Coffee with Bobi Gentry Goodwin

It’s Thanksgiving morning, so let’s take a little break, sit down with the authors we love, and get to know them better.

Today, I have Bobi Gentry Goodwin visiting to talk about about her new book, Figs in Bloom, what inspired the story as well as any advice she might have for aspiring writers.

 So grab a cup of your favorite drink while you let that casserole or turkey cook and enjoy the chat.

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to Back Porch Reads! Thank you for joining me, Bobi. It is so lovely to chat with you.

You are a new author to many of my readers and myself, so please share with us a little bit of what inspired you to start writing.

Inspiration comes from multiple places. Writing was never a place of inspiration for me, it was a gift given to me. Stories simply poured out of me. For as long as I can remember, I was writing. I have written poetry, short stories, ideas, and feelings since elementary school. I found myself diving deep into the lives of the characters and worlds I created. Smiling and laughing to myself about the dialogue. Crying about their losses and hurts. And as those moments grew, so did my love for the gift of writing.

It isn’t ironic that all these years later, I continue to do the same thing. Sit with pen and paper documenting ideas in my head as I construct a world other than my own. Excitedly passing my work to people closest to me to see if they find the same joy that I did. Sitting with anxiety while I hope my audience will understand, enjoy, and be touched by what I have written. I have read my writings more than anyone else, and with each creation, I find that I am most inspired. And I am grateful that the gift I have been given has blessed more than anyone else I know.

That’s wonderful.

Now, how many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have authored four books including fiction and non-fiction. It has been so fun to write from both sides of the table.

My fiction novel, Revelation was a blast to write. I write by the seat of my pants so fiction has always been exciting for me. I never know how the story will unfold. I start with themes, concept, and even goals, but the twists and turns that came up surprised me as well as some of my readers.

Non-fiction was certainly a different process. I have authored two non-fiction Bible studies. FIGS in Bloom and STRONG ROOTS which both stretched me in different ways. Much of the content is the same, but the process felt different. I’ve learned so much in the process of writing non-fiction. Writing Bible studies is a process that  is much more methodical and requires a lot of intricacies that my fiction writing did not. However, non-fiction writing was also a lot of fun, but in a very different way. I often found myself marveling at things I discovered during studying and in my own personal time with the Lord.

I have recently finished a non-published Bible Study for adults and I would have to say that this project has been my absolute favorite. It is a Bible Study and devotional that encourages and enlightens. I am so excited as I begin the process of fine tuning this work and even more thrilled to see what the Lord has planned for it.

Since you have written in two different genres, what advice would you give a new writer or someone just starting out?

The most important advice I was ever given was to just write. This advice has served me throughout my life and the best I could offer to a new writer. Write. Write well. Write poorly. Write scared. Write confident. Simply write. The more you write, the more your voice develops. The more you write, the more habitual it becomes.  The more you write, the more mistakes you make. The more you write, the more success you’ll have. The more your write, the more you discover about yourself, your talent, and your tenacity.

It’s simple, but its true.

 I 100% agree. Sometimes we complicate it too much and then psyche ourselves out.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Writing in the middle of the night is one of my biggest writing quirks. When God downloads something into my mind, I have to get out of bed and immediately write it down. Experiencing a download is one of the most exciting things that happens to me as a writer and I try to honor those moments with my attention and intention. My husband doesn’t like the disruption, but I do.  It is in these moments I know that writing is my calling and not my occupation. Sometimes I cant even read my writing the next morning, but I am never surprised that it is better than anything I could have come up with on my own. It’s quirky, but it works for me.

 I love that. You know it’s God because no one wants to be up in the middle of the night.

So, about Figs In Bloom, what was the inspiration for the story?

All trees have the capacity to blossom, but it depends on where they are planted, how they are watered and fed, how they are tended to. The inspiration for FIGS in Bloom was birthed out of my desire to sow seeds not only into God’s daughters, but in their caregivers as well. There are many influences impacting children and families today. Children spend more time on social media than with their families or even hearing their own voices. Amongst all the distractions I wanted to create a tool that amplified the voice and intention of the one that matters the most. The voice of God and His desire for us to be connected to one another.

Where do I get started? How will I do this? What will I teach? How will I keep them engaged? FIGS in Bloom seeks to answer those questions and many more. It was created to empower adults to use this resource as a guide to connect children to the Word of God, themselves, and their peers, so they can watch them blossom right before their eyes.  

That sounds interesting and congratulations on your continued creative ventures. I pray God continues to bless you as you carry on the mission he has placed on your heart. 

Thank you again, Sunshine, for joining me today. I hope this tour blesses you, and I look forward to seeing more from you. 

Readers, please be sure to keep reading and enter the giveaway. 

About the Book

Book: Figs in Bloom

Author: Bobi Gentry Goodwin

Genre: Bible Study Curriculum for Girls Small Group Leaders/Parents

Release Date: June, 2023

The Bible is rich with families, communities, songs, poems, principles, and power. It allows the reader to learn of God and His ultimate plan for His people through the coming of Jesus Christ. Stories of heroism, courage, perseverance, and pain fill its pages and are often displayed through the lives of Biblical characters.

The FIGS in Bloom Bible Study and Group Curriculum seeks to foster independence, growth, and spirituality in God’s precious girls by highlighting Bible personalities. FIGS is comprised of twelve lessons complete with Bible study, teacher tactics, scripture memorization, group games, journal writing prompts, and more. Biblical stories of hope, uniqueness, sacrifice, and love seek to encourage each student to blossom and take God with them as they learn to navigate the twists and turns of life.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Bobi Gentry Goodwin is a native San Franciscan. The Bay Area was where she first discovered her love for people and their stories. She has held a passion for writing since early childhood and as a Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist, her mission field has been working with women and children. Bobi is a spiritual growth enthusiast that writes inspirational fiction, Bible Studies, and blog articles. She has been a contributing writer to Chicken Soup for the Soul and her story “Gentrified” was featured in the anthology Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis. She is a wife, mother of two, licensed minister, and an avid member of her local church. She hosts the Finding Forever Podcast and in her free time enjoys dancing, walking, and spending time with her fur baby.

More from Bobi

Parenting a teenager is hard work! Finding ways to communicate with a teen can feel like finding a safe place to step into a field of landmines. One wrong word, one wrong look, and one wrong directive can lead to a literal explosion. With so much on their minds as they navigate hormones, social groupings, social media, and academics. How can parents find the space to sit them down and share the Word of God?

As a parent of two teenage daughters, many times I felt stumped. I couldn’t even get my words to move them, let alone God’s. But I knew His Word was exactly what they needed. What He says about them is much more valuable than anything I could offer, and that is how FIGS was birthed. FIGS in BLOOM is a Bible study guide centered around a social group approach to learning God’s Word in a non-threatening way. It is centered on a socialization approach that invites kids into a community grounded in food, fun, and fellowship.

FIGS served as a template to pull my teenage girls close while so many things sought to pull them apart. Hosting meetings in my home surrounded by my teenage girl and her friends allowed deep seeds to be planted in me and them. I learned, they learned. I laughed, and they laughed. I prayed, and they prayed. And I am certain that in the end, God got all the Glory!

Blog Stops

Splashes of Joy, November 17 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 18

Blossoms and Blessings, November 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 19

Texas Book-aholic, November 20

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 22

Back Porch Reads, November 23 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 24

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 25 (Author Interview)

amandainpa, November 25

Cover Lover Book Review, November 26

Guild Master, November 27 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 28

A Reader’s Brain , November 29 (Author Interview)

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, November 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Bobi is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of Figs in Bloom!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.