Category Archives: writing
My Writing Journey
I apologize for not blogging in awhile. One day runs into the next and before you know it, a month has passed.
I need to get better about blogging at least once a week. I have been writing a lot, just not blogging.
I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned I’m working on a novel.
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It all began last October when I decided to participate in NanoWriMo without ever writing a piece of fiction in my life. I know it sounds crazy. It was hard, but I felt the most alive.
I am glad I pushed through the fear and took the dive, because I’ve discovered I enjoy writing fiction.
Thus, my focus has been more on my novel and less on blogging.
I began this blog a couple of years ago with the focus on book reviews. I still enjoy writing book reviews, however, recently my reading has been exclusive to research.
I’m learning a great deal about the discipline and art of fiction writing. It’s been an interesting journey to say the least.
I just wanted to take the time to update you, since I didn’t want any of you to think I fell off the map.
There has been so much on my heart I’ve wanted to share. But each time I tried, I would choke up and not write anything at all.
For me, good writing is like eating a gourmet meal and not fast food. I want to be able to write something of substance and quality; and not regurgitate the same ole, same ole.
I want to thank all of you for hanging in there with me as I find my way on this writing journey.
Do you struggle to write when your heart and mind are full? What do you do to push past it?
Are You Playing The “Game”?
It is said, life is a game.
The pieces on a chessboard are people maneuvering themselves into strategic positions to win.
The “game” is played on the streets as well as on the internet.
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I’ve worked in Corporate America for almost 30 years, and there are unspoken rules there too.
You play the “game” right, you win.
You play it wrong, you lose.
Truth be told, I hate playing games.
I’ve always had a difficult time following a crowd or being part of a clique. I’ve never participated, and still don’t.
I’m not antisocial. I’m just not into pretenses.
Which is probably why I frown upon words like, “community” and “tribe”. It reminds me of a gang mentality.
Gangs are racist and discriminatory. They only accept people who are like them.
If you follow, you are accepted. If you say and do all the right things, you are in. If you don’t, you are cut off.
Social media is a slippery slope.
Most try to climb the ranks like a gangster.
They become friends with you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter, with an agenda. In the hopes that you will help them, but never with the intention of getting to know you.
It’s all about what you can do for them. How you can help them succeed or get ahead.
You see, it’s hardly about “community”.
Everyone follows and joins the bandwagon. They jump in head first to climb the ladder of fame.
The second you say “no” to something they want, you can best believe, they will unfriend or unfollow you in a heartbeat.
You no longer have any use for them, because you were just a “tool” to begin with.
Eventually, word gets around in the so-called “community” and you are exiled.
I don’t know about you, but I am not interested in following the sheep or rather, herd mentality.
I don’t need people’s favors to get ahead. If God has something for me, then it’s for me.
As with everything in my life, nothing was handed to me on a silver platter. I had to work hard and earn the right to have whatever I have today.
There are no political hand-outs or favors in my world.
I’m glad because I don’t have an “entitlement” mentality that most people have. I don’t walk around looking for ways on how people can help me or ask for favors.
Half of these people, who are in the same “community”, are landing positions they aren’t even qualified for. They got it by playing the “game”, rubbing elbows and doing favors.
When it comes to art, homie don’t play that.
My creativity came from God and I won’t be exploiting it any time soon.
I don’t subscribe to the “I’ll scratch your back, if you’ll scratch mine” mentality.
You can call it pride if you’d like, but I’m not stooping that low to get ahead, even if it means walking alone.
If I get anywhere with anything I pursue, it will be by the grace of God mixed with my sacrifice, effort and hard work.
Where do you stand on this matter? Are you buying into the dream their selling you?
A Forgotten Ministry
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Hebrews 13:3
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A couple of weeks ago, I came across an article about a new book that was released, Black is the Day, Black is the Night by Amy Elkins.
This article fascinated me. Amy Elkins corresponded with five male inmates on death row, which lead to her book of remarkable photographs. She expresses their story in an artistic way.
I have been studying about solitary confinement and prison life for awhile now.
