An Interview with TC Avey, Christian Blogger & Book Reviewer

I'm always excited to have a chance to talk with others in the world of writing! Today, I have the great honor of interviewing TC Avey, a Christian Blogger and Book Reviewer. All authors know the value of a good review and the power of a bad review. Writers just want a fair shake. A review that gives the consumer a true look at the components of a story without passing judgment on the writer is a delicate balance for any reviewer. They are open to criticism for their opinion, but their words carry a mound of authority. I wanted to know a little more about one such reviewer, and was honored when she said she'd love to join me here. My interest was piqued about TC, as I'd heard her name mentioned several times recently by some of her loyal followers while I attended the Association of Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas a couple of weeks ago.

First, TC, I'd like to thank you for joining me at Novel Travelers. 

Explain to readers a bit about your blog and its purpose. 

Wisdom of a Fool focuses on the struggles Christians face in today’s world. I do this in a variety of manners.  

Currently I do a Monday series on the book, “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It challenges Christians to be real in their walk with Christ, to surrender their will to His.  It also reminds us that our salvation costs God everything. We shouldn’t cheapen His grace by willfully continuing in disobedience.  

I devote a portion to my blog to reviewing books. And I like to offer my readers interviews with the authors when possible. 

I also post on current events relevant to the Christian community. I do this more in my monthly Newsletter than on my blog.  

Boy, you seem awfully busy! What made you start blogging?

 

It’s a God thing. I actually began blogging because I’m an aspiring author and read I had to create a platform. 

But what to blog about?  

I prayed about it and God gave me Wisdom of a Fool. I rarely mention I’m an aspiring author and I’ve almost completely forgotten about building a platform. This blog belongs to God. I write as He directs and all glory for anything good goes to Him. Anything that falls short is me getting in God’s way.  

I say I’ve almost forgotten about my platform. I do desire (and pray) to be published, but this blog really has little to do with that. This blog is for God, not to get my name known. I rarely look at my stats and have no clue how my platform measures up since I’ve stopped looking at like a platform and now view it as a ministry. 

I knew you had something special about you! So, what kinds of books do you review? 

I prefer to do Christian devotionals, historical books and books that make the reader think. The only fiction I do is based on true events.  

No offense to mysteries, romance or other genre’s, I enjoy reading those but that’s not what this blog is for. Like I mentioned above, this blog belongs to God and I currently don’t feel that is an area He wants me to focus- that could change.  

I know that limiting the books I review does impact my platform building since I’m cutting off a large segment of readers, but I’m not concerned with building my platform at the expense of following God’s orders for me. 

All this is ironic as I write fiction. The novel I’m currently hoping to publish is an Apocalyptic Thriller (or Dystopia) - Tentative title: A Long Run Home. 

You seem to have so many talents. What do you see as the most important thing you do?

Get people to think outside their boxes. Challenging them to move out of their comfort zones. I also encourage people of various walks of faith to share. We can all learn from each other, we shouldn’t cut people off because they don’t think like us or believe like us. I think one of the things killing the American churches is denominations. We can’t seem to see the bigger picture…the family of God, not what church you belong to.  

With everything you have going on I can't imagine you doing any more. But you write as well? /b> 

Yes. I am shopping my Apocalyptic Thriller/Dystopia, A Long Run Home.

Think ”Left Behind” Series meets Ayn Rand’s big brother government in a futuristic world where the United States doesn’t exist and being Christian gets you killed.  

I didn't expect that kind of genre from you, but it sounds interesting. From the feedback you’ve received about your blog, what affects your readers the most? Why? 

They like true stories. Things that make them think, things that tug on their hearts and nudge them ACT. They like to learn, to grow. They are open to listening and that makes them a great audience to write for. 

With your great love of books, it seems a natural thing then for you to want to review others. How do authors get you to review their books?

 

I began book reviews as a side item on my blog. I never realized it would grow to take up such a large portion. I first began reviewing for BookSneeze (a wonderful way to read books for free) but then I began having authors contact me via email or twitter asking if I’d be willing to review their books. I’m honored when they do this. Especially since I don’t guarantee I’ll write a good review- just an honest one.  

There are so many genres out there. Do certain stories move you more than others? 

Oh yeah. I love history. I love true stories. I love reading about how God moves in lives, how He changes us when we allow Him to. 

It's been such a pleasure to have you stop by. Before your leave is there anything you’d like your readers to know about you personally?

 

I have no clue what I’m doing. No clue where this blog’s headed and no idea how to get published. I’m just following God. It’s been an amazing journey so far and I’ve only just begun. I’m humbled to see God working in my life and those around me. I’m excited to find out where God’s taking me.

 

Well, I'm sorry I can't show a photo of TC. She's a bit shy! Thank you for taking the time to share with us. I want to encourage my readers to pop by your blog and leave a comment. And I want to encourage you to keep plugging with your book! Thanks again, TC!

 TC's blog: Wisdom of a Fool http://tcavey.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  @tcavey1