Thought Provoking Perspectives is a powerful blog designed as a potent source of empowering knowledge to broaden the information base with those who share my passion for the written word. I firmly believe education is the single most important ingredient necessary to neutralize those forces that breed poverty and despair. @JohnTWills
Just a Season is a luminous story into the life of a man who, in the midst of pain and loss, journeys back in time to reexamine all the important people, circumstances, and intellectual fervor that contributed to the richness of his life.
It is a must read novel that will cause you to see the world through new eyes.One reviewer said, "This is the stuff movies are made of… not since “Roots” have I read a story that so succinctly chronicles an African American story!" Another said, “Not since The Color Purple have I read a book that evoked such emotions..." [more reviews below]
PRELUDE
A season is a time characterized by a particular circumstance, suitable to an indefinite period of time associated with a divine phenomenon that some call life. One of the first things I learned in this life was that it is a journey.During this passage through time I have come to realize that there are milestones, mountains, and valleys that everyone will encounter. Today, I have to face a valley and it’s excruciating. It’s June 28th, a day that I once celebrated as a very special day. Now, it’s filled with sorrow. The reason this day is different from all others is because I have come to the cemetery at Friendly Church.
Normally it’s hot and humid as summer begins, but not so today. It’s a cool gray day with the sky slightly overcast. I hear the echo of birds chirping from a distance. There is also a mist or a light fog hovering very near the ground that gives the aura of a mystical setting. This is a place where many of my family members who have passed away rest for eternity. Some have been resting here for over a hundred years. I have grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, a sister, and many friends here as well. The cemetery is in the most tranquil of places secluded from the rest of the world, very peaceful and beautiful, almost like being near the gateway of heaven.
My heart aches today because I have come here on what would have been my son’s birthday. This is a very hard thing for me to do as the natural order suggests it should be the other way around. Another difficulty is that this is the first time I will see his headstone that was put in place just a few days ago. Although I know what it should look like, it’s going to be hard to actually see it. It will indicate the finality of losing the dearest of all human beings. It’s hard to imagine what the rest of my life will be like without my precious son.
As I pass Granddaddy’s gravesite, I stop to say hello. After a brief moment, I continue in the direction of my son’s resting place. As I get closer, I begin to receive a rush of emotion to the point that my movements slow as the sight comes into view. I can now see his name clearly and I whisper “God why did you take him?” I become numb as I finally arrive at his gravesite, overwhelmed with this never before known emotion. This is something I never thought I would ever have to do, but here I am!!!
Suddenly, the sky begins to clear somewhat, as I now feel the sun’s rays from above. At this very moment, I receive an epiphany upon reading the dates inscribed on the stone. 1981 – 2001. What does this really mean? The beginning and the end, surely, but in the final analysis it is just a tiny little dash that represents the whole life of a person. I fall to my knees realizing the profound impact of that thought causing me to look to the heavens and wonder. If someone, for whatever reason, were to tell the story concealed within my dash. What might they say?
Chapter One
The story begins in late November 1951 on a clear sunny Sunday afternoon. It was fairly cool for an autumn day and as it was the custom in the Reid family, everyone had gone to church early to give praise to the Lord. This was a special day for this family. It was a special day because of their anticipation of a new member into the family. So it was a great, great feeling of joy and excitement that filled their home. Ruth and Josie did not attend church this day, because Josie was overdue and expecting to give birth at anytime...
My Granddaddy use to tell me fascinating stories designed to make me a man. In fact, he would tell me every day that “I raised you to be a man and as a man, you don’t know what you may have to do but when the time comes, you do it.” He said it so often throughout my youth that it was embedded into my mind and to this very day a warm smile appears “when I have to do it”.
I loved this wise man more than life itself. I knew, even then, his teachings were an inspired declaration of his celestial will or more simply put - his vision that shaped my destiny and it defined my purpose. Pop’s would teach me lessons, often times, like an Aesop Fables to make me think and it was my job to figure out the moral of the story.