Our entire prison and justice system baffles and troubles me. I have a burden for those who are incarcerated.
Those who have been locked up, forgotten about by family and so-called friends as if they no longer exist.
Let me share an excerpt by Amy Elkins:
“A system that uses long-term solitary confinement and capital punishment is broken. Housing someone in infinite isolation has been proven to be hugely damaging to one’s psychological and physical state. This type of isolation breeds behavioral and emotional imbalances that are bound to cause most to remain in a perpetual state of anxiety, depression and anger. Which means they are set up for failure. There is absolutely no way to rehabilitate in such conditions. But clearly rehabilitation isn’t what they have in mind.
I have written with one man in particular who has served 20 years in solitary confinement as part of a Life Without Parole (LWOP) sentence for a non-murder related crime he committed aged 16. He has written about going years talking through concrete walls without ever seeing the men he holds daily conversations with. He spends nearly 23 hours a day in a small cell by himself and when he is let out, he is shackled and permitted to exercise in a slightly larger room by himself for an hour. How he’s gone 20 years in these conditions and not gone completely mad is mind blowing.”
I have been writing to inmates off and on now for years. You have no idea how happy it makes them to receive letters.
While sitting in their 6 x 9 to 8 x 10 feet cell, day in and day out, for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no hope of physical contact with anyone other than a correctional officer.
They describe solitary confinement or death row as hell on earth.
You may be thinking, these prisoners are criminals, they deserve what they get. They took a life or whatever, so they need to pay for what they did.
But think about it, how will they ever rehabilitate in a barbaric system like solitary confinement or capital punishment?
The system is flawed.
The Bible admonishes us not to forget about those who are in prison.
Perhaps you don’t want to visit a prison. That is understandable. It’s not for everyone.
But, if you have a burden, you could write to an inmate or two.
Some churches even have a prison ministry. If you a part of or member of a church, you may be able to get involved in their pen pal ministry.
If not, you can do it on your own; just Google inmate pen pal sites and choose an inmate to write to.
It’s best to write to the same sex, however, you may discover you identify and have a burden for someone of the opposite sex.
It is important to be clear about your position and intention in your first letter to them, so they know where you stand. Setting boundaries from the beginning is vital.
They will respect your wishes because all they desire is to be able to communicate with someone, anyone.
Believe it or not, the majority do not receive letters from anyone.
If you are concerned about your safety or of your family, you can always use an alias and rent a P.O. Box.
I highly suggest only using a P.O. Box.
If you are going to begin writing to an inmate, the most important thing to remember is consistency is key.
If you believe you won’t be able to be consistent for whatever reason, it is best not to start.
The reason why I say this, is because it will only result in another let down and disappointment for them.
They are already at a loss and suffer from hopelessness.
The only thing they look forward to is receiving letters.
If you decide to start, please make sure you can stick with it.
Writing to those in prison is a forgotten ministry, but is one of the best ways to demonstrate God’s love in action.
Is this something you would be interested in doing? Do you have any questions or concerns? If so, please comment below.
Bobbing and Weaving
After taking a few boxing classes for fun at NYSC from an instructor named Santana. One day I looked him in the eye and said, “I’m going to become a professional boxer now, goodbye.” He stood there dumbfounded.
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I remember the day I walked into Gleason’s Boxing gym for the first time. It was in 1998 and at the time, the majority of boxers were male.
They all gawked at me as I strode in wearing my leopard print tights which matched my wild and untamed hair. I was quite a sight.
I walked holding my head high and ready to conquer the boxing world.
Back then Gleason’s was different than it is today. The air was musky and hung with sweat, the windows were foggy, everything seemed old and worn.
It was an environment I was neither familiar with or exposed to in my life.
So there I was, Ms. Middle Class amongst those who were rough and lived in underprivileged neighborhoods.
However, nothing was going to stop me. I was determined to prove myself as a female boxer.
I remember the day my trainer decided to have me spar with some dude. There were no female boxers around.
