Marian P. Merritt - Lagniappe

Where the Bayous Meet the Mountains

Monday, April 11, 2016

Janetta Fudge-Messner - Early Birds

Good Monday Morning Readers!

Today, Janetta Fudge-Messmer visits Lagniappe to discuss her latest release, Early Birds.


Welcome, Janetta!

Tell us a little about Early Birds


Betsy Stevenson is praying fervently for a change. But when a big part of

 her prayer is answered she asks the Lord, “Is this really You? An RV, of 

all things.”

According to Ben (her hubby and a workaholic), he thinks retiring at 60, 

buying an RV and traveling is a grand idea. He says, “I’ve been talking to

Matilda (their pooch) and the Lord and I feel it’s a go.

After much more prayer and preparation Betsy agrees and they begin the 

journey to downsize into a 38 foot 5th wheel. Then their RV adventure begins. Their best friends Rose

and Larry Wilford tag along and the four get On the Road Again.

Yes, Willie Nelson joins them – if only in song – on the highways and byways of this great country called the U.S.A. While on the road the foursome encounter a near miss with a lamp post, a not-too-happy proprietor at an RV Park, and a 100 year flood that hits Colorado.
Can the four of them survive their travels together and learn to live, laugh and love more and grump less? Or is the Lord taking them on this path to learn about more about themselves than they ever wanted to know? And in the end, do they find it is better to give than receive? 

Follow along with the Early Birds on their adventures and I’m sure you’ll want to join up with them ASAP. All you need is a sense of humor, willingness to change, And, of course, a recreational vehicle. Any size will do.

What Bible verse speaks to you the most?
Philippians 4:8-9 – (8) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (This is the verse I used in Early Birds – the main theme of my book. The reason the verse speaks to me – I hear voices in my head. :) And sometimes the ones I listen to are the wrong ones. This verse reminds me of the One voice I should listen to.)

Give readers your brand/tagline and share how you came up with it.
Explore…Embrace…Enjoy life’s journey. I came up with this tagline to basically say – whatever we’re going through, we MUST enjoy life to the fullest. There’s no guarantee to tomorrows. Yes, Early Birds is about two couples traveling together, but their individual journeys on the road take them down different roads. Each are changed in their own way through prayer.

What led you to choose the genre in which you write?
I’ve always loved to write (poems, short stories) but it wasn’t until we rescued Maggie (our pooch) did I get the idea for Early Birds. A Christian comedy/romance. We joked that our dog wanted us to quit our jobs, sell everything, buy an RV and hit the road so we could spend more time with her. We took her advice and I thought this was such a great idea for a book – I ran with it. Fictionalizing everything, of course.

What is your hope for the readers of your books?
This is back to my tagline. Enjoy the journey you’re on. I want my readers to know that my characters are human and have struggles. But with the Lord help and lots of prayer, they can overcome anything.

Give us the description of the ideal person you wish would read your book.
A Hollywood mogul who would clamor to make it into a movie. J

What can we expect from you in the future?
More RV adventures with the Early Birds. Sequel in the future.

Please include buy links and your website/FB/Twitter etc links.
Amazon link:  https://goo.gl/qCkT45
Facebook: Janetta Fudge-Messmer
Twitter: Janetta Messmer@nettiefudge


LIGHTNING ROUND   

Biscuits or Dinner Roll?
BISCUITS
Vacation: Beach or Mountains?
Mountains, of course.
Birthday Card: Email or Snail Mail?
Snail mail
Coffee or Tea?
COFFEE
Dogs or Cats?
Dog, for sure. Maggie rules



Janetta Fudge-Messmer is an inspirational author, editor and speaker who resides in Florida. Or wherever the wind blows with her husband of 34 years. She's received Honorable Mention for fiction and nonfiction articles from Byline Magazine. She also received Honorable Mention for a fiction article from Writer's Digest Magazine. Her article, "A Working Relationship" was published in Guideposts Magazine. Guideposts Books published, "Shorthaired Miracle”. Along with writing, Janetta enjoys editing, and helping others get their manuscripts in tip-top shape. Janetta, her husband Ray and precious pooch Maggie, became fulltime RVers in 2012 and travel the USA in their Minnie Winnie.  



My tagline includes, Enjoy life’s journey. 

How do you ‘enjoy’ the journey you’re on?

Janetta, thanks for sharing!


Readers, thanks for visiting Lagniappe.


I pray you find 
"a little something extra" 
in each of your days.

Marian

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Enjoyed the interview and Early Birds sounds like a fun read that I can't pass up. Just got it on my tablet.

Carla Rossi said...

Congratulations, Janetta! I'm so glad it's out. Can't wait to download and share the news with John. Enjoy the ride, and here's to many more!

Linda Rainey said...

I love the blog post and can't wait to read the book.
I was a full time RVer in the 90's with my last husband. We travelled working Flea markets and I worked as a travelling Nurse.
I love the lifestyle.