This is my favorite:
The way the story was told to me, Granddaddy’s friend, Mr. Bob whose job was to offer a prayer every Sunday morning at church during the service prior to the preacher’s sermon, a job he had held for years. Sunday was a special day for the community, and for him to have a position where he would have the attention of everyone was a big deal. More accurately stated it was a platform for him to perform. He would have been a great entertainer.
Mr. Bob would walk to church every Sunday morning, rain or shine, from his home. The trip was several miles up and down hills and around curves, and he would be dressed in his best suit for the morning service. During the walk he would practice his part for the service, the prayer, with the intention of making it a show complete with screams and tears. This show would sometimes last thirty minutes. There were many Sundays one would wonder how one man could have so much to ask of the Lord and maybe say, please, let somebody else get a blessing.
On his way to church this particular Sunday, Mr. Bob came across an injured snake. In what he perceived as divine intervention, God said to him, help this poor creature. He realized he did not have a prayer for that day’s service, so he thought, wow, if I help the snake I can pray for us to have the strength to help all of God’s creatures. Since the snake is the lowliest of all creatures, this would really inspire the congregation and hopefully give them the encouragement to do the same at least until next Sunday’s message. So he picked up the badly injured snake and placed him in a safe place until he could return from church.
With great energy, and now inspired, Mr. Bob went on his way. He planned and practiced his prayer as he marched on to church. After he arrived and exchanged a few greetings, the service began with a joyful noise, as they say, meaning full of song. Then it was his turn to pray. He began to pray with a powerful tone, full of emotion. He asked God to give each person within the sound of his voice the strength to reach out and help all God’s creatures, from the loving dove to the lowly snake. His message had many in the tiny church standing with shouts of Amen. He felt he had done his job as he closed, asking God to bless the church and said Amen. In his usual style this took about a half hour.
To his surprise, the pastor also chose a sermon nearly identical to his message which took about another hour and a half, talking about helping all of God’s creatures. What a great day it was, Mr. Bob thought. Normally after the service ended everyone hung around to fellowship as it was one of the few chances they had to socialize. Mr. Bob would not hang around on this day - he had a mission and left church in a hurry. He rushed back to the spot where his injured snake was placed hoping it would still be there. He was very excited when he arrived to find it was where he left it. He put his snake in a burlap bag he had gotten from the church and took the snake home.
Over the next several weeks Mr. Bob cared for this creature, desperately trying to save the snake and nursing it back to health. About three weeks later he thought it was time to take his snake back to where he found it, thinking it was well enough to be set free. The following Sunday, he put on his best suit and started his journey to church with snake in hand. As he arrived at the spot where he had found it, he thought, what a wonderful thing he had done. He was sure to receive God’s blessing for this act of kindness.
He rubbed the snake gently and said goodbye. However, when he reached into the bag to grab it, suddenly the snake raised his head and bit him. Then bit him again and again. Mr. Bob cried out, “Why would you bite me after all I’ve done for you? My God why?” I guess he was expecting an answer from God, but none came. He repeated his cry once more. Then the snake stuck his head out of the bag and said, “I am a snake and that’s what we do.”After hearing this story over and over again, I finally figured out what it meant. It was a lesson that would prove to be invaluable.
Be careful in your dealings with people because people, just like the snake, will hurt you - that’s what they do.
One of the books I’ve published speaks to a subject rarely explained to children of this generation concerning the African American struggle. "Legacy - A New Season" is a stand-alone story rich in the history of the African American Diaspora. It is the sequel and the continuation of the novel "Just a Season".
This long awaited saga to the epic novel "Just a Season" will take you on an awe inspiring journey through the African American Diaspora, as told by a loving grandfather to his grandson in the oral African tradition at a time when America changed forever. I wanted to share this particular excerpt from "Just a Season" that I hope it will enlighten, empower, motivate, and touch your heart.
Today we live in a world where there is no Granddaddy to share that precious wisdom necessary to guide our young men and women into adulthood. I was fortunate or maybe blessed, to have had a loving grandfather who shared many valuable lessons with me.
