About the Book

Book: Both Sides of the Border

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release date: March 30, 2021

Inspired by True Current Events.

Dolores, Ernesto, and Emilio Sanchez are on a quest to America to find work and to save their family, who has been devastated by their father’s accident and the drought in their home country of Honduras. But making their way to America would be too expensive for a family stricken by poverty. With only their faith in God to see them through, the teenaged siblings set off for their new home, despite the threat from the cartel, corrupt police officers, starvation, and death.

Meanwhile, Eva Jordan is determined to start a new life on the American side of the Mexican border, hoping to shake off the scars from a horrible marriage. Despite her mother’s concern for her daughter living so close to the border, Eva decides to take a vacation to the other side to sharpen up her Spanish and relax before her new job begins. She is struck by the beautiful towns of Mexico, but slowly, her eyes are opened to the dangers that are knocking at her front door.

When a hurricane washes away the border walls, will the two sides collide in hatred or unite in perfect harmony?

Author Interview

Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?

Generally, I have an idea of the plot, but I am, as they say, a “seat of the pants” plotster. Once I have an idea for the general story, characters, and conflicts, I begin. The characters tend to take over (unless they misbehave and I have to rethink how the book is going).

What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?

Balancing writing with life. Many days, I want to write straight through to the next day. That kind of effort interferes with life. Taking breaks is a good thing-just hard to do when the characters are moving along rapidly in the plot. This is only during the first draft stage. Once the first draft is completed, the edits, re-edits, and more edits, are easier to pull away from and do other things.

What would you say is the easiest aspect of writing?

The process of creating is the easiest aspect. That is when things flow

right along. The editing, wordsmithing, beta reading, more editing,

are not easy for me.

Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then and there?

Yes, if possible. I am so blessed to have a middle of the night muse. Those are the nights I find myself at the computer around 3:00 AM and my poor husband, no matter how quiet I try to be, is awakened!

If an idea pops into my head during the day, and I am not at the computer, I jot down a few remarks on my phone then take it up as soon as possible.

Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?

I can write anywhere-my living room with a movie on, riding in the car, or in a coffee shop. It is only a direct interruption that causes a break (What’s for dinner, etc.). My main place to write is in my office with wonderful windows overlooking our pond and palm trees in the backyard. My patio is another place I like to go to write.

When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?

At the age of nine, my fourth grade teacher took an interest. I won a blue ribbon in a writing contest. But I never really thought about being a “writer.” Writing was required when I was a professor but it was academic writing-very different. I enjoy writing and at times it is therapeutic. It is during the writing process, I feel closest to God. Much of my writing requires research and Scripture. It is very gratifying to write.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

It depends on the book and the length of the book. “Both Sides

of the Border” took many months and a couple of years to bring out for publication. My middle grader readers and children’s level books do not take quite as long.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Most of my books, at some level, are based on true events, current events, Scripture, events in my own life, and people I know and observe. Occasionally I hear something in at church that plants the seed of an idea or my middle of the night muse wakes me with an idea or inspiration.

What is your work schedule/routine when you write?

My writing happens in long spurts. During the first draft stage, I may write twelve hours at a time. During the proofing and editing stages, I work in shorter periods of time and return to the same manuscript over and over.

Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?

Absolutely without question. These bits of myself may be at different ages of my life. As for my friends, I may take characteristics of friends and combine those with other characteristics. I may also take characteristics and descriptions from pictures of people that convey emotions or unusual situations people happen to be in at the time.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Writing is a gift and can be used to further God’s work, even if by providing clean entertainment for children with underlying Biblical principles. It is also hard work. Authors appreciate groups, like Celebrate Lit which helps to get the writer’s voice out to the public.

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About the Author

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children and six grandchildren. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. She recently penned her first poetry book in honor of servicemen and women. Her book “Both Sides of the Border” is a Firebird Book Award winner in the categories of Cross-Genre, Socio-Political Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. She and her husband live in the southern tip of Texas where they enjoy semi-tropical weather and spending time with their friends and family.

More from Terry

As a Christian author, my goals in writing “Both Sides of the Border,” were to have the reader question their own understanding of the people and events of U.S.-Mexico border, analyze these world events through a Christian worldview, and enjoy the plot’s twists and turns. During their travels, the main characters of the story display different levels of their own faith. In the end, both women have increased their faith and understanding of God.