Author Chat: Pepper Basham
A Chat With Author Pepper Basham
Welcome! Today we’re chatting with award-winning author Pepper Basham. Jesus has given Pepper a part in the telling of His own story. He made her a character who tells of His goodness through writing.
Award-Winning Author
Pepper’s The Thorn Bearer received the Reader’s Favorite Book Award and placed as one of three finalist for ACFW‘s 2016 Carol Award in the Debut Category Gather ’round as Pepper gives us a peek into who she is, where she’s been, and what she’s learned along the way.
Readers:
Add your own comments or questions in the Comments section below, and your name will be entered into a drawing for an autographed copy of The Thorn Keeper, Pepper’s second novel in her Penned in Time series.
Update: Winner of drawing was Brenda Murphree! Congratulations, Brenda!
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Thanks so much for having me on, Linda!! It’s an honor to be with ACFW’s Carol Award winning author ☺
Pepper’s Journey to Publication
I am a southern Appalachia girl, born and bred in Andy Griffith country. In fact, he was my fourth cousin. The accents and stories on the Andy Griffith show remind me so much of 
the world I grew up knowing, especially as seen through the eyes of my granny, who dreamed BIG for me.
Not surprisingly, Granny recognized my love for writing early on. When I was 10 years old she bought me a second-hand typewriter and said, “A writer needs one of these.” She was the first person to ever call me a ‘writer’ and the dream stuck. ☺ (Tweet That!)
Long in Coming
But it took a LOOOOONNNGGG time for the dream to turn into ink and bindings. I graduated high school, got married, received my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Along the way I birthed 5 kids, and eleven years after I started pursuing publication – I signed a contract for my first book. It was a long journey. I wrote bits and pieces of stories in between working full time and raising my awesome kids, but I’m so thankful for the opportunity to bring stories to life.
Pepper Basham’s Debut Experience: The Thorn Bearer with Vinspire Publishing.
As you read in the first answer, it had taken a long time to get ‘the call’. I’d given up on this book I’d pitched for over a decade. But then…the right fit and God’s timing merged to create the perfect moment. I love this story – in fact I love the whole series, and enjoy hearing how the ‘heart’ of this book touches people’s lives.
Advice from Pepper Basham
~Walk in your calling and focus on His stories. It’s so easy to 
get bogged down in the ‘performance’ and numbers of writing and publishing. But God has a bigger Story in mind for us. He wants to celebrate who we are, where we are, how He’s made us, for His glory.
That means we can find peace in the ‘rat race’ of a profession fraught with comparison and self-doubt because we’re writing for Him…and He’ll take care of the rest. Of course, we should market as we can, write quality stories, and spread the word, but we shouldn’t be driven by that. We should be driven by His call in us to be storytellers.
~Write, write, write. An empty page does not a novel make ☺ If you want to be a writer, then the first thing that as to happen is get your words on the page. Daydreaming and brainstorming both have their places, but they rarely become a paper-and-ink reality until their on the page.
~Seek out Community. Lots of people say writing is a solitary journey, but it doesn’t have to be.
I’ve found that I’m a better and happier writer when 
I surround myself with other writers, reader, and encouragers along the way. Truly, community breeds inspiration. I have found some of the dearest friends through reaching out in the writing world.
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Thank you, Pepper Basham, for this peek into who you are, where you’ve been, and a bit about what you’ve learned along the way. I love how you describe a writer’s journey as “walking in your calling.” Nothing’s more precious than being called by Jesus to write His stories and accept the role of a character yourself.
Readers, what a privilege to know more about delightful Pepper Basham. It doesn’t get much better than knowing you’re a 4th cousin to Andy Griffith. Get to know Pepper better and check out her books at the following links:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2dnwpfR
Website: https://pepperdbasham.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pepperbasham/
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/pepperbasham/
Twitter: @pepperbasham
Email: pepperbasham@yahoo.com
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Dear Lord, we stand amazed at Your goodness. You’ve stooped to bless us with partnership in the telling of Your story. Thank you. Keep us ever mindful and faithful in our calling, whether as writers, readers, or neighbors. For Jesus ‘ sake.
I really enjoyed reading about you. I’ve been wanting to read one of your books. This one looks very interesting!
Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
Brenda,
Good luck in the contest!!
I always enjoy reading about fellow authors–this time Pepper Basham, whose journey to publication would make a great novel in itself! I, too, get more out of my craft when I share my journey with other writers. We hold each other accountable while encouraging each other in the process. As a Christian, God has given us all the same command: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20 NIV) How we do that is to use the gifts he’s given us. Thanks for sharing your gift, Pepper. And you, too, Linda. 🙂
Amen, Clarice. Folks who haven’t read Christian fiction might not realize what a fertile field it is for the seeds of the Gospel. We’ve been blessed with a sacred privilege.
Thanks so much, Clarice. Your encouragement means so much!
Pepper, you and I share more than a calling to write. We’re both Speech & Language Pathologists–or I was once upon a time. The field has changed in the past half-century. My years as an SLP from 1968-1983 looked a bit different from yours in 2016, but at the core they’re the same: kids. I can’t imagine how you’ve tended your marriage, 5 kids, and full-time SLP–and write. Wow. That’s some dedication to writing. I pray God’s sweet hand of blessing will rest on you, your family, and your writing.
I think it’s great to know you were a speech pathologist too, Linda. THank you for those prayers -and THANKS for having me on your beautiful blog!
Sometimes I have to remember my own writing advice because the world on the other side of publication can be a tough place. Thankfully the One who has called us to write will also equip us for the journey!! THANK YOU!
You’re so right, Pepper. We must support one another at every opportunity. Life in the publishing world isn’t easy–from our secluded writing locales to the public arena where our innermost thoughts are exposed. Our pastor, a very well known author, was gracious as always in congratulating me a few months ago on the Operation First Novel win. The first words out of my mouth were I feel so vulnerable. He reminded me what his wife always says when he begins to stew over some project: The Lord’s always helped you before, hasn’t He? Why wouldn’t He now? So I’ve tried to remember those words of wisdom when I feel vulnerable. If the Lord took my incompetence and turned it into an award-winning novel, He can surely handle my feelings of vulnerability. ~ I so admire you, Pepper, for finding writing time with all your life entails. Bravo!