It’s always a blessing to get to introduce you to a new author. I think I’ve known Teresa for quite a while, and I’m so excited for her to release her debut novel. Teresa is graciously giving one U.S. resident a signed copy of her book and a bookmark. You’ll find the information for all that at the end of this post. For now, let’s get to know Teresa.
A former teacher and librarian, Teresa Wells treasures a story threaded with redemption and hope. She loves people, history, and studying the Bible. Teresa is a member of Novel Academy and American Christian Fiction Writers Association, where she volunteers behind the scenes. She lives with her family outside of Dallas, Texas. What Brings Us Joy is her first novel.
You can connect with her through: Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Teresa with rapid-fire.
CC: Rain or snow?
TW: Rain–it’s temporary!
CC: Makeup or no makeup?
TW: Makeup! Really. Like, every day, morning to midnight. I have too much compassion for my fellow humans to go without it!
CC: Personal maid or personal chef?
TW: Personal maid! I’d be totally okay with a full-time, live-in maid.
CC: Arrive early, just on time, or late?
TW: Early! I hope my kids’ teachers aren’t reading this … I COULD have been that mom whose kids are perpetually late! Let’s just say life is better with time to spare!
CC: Food fight or water balloon fight?
TW: Since I can’t stand having dirty, gooey, sticky hands, I’m gonna go for the water balloon fight. At least you’re clean at the end of it!
I get the want to be early, but having kids means being perpetually late! LOL And good point about food fights!
Do you read fiction while you are writing your own stories? Why or why not?
TW: Absolutely! More specifically, I listen to fiction. Not while I’m in the act of writing, of course, but I have an audiobook going during the time I’m plotting, drafting, revising, or editing my own book. Why? Because I can’t live without fiction! Plus, laundry is totally okay if my mind is in another time and place. What do I listen to on audio? It depends. If I’m really digging into my own storyworld, I’ll choose a contemporary romance or romantic suspense. And every once in awhile I’ll listen to a podcast–but it better be good, or I’m switching back to my fictitious world.
CC: Fictitious worlds really are so much better!
What is your favorite part about writing? Why? What is your least favorite? Why?
TW: I love discovering the characters. I fill out a detailed questionnaire for each one, using a spiral notebook and taking my time to really think about what makes them laugh, what they feel is an injustice, what their weaknesses and strengths are. At the end of that process, I feel like these characters are friends of mine. If I know my characters, the storytelling goes much quicker.
My least favorite? Writing the first draft. My perfectionist side dukes it out with my hurry-up-and-tell-the-story side.
CC: Drafting is SO hard. Perfectionism can be a real problem during that part of the process!
Do you have a general writing process you follow or does it change all the time? What does your process look like from beginning to end?
TW: I’ve found that planning the story ahead of the writing gives me a sense of comfort. But I also allow myself flexibility to vary from the plan if it makes the story better.
When I’m writing, I need to feel like I’m right there alongside my heroine. I’ve found that taping up Sanborn maps of my town shows me the businesses that existed at the time of my story. I’ve printed photos of people who remind me of my characters and tacked them to the closet door in my office. And this might seem a little extreme, but sometimes I need to physically act out a scene. In What Brings Us Joy, Delia is an expert needlewoman. To place myself in her shoes, I did cross stitch. Doing that reminded me of all the stray threads that land on your clothes when you’re sewing, and of how tedious it is to thread a needle. In book two of this series, my heroine loves gardening. I might have to put aside my fear of wasps and bees and plant a little garden in my backyard!
CC: I also dive into trying to do as much as I can of my characters. The more hands-on you can be about learning your characters, the more authentic they can be.
How have you seen God work in your writing journey?
TW: He’s allowed me to feel more dependent on Him, especially when insecurity rears its ugly head. When I give those feelings to Him and ask for His guidance, I feel stronger, more sure of His purpose in my life. The situation doesn’t change, but my ability to cope with it does, with His help.
CC: There is nothing like writing to teach you how dependent you are on Him.
Why do you write Christian fiction?
TW: I’ve tried writing clean, no mention of the Lord, but I just can’t do it. To me, a world with no mention of the Lord feels empty.
CC: I understand that. I love that God has called different writers to reach different audiences and none is better than another, just all serving His purpose.
Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?
TW: My biggest advice is to know your end goal. If it’s to get your thoughts on paper, then go for it! Write in a journal to your heart’s content. If you want to write for publication, whether short stories or full length novels, then devote yourself to learning the craft at least six months before you try to get a publishing contract.
CC: Those are all good things to keep in mind.
Now I’m excited to talk about What Brings Us Joy.
