by Molly Noble Bull
Molly:
Alexis, it is great to have you’re here, and I can hardly wait
to learn more about you and your writing. As an only child, playing “Let’s
Pretend” was my favorite game and kept me from being lonely. I believe that
some authors, if not most, are “Let’s Pretenders,” and fiction writing is what
“Let’s Pretenders” do when they grow up.
Tell us about you, Alexis, your family and your life. Did you
like to play Let’s Pretend, as a child? If so, how did this influence your
decision to become a writer?
Alexis:
Oh yes, I loved to play “Let’s Pretend” as a child! I loved to
pretend that I was an actress, singer, model and traveling the world. This
totally influenced my decision to become a writer! My mom is an educator, my
dad works in a hospital and my brother and his wife are professional physical
therapists who earned doctorate degrees. Growing up, my grandparents babysat my
brother and I. It was an impromptu storytelling game created by my grandpa one
day that spurred me to start writing fictional stories.
Molly:
What wonderful memories. Like me, you are a Christian author,
making us Sisters-in-Jesus Christ. Tell us about your spiritual life and how
the Lord influenced your writing as well as the person you are today.
Alexis:
I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ and thank God for
giving me the gift of writing. God led me on the writing career path from a
very young age. I’ve always loved reading and writing and started writing
stories at age 9.
God affirmed my gift through words from teachers such as my
Bible teacher in high school who told me via a written message in my yearbook
that he hopes that I will continue writing because I have a “tremendous gift.”
The Lord led me to mentors in college and after college who helped me to grow
my gift. Two years ago, He led me to Full Sail University where I earned my MFA
in Creative Writing.
The Lord blessed me with family members who are supportive of my
dream to be a professional writer. All of this influenced who I am today by
growing not only my gift but it also grew my faith in God. This journey that
God is taking me on is also growing my patience as I learn
to wait on the Lord for His perfect timing and plan for my life.
Molly:
What a blessing. Now, tell us about that novella of yours, A Second Chance.
Alexis:
It’s a story about characters that are in need of a second
chance in life and love. The story focuses on Marc and Traci who have had their
share of heartbreak in relationships. There’s a spiritual theme of forgiveness
tied in with hope and completed with restoration. My characters
go through highs and lows which tests their faith, and they
learn how to trust God. Ultimately, Traci and Marc learn the meaning of
Jeremiah 29:11.
Molly:
Pictures on the covers of books are great. But when I decide
whether or not to buy a book at a bookstore, I read page one. Please post the
first part of A Second Chance.
Alexis:
Chapter 1
Knee-deep in debt from wedding expenses, Traci Hightower sighed
as she filed through the credit card statements. She should be married now,
back from her honeymoon in Bali, and settled into her new home with her
husband. Happy. Not single and broke.
She slapped an envelope
against the desk. Five months of struggling to survive and pay off the debt.
Her meager, entry-level journalist salary didn’t stretch far enough. She’d been
paying her dues for seven years. She rubbed her temples.
The numbers on the
credit card statement blurred in front of her eyes.
The doorbell rang. A
little thrill rushed through her. She stood from her cross-legged position on
the floor and hopped over the mess of papers and laundry that decorated her
living room.
“Who is it?”
“The woman who gave you
birth.”
For the first time
today, Traci smiled. She opened the door and reached for a hug from the one
person who never left her hanging.
“Hi, Mom.”
Her mom returned her
daughter’s embrace, then dragged her suitcase inside. She glanced around. “Oh,
my.”
Traci locked her door,
then turned and shrugged. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been looking forward
to this. Can’t you stay for more than two days though?”
Mom stopped picking up
the bills from the floor and faced her daughter. “No, honey. I’m sorry, but I
need to return home by Wednesday morning. Dad and I have an important meeting
later that day.”
Traci’s heart dipped.
Mom paused and placed the bills and the stack of paper she’d picked off the
floor on Traci’s kitchen counter. “Oh, sweetie.” She cocooned her daughter in
another embrace.
Traci snuggled close.
She inhaled the familiar scent of her mother’s favorite perfume. It smelt like
coconut and lime.
“You always were a
cuddler.” Mom stroked her hair. “Still up to your eyeballs in debt?”
Traci nodded.
“Why don’t you let me
and your father help?”
Traci took a step back
and made eye contact with her mom.
“We’ve been through
this. I got myself into this mess. I’ll get myself out.”
Mom smiled. “Your
father and I were talking. We hate to see you struggling.”
“You don’t exactly live
in a palace either. I know you want to retire soon, and I won’t have you
dipping into that money.”
Mom reached into her
purse. “Living in the nation’s capital area is expensive.” She rummaged through
her handbag’s contents. “Have you considered moving home?”
“I can’t do that. I
don’t ever want to live anywhere else. My life and career are here.”
“How’s that going for
you?”
Traci picked at her
fingernails. “It could be better.” Better boss, better pay, better office
space. The works.
Mom nodded as she
retrieved one sealed envelope from her purse. She looked toward Traci’s
kitchen. “Can we make some tea? I’d like to talk with you.”
“Sure. Come with me.”
Traci reached for the box of peppermint tea bags and got a bottle of honey from
her refrigerator. As she put the kettle on to boil, her mom settled into a
wobbly kitchen chair. She smoothed the creased edges of the envelope.
Traci poured the hot
water over the tea bags in each mug and the scent of peppermint filled the air.
“Everything okay?”
“Just thinking, honey.”
“About what?”
“Have a seat.”
“Sure, just let me
allow the tea to steep.” After she placed a plate over each mug and set it
aside, she settled into the chair across from her mom. “What’s up?”
“I never did like
Greg.”
Traci traced a ring
stain on the table. “Do we have to talk about my ex-fiancé?”
“Yes, because your
grandfather always trusted my judgment.”
“So, Grandpa didn’t
like Greg either?”
“I inherited my
instincts of discernment from him. Speaking of discernment, here.” She pushed
the envelope within Traci’s reach.
She frowned as she
picked it up and tried to flatten its wrinkles.
“What’s this?”
~*~
Molly:
Thanks, Alexis, and thank you for coming. But before you go,
please leave your contact information.
Alexis:
Thanks for inviting me to be your guest! Here are the links to
my social media where readers may connect with me:
Facebook:
