Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Mollie Ouellette and I am a 47-year-old Christian woman from Hornell, NY. I live there with my son, nephew, niece, and sister. I have 5 Cats Ruthie, Care Bear, Lovey, Fluffy, and Hannah. My son also has a dog named Nikko who also lives with us. I was born in the city an hour and a half away but my parents moved to Hornell when I was just 2 years old. My parents were alcoholics and my dad was a veteran of the Vietnam War. I experienced a lot of traumatic things at a young age but I also saw miracles from God happen during my younger years which led me to believe in God and a relationship with Him. I became a mom at 17 years old. I accepted Jesus as my Savior at age 19 years old. My journey to finding God’s Love began. It was a year after I accepted Jesus’ Savior I was diagnosed with AIDS with two weeks to live. It was 10 years of suffering and pain until God healed me in 2008. I have been undetectable since then. I was having blood transfusions weekly but it all stopped when God healed me. My doctors were very confused but I told them God healed me. I experienced a lot of heartache from abuse, contracting AIDS disease, my parents’ deaths from lung cancer, and a painful divorce. I also lost my Uncle Gil from a heart attack and my stepdad Paul. They both passed away and following their deaths my 5 kitties passed away from Parvo. After my divorce, I dated my ex-boyfriend Lee and then we broke up. I decided to go back to college to finish my degree and graduate. I will be graduating next month but the graduation ceremony will not be until April 29, 2015. I am still undetectable and in pretty good health. God has been taking me from Tears to Joy and I am a new person because of God. His Love changed me into the Christian woman I am today.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Tears To Joy”?
A2. The key challenge that I faced while writing my book was losing my ex-boyfriend. My ex-boyfriend was arrested for child pornography while I was writing my book Tears to Joy. It was shortly after I met my husband and I also experienced a cervical which led to me having a full hysterectomy at a young age then my mom passed away from lung cancer. My husband and I were married but then were separated and that is when I lost my dad to lung cancer, then a painful divorce, and another painful breakup with Lee.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your writing?
A3. I would have to say Joyce MMeyers’sbooks I have influenced my writing because it was her book Living Confidently and Boldy Without Fear that led me to write and publish Tears to Joy.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. My favorite spot is the beach. I can just stand on the seashore and feel all my stress melt away. God made a beautiful world and a breathtaking ocean to just watch and listen to the waves. I do not live by a beach but I have visited 2 beaches one in Virginia other Gulf Coast of Mexico. I have a dream to live on the beach one day but if not then to visit again would be just as good.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Tears To Joy’?
A5. What inspired me to write my book Tears to Joy was when I was diagnosed with AIDS I promised God if he would let me live then I would tell everyone all He has done for me. I also wanted others to know that God heals and gives miracles today. I wanted them to know the love of God I have experienced and let them know how God’s Love changed me.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Tears To Joy’?
A6. It took several years to write Tears to Joy. I am currently revising it a little more because I thought the book was done but God had more in store from tears of sorrow to tears of joy.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. You can find my book on various platforms such as Outskirts Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble as well other platforms including my website Tears To Joy by Mollie Ouellette, published by Outskirts Press
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Tears To Joy’.
A8. The book title Tears to Joy came up with because I had gone through so many tears but then I was experiencing joy so I decided Tears to Joy would be the perfect book title. The cover was done through Outskirts Press and I had nothing to do with the making of the cover just paid for it.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. When writing either a book or on my blog website I find topics that would engage my readers and you can find my blog at Healing Grace.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. The most valuable piece I have given about writing is to do with all your heart, be honest, and never give up on your dreams as a writer or author.
Buy Tears to Joy on Amazon
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