OPEN THIS BOOK and let Pam Kumpe splash your day with fun. As an encourager she invites you into her world, a place filled with chaos, blonde moments and always, always filled with a trust in God.SHE KNOWS FIRSTHAND how the smallest chuckle can soothe a troubled heart or lift a spirit. Her heartwarming and humorous stories along with tender truths will remind you of God's love.
SHARE A MOMENT with this "Funny Newspaper Woman," as her mishaps inspire women to accept themselves and enjoy their lives. This book can be a great gift for anyone who needs a laugh.
-from the back book cover
Without further ado...
I bring you, an Interview with Pam:
Tell me a little bit about your background and your family.
I’m an identical twin, the older by five minutes. My mother planned for one baby, only two were birthed. Melody and Pamela. Identical blonde haired, blue-eyed chubby girls. Chubby still hangs on a little for me. I grew up shy, allowing my twin sister to speak for the both of us. She did so proudly, and I followed — always stepping one step behind her and I loved having her for my leader.
Then she went off to New York and I found myself in college in California; I had to talk, to speak. But how could I? I had never needed to say a word in the past. God pushed, nudged and opened my mouth. He guided me with His still small voice, and little by little my gift of gab (I think it’s a gift) took over, as my love for storytelling grew by leaps and bounds.
My parents met in gangster city, otherwise known as Hot Springs, AR. Dad was a chef, my mother a waitress. We lived there until daddy discovered his throat cancer. In 4th grade, we moved to Arizona for his treatments and we grew up in Phoenix. We twirled, took part in Girl Scouts and played fast pitch softball. We said y’all in a “you guys” world, and we called East Phoenix High School home.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies?
My spare time is wrapped around words, as I host a podcast “Daybreak Devotionals”, read and review books for Thomas Nelson Books, and recently I’ve taken a freelance post as a radio host, interviewing people with a passion for Christ. I also have taught Kids Super Church for nearly 20 years. They won’t let me graduate. I’m not so sure I want to.
When I’m sitting at home, my miniature schnauzer is on my lap. Her name is Macy; she loves barking, dog biscuits and my stories. And like any sensible woman, I love to shop and my sister and I make it a priority at least once a month.
How did you get involved in writing?
I journaled for years during my shy phrase, and currently have about 17 journals recapping the past 25 years of my life, and that of those I’ve met. I freelanced with newsletters and magazines, trying to overcome the shy and introverted part of me that did its best to live on. I wrote some columns for a community newspaper and found my ‘brave’ badge. Now I write for a daily paper, write the column and have written more than a 1000 features for them during the past 10 years. I also write for several magazines.
Where did you get the idea for the book?
From my 10 year stint of writing inspirational newspaper columns. The columns that show up in the paper range from serious, to surprise with most of them centering on humor. I gathered up some humor ideas, wrote some new stories and since I write for the paper — “See You in the Funny Papers,” seemed like a fit.
How did you think of the title of the book and where do you find the inspiration for your columns?
Funny stories. Being a Newspaper gal. People often told me — be careful what you do around Pam, she’ll write about you in her column. I didn’t use anyone for the book per se, but opted to focus on my own journey of laughing, loving and finding my brave badge to speak up for God. I see stories in just about every chapter of my day; it’s about looking and being nosey. Yes, I’m nosey.
What do you hope readers will walk away with after reading this book?
I pray the reader walks away with a chuckle, and with an uplifting sense of knowing God is most likely very entertained with us. He’s the ultimate voice of encouragement, and I want others to know that’s my source of joy, my source of hope –He’s the place I go when life gets hard, or heavy. He gave me an identical twin, the mirror of myself; but I truly want my life to mirror His. And since He knows I’ll stumble along the way, my blonde moments and chaos are stepping stones to God’s grace. If He loves me, He’ll love anybody!
Pam Kumpe is an inspirational newspaper columnist, host of the podcast "Daybreak Devotionals" and speaker whose work has helped many people find their smile. For more about Pam visit her website. Keep up with her on her blog. Or, Wanna buy her book? Order it now from Amazon.
Due to some chaos in my own life over the past week I haven't finished reading this book yet, so I won't have a review to share with you for another couple of days. When I had the opportunity to review this and join in on the blog tour I knew I had to get in on the action. The book sounded great and I'm all about having myself a good laugh. Who knew how inspirational and truly uplifting this book would be? I knew it'd be a fun read, but I didn't know how much I'd enjoy it until now. Again, I haven't finished quite yet so I can't really share my thoughts until I've gotten them all together. Check back in a few days, and I promise I'll have the review posted. In the meantime, I will say though that if you haven't had the chance to pick up Pam's book, there's never a better time than the present. You won't regret it!
-Bookish Mom, aka RebekahC
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