Summer Reading with Anointed Authors (June 5)
Written by RAWSISTAZ · June 5, 2009 · 134 views
Anointed Authors on Tour consists of seven award-winning, bestselling authors of Christian fiction and non-fiction publications with a commitment to write and/or publish integrity-based literature, touring as a testament to the power of using gifts and talents for God’s glory. Over the next two weeks, plan to meet Kendra Norman Bellamy, Tia McCollors, Vanessa Miller, Michelle Stimpson, Shewanda Riley, and Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress. Each of these authors have current and upcoming book releases that are must-reads for your summer reading list.
The ladies join us today on RAWSISTAZ to talk about the writing process.
Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.
KENDRA-NORMAN-BELLAMY: Hmmm…that’s a good question. The most unusual thing that immediately comes to mind is that I have a pack-a-day habit. No, not cigarettes….gum. when I’m writing, I think better when I’m chewing gum. It’s somewhat of a vice for me when I’m crafting stories. The thoughts just seem to flow easier and my fingers dance across the keys quicker when I have a stick of gum in my mouth. I know it may sound crazy, but it’s true. I chew five to ten sticks a day, based upon my workload. I probably should buy stock in Wrigley’s Extra sugarfree gum. LOL!
TIA MCCOLLORS: Hmmm? That’s a good question and you stumped me on that one. If you asked me about Tia “as a person,” that might be one thing. But as “a writer,” I think I’m pretty normal (laughing).
VANESSA MILLER: I can’t think of anything interesting or unusual about me. I don’t know, reader might find it interesting that I like for each of my novels to be more than entertainment. I want them to stay with the reader long after they turn the last page. So I pray over my novel – and believe that God allows my books to touch the hearts of my readers in just the way they need to be touched.
MICHELLE STIMPSON: I don’t really have a method to my madness of writing. Every book is different. The one I’m working on now (a follow-up to Boaz Brown) is really throwing me for a loop because the main character knows she’s doing the wrong thing but she’s still doing it. I just want to slap some sense into her, but I can’t because I do like her. Getting to know my characters is probably one of the most interesting things about writing fiction.
DR. VIVI MONROE CONGRESS: I love to write but hate to promote. That’s so sad…
SHEWANDA RILEY: I’m at best writing with sweet tea and microwave popcorn! Being in the right frame of mind and having my writing space ready is important to me as writer.
Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing?
KENDRA-NORMAN-BELLAMY: Definitely. Nobody ever advised me to do that, but I know that when I began novel writing, I was writing what was familiar to me. I never set out to write Christian fiction. Both my parents are preachers, and I was brought up to know the will and ways of the Lord. Aside from home and school, I spent more time in church than anywhere else as a child. So, in essence, what was in me was what was coming out of me, and it just happened to be Christian fiction. Based upon personal experience, I’m inclined to believe that the task of writing is less stressful and takes less effort when a person writes what they know.
TIA MCCOLLORS: Somewhat. I think there’s a small part of “me” in each of my books, but unless you’re a close friend of mine, you wouldn’t know what that particular thing was.
VANESSA MILLER: I write restoration novels. In other words, I like to deal with imperfect characters and then show how God can turn their lives around. So, yeah, I guess I do write what I know, because I have definitely been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
MICHELLE STIMPSON: Yes. Either write what you know or research your subject well!
DR. VIVI MONROE CONGRESS: That has been my case as well, but I’m trying to stretch by writing about things I know little to nothing about directly; things that I have to research and learn without the experience.
SHEWANDA RILEY: Since I write newspaper columns and non fiction, it’s definitely true in my case. If you write what you know, you can build up confidence as a writer.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
KENDRA-NORMAN-BELLAMY: Prayer, Patience, and Perseverance! Those are the three words that I like to use as a response whenever I’m asked this question because I believe that any aspiring writing will need those three key ingredients in order to break into the world of writing and survive the disappointments that sometimes comes along with it. Nothing happens overnight, so aspiring writers will have to have the PATIENCE to wait without getting frustrated or discouraged in the interim. PERSEVERENCE is needed in order to endure all the negativity with which a writer is sure to be confronted in different stages of the process. And PRAYER….well, it’s not an option. As I’m writing this response, I’m listening to Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It,” and I truly believe that whether we think so or not, any of us who have found a level of success in this industry have done so only by the grace of God. If we didn’t have the sense enough to pray for ourselves, I sincerely believe that somebody was praying on our behalf. Any one of us who thinks we’ve gotten where we are (where ever ‘where we are’ is) on our own, we’re sorely mistaken.
TIA MCCOLLORS: My advice to aspiring writers it to keep writing until you get to the end of the book. Don’t look back. Don’t go back and edit. Finish a complete manuscript first, and then work on making it your best. I’ve seen so many get stalled with “analysis paralysis,” meaning they spend so much time trying to perfect the only five pages that they’ve written, that they never write past that point.
VANESSA MILLER: Never give up. Even when it looks like things are moving slower than you thought it would. If your hearts desire is to write, than keep on writing and promoting your work. You never know what’s right around the corner.
MICHELLE STIMPSON: Write. Nothing except writing is writing – talking about writing isn’t writing, thinking about writing isn’t writing, going to workshops and reading blogs about writing is NOT writing. Only writing is writing. (Adapted from quote by E. Doctorow).
DR. VIVI MONROE CONGRESS: Go for it, but PLEASE employ a reputable EDITOR–I repeat … PLEASE!
SHEWANDA RILEY: Don’t be afraid to take risks with your writing. Even if you are more comfortable writing fiction, try non-fiction and vice versa. You might be surprised with the results.
RECENT AND CURRENT BOOK RELEASES
· The Lyons Den by Kendra Norman-Bellamy
· The Last Woman Standing by Tia McCollors
· Through the Storm by Vanessa Miller
· Trouble in My Way by Michelle Stimpson
· Manna for Mamma: Wisdom for Women in the Wilderness by Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress
· Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends by Shewanda Riley
Follow the rest of the Summer Reading with Anointed Authors Blog Tour at http://bit.ly/SummerReadingwithAnointedAuthors.
RAWSISTAZ Literary Group was founded in 2000 to support and promote the work of African-American authors. The groups, on and offline, represent close to 600 readers, writers, aspiring writers, and others interested in literacy and the impact on our communities.
Thanks for hosting us Tee! It’s greatly appreciated. I’m always on your site regularly…..checking out what’s going on in literary industry. Keep doing your thing! Blessings, Tia
Tia, thanks so much for your message. It was great t lear more about you lades and I look forward to checking out the new books.
-Tee