I got in the ring, started moving around and practicing my jab. My trainer yelling for me to bob and weave. So I started bobbing and weaving. Then I tried doing an uppercut. I loved those upper cuts, but I wasn’t able to get in close enough to do it.
I began feeling winded. Thankfully, the bell rang because I was dying of thirst. I opened my mouth, for my trainer to give me water. He squirts a little water and tells me to spit it out. I looked at him as if he was out of his mind. There was no way I was going to spit it out. I swallowed it.
The bell rang again. I hesitated. I was exhausted and wanted to stop. The next thing I know, I was keeling over.
I didn’t have my guard up and the guy landed a punch to my liver. There are no words to describe the level of pain.
I learned a valuable lesson that day. One I will never forget. Defense is everything. In the ring and in life. When my guard was down, there was an opening for him to hit me.
I was out of breath, thirsty and my movements were sluggish. My opponent took complete advantage of the situation.
While reflecting back on this incident, I realized the enemy of our souls does the same. He waits for an opening to lodge his onslaughts and attacks on us. If we’re are open, tired or unguarded, he will catch us by surprise which will leave us reeling.
In 1 Peter 5:8 it says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” and Luke 21:34 says, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
We can’t let him catch us off guard. We have to keep our defenses up by reading the Word and praying. We need to practice bobbing and weaving daily.
Thankfully, we have the best trainer, the Holy Spirit and the best corner man, Jesus Christ.
We are guaranteed to win and promised the victory!
Have you been bobbing and weaving lately?
Every Action Has A Reaction
A long time ago, I used to think my actions didn’t effect others. I was single, living in my own world and doing my own thing.
Unfortunately, being single didn’t allow me the ability to see myself clearly. It was when I got married, I was able to see choices, decisions and actions have repercussions and consequences, not only to myself, but to others as well.
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This was a huge pill for me to swallow and accept. We go along with our lives when we are alone, thinking we can do whatever we want, say whatever we want and it’s nobody else’s business or concern.
The world is our oyster.
However, this is living in a bubble or fantasy world, which is self-centered and self-absorbed.
The truth is every action has a reaction.
There is no getting around it, whether you are married or single, whether you want to believe it or not, your actions and choices effect everyone around you.
It’s like a pebble hitting the surface of water, you see the ripple effect. The same occurs with us; our choices are like pebbles and our actions cause rippling effects.
This is why we have to be careful to choose wisely because some actions are irreversible. The damaging effects of one wrong choice can destroy more than you bargained for.
For instance, a family member who continually betrays you by speaking negatively about you behind your back with other family members, thinking it will never get back to you.
But it always does, doesn’t it? Some way, somehow, the information finds its way back to the person.
Once this occurs, the damage is done, because you can never look at that family member the same way again. A seed of distrust is planted and with each repetitive instance, the seed of distrust continues to germinate and grow.
Yes, one can forgive and move on, but the trust and respect needed for a good and healthy relationship is broken and lost.
Has this ever been your experience? Can you recall a time when this applied in your life?
Microwavable Art
Recently, I’ve become bored with blogs. I find myself yawning as I read blog posts by popular bloggers. Yes, even bloggers with huge followings.
I started to think about why I’ve become bored with their writing and blogs.
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While reading this morning’s post by Seth Godin (which sparked this post), he mentions, “everyone is making noise and there is generally useless stuff being written.”
What I call “useless stuff” is microwavable or recyclable writing.
There is just so much I can read about “Five ways to do this” and “Seven ways to do that”.
Reading their blogs is like eating stale bread. It is bland, boring and dull.
There is no originality anymore. Forgive me if I sound like a snob, I don’t mean to.
Who knows, perhaps it’s just me… maybe following popular blogs, bloggers or blogging isn’t for me.
I don’t want to read mediocre writing anymore. My time is precious and whatever I ingest, I want it to be substantive. Not some cheap substitute for the real thing.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the art in the 1500, 1600 and 1700’s?
Such as, Mozart, Beethoven and Shakespeare?
Where did the caliber of art go?
