Malinda Fugate is an author and children’s ministry director in Los Angeles, California. She loves working with the people of her community and finds great joy in sharing Jesus with children! In addition to reading and writing, Malinda enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her dog. She also likes being with friends, creating art, and thrifting. In order to truly enjoy soup, Malinda requires cold weather—bonus if it’s rainy!
Malinda Fugate is the author of a Christian nonfiction book, The Other 3:16’s. I worked through this Bible study last year, and I’m so excited to share more about it with you all! But first, please help me welcome today’s featured author.
Welcome, Malinda!
Q) Malinda, thank you so much for joining us today. To start, please describe yourself in 3 words.
A) Compassionate, Creative, Christ-seeking
Q) Will you describe your writing in 5 words?
A) Let’s walk together with God.
The Other 3:16’s
Q) I greatly enjoyed your book The Other 3:16’s, and I loved the care you took in exploring the context of each verse. It was a great study tool in my daily time with God. Will you please tell us what inspired you to write this book?
A) Thank you! I’m so glad it was a blessing. I’m beyond grateful for the things God showed me during the process of researching and writing The Other Three Sixteens. Many of us are so familiar with John 3:16 that those numbers would jump out at me in other parts of the Bible. Curiosity was the first step of this project, and as God led me through it, I was compelled to share the His goodness.
Q) What was the most challenging part of writing The Other 3:16s? What about the most rewarding?
A) The biggest challenge was time management! Finding focused time to write among the rest of life took some divine help with discipline! The most rewarding thing was getting to know Christ a little better and growing closer to Him in the process.
Q) Who do you recommend read The Other 3:16s?
A) Of course I want to say everyone, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say this book is for someone who feels a little distant from God or who needs encouragement from Him.
Bible Time for Active Kids: A Devotional
Q) I agree with your sentiment to say everyone! The Other 3:16s is a great study tool for anyone in need of encouragement. But I would add that it is also a great fit for anyone wanting to deepen their walk of faith by looking at lessons in God’s words throughout the Bible! Speaking of lessons in the Bible, will you tell us about your book Bible Time for Active Kids?
A) I’d love to! Bible Time for Active Kids emerged from my work in children’s ministry. Kids sit all day at school during the week and then have lots of screen time. They also (and adults, too) learn more when they’re engaged in something tangible. Bible Time for Active Kids starts with reading scripture from their Bibles, then after reading a short devotional-type paragraph, there’s prayer and activities for hands-on learning and connection with the story.
More from Malinda Fugate
More on Faith
Q) What is your primary goal as a Christian writer?
A) My primary goal as a Christian writer is to share God’s love (which I think is a priority in everyday life, too 😊).
Q) Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
A) At the moment, it’s Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” I also love the simplicity and necessity of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
More on Reading
Q) How do you select what books to read? What was your most recent 5-star read?
A) Recommendations from friends, stumbling upon something interesting in the bookstore, or hearing about it online are typically how a book comes to my shelf. My most recent 5-star read is “This Here Flesh” by Cole Arthur Riley. It’s beautifully written and thought-provoking as she invites us into her story.
Q) If you were to host a literary dinner party and could invite three authors, living or dead, would you invite and why?
A) Beth Moore, bell hooks, and the author of Hebrews (so that mystery can be solved. I kind of hope it’s Priscilla.). The conversation would likely be thought-provoking while also delightfully fun. Any gathering of story-tellers is a treasure. However, can we cater this? My culinary skills are a disaster.
Other Fun
Q) If you could travel to any place in the world, at any time in history, where and when would you choose and why?
A) Well, the Sunday School answer would be to hang out with Jesus, and that would be incredible! But I feel like there could be an additional possibility… so perhaps to my own past to spend a little more time with loved ones who are no longer with us.
Q) If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be and why?
A) This is a fabulous question! Can I have a whole soundtrack? I think “Only Hope” by Switchfoot would be pretty fitting as the overall theme. And now I’m going to be thinking about this for awhile, haha!
Advice from Malinda
Q) If you could give your younger self any advice, in terms of writing or something else, what would it be?
A) Use your education wisely. Make the most of your time in school and college by going beyond the class requirements. There are so many resources and opportunities available when you reach out and make extra effort. Learn from as many people as possible–every lived experience is precious. Find out what you need to know in order to reach your dreams, then actively pursue it step by step, with God’s guidance, of course.
Q) What advice can you share with other authors?
A) We need your story. Writing gets tangled up in all the business stuff and the heart of the story can be forgotten. It matters exactly as much when God invites you to share your heart with one person as it does when He opens the doors to thousands of readers. Be obedient and write, and then work with Him to find the opportunities to bless readers.
What’s Next
Q) I cannot believe our time together is coming to a close! Thank you so much for joining us today. Before you leave, can you tell us about your current WIP and future writing projects?
A) Of course! “Stories from the Sidelines” is due to be released this fall. It tells stories of often-overlooked people in the Bible while exploring God’s purpose for our lives when we feel left out, insignificant, or on the sidelines while it seems big things are happening for others.
Connect with Malinda Fugate
Malinda loves sharing stories and connecting with folks like you! Find her online, on Facebook, on Instagram, and through her newsletter.
You can also order your own copy of The Other 3:16’s here and a copy of Bible Time for Active Kids here. Remember, books make great gifts! And you can also share the love by requesting copies at your local library.
Want More from The Unicorn Writer?
Be sure to check out past blog posts and “follow” so you don’t miss out on future updates! I also have a monthly author newsletter filled with writing updates and exclusives for subscribers only. I include features like behind the scenes, writing advice, faith-based encouragement, and more. Use the form below to join!
[mailerlite_form form_id=1]
The Unicorn Writer 
Leave a comment