These lessons formed the foundation of my very being…
Excerpt from “Just a Season”
“Granddaddy would say if you really hear me, not just listen to me, you will inherit life’s goodness. I would hear him talk about things like “God bless the child that’s got his own.” He constantly reminded me that everything that ever existed came from a just-single thought, and if you can think it, you can figure out how to do it just put your mind to it.
I would also constantly hear that a man must be able to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done regardless of the circumstances. “I raised you to be a man and as a man, you don’t know what you will have to do, but when the time comes, do it.” Granddaddy drove home the point, the difference between a man and a boy is the lessons he’s learned.
Granddaddy would also say you will always have an enemy. Your enemy is anyone who attempts to sabotage the assignment God has for your life. Your enemy is anybody who may resent you doing positive things and will be unhappy because of your success. These people will attempt to kill the faith that God has breathed within you.
They would rather discuss your past than your future because they don’t want you to have one. Your enemy should not be feared. He would say it is important to understand that this person usually will be close to you. He would tell me to use them as bridges, not barricades. Therefore, it is wise to make peace with your enemy.
“Just remember these things I say to you.” I certainly could not count all of these things, as it seemed like a million or more that I was supposed to remember. However, he asked me to remember above all else that there is no such thing as luck. The harder you work at something the luckier you get.
I would tell him that I was lucky, maybe because I had won a ballgame or something. He would smile and tell me luck is only preparation meeting opportunity. Life is all about survival and if you are to survive – never bring a knife to a gunfight. This would be just as foolish as using a shotgun to kill a mosquito. Then he asked me to remember that it is not the size of the dog in the fight; it is the size of the fight in the dog.
Granddaddy’s words had so much power, although it would often require some thinking on my part to figure out what he was talking about, or what the moral of the story was supposed to be. It may have taken awhile but I usually figured it out. For example, always take the road less traveled, make your own path, but be sure to leave a trail for others to follow. Life’s road is often hard; just make sure you travel it wisely. If you have a thousand miles to go, you must start the journey with the first step. During many of these lessons, he would remind me not to let your worries get the best of you.
Sometimes he would use humor. For example, he would say something like “Moses started out as a basket case.” Although most often he assured me that hard times will come and when they come, do not drown in your tears; always swim in your blessings. He would tell me he had seen so much and heard even more, in particular those stories from his early life when dreadful atrocities were done to Negroes. Some of the stories included acts of violence such as lynchings, burnings, and beatings. He would make a point to explain that the people who did these things believed they were acting in the best interest of society.
He would tell me about things he witnessed over time, that many of these atrocities were erased from the memory of society regardless how horrible the event was. Society’s reasoning would make you think their action was right, fair, and justified. Granddaddy would add, if history could erase that which he had witnessed and known to be true, how can you trust anything history told as truth? He would emphasize that I should never, never believe it, because nothing is as it seems.
I would marvel at his wisdom. He would tell me to always set my aim higher than the ground. Shoot for the stars because if you miss you will only land on the ground and that will be where everybody else will be. When he would tell me this, he would always add, please remember you are not finished because you are defeated. You are only finished if you give up. He would usually include a reminder. Always remember who you are and where you came from. Never think you are too big because you can be on top of the world today and the world can be on top of you tomorrow.
I think Granddaddy had the foresight to see that I could do common things in life in an uncommon way, that I could command the attention of the world around me. Granddaddy impressed upon me that change is a strange thing. Everyone talks about it but no one ever tries to affect it. It will take courage and perseverance to reach your place of success. Just remember that life -is not a rehearsal. It is real and it is you who will create your destiny don’t wait for it to come to you. He would say, can’t is not a word. Never use it because it implies failure. It is also smart to stay away from those who do use it.
He would tell me that I was an important creation, that God gave a special gift to me for the purpose of changing the world around me. It may be hard sometimes, you may not understand, you may have self-doubt or hesitation, but never quit. God gave it to you so use it wisely. He would add often times something biblical during his teaching, or so I thought, like to whom much is given, much is expected. It is because we needed you that God sent you. That statement profoundly gave me a sense of responsibility that I was duty-bound to carry throughout my life.
