An Interview with Evelyn Mann

Today, please help me welcome author Evelyn Mann to Interviews & Reviews. Evelyn is a stay at home mom who lives in Tampa, Florida raising her special needs son. She is a member of Word Weavers and has been published in the digital magazine, The Mighty. Her blog received over one million hits last year. She has been interviewed by local news and radio regarding her new book release, Miracle In My Living Room. And it is that book we are going to talk about today. 

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Welcome Evelyn! Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a 51-year-old mother raising a miracle named Samuel. My son was born with a rare form of dwarfism called Thanatophoric Dysplasia which is considered not compatible with life. But God had other plans, and he is now eleven-years-old. He is a little guy at 25 pounds, 25 inches but has a big smile which lights up the room.  I am also a first- time author, long time writer. As a teenager, I wrote travel articles for a local paper and worked on my high school newspaper. Last year I started a blog which received over one million hits. Now, I have my memoir, Miracle In My Living Room being released this month. 

Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp? 

My memoir’s message is to encourage others giving them hope that nothing is impossible with God. And to encourage others to believe that miracles still happen today. Before having my son, I’d heard of miracles happening to other people but not myself. Then my son was given a diagnosis which in Greek means “death bringing.” His survival shared in the memoir is miraculous. 

When God throws us a challenge we either curl up in a ball and surrender to defeat, or we trust in Him. How did you keep your faith in God, knowing that Samuel might die?

A verse I knew well came alive the day the doctors told us our son may not live. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. In the unthinkable circumstance of receiving a negative pregnancy diagnosis, God showed up and gave me a sustaining peace helping me to trust in Him. Were there days I wavered? Yes, and I write about this in the book. But, overall, my faith sustained me through the storm.

What was your hardest challenge?

The hardest challenge was fishing against the stream. We were given no hope for our son's survival. Yet, we believed. We instead found our hope in God, in praying friends offering believing prayer and a peace knowing that somehow our son would be okay. We didn't know how but God did. His life has exceeded all the doctors predictions. Against all odds, my son is now a miracle in my living room. 

Is there a message in your book that you want reader's to grasp?

My memoir’s message is to encourage others giving them hope that nothing is impossible with God. And to encourage others to believe that miracles still happen today. Before having my son, I’d heard of miracles happening to other people but not myself. Then my son was given a diagnosis which in Greek means “death bringing.” His survival shared in the memoir is miraculous. 

Who will want to read your book? 

Those who love stories of hope and reading how one child overcame the odds to become a miracle and pregnant mothers who are given a negative pregnancy diagnosis or received a Thanatophoric Dwarfism diagnosis. In both cases, a reader who likes David and Goliath type stories will feel good after reading this memoir. ​

Do you have any other books in the works?

I am a co-author on a book in the Make This Matter series for Special Needs Moms. This non-fiction book is geared for the new special mom to help navigate her new normal. I plan to write a Best of Blog book sharing my life raising a miracle. Another future project is writing a children’s book about Dwarfism. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

My best advice is to join a good writer’s critique group. I am a member of Word Weavers where I bring 1500 words and get advice on how to improve my work. I’ve learned many “how to’s” there which improved my writing. I also received advice to start a blog before my memoir was finished as a way to build a platform. This is a great way to have your audience get to know you and your writing. 

What is your favourite scripture verse and why?

I have many, but for the memoir, I’d say it’s Psalm 139:14: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Samuel has a unique type of dwarfism, but he is still a model that God has made. My husband likes to call my son, God’s Alternate Construction. I agree. 

Is there anything you'd like to say to your readers?

After reading the memoir, I’d encourage readers to go to my blog and read the rest of the story. You’ll find adorable pictures of my son and stories of hope and inspiration. And if the memoir touches you, like Samuel’s Facebook page to share your story. Visit www.miraclemann.com/blog and www.facebook.com/amiraclemann

Thank you Evelyn, for sharing your story with us. Miracle In My Living Room is available for pre-order on Evelyn's blog and will be released for launch on November 30th of this month. If you are in the Tampa Bay area, the book launch will kick off with a book signing at Barnes & Noble at 11802 Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida on November 30, 2016 from 6pm - 8pm.

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