There was none of the microwavable art that we see today.
Artists respected art. Now artists prostitute and exploit art for their own gain or recognition.
The artists of the past were givers, not takers.
Today everyone wants in on the game. They want a piece of the pie. It’s all about them.
There is no respect for art anymore. Just a bunch of recyclable trash that does not edify anyone.
Artists need to recognize they have a responsibility to humanity to be good stewards of art and the gifts God blesses them with.
Do you agree or disagree and why?
Life After Death by Damien Echols
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Plume
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142180289
ISBN-13: 978-0142180280
Price: $17.00
Purchase: Amazon | BN
Description:
The New York Times bestselling memoir by Damien Echols of the West Memphis Three, who was falsely convicted of three murders and spent nearly eighteen years on Death Row—Life After Death is destined to be a classic of explosive, riveting prison literature.
Review:
I read an interview with John Grisham and the interviewer asked him what he was reading. He responded, a memoir called Life After Death by Damien Echols. He mentioned it was one of the best books he’s read in a long time. So I decided to get it.
When I began reading this book, I was riveted.
Damien Echols is an extraordinary writer. I was blown away by the way he writes. He is a true artist.
However, this book is no walk in the park. Nor is this the type of book I would normally gravitate to. Life is hard enough than to read about injustice to such severity, it made my blood boil.
I honestly do not know how Damien Echols survived it, much less, remained the positive person he is today with all the hell he endured. What resilience.
He was falsely accused and convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. He and two others were accused of murdering three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. They did not do it. Someone else did and they still haven’t found out who.
Imagine being a teenager and spending 18 years on death row for a crime you didn’t commit? Being beaten by guards and surrounded by mentally ill inmates. Prison is full of the mentally ill who are not getting the help they need. They are put in prison to rot, meanwhile they are not well.
His memoir was difficult to read. I found myself disgusted, angry, sad, disillusioned and broken for him and all those who are on death row or in solitary confinement who are innocent.
I can’t find the words to describe how provoking this book is. This book describes the absolute brokenness of our prison system. It also sheds light on the corruption that exists in our court system.
If Damien Echols was standing in front of me today, I would apologize to him on behalf of all the Christians in his life that turned him away from Christ.
He depicts with such accuracy the judgmental and critical nature of Christians. While reading his experiences outside and inside of prison, I was embarrassed and ashamed. Instead of Christians being a light in his life, they were the complete opposite.
There is no other word to describe it other than disgusting.
I would tell Mr. Nichols, those were not followers of Christ. Those were lost, broken people, who were ignorant, confused and didn’t know an ounce about loving others.
As a result of this, he is not a Christian today. He became a buddhist in prison. He was treated better by Buddhists than Christians. After what he went through, I can’t quite blame him.
There was one part where he describes that when there was an execution scheduled, Christians would appear, but not on any other time. It was as if they enjoyed the excitement of someone being executed.
I can’t write it the way he describes it in his book. He is truly brilliant and a gifted writer. His writing is palatable for you see and feel everything.
I am glad he is free now and with his wife Lorri who helped him the most. There were many others, but she was the persistent one, who never gave up.
He also made mention that the prison system is designed for those to be forgotten by society, including family and friends. He said what gave him some hope and kept him going was receiving encouraging letters from strangers.
Overall, I would have to say this was the best book I read in 2013. Yes, it was the hardest to read, but it was most certainly the best. I highly recommend it, but it’s definitely not for the faint at heart.
Damien Echols was born in 1974 and grew up in Mississippi, Tennessee, Maryland, Oregon, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. At age eighteen he was wrongfully convicted of murder, along with Jason Baldwin and Jessie Miskelley, Jr. Echols received a death sentence and spent almost eighteen years on Death Row, until he, Baldwin, and Miss Kelley were released in 2011. The West Memphis Three have been the subject of Paradise Lost, a three-part documentary series produced by HBO, and West of Memphis, a documentary produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh. Echols is the author of a self-published memoir, Almost Home. He and his wife, Lorri Davis, live in Massachusetts.
