Author Interview with Michelle Stimpson about Mama B: A Time to Speak

Good Monday Morning, reader friends!

Today, we’re featuring an interview with author Michelle Stimpson about her book, Mama B: A Time to Speak.

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Interview with Michelle Stimpson about her book, Mama B: A Time to Speak:

Alexis: What inspired you to write this Mama B series?

Michelle: The Mama B series grows out of my natural love for senior citizens. Somehow, I’ve always been the “baby” amongst my associates. I really appreciate their wisdom and the way they view life. Hanging around with older people (including my grandmother) is a joy for me, so Mama B is a natural tribute.

Alexis: Who is Mama B? Share her backstory and personality, then her motivation.

Michelle: The series starts with Mama B as a 72-year-old widow who’s very active in her church and with her friends. She’s a spunky woman who is still learning more and more about the Lord even as she goes into those sunset years. Her prayer life is consistent and she enjoys things ministering to others. This calling to minister to others often causes inconvenience in her life, as sacrificing for others tends to do. Putting other people’s needs before her own drives her to let people move into her home, but she always has to keep her “self” in check as she mentors in close quarters.

Alexis: Apart from Mama B, who are the main characters in this story, “Mama B: A Time to Speak” (Book #1 in your series)? Briefly describe each one’s personality and motivation.

Michelle: In this book, readers will meet Mama B’s friends, including Libbie, who walks with Mama B regularly for exercise. She and Libbie, who is also her prayer partner, face life with hope and spiritual wisdom. Mama B’s friend, Ophelia, is a bit more hot-headed and doesn’t bite her tongue. Henrietta, a woman on the Mother’s Board and Mama B’s church, is usually at odds with Mama B about how things should run at the church.

Mama B’s major dilemma in this first series is a conflict at her church, Mt. Zion, in Peasner, TX. Pastor Phillips is caring for his ailing wife. The interim pastor has some pretty revolutionizing ideas about what the church should be doing, and Mama B finally has enough of the foolishness. He has to speak up for what she believes is right, especially as she believes that the newfangled ideas are negatively impacting her granddaughter (Nikki) and great-grandson (Cameron) who have landed on bad times and come to live with her.

Alexis: How important is church and faith in God to your characters in this story? Why?

Michelle: Mama B’s story, her life, revolves around her faith. She’s not a perfect character by any means, but she’s growing. I think what makes her so likeable is the fact that even at her age, she’s still learning and willing to admit when she’s wrong. She doesn’t have it “all together”, but she’s on a journey that draws her closer and closer to Christ throughout the book.

Alexis: In what ways do church and faith helps your characters to survive and cope with the curveballs of life?

Michelle: The funny thing about Mama B is that her faith actually causes the curveballs. She can’t sit by and watch people do things that she believes (with biblical basis) are detrimental to themselves and the body of Christ. With love and pure intentions, even though she might be imperfect in her delivery, Mama B is compelled to speak.

Alexis: Why is Mama B convinced that it is “A Time to Speak”? How does her voice help?

Michelle: When Mama B sees that her granddaughter thinks God is a sugar daddy and her great-grandson thinks God is a genie, Mama B has to speak up, especially in Pastor Phillips’ absence. This church, Mt. Zion, was partially built by her late husband. Mama B owes it to her God, her community, and her family to bring a word of wisdom, even at the risk of coming across like the stereotypical old lady who is resistant to change in the church. Even if they won’t all listen to her, she has to speak her peace.

Alexis: Would you like to see more books like yours that feature diverse characters, published by CBA? Why or why not?

Michelle: I would love to see this, but I’m not holding my breath. Those of us who are publishing independently are quickly finding our audience and writing the books we know readers want.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Michelle! Would you like to share closing comments?

Michelle: I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to share Mama B with the world! This book started a wonderful relationship with a whole new group of readers for me. I didn’t intend on writing so many Mama B books, but the first book got us on a roll and, six years later, we’re still at it! I hope your readers will enjoy her!

*Interview conducted by Alexis A. Goring, contributor.

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About the Book:

The good folks at Mt. Zion Baptist are doing their best to keep the church flowing smoothly while Pastor Phillips takes time off to be with his wife in her final days. Beatrice “Mama B” Jackson even opens her home so that the women’s groups can continue to meet faithfully after some “rascal” stole the copper from the church’s air conditioning unit. With her semi-estranged granddaughter and great-grandson staying in the guest room, Mama B soon has a full house.

When the interim preacher and his wife start touting messages that don’t line up with the Bible, Mama B wonders how and if she can intervene without causing strife in the congregation or discouraging the young couple.

But Mama B can only take so much of this foolishness. Soon enough, Mama B will realize that there is much more at stake than she or anyone else at Mt. Zion ever imagined. And it’s time to speak.

Mama B – A Time to Speak is full of godly wisdom and humor that will make you take a deep breath after that last page and smile from the inside out. Fans of the classic “Miss Julia” will enjoy Mama B to the fullest!

Buy this book on Amazon or B&N

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About the Author:

Bestselling author Michelle Stimpson has penned more than thirty Christian fiction books including traditional bestsellerDivas of Damascus Road, Amazon #1 bestseller, Stepping Down, the award-winning Mama B series, and Falling Into Grace, which has been optioned for a made-for-TV movie.

She has also published more than fifty short stories through her educational publishing company, WeGottaRead.com.

Michelle holds an English degree from Jarvis Christian College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Arlington.

She is a part-time language arts consultant. She also serves in women’s ministry through teaching and publishing. She and her husband have two young adult children, one granddaughter, and one bizarre dog. Visit her online at www.MichelleStimpson.com.

Follow Michelle on Facebook, Twitter, Website