1895: After losing their Georgia home, eighteen-year-old Delia Truitt and her family move to Blooming Grove, Texas, to work for a relative on a ramshackle farm. Set on helping her family dig out of their impoverished circumstances, she plans to open a dressmaker’s shop, combining her sewing skills and her keen fashion sense. But owning a business takes money she doesn’t have.Unless she can finish her quilt in time to enter the county fair. The prize money would be just enough to open her shop. Determined and resourceful, Delia sets her sights on success—until her heart takes an unexpected detour when she meets handsome Clarence Parker.Bent on respectability, Clarence refuses to let his past get in the way of his future happiness, especially after falling for spirited Delia Truitt. But his hopes shatter when headlines declare members of his former gang have broken out of jail and are heading his way, set on revenge. Though Clarence doesn’t regret testifying against the outlaws, he fears his future with Delia is in jeopardy. Clarence will protect her from the killers, even if it means risking their future together.
Can Clarence keep her safe? And will Delia love him after she finds out about his past?
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CC: What will fans of What Brings Us Joy love about your story and characters?
TW: I hope they can relate to the struggles and dilemmas Delia and Clarence go through.
CC: I definitely love how you have the storyline of Clarence’s past standing in the way. So many people struggle with the question of if people can really change.
TW: At first, it was going to be a dual-timeline story, but before long, the contemporary story hit a dead-end, and the historical side went full speed ahead. So I dropped the modern story and focused on the 1895 time period. But I kinda went overboard! I ended up with two stories within one book, which doesn’t work! I had to decide which story spoke to me more, and said goodbye to the other half. I didn’t toss it out, though! Pieces of that version will show up in the next two books in the series.
CC: It’s so easy to make our first books have too much in them. I’m guilty of doing that even now! LOL
TW: I was captivated by all the snide jokes in newspapers toward women who spent time crazy quilting. It gave a good representation of 1890’s cultural view of women, for one thing. The condescension in those “jokes” made me cringe!
CC: Yeah. It was a tough season for women’s respectability.
TW: Delia and Rabb were my favorites to write. I loved their banter. Writing that was very natural. Clarence was a little harder to write. I didn’t want him to come off too self-righteous, though he certainly is that. I also didn’t want his past to overshadow his current effort to live an ethical and honest way of life.
CC: That is definitely a hard balance.
TW: I hope readers walk away knowing that people can change, with the help of the Lord.
CC: Amen.
I always like to end with a fun question so . . .
TW: The front! I need the full view of what lies ahead!
CC: LOL Sometimes I’m afraid to see what’s coming so kudos to you!
Reader, have you ever quilted or sewn anything? Are you any good or was it a disaster?
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of What Brings Us Joy. Comment on the blog and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 p.m. EST on 7/29/2025. Open to legal U.S. residents. See Giveaway Policies for more details.
Yes, I have. Quilting was ok. Sewing, not so good. The sewing machine doesn’t like me.
I’m quite the disaster myself when it comes to sewing. LOL
I get it, Lisa! The sewing machine has never liked me!
My mother sewed and quilted, and all three of my daughters make beautiful quilts, but I can’t even hem my own pants. Somehow that sewing gene skipped right past me lol.
LOL. I feel you on that. My mom made a quilt for my brother, and now she makes all sorts of little sewing projects, but my hemming skills leave something to be desired. . .
The sewing gene totally skipped me, too!
Not a sewer at all! I can’t even imagine trying to quilt. This book sounds super interesting. Wishing her the best of luck on her book!
If I hadn’t watched my mom sew, I would have no idea of it, but it is an huge undertaking.
Thank you, Gina!
I really enjoyed the interview! I’m definitely putting the book on my Want to Read list. 🙂
I do sew and enjoy it! I have never quilted (yet) but my Grannie did. We have a few of her quilts and I always love when we look at them and my mom points out different squares stating “I had a dress made from that!” 🙂
Awww. That is so wonderful.
What wonderful keepsakes! Thank you for putting What Brings Us Joy on your TBR!
Thank you so much for the interview, Crystal! Your website is a treasure trove for both readers and authors! Kudos!
It’s a joy to have you here!
This book sounds great, and I loved the interview! I have, and do sew, mostly hand stitched projects, such as sewing up holes in shirts, or having to add lace to the bottom of a dress the night before I need it (ah procrastinating…😂) I’ve never made a quilt, but have always loved them! My mom sister and I used to collect scraps of material to create a quilt, it’s still on our to-do list though!
I love that you know how to do all that and that you and your mom/sister and still planning on making a quilt together.
My mom and my sister are excellent sewers. And I mean really excellent. Although I’ve tried, I just don’t have enough talent, but I do admire everyone that sews and knits. They’re true artists!
Thanks for the chance of the giveaway! New author to me and the book sounds great!
I’m with you in being in awe of others!