What Was This Year Like For You?
If I were to think of one word that described this year for me, it would be change.
This year was jam packed with changes, big and small. There were a lot of adjustments I had to make on account of all the changes too.
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Change has never been an easy thing for me. So this year was a real challenge on multiple levels, but it stretched me and my faith.
During the summer months, I was filled with angst and anxiety. I hadn’t felt so nervous in a long time. It was affecting my sleep, my job and my life. It took everything in me to trust the Lord through a shaky and unstable time. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen and I confess, I was scared.
All I could do was talk to God and ask Him to help me. I am happy to report that He got me through the tough time and turned it around for good.
This year through all the influx of change, I managed to accomplish a lot. I couldn’t do it without the Lord and the support of the man He blessed me with.
There is a saying that behind every great man is a good woman, but I say this, that behind every happy wife is a great husband.
I can attest, I have the best husband in the world. It’s not to boast or brag, I’m just telling the truth and paying tribute.
I realize what I have been given is more than gifts under a tree. We mustn’t take for granted the blessings of those we love, a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, and clothing on our backs.
The fact that we have Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He is the greatest gift of all.
I’m grateful for what I have. I give thanks unto God for being in my right mind, for good health, for my husband and children, family, friends, my job and colleagues.
I think about those who are in prison, those who are hungry, those who are sick, those who have lost family members, parents who have missing children, those who are homeless, the list goes on.
I can find a hundred things to complain about, but when I look around me, I give thanks for what the Lord has done in my life and the ability He gives me to accomplish so much.
So here is to a spectacular 2014. I pray 2014 is the best year yet, for all of us.
Happy New Year!
How was this year for you?
Author Interview: Victoria Christopher Murray
I can’t tell you how excited I am to have interviewed, Victoria Christopher Murray. I discovered her with her first book, Temptation. After I read it, I reached out to her on MySpace. She was so gracious and wrote back. We have been in contact ever since. I finally had the chance meet her this summer at her book signing in New York City of Never Say Never. I have never met such a generous, giving and helpful writer/author in my entire life. I consider her my mentor. I am blessed to know her and read her amazing books.
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1. What are some of your favorite books?
My favorite books are the books that have had the greatest impact on me; books that made me really want to pursue my dream as a writer. Native Son, by Richard Wright, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou, and Manchild in the Promised Land by Claude Brown.
2. Which book was the hardest for you to write?
Every single book that I write is hard. Really. Getting words down on a page for me is like pulling teeth — it’s just so hard to write. And interestingly, the longer I write, the more difficult it gets.
3. Which book was the most fun to write?
Any book I write with ReShonda Tate Billingsley is fun. Because it’s like she’s one-half of my brain. We are so in sync, it’s scary, and we are definitely writing twins. Plus, when I write with ReShonda, I laugh. And don’t let us tour together….
4. What is your writing process or practice in writing novels?
My writing process is quite simple. I write! I write every day and really, just about all day. I write and write and never go back to edit until I have a completed manuscript. Because if I keep stopping to edit, I’ll never finish. I’m on a constant deadline; with at least three books a year, as well as ghostwriting projects. So, I take advantage of every single bit of time that I have. And, I can write anywhere — in cars, on the train, at airports and on airplanes…it doesn’t matter. I write!
5. You have mentioned that aspiring writers have to treat writing as a job. What steps did you take to become the successful and prolific writer/author you are today?
I think the key to treating it like a job is that I show up every day. Like I said before, every day I write. I write when I don’t want to write — that’s what I would do with a job..and writing is my job. So if an aspiring writer aspires to write full time, that writer must start writing every day…NOW!
Pilar, thank you for this wonderful interview.
Thank you, Victoria. It was a pleasure having you.
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The production of her novel, The Deal, the Dance and the Devil has finished. The date of release will be announced soon. Also, her novel, The Ex Files has been optioned for a movie.
You can find Victoria Christopher Murray on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.
