Interview with Teresa R. Jones, Author of Christian Self-Help Book Return to Your First Love

Teresa Jones is the author of the newly released book, Return to Your First Love. She is also a writer for the Neighborhood Writing Alliance (NWA), which publishes the award-winning Journal of Ordinary Thought (JOT). Teresa is a member of Toastmasters International and the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE). Teresa is faithful member of the Apostolic Faith Church, where she serves as a prayer counselor for the Prayer Line Ministry. She and her husband, Alexander, have been married for 16 years and have two children. You can visit Teresa R. Jones website at www.teresarjones.com.

Thank you for this interview, Teresa. Can you tell us briefly what your latest book, Return to Your First Love, is all about?

Return to Your First Love is my life story and my journey to seek an intimate relationship with God. On this life journey I discover that there are hurdles of distractions, rejections, persecutions, and hurts. Others have positioned most of the hurdles, but I also have placed them in my path as a result of sin in my life. As I am steered back on course by the leading of the almighty loving Father, I find forgiveness, compassion, blessings and joy.

My story begins in the Southside of Chicago, in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Woodlawn is an area of the city where poverty, destruction and despair are prevalent. To add to my troubles, I´m a member of a dysfunctional family. My father often neglected his family responsibilities for gambling, and other women. While growing up my problems intensify with a tumultuous relationship with mother. In the midst of pain and strife, I become aware that God is extending His loving hand towards me, and comforts me through the ordeal. I find peace in the midst of storm as I draw nigh unto Him.

As I come into adulthood, I don´t have the same struggles I had as a child. There is a new set waiting for me as I transition into the next season of my life. The new battles are men, friends, employers and even my siblings. I exhaust a lot of precious time and energy fighting the wrong battles. There is also conflict between my spirit and my flesh as I adopt a part-time relationship with God to spend time with the world. My relationship with God still exists, but I have lost the zeal I had as a child, along with my childlike faith. Unbeknownst to me, I have also lost my joy and have sunk into a depression. Growing up, I often had people to ask me, "Why do you smile so much?" My smile along with my peace had been exchanged with chronic crying, murmuring and complaining.

By age 27, it felt as though everything that could go wrong in my life was. There were struggles with my finances, my employment and with my relationships. No longer did I feel I was succeeding, but failing. It appeared as though my life was on a downward spiral. It was at this point that I came to myself. Events of my life played out through my mind as I was knelt down on the floor at the foot of my bed. I thought to myself, "I have done things my way long enough, let me try it God´s way." It was at this point that my life made took a turn for my good. There have been other challenges, trials and tribulations along the way, but nevertheless, I have stayed the course. I´m back with my first love.

Can you tell us who or what was the inspiration behind your book?

Return to Your First Love is the assignment God gave me to tell my testimony. Ten years ago my husband and I were hit with very disturbing news. Our two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare eye disease, and we were told that our daughter´s eye would have to be removed. Miraculously, this would not be the case. After consulting with several doctors and overcoming other battles, our daughter´s eye would be saved.

One day while I was home alone, I reflected on the ordeal and many other challenges I have had to triumph over in my lifetime. In my spirit, I told God that life has been rough for me, but I could clearly see how He has been there to help me through it all. I began to think about other women I knew who were still trying to battle life on their own. I then told God that it is ashamed that more women won´t turn their lives over to Him. I then heard a still small voice say, "Tell them." I asked, "Tell them? Lord, how?" The same still small voice said, "Book!" This moment was the conception of Return to Your First Love.

Is this your first published book and if so, can you tell us your experiences in finding a publisher for it?

Return to Your First Love is my first published book and finding a publisher has been an arduous process. I started seeking a publisher two years ago while I was working towards bringing the project to completion. Since that time, I have received a stream of rejection letters (so many that I have lost count) until recently. Considering the large number of submissions publishers receive on a regular basis, I understand why they must have a process of elimination when deciding on which books to publish (which usually results in them going with more experienced and accomplished authors). However, I believe that many great stories are never shared because of the industry´s reluctance to recruit new authors. With that said, "new author" does not necessarily mean that the writer has no experience.

How has Waverly Media Group been to work with?

Waverly Media Group has been a God-send! Waverly Media Group was established in 2007 and they were looking for a new author with an intriguing story to launch their Christian publishing division. The experience has been a marriage made in heaven!

Do you have an agent?

No, however, I´m blessed with a husband who has been quite resourceful in finding creative ways to get exposure for the book and assisting me with getting the book published.

Can you tell us how long it took you to write your book and also how long it took from the time Waverly Media Group sent the contract and the time it was released?

It has taken ten years from the point of inspiration to actually producing a book. It took Waverly Media Group six months to release the book from the time of contract.

Do you have any words of inspiration from other writers who would like to be wearing your shoes?

I am a woman of faith, and I believe that whatever God wants to do through you will come to pass, if you don´t give up. The obstacles are there to see how bad you want it. That´s why so many people settle for the mundane – it´s easier to obtain. Getting published is not for the faint at heart. The experience can be daunting at times, therefore, you must be tenacious. If you have a story to tell that the world needs to hear, press on in faith.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in September via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

I´m participating in the virtual tour because I believe the tour is an excellent tool for obtaining exposure and reaching audiences I may never have the opportunity to interact with otherwise.

What´s next for you?

Since Return to Your First Love was recently released, I´m heavily involved in getting the word out about the book. I´m also in the process of creating a workshop to expound on topics covered in the book.

Thank you for this interview, Teresa. I wish you much success!