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Carol’s Corner

June 27, 2007

This issue of Tapestry of the Word is dedicated to Tannia Ortiz-Lop?s, a regular and valued writer for Storytime Tapestry Newsletter. Since I find interview style questions very tedious,

I choose to delete the questions and present my interviews in autobiography form.

Carol Roach. M.Ed, B.A. is a freelance writer and a columnist. She is the author of “Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey” www.publishamerica.com and “Angels Watching Over Me.” http://www.lulu.com/content/644485. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from McGill University in Montreal. She is the publisher of the online newsletter, “Storytime Tapestry,” showcasing the short stories and poems of over 450 Internet writers. Champion of the underdog, Carol’s signature writing is about poverty and the ability to rise about it; giving women a voice through writing. Her writing is poignant and inspirational as she encourages everyone to “let their true heart sing” through the words that they write.

Meet Tannia:

I was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico and currently live in Germany with my husband and my two sons. From 1988 until the year 2000 I participated in the following Spanish poetry anthologies published by “El Editor Interamericano” located in Buenos Aires, Argentina; “Americanto” (1988), “Poetas Hispanoamericanos Contemporaneos” (1989),“Patria Plural” (1990),“Am?rica Po?tica” (1992), and “Expoes?a 2000”(1996). These secular poems were published under the pen name of Th?natos Lop?s. In 2004, I published my first free-style inspirational poetry book, The Window to my soul, My Walk with Jesus, with Tate Publishing under the pen name of Mary Magdalene. On March 2006, the book was voted “Best Poetry Book” by www.christianstoryteller.com. On May 2006, two local newspapers in Germany published one article each regarding my book. During 2006 I broke some grounds in Germany and had my book stocked for several months at Daub Buchhandlung, a local book store in the city of Menden , Germany . Mr. Wallentine was the first German’s book store owner who welcomed my English book. He took a chance considering the narrow market for unknown American writers in a small city in Germany . Nevertheless his risk was rewarded since the books sold very well there. Locally the book is currently available at FeG Iserlohn Evangelical Church in the city of Iserlohn , Germany .

From 2006 until present time, I have been blessed with the opportunity to publish my poetry and stories at “Storytime Tapestry Newsletter” and “Wt In Spirit” Christian magazines, both located in Canada .

In February 10, 2007 at 10:00 am EST I was interviewed by Denise Turner, host of the internet radio show, “Off the Shelf” at www.blakeradio.com In March 10, 2007 at 6:00 pm CET (Central Europe Time) I was the guest writer at Jo Linsdell’s Chat Room at jo.linsdell.tripod.com This chat room is located in Italy. During the chat I talked about my book and poetry in general. It was an hour full of fun and exchange of information.

For those of you interested in buying my book, it could be purchased directly from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com and at all major online stores worldwide.

My webpages: www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes and http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/. My blog at www.amazon.com

I am a mother by choice, a wife by the covenant of love and a writer by profession. I currently work from home; consequently I establish my own working hours. It is great to work from home and with Jesus as your Business Partner. He opens the right doors for you and keeps you in touch with the people who can help you grow professionally, personally, and spiritually.

In my previous life, I worked in the corporate world. My first job in the USA was as a data entry clerk. My English was not so great but with patience, endurance, and a self-appointed mentor I learned quickly and made many good friends. Then I did some temporary work here and there. I did some substitute teaching for a while and enjoyed it very much. It gave me more appreciation for teachers and their lower paid! Then I worked as a data entry clerk at a warehouse. I was then transferred to the inventory control depart of the company where I managed one customer account and worked with the inbound and outbound of damaged products. That job was very stressful but I had a lot of fun. My last job was customer service at a providers network.

Since my adolescent years I had a dream: “I want to be a writer.” I first started by writing verses for friends’ Valentines cards at school. Then my verses grew into poems. And finally my poems found rhythm and became songs! I also wrote some essays and adolescents short stories. Those stories helped me to cope with all my growing pains!

After graduating from high school, I went to study at the University of Puerto Rico , Ponce Campus. It was there, under the guidance of my Spanish professor, that I found my poetic voice. She also opened a door of opportunity for my young voice and poems by recommending me to the editor of “El Editor Interamericano.” I published with them from 1988 until the year 2000.