Granddaddy’s inspiration, courage, and motivation still humble me, and I’m filled with gratitude that his example profoundly enriched my soul. So much so that in those times of trouble, when the bridges are hard to cross and the road gets rough, I hear Granddaddy’s gentle voice reciting words once spoken by the Prophet Isaiah: “Fear not for I am with you.”
And that is a Thought Provoking Perspective from a loving Grandfather...
My Granddaddy would tell me fascinating stories designed to develop and guide me into manhood. In fact, he would specifically use the phrase: “I raised you to be a man and as a man, you don’t know what you may have to do but when the time comes, you do it.” I heard this that even today it brings a warm smile - “when I have to do it”. He said it so often throughout my youth that to me it was more like a commandment.
I loved Granddaddy more than life itself. I knew, even then, his teachings were an inspired declaration of his celestial will or more simply put - his vision that shaped my destiny defining my purpose. Pop’s would teach me lessons, often times, like an Aesop Fables to make me think and it was my job to figure out the moral of the story.
This is my favorite:
The way the story was told to me, Granddaddy’s friend, Mr. Bob whose job was to offer a prayer every Sunday morning at church during the service prior to the preacher’s sermon, a job he had held for years. Sunday was a special day for the community, and for him to have a position where he would have the attention of everyone was a big deal. More accurately stated it was a platform for him to perform. He would have been a great entertainer.
Mr. Bob would walk to church every Sunday morning, rain or shine, from his home. The trip was several miles up and down hills and around curves, and he would be dressed in his best suit for the morning service. During the walk he would practice his part for the service, the prayer, with the intention of making it a show complete with screams and tears. This show would sometimes last thirty minutes. There were many Sundays one would wonder how one man could have so much to ask of the Lord and maybe say, please, let somebody else get a blessing.
On his way to church this particular Sunday, Mr. Bob came across an injured snake. In what he perceived as divine intervention, God said to him, help this poor creature. He realized he did not have a prayer for that day’s service, so he thought, wow, if I help the snake I can pray for us to have the strength to help all of God’s creatures. Since the snake is the lowliest of all creatures, this would really inspire the congregation and hopefully give them the encouragement to do the same at least until next Sunday’s message. So he picked up the badly injured snake and placed him in a safe place until he could return from church.
With great energy, and now inspired, Mr. Bob went on his way. He planned and practiced his prayer as he marched on to church. After he arrived and exchanged a few greetings, the service began with a joyful noise, as they say, meaning full of song. Then it was his turn to pray. He began to pray with a powerful tone, full of emotion. He asked God to give each person within the sound of his voice the strength to reach out and help all God’s creatures, from the loving dove to the lowly snake. His message had many in the tiny church standing with shouts of Amen. He felt he had done his job as he closed, asking God to bless the church and said Amen. In his usual style this took about a half hour.
To his surprise, the pastor also chose a sermon nearly identical to his message which took about another hour and a half, talking about helping all of God’s creatures. What a great day it was, Mr. Bob thought. Normally after the service ended everyone hung around and fellowshipped as it was one of the few chances they had to socialize. Mr. Bob would not hang around on this day - he had a mission and left church in a hurry. He rushed back to the spot where his injured snake was placed hoping it would still be there. He was very excited when he arrived to find it was where he left it. He put his snake in a burlap bag he had gotten from the church and took the snake home.
Over the next several weeks Mr. Bob cared for this creature, desperately trying to save the snake and nursing it back to health. About three weeks later he thought it was time to take his snake back to where he found it, thinking it was well enough to be set free. The following Sunday, he put on his best suit and started his journey to church with snake in hand. As he arrived at the spot where he had found it, he thought, what a wonderful thing he had done. He was sure to receive God’s blessing for this act of kindness.
He rubbed the snake gently and said goodbye. However, when he reached into the bag to grab it, suddenly the snake raised his head and bit him. Then bit him again and again. Mr. Bob cried out, “Why would you bite me after all I’ve done for you? My God why?” I guess he was expecting an answer from God, but none came. He repeated his cry once more. Then the snake stuck his head out of the bag and said, “I am a snake and that’s what we do.”After hearing this story over and over again, I finally figured out what it meant. It was a lesson that would prove to be invaluable.