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Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of ten Essence bestselling novels, including Too Little, Too Late and Lady Jasmine. Her most recent novel, Destiny’s Divas, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work (Fiction). Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year, she splits her name between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Author Interview: Ed Cyzewski
I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to Ed Cyzewski. I came across his writing browsing on Twitter. I appreciate his honesty in all of his writing. I am glad he agreed to do this, because I enjoyed his interview. I believe you will too.
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1) Did you always know you were a writer?
No. I started writing all of the time when I was 12, but my family always emphasized picking a practical career in medicine, law, or business. My high school teachers always praised my writing, but I didn’t take it seriously until graduate school.
2) If not, when did you discover you were meant to be one?
It was a last resort. I attended seminary, got an MDiv, and knew before I finished that I wasn’t cut out to be a pastor. Writing was always in the background, something I expected to do on the side.
3) When and why did you start blogging?
I credit my best friend Josh. When I got out of seminary, I had so much church stuff and theology to process, and he picked out the name “in a mirror dimly” for a blog that we started together. The blog was the continuation of our conversations over breakfast at south Jersey diners. As his family grew, he eventually stopped blogging, but it became a lifeline of sorts for me. While it was a creative outlet, my early years of blogging were mainly devoted to processing my struggles with church.
4) What was it like for you when you wrote your first book?
It’s hard to say. I started it as this side project, but publishing a book was also this kind of flakey dream I had. I wanted it, but I also didn’t fully understand at the time the significance of what I was getting myself into. I just know that the day I signed my first book contract was one of the most emotional days of my life, right up there with my wedding day and the day my son was born. Nothing prepared me for it. It was like I crossed some kind of threshold and was about to do this big, difficult thing I’d always wanted to do but hadn’t quite realized it.
5) Besides the Bible, what is one book that changed your life?
Tough call… I need two. The Cost of Discipleship has been significant in my life as a Christian, but Traveling Mercies was a real eye opener for me. I loved it. It’s a great book. But more than that, I had read books by David Sedaris and thought, “If only I could write funny stuff like this someday about faith!” Lamott showed me that Christians can laugh, be irreverent, and write with an appealing candor about their faith. That book was an important sign post for me.
6) When did you cross over into writing full time?
When my wife got accepted into the English graduate program at UConn, I started looking for work, and I realized I probably had a better chance at finding writing work. In addition, I wanted a portable job that could go with her academic career. The more I invested in writing, the more it has been affirmed as a clear calling for me.
7) Was it a difficult transition and why?
It was a horrible transition. We were broke for two years, living paycheck to paycheck. There are many reasons for that: a cancelled book deal and TWO cancelled magazine columns didn’t help. But I also thought I could find steady work writing magazine articles. A friend looked over my resume and suggested a different strategy for steady income: edit books and write blog posts for companies. We’re not rich, but we’re at least stable for now. Phew!
8) If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently?
Going back to my college days, I would have taken the creative writing program AND the communications program to learn how to do copywriting. Learning to write a good book takes time, so more practice always helps. And copywriting for businesses is where steady freelance income is at. In addition, there are so many places where copywriting comes in really, really handy as a book author and a website owner!
9) What does your average day look like?
I try to write for an hour before taking over with our son for the morning. Then I hang with him and try to do a few things here and there if he’s playing happily. I put him down for a nap around noon these days and start working. My wife comes home during his nap and takes over for either all or part of the afternoon depending on her work schedule. The best time to write is in the morning, but writing in the afternoon is cheaper than paying for childcare!
10) Do you have any mentors or influencers?
I’ve had a lot of great guides along the way. Matthew Paul Turner has been among the most important sources of advice and wisdom. He’s opinionated, speaks his mind, and really, really cares. I’ll take blunt advice from him any day. Also, I look at writers like Rachel Held Evans and Sarah Bessey as models for working hard, building community, and addressing topics that people care about. My former agent David Sanford was a huge help, and I lean heavily on the feedback of my agent Karen Neumair.
11) Who are your favorite authors and why?
