Guest Interview With Award-Winning Author Sheila Hudson

Our guest today is award-winning author, Sheila Hudson!

Sheila Hudson retired from the University of Georgia in 2008.  Since then she has followed her passion for writing. Sheila and her husband, Tim, founded Bright Ideas as a ministry for free-lance writing and speaking. She has published numerous articles in magazines, newspapers, and anthologies.

An award winning writer, Sheila Hudson’s byline appears on essays, travel columns, features, and humor published in multiple editions of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Chocolate for Women series, From the Heart collection, Not Your Mother’s Book series, The Book of Hope, God Allows U-Turns, and The Expressive Heart. Sheila has also been a feature writer for The Christian Standard, The Lookout by BetterPriceChec”> Magazine, The Costumer magazine, and the Purple Pros.

Sheila has won awards in many genres and now turns her focus to the relationship closest to her heart—the one with her husband, Tim.  In 1992 the Hudsons founded Bright Ideas as a by BetterPriceChec”> vehicle to foster inspiration through writing, speaking, presentations, and informational media. 

Sheila’s latest project is a series of books entitled 13 Decisions. 13 Decisions That Will by BetterPriceChec”> Change Your Life published by Dancing With Bear Christian Publishing was released in November 2014. Its companion 13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage comes out in August. More details at www.13decisions.com

Murder at Golden Palms introduces The Thursday Club and is the first of Sheila’s cozy mystery series. All books are available at www.amazon.com

Please tell our readers about by BetterPriceChec”> your latest book.

13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage is a resource intended as a companion to her first book, 13 Decisions That Will by BetterPriceChec”> Change Your Life. The information shared within its covers evolved out of forty seven years of wedded bliss. Each chapter by BetterPriceChec”> addresses a new marital topic such as honoring your spouse, loving your marriage partner unconditionally, taking time to laugh together, and how to listen with your heart. Also included are tips on dealing honestly with your most treasured relationship —the one with your husband or wife. 13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life is written expressly for those interested in improving their marriage status using the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, patience, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and gentleness.

13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage may be by BetterPriceChec”> purchased from www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com  or from www.amazon.com

1. Why did you become a writer… was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?

I have always been a big reader. Through school I loved English literature and all that had to do with the written word. I won a by BetterPriceChec”> contest for poetry in high school and always wanted to write but didn’t feel I had the time until I was recuperating from surgery when I had my first essay published.

2. What was the inspiration for your latest work? 

In ministry we see a lot of failed marriages. Marriage of first quality is an ongoing project and I wanted to share with others what my 47 years of marriage had taught me.

3. What was the most interesting research you had to do for (any of) your book(s)? 

I was surprised to find that many celebrity couples have been together for long periods of time. We assume because of unfavorable headlines that this isn’t the case.

5. How did you decide to write for the adult audience? Have you always wanted to write this type of book, or did you by BetterPriceChec”> begin somewhere else and evolve to this genre? 

No, non-fiction has always been my first love. I began writing personal essays, topical piece, interviews for magazines , and feature articles.

6. Have you written any books for out of your usual genre, or do you pretty much stick with what you know?

Murder at Golden Palms, a cozy mystery, from Take Me Away Books has just been released. It is my first venture into fiction. I love the variation between writing on subjects that can get quite emotional and switching to something outlandish (which my cozies are). The sequel Murder at Sea is in the works.

7. What’s your writing schedule like?  When do you find time to write?

I am retired from the University of Georgia so time is not an issue. Being disciplined is, however.

8. Do you have any writing idiosyncrasies? 

I don’t think so.

9. What’s the most challenging aspect of writing for you?

Doing something that I am passionate about.  That’s how the 13 Decisions series came about. I wanted to contribute to the believing and non-believing communities.

10. Do you have a “real” job or is writing your only job?

It’s is my only job for now, besides being caretaker of a husband and a weird dog.

11. If money wasn’t an issue, what you being doing right now?

Writing, traveling, and spending time with those I love.

12. Do you have any pets? What kind and what are their names?

Three year old Chiweenie who rules. His name is TJ for husband, Tim and son, John.

13. List 10 things no one knows about you, beginning with number 10 leading up to the drum roll at #1!

10.      Want to be a redhead

9.       Am basically shy

8.       Want to live to be 100

7.       Want to take a train trip

6.       Hate traveling in the mountains

5.       Wish I had had a sister

4.       Almost married someone else

3.       Hate baby showers, bridal showers, Tupperware parties, etc.

2.       Want a mini-iPad

1.       Was bitten by a bear

Wow! Bitten by a bear – that must be a story in itself! We’ll have to chat about that at another time. Thank you so much for being my guest today, Sheila. I wish you good luck on all your writing and other endeavors.

Contact Sheila at:

E-mail [email protected]

Website   www.13decisions.com

Facebook   www.facebook.com/sheila.s.hudson

Twitter   @sheilahudson7

Linked In  sheilahudson.writer