Be careful in your dealings with people because people, just like the snake, will hurt you - that’s what they do. And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…
John T. Wills has earned a Master’s and Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He's been a professor at Sojourner-Douglass College (HBC), Past Board Member of the Bowie State University Foundation, President of JT Wills Consulting, Past Vice President of the MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council, one of the founding members of the Black Empowered Men group, author of “Just a Season” and "Legacy - A New Season", a Journalist by way of the Washington Examiner and a blogging, supporter of several community organizations, a volunteer, a strong advocate for literacy empowerment and friend to many.
Any accolades attributed to his spirit are the result of the solid foundation provided by a loving grandfather. This great man assertively implanted the concept that knowledge is power, which developed into the understanding that education is the single most important ingredient necessary to neutralize those forces that breed poverty and despair. This philosophy planted the seeds that cultivated a life, which is “Just a Season”.
I am man who has been blessed with the gift of words or should I say the effective use of words. Therefore, I want to give high praise to my friend Vanessa Richardson of The Certain Ones Online Magazinefor sharing the wisdom of the amazing contributors who enrich, enlighten, and empower the minds and consciousness of us all. I am honored to be part of this group of fabulous wordsmiths.
If you did not have an opportunity to listen to Mr. George Fraser’s return appearance on The Book Tree Radio Show’s “In The Spotlight” segment last night. The highly sought after speaker and author graciously came back to deliver an awesome message to “us”. His commentary was so awe-inspiring that I was compelled to share it with you, my vast network, because Mr. Fraser used my platform to speak to the African American community and beyond.
Mr. Fraser spoke to my audience with concerned compassion as he addressed the state of a people. One of his friends noted that George is a “Fountain of Information” adding that he is and OCEAN of knowledge! In order to truly appreciate the wealth of knowledge he has to share just listen to him for any length of time and you will feel infinitely smarter. With that said, I invite you to listen to the gift of his interview and I hope you will realize this as truth.
Dare I say, the African American community has not had anything close to committed leadership since we lost Malcolm and Martin (I say that endearingly because they were ours). I lived during the time of great men. I have met a few presidents, the Mandela’s; sport stars, entertainers, Politians, and a host of great thinkers. Of course, Muhammad Ali, The Greatest of all times, is my all time hero to which I had a top five of list luminaries that I idolized. I say that to say after spending several hours with Mr. Fraser he now holds the number two spot - bar none!
I want to personally thank my friend George Fraser for his commitment, concern, and devotion to a community of people who stand on the shoulders of giants, and George you are one of those giants. So friends, followers, listeners, ladies and gentlemen - please listen to this powerful message and lets change the lives of our children, and by extension our community.
The John T. Wills Book Tree Radio Show welcome’s acclaimed Author George C. Fraser as our very special guest on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 8:30 PM (est). Mr. Fraser has held leadership positions with Procter & Gamble, the United Way, and Ford Motor Company. He wrote three acclaimed books: Success Runs in Our Race; The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the African American Community and Race for Success; The Ten Best Business Opportunities for Blacks in America and most recently, Click: Ten Truths to Building Extraordinary Relationships.
Mr. Fraser publishes the award-winning SuccessGuide Worldwide: The Networking Guide to Black Resources. He is the founder of the annual PowerNetworking Conference, where thousands of Black professionals, business owners, and community leaders gather to discuss and do business with each other.
Anthony Reeves Esq. said of Mr. Fraser:
"If you could call certain people a "Fountain of Information", then George Fraser would be an OCEAN. In order to truly appreciate the wealth of knowledge he has to share, spend 2 minutes speaking with him and you will feel infinitely smarter."