Most of my earliest writings had a secular theme. The evolution from secular writing into the inspirational genre emerged later on in my life. It all started on May 2003 with a change reaction of events totally out of my control and the beginning of a middle age identity crisis. I also had what I called “a prophetic dream” in which God called my attention and I listened attentively. This dream, in combination with these events, took me to a silent retreat during the Mother’s Day weekend. The result of that retreat was the beginning of my walk with Jesus and our writing partnership. These events brought me down to my knees and taught me to trust in God for all my needs. During my weekend of solitude, I learned to listen to God’s voice in the sound of silence. That silent retreat has been so far the best gift my husband has given me!

My inspiration for my writing comes from everywhere. It could be something I read. Perhaps, a scripture triggers a though and I let my mind lead my hands and together they do the rest. Sometimes my inspiration could be a beautiful sunny day. I once wrote a poem about the rainbow based on a rainbow painting my youngest son painted. I titled that poem “Paint me a rainbow, Lord” When I told my son that I wrote a poem based on his poem he asked me to read it to him. He loved it!

I prefer to write alone. I could be outside enjoying a beautiful day in the forest, at the beach, or simply seating on a bench in a park. I need light; a lot of light. It could be from my electricity or sun light. Rainy days make me sad; consequently those days are good to write deep-intimate devotions. Those are my soul searching and cleansing days. I like to listen to chants or instrumental melodic music when writing devotions. That music gets my mood going in the right direction.

Currently I have three projects going on at the same time. First I am working on getting the Spanish version of my book printed. I am looking for the cover page and four drawings. This book will be self-published using www.lulu.com I am hopeful the book will be available for purchase by fall 2007. I am also translating my book into German with the help of my German tutor and a German poet friend of mine. This forces me to improve my written German and at the same time it’s good practice for me.

My most ambitious project is to discover the story of a bunker buried underneath a nature preserve near my house. That bunker was used during WWII and today is closed. In the past, people were able to fully walk inside and look for weapons or other types of war memorabilia. Today were is only a small entrance where you can get in and walk a little but it leads to a dead end. There are many interesting stories around this town and I want to write about them. I am currently organizing a questionnaire to interview people and record their conversation. All this will be challenging since I have to do it in German and another step to improve my language skills! I am giving myself one year to collect the data and at least six month to write the first draft. I have lived in Germany for three years and have grown to love this country, their culture, and their tradition. I will break my heart to see those traditions disappear.

My hobbies are: hiking, riding my bike, baking, sewing, painting, and doing crafts. In addition to writing my second passion is singing. I am currently taking classical singing lessons once a week. It helps me to relax and to keep my coolness; so needed to deal with my two sons!

My first writings were secular but once I made a commitment to follow Christ, he became the center point of my writing. My writings are: inspirational, meditative, sometimes prayer like, and at times they transform into psalms and songs.

My advice to young writers is first of all, to be prepared to market their book alone and beyond their original expectations. I encourage them to pursue creative ways to market their book. I recommend they join a good critique group and learn from other seasoned writers. Be open to positive criticism, as it will help them to grow both as writers and as human beings. It is very important to always carry your business cards with you. Opportunities might come knocking on your door in the least expected ways and places. Don’t be shy to talk about your book to strangers, but don’t over do it. Be proud of your work. Don’t be discouraged by rejection letters. They are great learning tools. Read them carefully, improve your writing, and submit it again; remember you are not alone paddling that boat. So welcome aboard and cheers!

I believe we are living a time when people do not want responsibility for their actions and are always looking to blame someone else. I always tell my children, “Every action has a consequence. There is a reaction for every action and you are responsible for the outcome; so choice wisely.” People need to grow up and act more mature. They need to quit their dependence on their government and work together toward a strong country with liberties and justice for all.

When asked what are some important events that transpired in my life I would have to say that the most important one is definitely motherhood. Then I will say marrying my current husband, Peter, who brought emotional and financial stability to my chaotic world, is another important event. But the greatest gift of all came from God who found me worthy of His redemption. He also granted me my wish of attending World Youth Day in Germany on August 2005. There I found a lost friend from high school. We both found the way back to the Lord late in our life and now share our prayers together.

Some day I would like to do some missionary work, perhaps, in Latin America . I would like to share God’s love with those needing His everlasting refreshing water of justice and satisfied their hunger with the Manna from heaven, Jesus the Christ.

Tannia E. Ortiz-Lop?s is a writer by profession, a mother by choice, and a wife by the covenant of marriage.

Author’s webpages: www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes, and http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/. The author also has a blog at www.amazon.com