My end goal?
To meet Jesus and finally learn the answers to all the questions I’ve had in this life. To dance for joy in his presence.
Go Detroit Lions! Win big this year.
Meet the Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers
Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers contains Powerful Stories of Life’s Emergencies.
For more than 35 years, veteran EMT Andrea Jo Rodgers has been helping people in their most terrifying and vulnerable moments—and bearing witness to the miraculous power and handiwork of God.
In this new collection of unforgettable stories, Andrea shares more heart-pounding accounts of rescues and interventions from her vast experience as a first responder. Whether it’s a boy fallen through thin ice into freezing water, an old woman and her walker stuck at a railroad crossing, or a loyal dog playing guardian angel for his incapacitated owner, join Andrea as she responds to incredible scenarios that testify to God’s power and love.
Not only will you be astounded by the courage exemplified by Andrea and other first responders, but you will also be inspired by her faith, empathy, and hope—even amid the most daunting circumstances. These powerful stories will encourage you and deepen your awe for God’s amazing mercy and grace.
Meet the Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers.
Andrea, thank you for joining me today. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am the kind of person who always keeps busy, and writing is something I enjoy in my scarce free time. I’m a happily married mother of two, and family means everything to me. I enjoy working as a physical therapist, and I specialize in pelvic floor rehab, oncology rehabilitation, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I love serving my community by volunteering with my local EMS squad as an emergency medical technician. I’ve been volunteering since high school (over 9,700 rescue calls), and now I’m blessed to be answering calls with my twins, who are also volunteer EMT’s.
Are you a night owl or morning person?
I am most definitely a morning person, which is a good thing, because I have to be at work by 6:30AM. I am high energy all day (I seriously don’t even drink caffeine), but I am ready for bed by 9:30PM. However, when I respond to multiple nighttime emergency first aid calls with my rescue squad, I am sometimes a little sleepy the next day!
Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?
Well, to be honest, I don’t wait until my book is finished. Chocolate is my favorite treat during the writing process! In my opinion, there’s nothing like a crème filled chocolate to keep the creative juices flowing.
I agree. Chocolate is a great energy boost.
Are you part of a writing group?
I was briefly a part of a writing group in the past but had to give it up because there are simply not enough hours in the day between working, writing, caring for my family, and volunteering with my first aid squad.
Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?
My husband and sister are the first ones to read my books. They are a great support system, and I feel blessed to have their input.
Do you have a favorite author or book?
My favorite author is Jane Austen. I have read Pride & Prejudice many times, and I can never resist re-watching the 1995 BBC version.
What book or author has inspired you the most?
As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the books by James Herriott, which relate true stories from his experiences as a veterinarian. Currently, my family and I are watching the series All Creatures Great and Small, which is based on his books.
What’s next for you as an author?
Right now, I’m working on a book about healthy aging, drawing on my experience and knowledge as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. I also have several short stories being published by Guideposts.
Andrea, thank you for being my guest today. Where can readers find your book:
Where can readers find you?
https://www.facebook.com/AndreaJoRodgers/
and amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrea-Jo-Rodgers/author/B00SAAQM18?isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Lost car keys, again?
I have errands to run this morning. But I woke up before three a.m. and didn’t know if I’d get back to sleep. If I couldn’t sleep longer then I wouldn’t feel like getting out and, well, I’d already placed a grocery order.
My kids were still up. They work second shift so they stay up until the middle of the night then sleep until noon. It isn’t often that I’m awake in the middle of the night but when I am, we have a chance to chat.
Lately I’ve wasted time looking for my car keys when I have to go somewhere. At four this morning, I decided to find them and put them beside my purse. So I would be ready to just walk out the door.
Only I couldn’t find them. I searched everywhere. Pants pockets even though they’d been washed, floor under the table, underneath the clutter on the counter and table, washer, dryer – I grew frustrated and concerned about them.
I prayed about it. Lord, please let me find my car keys.
When I paused in my search, I remembered I’d taken them with me when my brother picked me up to take me somewhere last week. I’d laughed about it then, because I hadn’t needed MY car keys.
So I concluded that I must have left them in my brother’s van. It was too early to call him. I ended up falling back asleep for a couple of hours. This time when I woke up and thought about my car keys, I remembered I’d worn a jacket the day my brother picked me up so I checked the pocket of that jacket.
Found them.
Thank you, Lord. Thank you for loving me enough to help me find my car keys even though it’s a minor inconvenience. The errands could have waited.
But this isn’t the first time I’ve prayed over losing my car keys and found them with a nudge shortly after praying.
I thought about how God blessed me with this little win. I wondered why, when other people are facing such horrible circumstances right now.
The small prayers that God answers help prepare us for the big things that come up. If we can trust God to pray and know that He will answer in the minor things we ask for, we can trust that when we pray for the big things He will answer those, too.
Just because: Here’s a view of a peaceful haven where I’ve spent time praying and singing and visiting with friends.
Inspirational Author 