A Journey of Hope and Healing
Teresa E. Nelson discusses her writing journey, the influence of her life experiences, and how faith shapes her compelling narratives.
In the heart of central Minnesota, Teresa E. Nelson crafts stories that resonate with authenticity and depth, drawing from a rich tapestry of life experiences. With a diverse background that spans teaching, social services, and pastoral leadership, Teresa brings a unique perspective to her writing. Her journey began with a lifelong dream to leave a legacy of hope and truth through literature, culminating in the publication of her first book, Tender Mercies for Tough Moments, in 2017. This devotional not only reflects her personal struggles and triumphs but also serves as a beacon of light for those navigating their own challenges.
Teresa’s literary contributions extend beyond devotionals; her mystery series, Secrets of Souls River, intertwines gripping narratives with profound themes of faith, justice, and redemption. Her ability to weave complex characters and relatable scenarios showcases her deep understanding of the human condition, shaped by years of service to others. Readers are drawn into her worlds, where they encounter not just thrilling plots but also the transformative power of forgiveness and the search for spiritual truth. Teresa’s work is a testament to her belief that stories can heal, inspire, and connect us all, making her a cherished voice in contemporary Christian literature.
In this interview, Teresa shares insights into her writing process, the challenges she addresses in her work, and the profound impact of her faith on her storytelling. Join us as we delve into the mind of an author whose words are as impactful as her life’s mission.
Your first book, Tender Mercies for Tough Moments, offers readers a 31-day journey into the blessings of God. What inspired you to write this devotional, and how did your own experiences shape the messages you wanted to share?
The lifelong dream to publish a book was brought to fruition when I ministered to the inmates at the local correctional facility. Their stories were heartbreaking, and I knew they needed a tangible resource to use for their own spiritual and personal growth. This book provided a path for them to access the needed love and power of God in the tough situations in which they found themselves: homeless, incarcerated, angry, poverty stricken, addicted, depressed, ill and oppressed in some fashion.
In my own life, I have experienced poverty, oppression, parenting, and cancer twice. I have overcome those challenges and am entirely grateful. These hardships, in combination with twenty-five years of working with people in need and being a student of the Bible, I believe set me in a place whereby I could write this book with legitimacy.
In Whisper County, you weave a gripping Christian thriller that explores themes of faith, justice, and the pursuit of truth. How did your background as a pastor and community leader influence the development of this story, and what message do you hope readers take away from it?
As a youth, I was guided wisely by a pastor and personally experienced the influence leadership can provide. Strategically placed leaders with a heart of compassion can move mountains for people because they provide practical solutions delivered with sincere encouragement.
Likewise, in Whisper County and Cloudburst County, I created strong and compassionate characters in leadership roles who attempted to guide the lost or apprehend the criminals.
Through the challenges and resolve of the character’s realistic lives, I hope to lead the readers to a personal connection with Jesus Christ, experience the life-changing power of forgiveness, and be set free from what imprisons their own souls.
You’ve had a diverse career, from teaching and social service to leading nonprofit organizations and now pastoring a rural church. How have these various roles influenced your writing, particularly in terms of the themes you explore and the characters you create?
From being a teen waitress to working as a seasoned pastor, my entire life has been about serving and helping people. In the books I write, there is always a problem for the protagonists caused by antagonists with realistic observers and commenters. My exposure to both victim and victimizer in roles such as social services case manager and corrections has allowed me to write believable scenarios. Assisting people with various physical and practical needs in my caregiving leadership role equipped me with knowledge and courage to write concerning the painful things of life and death.
I believe the search for spiritual truth and personal freedom is the soul’s greatest desire. In tales of mystery and complex interpersonal relationships, I attempted to entice each reader to discover these truths as revealed in the unfolding of each story.
Your work often delves into difficult topics like poverty, cancer, and the struggles of life in rural communities. How do you approach writing about these challenges, and how does your faith inform your perspective on these issues?
Much of what I write, I have experienced myself such as the trials of poverty, farming, disappointment, challenging relationships and cancer. I trust I am writing from my heart about these things. Because I know these issues, I put them into the lives of fictional folks and added my observations and small wisdom to it while allowing my active imagination to insert creative twists and some humor.
My faith in God, in whom I place my entire life and eternity, prompts me to see people through their need rather than their faults. Consequently, I created characters with similar beliefs, and some with contrasting beliefs. As in life, not all people respond to such spiritual nurturing and live with hard hearts.
In Tender Mercies for Tough Moments, you aim to provide comfort and guidance to those dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, and other life challenges. What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with these issues and looking to strengthen their faith?
Anyone seeking to overcome life’s various challenges do best by seeking God with their whole heart, being repentant, and developing a strong personal grace-filled relationship with Jesus Christ. I also encourage the struggling individual to surround themselves with people of faith who will serve as counselors and mentors who can guide them and teach them the truths revealed in the Bible.
You’ve spoken about the impact that your childhood on a farm and the stories shared at your adoptive mother’s kitchen table had on you. How do these early experiences continue to influence your writing today, and how do you draw upon them to create the rich, authentic settings in your books?
The kitchen table was a place of love and growth for me, with strong family conversation three times a day. When neighbors came to buy eggs or just for a cup of coffee, it was never singly about those things. It was a means to share their lives with my mother whose compassion and counsel caused them to feel better when they left than when they came.
Also, my parents shared with my brother and I the realities of the Great Depression, WWII, and the challenges and rewards of raising cattle and crops necessary for our lives. Protective, yet powerful, their lives demonstrated living with faith and fortitude while working arduously day and night. The settings in the books have their roots in that place, and prompt me to remain genuine in my writing. The raw and real place of my upbringing propels me to echo these qualities in the lines I write.