He has appeared on CNN and in The Wall Street Journal. Over the past decade, the prestigious publication, Vital Speeches of the Day, has selected, reprinted and distributed worldwide, five of his speeches--a first for any professional speaker in America, regardless of color. Upscale magazine named him one of the "Top 50 power brokers in Black America," and Black Enterprise magazine called him "Black America’s #1 Networker" and featured him on a cover issue. Personal growth "guru" Stephen Covey called him a "masterful teacher."
You really don’t want to miss this broadcast!!! Call in and speak with our guest Call in number: (718) 506-1699.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome esteemed Author Toi Moore – “Dubbed the Celebrity Author” - to the John T. Wills Book Tree Radio’s “In The Spotlight”; Wednesday, November 28th at 8:30 PM (est). Author Toi Moore is back with another blockbuster book - “HOW TO GET BILL COLLECTORS OFF YOUR ASSets!” A book that helps readers with ways on DEBT SURVIVAL. She is also a nationally syndicated author of newspapers and magazines such as Billboard and Upscale who has over 350 bylines to her name.
Toi has also written five other books which include "Not Quite Good Enough", an Erotic Comedy; the celebrity endorsed book, "Unbreakable, A Guide to Understanding Marriage and Relationships" which focuses on the 20 plus years of being married to her professional guitarist husband Greg "G. Moe" Moore; "Mind Games", a mystery thriller; "Momma Please Forgive Me", a fictional story reflecting domestic violence; and How to Self Publish on a Shoestring Budget In 10 Easy Steps, which is an instructional booklet that encourages readers to follow their dreams of seeing their names on a published book.
She is called the celebrity author because of her work with several well known celebrities, entertainers, and VIP's such as: OPRAH WINFREY; musical legends EARTH, WIND & FIRE; Presidential Candidate HERMAN CAIN; Boxer LAILA ALI; singer JAMES INGRAM; actress VIVICA A. FOX; Boxer SUGAR SHANE MOSELY; Radio personality SHIRLEY STRAWBERRY; Motown song writer LAMONT (Holland, Dozier, Holland) DOZIER; Nasa Officials, Former Los Angeles Chief of Police BERNARD PARKS; Fubu clothing designer, founder/CEO & television show 'Shark Tank' co-host and cast-member, DAYMOND JOHN; Founder of Operation Hope JOHN "HOPE" BRYANT; Jazz Saxophonist BONEY JAMES; and singer JAHEIM to name a small few.
Call in and welcome this amazing author at 718-506-1699.
Yolanda
M. Johnson-Bryant, also known as That Literary Lady, is an author,
freelance writer, public speaker and consultant. Yolanda became a
published author in 2004, with her debut novel “My Daughter’s Keeper.”
She followed up with her sophomore novel in 2005 with “Circumstances.”
In 2012 she released “Revelations” and is pegged to release “27 Flagship
Cove” in January 2013.
Yolanda began writing at an early age. She
wrote poetry as a child and wrote lyrics to songs performed by her high
school girl band. She knew this writing thing was more than just a
hobby when, in 1999, she entered a short story contest sponsored by
Playboy Magazine and Fastweb.com. Yolanda won the first place prize of
$1500. From there she started her first manuscript and nearly a dozen
story lines were created.
After sending letters to agents and
getting a rejection letter from one agent and no response at all from
another, Yolanda set out to learn everything she could about the
publishing and literary industry and decided to self-publish her work.
After experiencing various growing pangs in the industry, she decided to
be a resource and help other writers and authors who sought to
self-publish. She consults writers in the processes of self-publishing,
marketing, social media and entrepreneurship.
Having an
educational background in computer sciences and information technology,
Yolanda has also been fascinated with the evolution and advances of
technology and social media venues. She always strives to be on the
cutting edge of technology and social promotion.
Yolanda often
offers consultation, workshops and classes advocating both youth and
adult literacy. Through her company, Literary Wonders! and Literary
Wonders Kids!, she conducts scholarship and anthology projects and
considers herself a valuable resource to the literary and publishing
communities.
