BLOGWORDS – Thursday 31 July 2025 – CHAT THURSDAY – MELISSA HENDERSON

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 31 July 2025 – CHAT THURSDAY – MELISSA HENDERSON

CHAT THURSDAY – MELISSA HENDERSON

 

Please give a warm feathered welcome to author and friend, Melissa Henderson.

 

rem:  Hullo Melissa, welcome. Tell us three random things about yourself.

MELISSA:  I love hummingbirds. I love reading and writing. I love sharing time with my grandchildren.

rem:  Ditto, ditto, and ditto. What is your favorite quotation and why?

MELISSA:  My favorite quotation/question comes from almost 8 years old grandson Rowan. Every time we see each other, the first thing he says is this. “Mimi, can I tell you something?”. He always has something to share. Granddaughter Eden, who is 4 and 1/2 (yes, the 1/2 is important), follows along with, “Mimi, do you know about this?” She loves to share her thoughts.

 

rem:  Nothing like time with the grandkids. When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you? Your fiction pet peeve?  

MELISSA:  I will stop reading a story if there are unnecessary curse words or graphic scenes meant for adult eyes only. There are many ways to share a story without using bad words and unnecessary scenes.

rem:  So true. What are you reading right now? 

MELISSA:  I’m reading “Nearing Home” by Billy Graham. My oldest sister, Glenda, passed into Heaven on May 2, 2025. She battled a difficult journey with pancreatic cancer. Reading Rev. Graham’s book has been very helpful. rem: My condolences, Melissa. That’s so hard.

I usually read several books at a time. I just finished the new one by Lori Hatcher. That one is titled “Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart”.

I’m also reading a new one by Savannah Carlisle. That one is “If I’d Have Known: A Heartwarming Charming Romance.”

Yes, I love to read. 😊

 

rem:  My goodness! Tell us a little about your writing journey.

MELISSA:  I started creating stories as a young girl in elementary school. My imagination was busy thinking of stories about people, places, and things. While I didn’t excel in Math and Science, my teachers noticed my writing ability was something I enjoyed and they enjoyed reading.

I continued to write through my teen years, young adult years, and began to enter contests and submit to various publications. Now, I’m in my 60’s and I have articles published with many online and in-print publications. My writing can be found in Guideposts magazines , books, and their sister publications, other various anthologies, collections with different groups, my blog, newspapers, and many other places.

rem:  So prolific, Melissa! What genre(s) do you write and why?

MELISSA:  I write inspirational messages sometimes humming with humor. Some of my pieces are more serious. But, most of my writing shares about being a grandparent, my love for God, and everyday experiences that can lead people to a closer relationship with God.

rem:  Tell us a little about your latest book? What is your current project?

MELISSA:  My two children’s books, “Licky the Lizard” and “Grumpy the Gator” have been released for a few years. The books continue to sell very well at vendor events and other places. I have a story releasing soon in a collection created by Christian Writers for Life. That story is titled “Not a Lizard House” and shares a funny story about our son bringing home a lizard for a pet. I didn’t want a lizard in our home. Interesting that years later, I would proceed to write a story about a lady becoming friends with a lizard.

rem:  And that’s the ultimate objective for us as believers. What is YOUR favorite part about the book or why do you love this book? Why should we read it?

MELISSA:  My favorite parts about my stories is that each one shares an element of faith. Read my stories to be encouraged and uplifted. You might even find a laugh or two.

rem:  That’s the best part of any Christian story, and preferable (to this reader anyway) than being overwhelmed with lengthy preachy stretches. What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with? 

MELISSA:  One take-away from my books is that we can find joy in every situation. Yes, tears will flow at times. God knows we cry. The Bible tells us that Jesus wept. Even through our tears, we can find joy in the simple things in life.

 

rem:  Absolutely! Yes and Amen! One more and then we’ll close. Do you have a life Scripture?

MELISSA:

My life Scripture changes from time to time. Today, I am focusing on “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV) Deuteronomy 31:8

rem:  Anything you’d like to add?

MELISSA:  Thank you so much for this opportunity. I pray that everyone who is considering the writing journey to begin first with prayer. I have a note taped to my computer screen that says in bold letters “PRAY FIRST”.

rem:  That should be a life directive, “PRAY FIRST.” Melissa, thank you so much for chatting with us on my blog today!

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages laced with a bit of humor. With stories in books, magazines, devotionals and more, Melissa hopes to encourage readers. Melissa is the author of “Licky the Lizard” and "Grumpy the Gator". Her passions are helping in community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon and Stephen Minister. Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at http://www.melissaghenderson.com

 

 

 

 

 

#Blogwords, Chat Thursday, Author Interview, Melissa Henderson, Licky the Lizard, Grumpy the Gator, Guideposts