Celebrating 200 Episodes with Teri M. Brown: A Journey Through Words and Inspiration

In our landmark 200th episode part three of “Book Lover’s Companion,” I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the incredible author and regular guest, Teri M. Brown. Known for her engaging stories and vibrant characters, Teri has been a beloved contributor to our podcast, enlightening listeners with her insightful perspectives on writing, her varied projects, and the rollercoaster that life often presents.

**A Multitude of Projects**

Teri M. Brown is not just an author; she is a creator navigating multiple lanes. During our conversation, she shared insights into her most recent projects, including an inspirational memoir with guided journaling titled “10 Little Rules for a Double But Adventure” and a children’s book called “Little Lola and her Big Dream.” The former is not just about a tandem bicycle adventure across the United States, but a deeper dive into living beyond one’s comfort zone. The latter, inspired by her granddaughter, encourages young readers to dream big and hold onto those dreams despite naysayers.

Despite personal setbacks, such as her late husband’s passing, Teri continues to explore new creative avenues. She holds numerous ideas for future projects, demonstrating her resilience and passion for writing. Teri’s candidness about her struggles with humor since her husband’s passing highlights her authenticity, making her stories resonate even more with her audience.

**The Power of Collaboration**

Teri also discussed her involvement in anthologies, which highlight lesser-known women in history through a collection of diversified stories. Such collaborative efforts bring together various authors, some seasoned and others new to the literary world, to weave tales that span centuries and continents. These endeavors, while challenging, as Teri humorously notes, are incredibly rewarding and illustrate the importance of community in the literary world.

**Books, Reading, and Everything In Between**

A recurring theme in our discussion was the love of reading. Teri emphasized the importance of being an avid reader when aspiring to be a writer. Reading widely exposes one to varied genres and writing styles, which in turn nourishes a writer’s craft. Whether it’s a fast-paced thriller that leaves readers breathless or historical fiction that immerses them in another era, each genre offers its unique lessons.

We also touched upon the current trends in reading, discussing everything from the resurgence in book readership among the younger generation to the evolving formats through which people consume stories, like audiobooks and e-books. Teri sees value in all forms of book consumption, viewing them as valid ways to experience the narrative crafted by an author.

**Crafting Characters and The Narrative Journey**

Creating characters that resonate with readers hinges on making them real and relatable, a notion that Teri highlighted through her experiences with editing and character development. She shared the learning curves she has encountered, such as rendering a perfect character less engaging than a flawed one. Her insights underscored the importance of character depth and relatability in compelling storytelling.

**Looking Forward**

As we wrapped up, Teri gave us a glimpse into her future endeavors. She is working on a contemporary humorous novel about a woman navigating menopause, drawing inspiration from her youthful reading of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Additionally, she has exciting prospects for a historical fiction with elements of mystery and thriller. Teri’s upcoming projects promise to continue her tradition of delivering heartfelt and relatable stories to her readers.

In conclusion, the conversation with Teri M. Brown for our special 200th episode was not only enlightening but also deeply encouraging. Her journey underscores the resilience of creativity and the endless possibilities storytelling can bring. Thank you for joining us in celebrating this milestone, and we look forward to bringing you more captivating discussions and insights in the episodes to come.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to our podcast and join us next time for more enriching conversations with incredible authors. Until then, happy reading!

Yours sincerely,

M. Maurice