Yolanda gives workshops and classes in the community
to promote literacy and entrepreneurship. She has participated with such
organizations as the Greensboro Public Library, Christians in the
Marketplace, The Nussbaum Center of Entrepreneurship and Women’s
Entrepreneurship Learning and Leading, (W.E.L.L.). She currently
volunteers with Junior Achievement, the Volunteer Center of Greensboro
and is a mentor for The Women’s Resource Center’s New Choices Program.
Yolanda
is the Area 42 Governor for North Carolina District 37, Division E
Toastmasters. She serves as Vice President of Education for
Speakerpreneur Toastmasters, is a current and charter member of
MprovMasters Toastmasters and is the Assistant Division Governor of PR
for Division E Toastmasters.
Hello
all! I am Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant, also known as that Literary Lady.
I’m originally from Denver, Colorado but currently live in the Piedmont
Triad area of North Carolina with my wonderful husband. I am the author
of several books, the latest being Revelations. I am currently working
on a few titles due out in 2013. I am a freelance writer and columnist. I
am also the host of “On the Air With That Literary Lady” which is
podcasted on iTunes. I am the mother of two grown children and three
beautiful grandchildren.
What is your current or most recent project?
I
have several projects in the works. I recently created Sweethearts of
the Triad, an organization that recognizes women entrepreneurs and
community servers. We will be having our first annual Sweetheart of the
Year Luncheon in December. I am working on 27 Flagship Cove, my first
novel in the Tommie Lane Christian Thriller Series; Someone to Watch
Over Me, my first teen book and the first book in my That Literary Lady
Knows Series, that will address everything from public speaking to
publishing, to social media.
What are you planning to write next?
I
will continue with my Tommie Lane Christian Thriller Series, the That
Literary Lady Knows Series, and a novel about domestic violence. In
addition, readers have told me they’d like to see more of Renee
Matthews, so I will be penning that at the end of 2013.
Are you a member of a writers group? Have you attended writing courses or seminars? Have these been helpful to you?
Currently,
I a member of several online writing groups. I have weaned off most of
my offline writing groups due to my busy schedule. I attend writing
workshop on a regular as well as conduct them. I find that some are
helpful, while others aren’t helpful. That isn’t to say they are not
helpful to someone that is less experienced.
Have you other interests outside of writing? What do you do with your spare time?
I
know this is an oxymoron for a writer to say, but I also love to read.
In addition, I love to spend time with my husband, talking trash about
sports—he’s a Broncos fan and I’m a Cowboys fan. I love interior
decorating, so I’m always doing something around the house. I also do a
lot of community work.
What’s the most useful ‘how to’ advice you’ve encountered?
Being
a business owner, my writing often takes a backseat to my clients. With
that being said, the most useful advice, not necessarily how-to, came
from my husband recently. He said, “Babe, you’re always helping everyone
else. You’ve helped people that were less experienced than you, now
they have more books out than you. You need to take some time to do
you.” And, this is so true. It’s okay to help others, but not at the
risk of losing your dream.
Tell us a little about your book(s).
Circumstances
– Renee Matthews is desperately searching for inner peace and her
rightful place in life. She is daunted by a mentally abusive,
self-proclaimed spiritual mother—Barbara Jean Jackson—who keeps her torn
between her personal insecurities and her desire to love and to be
loved.
She succumbs to fear as she turns down the proposal of
long-time friend, Charlie Thatcher, in fear of his racist mother. Trying
to reclaim her life, Renee falls in love with Stuart Humphries, a man
she met over the Internet. Within Stuart’s past, lies a secret that even
he has yet to learn while within Renee’s past, a secret lies in wait
for its resurrection, with hopes of destroying everyone, including
Renee.
Revelations – In Circumstances, Renee Matthews left behind
the painful memories of Denver and her mother, Barbara Jean, for
promises of happiness in San Diego. With a prominent position at one of
the country’s largest securities firm, Renee has found financial
security, self-acceptance, friendship, and love with Stuart
Humphries—this is until Barbara Jean interrupts her wedding with a
bombshell of a secret that will change everyone’s life forever.