I have a hard time picking a favorite author. I’m probably too picky. No one can write a fact-based nonfiction book like Malcolm Gladwell. He is the master of telling stories while conveying a big chunk of information. I think there are a lot of nonfiction authors who have great ideas to share, but they fail to make it compelling and readable. That is the area where I’m spending a lot of time these days. When it comes to fiction, most of the books by Jasper Fforde are brilliant.
12) What are your all time favorite books and why?
I usually end up recommending Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Cold Comfort Farm, and Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next and Nursery Crimes series. I also love Girl Meets God. I’m sure I’m forgetting something really obvious too!
13) What things did you do or books do you read to perfect your craft?
I read Writers Digest, blogged a lot, only read books that I liked, read writing advice books that had general craft tips like On Writing, and participated in writing groups. The most important thing for me was to take myself seriously enough to practice but not so seriously that I stopped practicing.
I share a lot of my publishing lessons in this eBook I put together: A Path to Publishing: What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction Book.
14) Lastly, what advice would you give a novice writer?
Get a notebook and carry it everywhere. A small moleskine or medium moleskine is perfect. Start rituals. You need habits and rituals to cultivate good writing habits. Before you go to work, spend 30 minutes writing anything, brainstorming, sketching characters, griping, whatever. Just start jotting down ideas. You need raw materials. Don’t expect to use them all. But let them roll around in your head. Create space in your day to just think about your writing ideas. Then, when you sit down at the “blank page,” you’ll have plenty of jumping off points.
Thank you so much, Ed.
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Ed Cyzewski (MDiv Biblical Theological Seminary) works as a freelance writer in Columbus, OH. He is the co-author of Unfollowers: Unlikely Lessons on Faith from the Doubters of Jesus and author of Creating Space, Coffeehouse Theology, Divided We Unite, and A Path to Publishing. Ed writes regularly for a number of magazines and web sites. He blogs on theology at www.inamirrordimly.com.
Author Interview: ReShonda Tate Billingsley
It is an absolute honor and privilege to interview the gifted, prolific, best selling author, ReShonda Tate Billingsley.
I discovered Ms. Billingsley through one of my favorite authors, Victoria Christopher Murray. They have written books together and refer to each other as writing twins.
Ms. Billingsley’s most recent release, A Family Affair is another best seller. All of her books are best sellers.
I’m excited to present to you, Ms. ReShonda Tate Billingsley.
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1) Did you always know you were meant to be a writer?
Yes, I always knew it. I was always making up stories. (My mom called it lying).
I remember one day in class we had to write about our summer vacation. So I wrote about how I lived in the projects with my mom and sister and how we didn’t have much and how I had to dodge gangs and drive-bys. The teacher actually told my mom and my mom was livid because we lived in a nice middle class neighborhood. (I’d made the story up because it was so much more interesting than my real life).
Actually, my first paid gig was for True Confessions magazine when I was fifteen. I wrote a story called “I stole my sister’s husband” and they published it. When the check came in the mail, I was too terrified to let my mother know I had written for the magazine, so I never cashed it.
2) Was there a major turning point or epiphany that lead you to become a full time writer?
While I was working as a reporter, I was writing part-time. (I had eleven books at that time).
My literary career was really taking off, but there were so many things I couldn’t do because I only had two weeks of vacation. So, I decided to walk away from my job and write full-time.
I didn’t make that decision out of the blue. I, of course, talked it over with my husband, who has always been my biggest supporter. My faith also helped me make that decision. Not to mention a solid exit plan.
3) You were a journalist, reporter, speaker and more, did you find the crossover into writing fiction difficult?
No, I never found it difficult because as a reporter, I went out and interviewed people for stories. I stuck to the facts.
As a fiction writer, I can let my creativity flow.
4) What have you learned in your writing journey since your debut novel, My Brother’s Keeper?
Oh wow! I’ve learned so much. I’ve grown as a writer because writing is my passion. But I’ve learned to stay true to me.
I don’t write what’s hot; I write what’s in my heart. And I’ve learned that I’m always in need of knowledge.
I strive to make each book better than the last.
5) Would you do anything differently?
