Author Leigh Ann Thomas is a forever North Carolina girl. After short stays in Louisiana and North Dakota, she and her husband, Roy, believe central NC is the perfect magical place to enjoy day trips to the mountains or the coast. Oak Island is her favorite place to “simply breathe.”
As a child, her mother instilled in her a love of reading, and if there was ever an idle moment, she would fill her hands with a book or a broom. She preferred the book and dabbled in writing throughout her childhood, into her teen years, and journaled as a young mom.
Although she enjoys writing short stories and flash fiction, her passion lies with using the power of story to share biblical truths in nonfiction. “My heart longs for women to know they are loved unconditionally by an amazing God and that no matter our age, He continues to have plans and purpose for our lives.”
Her first published work was a short drama written for her church drama team. “When this was published, I was hopelessly enchanted with writing and knew I had discovered my passion. In 1999, I held my first book, a church drama collection from New Hope Publishers.” Her second book was a devotional for young mothers, Time Out: A Quiet-time Devotional for Busy Moms, released by Barbour Publishing in 2000.
“With two books on store shelves, I would like to say I eagerly continued using my gifts and passions to serve God through writing. But for the next ten years, I pushed aside the very thing that gave me joy. I allowed fear to wreak havoc in my heart and my spirit ran from putting pen to paper.
After years in the belly of the whale, I broke spiritually and emotionally and lay my fears at the feet of Jesus. That step of faith led to writing for various magazines and websites, including Southern Writers Magazine, Power for Living, Just18Summers.com and IntheQuiver.com.”
In 2017 her third book, Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace—Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride came to fruition with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and was an Illumination Award Medalist. This year another heart-project will be published with Elk Lake Publishing, Inc—Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone: Inspiration for Women in the Middle.
“Through my writing journey, God continues to show me that His plans are best, and He is forever faithful and true. He’s taught me that my writing must overflow from my relationship with Him. When He and I are walking in step, it keeps the fear at bay and infuses me with strength, purpose, and excitement.
My advice to new writers would be to focus on the simple joys of writing and to recognize and cherish God’s pleasure as you write to glorify Him. If we place too much emphasis on publication, marketing, and numbers, we can lose our way. But if we write for the One who created us, we can trust the results to His more-than-capable hands.”
Leigh Ann’s books can be purchased on her Amazon Author page, and she invites you to connect with her on her website at www.leighathomas.com.
I am so proud of this sweet Christian girl! Her writing is a gift to so many of us. So honored that I was chosen to be her 6th grade teacher!
Thank you for commenting, Catherine. You are indeed blessed.
Thank you for putting pen and thoughts to paper. You are such a gifted writer, and Sunday school teacher. I am glad our church can provide the stage for some of your amazing creations ! To God be the glory ❤️🙏🏻. Love you.
Loved learning more about Leigh Ann’s journey. I love these author stories Starr.💕
Thank you, Daphne. I love learning them too.
Can’t tell you how I needed to hear these words. A night of why even bother. You remind me it’s His process for His glory. Thank you, Leigh Ann and Starr.
Amen! Thank you for commenting, Renee. And may God bless and sustain you in the process.
Good word here – If we place too much emphasis on publication, marketing, and numbers, we can lose our way. Thanks for reminding us where the emphasis needs to be placed, Leigh Ann!
Thanks for your comments, Mary. Leigh Ann’s journey is very encouraging.
Thank you, Mary. I’m so thankful for God’s patience because I was a slow learner! His faithfulness (when I am not), is a precious gift.