Teece Reeder

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in a small town in North Carolina. I was born and raised here. It’s a small community who truly loves and cares for each other, almost like our own personal “Mayberry”.
I began writing as a little girl, and I couldn’t get enough. I was constantly encouraged by my Mama who also served as my toughest critic. I have written seven books. I decided about a year ago to change horses midstream and write under the name I use now to pay homage to my family. Under this name I have written one book and two others that will be released soon.
When I am not writing I can be found digging around with plants, to me nothing is quite as satisfying as dirt under my nails. Watching, guiding and cultivating seeds and plants is where I am most at home.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “A Million Thoughts of Grace ”. It was born from an actual person and events that took place and I was fortunate enough to watch it transpire. I had the idea for this book several years ago after a phone call from a lifelong friend who had known the woman who would become my inspiration and he patiently and lovingly told me tales of “Grace” that I had not known.
Grace is someone we all can relate to and we find ourselves cheering for her to overcome the many obstacles she had to face. In this book there are a few bold and outspoken voices, who stand true to the Southern female heritage. They work hard, love their family fiercely and will wage war on anyone and anything that dares to disrupt the lives of Grace, B.B. and a truly special someone named Jake.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh! Yes, I do! I must be wearing shoes to write, not flip flops ( my normal footwear) but honest to goodness shoes. I can’t form a legible sentence unless I have my sneakers on. I suppose those are my workboots in a way. Also I must have crafted a well planned out playlist for whatever time period I am writing in. For example, I have been working on a book from the 1930’s for a long time and I will only listen to music from that period as I write. As I transitioned from writing on paper to a laptop I found I must at all times have a pen and notebook on my desk, in sight. because my hand written notes are much more useful than those I have attempted to jot down via a word document.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I began a love affair with the classics as a child. Poe, Hemingway, Kate Chopin, Sara Teasdale, to name a few. The books that have had the biggest influence in my life and writing would be “To Kill A Mockingbird”, “The Scarlet Letter”. My deep connection with every written word Hemmingway penned began with “The Old Man and the Sea” as a school assignment.
Also I have been wildly obsessed with the “Foxfire” book series since I was around ten years old. I have read every book and continue to do so now, learning something new each time.

What are you working on now?
As mentioned before I have been writing a novel set in the 1930’s. I had the notion to write a prequel and I am working on that now. It is nonfiction and the main character is my beloved, maternal Grandma.
I am also assisting a new writer as he ventures down the path of becoming an author.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am old fashioned I suppose but I reply heavily on word of mouth. I really need to get with the times and learn the ropes of self promotion online. I am not completely in the dark, I have facebook and use it most often.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every single day. No excuses. I don’t care if it is complete garble, write anyway. You never know what brilliance could come from it.
Also, change locations, go outside, go the kitchen table, sit on the grass, many times when I feel stale, a simple change of location will bring about such beautiful imagery and fresh thoughts. Put some sneakers on, that does it for me!
Don’t overthink, let it flow! Don’t get caught up in looking over what you just wrote and rewrites, let that river guide you as you ride it. There is always time to go back. Don’t lose your momentum to overanalyzing, that comes much later. Write with passion, simple but true.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Mark Twain said, “Write what you know.” That quote speaks to every ounce of my being. When I begin to write I find that when I work on something I know, I feel, I have experienced, it is far more intense because I have been there and can convey it much easier. Also, don’t write for an audience, write what you see. I am unsure who to attribute that to, but it has helped guide me along the way.

What are you reading now?
I read a few books at a time, I read certain books yearly just to keep them in my memory. I have been reading Farewell to Arms for over a year and in between those sessions I am reading Prose and Poetry, a collection of classics that was released in 1943, it has a tattered spine and that old book smell. I am unsure where I rescued it from, but it is wonderful. I also read the Bible daily.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Oh my goodness, let me put some shoes on for this one! I am going to attempt to pen the nonfiction story of my grandmother who I affectionately referred to as “Mimi”. Her life was incredible and her strength was something that built my own foundation. I want the world to know her, and thankfully I have many people in my little community to help me learn more with good old fashioned storytelling about her early years. I am also prepping “Route Two Box 505” the sequel to “A Million Thoughts of Grace” for publication.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Just three or four? Alright! In no certain order,
The Bible
The Awakening -Kate Chopin
The collective works of Sara Teasdale
The Old Man and the Sea ( seems fitting since I am stranded!)

Author Websites and Profiles
Teece Reeder Amazon Profile

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