Meet Vanessa Miller, author of Forsaken
Vanessa Miller of Dayton , Ohio is an Essence best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions 
include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying and Abundant Rain.
To date, Vanessa has written the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through the Storm. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.
FORSAKEN is Vanessa’s newest book, due out in October 2009.  Forsaken is the story of a fallen pastor’s journey back to God. Vanessa believes that each of her books will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all her God-given destiny to write novels that bring deliverance to God’s people.
List your published books.
Former Rain, Abundant Rain, Latter Rain, Rain Storm and Through the Storm.
Which book did you find the hardest to birth?
Former Rain. I think it was the hardest because it was my first. That book took seven years from beginning to end. It wasn’t seven year of writing. A lot of that time was spent procrastinating. But the book took so long from beginning to completion that I wondered if I could write another. Now my books only take me a few months from beginning to end.
Which book is your current favorite?
Through the Storm. This is my fifth book in the Rain Series and it deals with the power of prayer. But Through the Storm is a very suspenseful novel. I love reading suspense novels and always wanted to write one. When I finished Through the Storm I knew I wanted to write more books like that.
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?
No. I have to have absolute peace and quiet when I write. That’s the probably the reason I don’t often write anywhere else but home.
Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.
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.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Never give up. Even when it looks like things are moving slower than you thought it would. If your heart’s desire is to write, then keep on writing and promoting your work. You never know what’s right around the corner.
Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing?
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.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Pastor Jerome Tyler “JT†Thomas is charismatic behind the pulpit, charming to all he comes in contact with, and lethal to those who linger too long. Since the age of twenty-two, when he prayed for God to keep him out of prison, JT knew he would preach the gospel. Bishop Turner makes it possible; but there are strings attached, and now JT isn’t sure he can stay tied down.
Cutting loose causes more problems than JT anticipated. When an old friend from his days on the streets resurfaces and his extracurricular activity comes knocking on his front door, JT’s life and the lives of those close to him spiral out of control. Now he will need divine intervention to make things right. But how much help can a man hope to receive when he feels he’s been forsaken by God?
Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/Forsaken.
For more information about Vanessa, visit her at http://www.vanessamiller.com.
Meet Vanessa Miller, author of Forsaken
Vanessa Miller of Dayton , Ohio is an Essence best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying and Abundant Rain.
To date, Vanessa has written the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through the Storm. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.
FORSAKEN is Vanessa’s newest book, due out in October 2009. Forsaken is the story of a fallen pastor’s journey back to God. Vanessa believes that each of her books will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all her God-given destiny to write novels that bring deliverance to God’s people.
List your published books.
Former Rain, Abundant Rain, Latter Rain, Rain Storm and Through the Storm.
Which book did you find the hardest to birth?
Former Rain. I think it was the hardest because it was my first. That book took seven years from beginning to end. It wasn’t seven year of writing. A lot of that time was spent procrastinating. But the book took so long from beginning to completion that I wondered if I could write another. Now my books only take me a few months from beginning to end.
Which book is your current favorite?
Through the Storm. This is my fifth book in the Rain Series and it deals with the power of prayer. But Through the Storm is a very suspenseful novel. I love reading suspense novels and always wanted to write one. When I finished Through the Storm I knew I wanted to write more books like that.
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?
No. I have to have absolute peace and quiet when I write. That’s the probably the reason I don’t often write anywhere else but home.
Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.
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.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Never give up. Even when it looks like things are moving slower than you thought it would. If your heart’s desire is to write, then keep on writing and promoting your work. You never know what’s right around the corner.
Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing?
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.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Pastor Jerome Tyler “JT†Thomas is charismatic behind the pulpit, charming to all he comes in contact with, and lethal to those who linger too long. Since the age of twenty-two, when he prayed for God to keep him out of prison, JT knew he would preach the gospel. Bishop Turner makes it possible; but there are strings attached, and now JT isn’t sure he can stay tied down.