I would definitely have a better business plan. I’m a creative person. But being an author these days requires a business mindset.
When I was self-published, I would sell some books, go buy some shoes. I didn’t have the business side together.
Even now, with a mainstream publisher, there are so many things I need to work on the non-creative side.
6) What is your creative process and writing routine?
When I sit down to write a story, I ask myself if ten writers were given this topic, how would they all write it? Then, I work to write it differently. (I used this process when I was a TV reporter as well). There are no new story ideas…the key is in how YOU tell them….I’d love to say I have a specific routine, but as the mother of three, I write when I can, I just make sure that I WRITE!
7) How do you balance your personal and professional life as a successful author?
Not only am I a wife and mother, but I’m also a co-caretaker for my mother. So, I write any free time that I have.
When I’m at a traffic light, I’m actually writing. I dictate into a tape recorder to help me more effectively and efficiently get things done.
I believe every minute you spend talking about what you don’t have time to do could be spent doing it.
8) What specific things could you share that helped shaped you as a writer?
Using every bit of free time I have by writing. Not only do I write, but I read.
Writing workshops and seminars has also helped to shape me into the successful writer that I am today.
9) Do you have a mentor?
I don’t, but I have colleagues that I bounce ideas off of and who help me work through my stories.
10) What inspires you?
I never want to look back on life and say “I wish I had…”
11) What are some of your favorite books and why?
I love reading literary works like Child of God by Lolita Files and Perfect Peace by Daniel Black, and then I love discovering new authors, so I’ll read a self-published book in a minute!
12) What authors affect you and why?
I would have to say my writing twin, Victoria Christopher Murray. Collaborating with Victoria has definitely stepped up my writing on so many levels. She challenges me and I love a challenge.
13) What books have you read that have helped you as a writer?
Any good book motivates me.
14) What advice would you give a novice writer?
Write every day. Even when you don’t feel like writing, write. You’ll never finish that book if you don’t write.
Set realistic, attainable goals.
For me, I started with three pages a day, five days a week no matter what. Well, before I knew it, those three pages turned to thirty.
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Biography
ReShonda Tate Billingsley always did have an active imagination. From making up stories to crafting award-winning poems, the national bestselling author has always maintained a love for telling stories. After numerous rejections from publishers, ReShonda stepped out on faith, established her own publishing company, and released her debut novel, My Brother’s Keeper.
It’s a move that paid off as megahouse publisher, Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books picked the book, and to date, has published all of ReShonda’s books.
A former television and radio news reporter, ReShonda is an editor for the Houston Defender Newspaper, as well as a professional editor, ghost writer and literary consultant. She has worked as a reporter for The National Enquirer and as an anchor and reporter for NBC, ABC and FOX television stations in Beaumont, TX, Oklahoma City, OK and Houston, TX. She left her job at FOX 26 News in Houston in 2007 to write full-time.
And write she does…
ReShonda is the national bestselling author of 28 books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, has been made into a movie, directed by actress Regina King and produced by Queen Latifah’s Flava Unit Productions. The movie is slated to be released in Spring 2014. (ReShonda, who served as a consultant, makes a cameo in the movie). Her entire Amen series, as well as the novel I Know I’ve Been Changed has been optioned by BET. ReShonda also makes her on-screen acting debut in the movie, which will air in 2013 as part of BET’s new original programming lineup. Several of her faith-based books have become a sought-after property in Hollywood.
A much sought-after public speaker, ReShonda recently won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her book Say Amen, Again and was nominated again in 2013 for her book The Secret She Kept. She has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills. She is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. Considered one of the top Inspirational Fiction authors in the country, her books remain a staple on the Bestseller’s list and have been featured in USA Today and Ebony Magazine as Summer Sizzlers. She was recently inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Missouri City/Sugar Land Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, ReShonda is a former professor of Broadcast Journalism at Langston University. She currently lives in Houston with her husband, Dr. Miron Billingsley, a Vice-president at Prairie View A&M University, and their three children, ages 13, 11 and 6.
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