Tag Archives: kensington

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Rhonda McKnight, author of Secrets and Lies

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Rhonda McKnight, author of Secrets and Lies
(Kensington Publishers)

(One of the first ten people to comment on Rhonda McKnight’s author interview will win a FREE copy of Secrets and Lies from JoeyPinkney.com)

Secrets and Lies is the story of a couple struggling to keep their troubled marriage together after the husband’s coworker accuses him of the unthinkable.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Secrets and Lies?

Rhonda McKnight:
I was deep in marital woes when the pain of this couple came to me. I would say that helped with the realistic, emotional struggle that unravels as you turn the pages, but it’s not my story. That would be boring.

I did the “what if” thing. What if a marriage was bad and then something happened to make it worse? And that something was out of their control? And it not only affected the marriage, but a career? The career of a work-a-holic? I just rolled with the “what ifs” from there until I had the twist and turns.

JP: Marriage is simply complex. What are some of the lessons that can be drawn from Secrets and Lies that can make navigating the difficulties of marriage less of a blind journey?

RM: Communicate. Know that marriage is a union where emotional intimacy is critical to the success of the relationship. Trust your partner with all of you, all of your hurts and pains. Don’t turn secrets into lies. It’s a betrayal of trust.

JP: How were you able to get so many in depth reviews of Secrets and Lies before it was released?

RM: I think being with a mainstream publisher helped with the credibility of my writing, but I didn’t rely on that. I developed relationships with reviewers. I mean they’re book lovers just like me, so I introduced myself to them on their blogs and in chat rooms and message boards.

When I put out the call for reviews, people were interested. I’m naturally out going, and I love to meet people, so that was easy for me. It might not be as easy for an introverted author. Suggestions for them would be to make sure they have a professionally developed press kit. Also, make an effort to publicize some samples of your writing.

I introduced some short stories on a blog way back in February and posted it everywhere. People knew ahead of time that I could tell a story, and they were probably fairly certain they wouldn’t want to throw the book against a wall.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Secrets and Lies?

RM: Secrets and Lies from start to finish – forever. Four years on and off. Maybe a good year or more of actual hands on the keyboard writing and editing time. I had a baby and finished grad school while I was pecking away at this story.

As for my process, I write the beginning of my story because it comes to me very visually; usually through two or three chapters. Then I do extensive character outlines, so I get to know the people. I follow that with plotting. I like a detailed outline.

I didn’t do one for Secrets and Lies, but I did for my second book and wrote the first draft in less than six weeks. I’ll never not outline again.

JP: What’s next for Rhonda McKnight?

RM: I’m promoting this novel and working on several writing projects. I have a book release party scheduled for Saturday, Dec 5th here in Atlanta and on Dec 13th in Manning, SC. (More about those on my website on the events page).

I have several Internet radio interviews and blog features (like this one) scheduled through the end of February. I’m participating in several local booksignings, and then in the March I’ll do some touring that will last through June. I’m working on an anthology project that will release Spring 2010.

My biggest event for 2010 will be the annual Faith and Fiction Retreat – June 18 and 19th in Atlanta. Details at www.faithandfictionretreat.com. I’ll be there with some awesome authors, like Kimberla Lawson Roby, Victoria Christopher Murray , Tiffany L. Warren and more, and then of course our beloved readers. Wouldn’t be any fun without them.

http://www.rhondamcknight.net/
http://www.twitter.com/rhondamcknight
http://www.facebook.com/rhondamcknight
http://www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com/

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Ashea Goldson, author of The Lovechild

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Ashea Goldson, author of The Lovechild
(Urban Christian/Kensington)

The Lovechild provides a riveting ride through the life of Makaeli Lovechild Hunt, a successful fashion designer who struggles with her biracial identity and her spirituality. Born into a dysfunctional family and enduring many hardships, she eventually becomes estranged from them.

She escapes to Italy where she dives into her career and masks her resentment for her family, for God and for herself. Finally a family emergency forces her to face her tumultuous past.

In seven life-altering days, she discovers what firgiveness really means. Amidst crises painful enough to make her turn her back on God forever, she learns what it means to be God’s lovechild.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Lovechild?

Ashea Goldson: The Lovechild grew in my spirit from the notion that nothing can separate us from the love of God, no matter what it looks or feels like. I was inspired to write a story of an emotionally wounded person and their journey to deliverance and redemption. Although the character’s experience doesn’t parallel mine, I too have been delivered and redeemed.

JP: What sets The Lovechild apart from other novels in its genre?

AG: Not only is the novel different in that it has an international setting, but unlike so many books in this genre, it is neither a love story nor a best friends story. It also adds a fast paced element of mystery.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Lovechild getting out to the public?

AG: One of the greatest keys to my success is my faith, knowing that nothing is impossible for God. Therefore, I pray, do what I must do in the natural and don’t give up when situations seemingly don’t work out my way.

Other keys to my success are dedication and determination. I’ve always been a believer in doing what I need to do in order to accomplish whatever is needed. Even though my schedule is often hectic with the full-time business that I run, family and ministry, I am dedicated to my calling. I continue to push myself forward. Not writing is not an option.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish The Lovechild?