Cutting loose causes more problems than JT anticipated. When an old friend from his days on the streets resurfaces and his extracurricular activity comes knocking on his front door, JT’s life and the lives of those close to him spiral out of control. Now he will need divine intervention to make things right. But how much help can a man hope to receive when he feels he’s been forsaken by God?
Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/Forsaken.
For more information about Vanessa, visit her at http://www.vanessamiller.com.
Vanessa, thanks so much for sharing with us. I really like that you “deal with imperfect characters and then show how God can turn their lives around.” With Forsaken, it sounds like you’ve mixed Christian Fiction with a little Street Fiction. Is this the case? And if so, do you think it’ll appeal to readers of both genres?
Also, would you tell us more about your stage plays?
-Tee
Hi Tee, yes, you are exactly right. My books do appeal to a wider audience because I deal with characters that we all can relate to.
As far as my stage plays go, I have done 4 already. I intend to turn FORSAKEN into a stage play, but I just don’t have the time right now. I have 4 books scheduled to release in 2010 and I’m spending all my time working to finish all of them (two done, two more to go)
.
Busy, busy! It all sounds exciting though and I look forward to hearing more.
I’d like to find out how you went thru the process of converting some of your work into stage productions. Why did you decide to go that route and what did you learn in the process?
I write books that include strong religious themes also but wouldn’t and haven’t been classified as a “religious writer.” How has your faith impacted your writing and vice versa?
Hi Bonnie, my faith is very important to me, and in fact is the reason why I am so dedicated to my writing career. I believe that I am called to minister to readers through the written word.
I wrote my first couple of plays before I completed my first novel, so it was an easy transition for me to begin turning books into stage plays, because I was already familiar with the formula. I figured out the correct way of writing stage plays by reading books about stage plays. I also study books on writing. I believe a writers greatest tool is research.
I’m all in the middle of the conversation, but I agree with your last sentence! Research, research!!
I really think its important. So, I try to make sure others know that as well.
Congrats Vanessa,
On your new book. I love the way you always have an element of God’s love and forgiveness in your stories. When people who are struggling with the issues of life know that God does love them, it’s easier for them to accept and receive His forgiveness as well as forgiveness from others.
Blessings!
That’s right Arnita. I believe that people need to know that God is a forgiving God, all they need to do is turn back to Him. That’s why I write redemption stories. And thank you so much for checking out the blog today!
Vanessa,
I love to read series and have added the series you’ve written to my to be read list. I also like to read stories that incorpate the power of God’s love, grace and mercy. Thank you and congratulations on your new book!!!
Jaime L. Lincoln
Thank you for adding the Rain Series to your list. Forsaken is also a part of a series, the second book in the series releases in June 2010, (FORGIVEN). I hope you enjoy the books.
Tee,
Thank you for hosting Vanessa on RAWSistaz today. Looks like the conversations have been wonderful today!
Blessings,
Ty
It was a pleasure, Ty. Thanks for stopping by!
-Tee
Vanessa where can we see the stage plays you have already completed?
Tell us about your first 2010 realease please.
Hi Toni, although the stage plays were taped, it was not done for reproduction, so no copies are available for purchase. However, I plan to change that when I do my next play, which hopefully will be some time in either 2010 or 2011.
The first book that will release in 2010 is Yesterday’s Promise, it is a Christian Romance novel about a woman preacher and her ex-fiance — a man who doesn’t believe that women should preach.
Great interview Vanessa! I always love getting to know more about authors. I wish you much success in all that you do.
Thanks Renee, I appreciate that you would take the time to read my interview. Blessings,
A special thanks to each of you for stopping through and joining us! We appreciate it and hope you’ll stop by again soon.
Vanessa, it was a pleasure! Definitely stay in touch and keep us updated on what’s happening with your books & plays.
-Tee
Thanks ma’am. I’ll do that.