Now,
the tables have turned. Barbara Jean has fallen ill, and the only
person she can count on is her daughter. In spite of all Barbara Jean
has done to destroy Renee, she is at her mother’s side. Being ill
doesn’t change Barbara Jean’s feelings for her daughter and Renee soon
finds out why it is that her mother despises her so much.
The more
time Renee spends in Denver with her ailing mother and her family, the
more family secrets are revealed. Renee wonders if she will survive the
revelations that make up her world, or if her mother will ultimately
destroy her.
27 Flagship Cove – Detective Tommie Lane is a veteran
of the Greensboro Police Department and following in her father’s
footsteps. A serial killer is on the loose and he’s targeting prominent
Christian women and leaving a trail all the way from Denver to
Greensboro. Det. Lane and her crew must catch the killer before she
becomes one of the “Holy Roller” killer’s victims.
What genre do you consider yourself?
I
hate putting myself in a box because you’ll never know which direction
I’ll come from, but if I absolutely had to put myself in a category, it
would simply be women’s issues. Everything I write is geared towards
women, whether it is a fiction title, a non-fiction title or a business
title, but it can be utilized by all.
Why do you write? Is it
something you’ve always done, or always wanted to do? Or is it something
that you started fairly recently?
I write because it enables me
to express myself and be creative. In the interim, I am able to help
others. God has given me many revelations and things to write about, not
to mention, my life is full of great material. If I could do nothing
else, I would write. If I didn’t get paid for it, I’d still write.
Writing is who and what I am.
God
has anointed Rebecca Greene to write and she shares her gift in the
novels, blogs and devotionals that she publishes for the Glory of God
and the up building of His kingdom. Her books include Sisters in the Name of Love and the series, Dear Diary 15.
Her books are written with one purpose in mind and that is to bring
healing to the broken hearted. Rebecca's books have generated a faithful
audience who frequently express how much her books have touched them.
Rebecca
also writes a monthly devotional for the organization, Sisters Pushing
Ahead, Inc. Women Ministries (S.P.A.) which is a women's ministry that
focuses on bringing healing and refreshing to women. Rebecca publishes a
monthly newsletter for her organization, "Who Am I Ministries", and
organization that deals with the issue of self image and insecurity.
Rebecca has led in the capacity of a youth mentor for thirteen years in
conjunction with her home church as we as personal and one on one
mentoring.
She has been invited to other ministries, radio and
television broadcasts and various functions to pass on the message that
God has given her for the youth of today. She is excited about this
vision that God has given her and by the grace of God, she is walking in
her anointing to fulfill God's purpose!!!
To request a speaking engagement, an interview and/or book signing, with Rebecca Greene, contact her at rcbeccasbooks@mexom.
Sisters in the Name of Love
is the Christian woman's answer to Waiting to Exhale. It answers the
question that sisters all over the world have asked at some time in
their lives. Where do broken hearts go? They should be going to Christ!
I am proud to invite and share with the great news about WNL Virtual Blog Tours. WNL is a place that loves helping author’s promote their books. Over the years they’ve built great relationships with media, bloggers, and literary people who love books. They will help you connect with your audience through radio interviews, guest blogging, and book reviews.
WNL offers virtual event packages to meet your needs. WNL ONLY coordinate blog tours for authors, both fiction and nonfiction.
FICTION: Our niche is the Christian or Inspirational Fiction market, but we are open to other genres since we work with a wide range of bloggers. WNL prefers to ONLY promote books that are considered “clean” fiction (PG-13).
NONFICTION: Nonfiction authors must have a solid platform.
Guidelines:
Attn: Because I want this website and its authors to be taken seriously, I must make sure that the novels that come though WNL are edited and they are a novel I would be proud to put my website’s name behind. Therefore, I or one of my reviewers must read your novel before I agree to accept your novel for a blog tour. The ones I most prefer to promote are Christian Romance, YA, Children, Christian Fiction and Non-Fiction.
WNL is now accepting paperbacks, e-books and PDF for review.
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Just a Season is a luminous story into the life of a man who, in the midst of pain and loss, journeys back in time to reexamine all the important people, circumstances, and intellectual fervor that contributed to the richness of his life.
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