AG: It took between two and a half to three years to finish The Lovechild because I was studying the craft of fiction writing during those years and. As I learned, the story kept changing, hopefully becoming better. I didn’t have a formal process at the time. I just wrote and edited as I went along.

However, now that I have completed more than one manuscript, my process involves doing a character analysis, research, a plot outline, then a complete rough draft before I start “fixing” the story. The entire process now takes me a few months instead of a few years.

JP: What’s next for Ashea Goldson?

AG:
I will be promoting my story, “The Kit Cat Trial” in an anthology entitled Pets Across America which was just released in October 2009. The proceeds will go towards pet activist organizations.

My next Christian fiction novel, Joy Comes In The Morning, will be released in July 2010. I am currently working on the sequel to this which is Count It All Joy. I will be re-releasing a non-fiction work entitled Resurrecting Vision in January 2010 through my own publishing company, GoldWrite Publishing. I also have plans to publish a few other works as well.

http://www.asheagoldson.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ashea-goldson
asheagold@yahoo.com
(678) 510-6941

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Bestselling Author Dwan Abrams, author of My Mother’s Child

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Dwan Abrams, author of My Mother’s Child
(Urban Books/Kensington)

Lyric Stokes lives, by most standards, a charmed life. Married to Michael Stokes, a prominent heart surgeon, she has financial security and lives in the lap of luxury. All is not perfect, though. Lyric feels inadequate because she gave birth to a daughter, rather than the son that her husband so desperately wanted.

After an unexpected turn of events, Lyric discovers that she’s pregnant again, but now she has to decide whether she even wants to keep the child she has longed for. She seeks solace in her church, where her daughter also feels at home; but they can’t get Michael to join them. Disagreeing with organized religion, he has put his job before all else, including God. The distance between the couple grows further every day.

Nigel Fredericks has a history of stalking women. He’s been accused, but never convicted. Now he’s set his sights on Lyric. She’s at a low point in her life, and Nigel knows just how to take advantage of that vulnerability. Lyric’s life is turned upside down; Nigel is like a cancer eating away at her mental stability, her marriage, and ultimately, her life. Will Michael reevaluate his priorities and his faith in time to save his family?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write My Mother’s Child?

Dwan Abrams:
My Mother’s Child is actually the sequel to bestselling novel, Divorcing the Devil. In My Mother’s Child, Dr. Skyler Little makes a cameo appearance, whereas in Divorcing the Devil, she was the main character. There are new characters in My Mother’s Child, but Nigel made his debut in Divorcing the Devil. Now the readers will go inside of Nigel’s twisted world.

JP: There are many wives around the world who, like the main character Lyric Stokes, feel guilty for not being able to provide that son their husband yearns for. What do you expect your readers to get from that particular aspect of My Mother’s Child?

DA: Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.

JP: What have you learned from your previous novels that makes My Mother’s Child a better book in terms of constructing a finished product?

DA: I’ve learned that my readers like for me to bring them drama with unexpected plot twists. My Mother’s Child has the right amount of tension, and the readers will not be able to guess the outcome.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish My Mother’s Child?

DA: I’m a full-time novelist, so I don’t really have a writing process, per se. For the most part, I sit in front of the TV with my laptop and type. I’m also a freelance editor and founder of Nevaeh Publishing, a small press independent publishing house. My editing and publishing duties can sometimes pull me away from writing. Even still, I try not to neglect my writing for extended periods of time.

In the case of My Mother’s Child, it took me approximately 9-12 months to write. That’s long for me, though. During that time, I had numerous editing assignments and even co-authored a non-fiction book. Because of that, finishing my novel was delayed. Funny thing is, after I turned in the manuscript for My Mother’s Child, my editor told me that it was her favorite amongst my books. Since she had read all of my previous books, I was happy to hear that.

JP: What’s next for Dwan Abrams?

DA: Good question. For Dwan Abrams the author, I’ll be on tour in 2010 promoting the release of my fifth novel, My Mother’s Child. My publisher, Urban Books/Kensington, recently accepted my book proposal for a 2011 release. That book is based on Shania and Greg, characters from my novel, Married Strangers. I’m currently working on a manuscript that centers around Rayna and Bryce, the interracial couple also from Married Strangers.

As a publisher, I’m excited about the authors signed to Nevaeh Publishing. We have ten titles coming out in 2010 beginning in January. We will even release our first children’s book. Please visit www.nevaehpublishing.com for a listing of our upcoming releases. Be sure to visit often, we make regular updates. In addition to that, we’re accepting submissions for 2011.

My novel, Divorcing the Devil, was nominated for the 2008 African American Literary Awards Show. My novel, Only True Love Waits, won the 2007 POWER Award for Best Fiction. Readers can email me at dwanabrams1@aol.com.

http://www.dwanabrams.com/
http://www.nevaehpublishing.com/
http://www.myspace.com/dwanabrams
http://www.myspace.com/nevaehpublishing
Facebook: I have a regular page for Dwan Abrams and a Dwan Abrams Fan Page. There’s also a page for Nevaeh Publishing.
http://www.twitter.com/dwanabrams
http://dwanabrams.blogspot.com
http://nevaehpublishing.blogspot.com
http://nevaehpublishing.ning.com

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