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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview, virtual blog tour

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Shewanda Riley, author of Love Hangover

June 10, 2009 Joey Pinkney 5 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Shewanda Riley, author of Love Hangover
(Suncreek Books)

“God told me to break up with you,” he told her. After 18 months of dating, he had the nerve to throw God’s name in it – whenever woman was still at the root of it all. So she confesses in her book — Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends – that yes, she did want to heave that brick through his windshield.

In this best selling inspirational book, Riley shares her journey to wholeness through journal entries and offers practical advice for those seeking healing from emotional traumas.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Love Hangover?

Shewanda Riley: Love Hangover came from a painful breakup I had with a boyfriend. We dated for about 18 months, and he told me one day that God told him to break up with me.

One of the ways I dealt with the breakup was to write daily journals detailing my feelings. Those journals eventually became the heart of the book. They show my emotional roller coaster with the hopes that it can help others in the same position.

JP: How did you go about collaborating with Germaine Hawkins on Love Hangover?

SR: I met Dr. Hawkins when we both participated in a job fair in Dallas about 6 months after I started writing the book. Since he liked writing, he agreed to provide the more clinical perspective to the relationship breakup.

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

SR: For me, it was being persistent and thinking outside the box. I worked full time as a radio broadcaster when the book was released. I was able to use those relationships to create “buzz” in the media.

I began a column in a local community newspaper and founded an annual relationship conference for singles. I believe that it was these combined efforts that helped the book become successful.

JP: What is the most interesting response to Love Hangover that you can remember?

SR: The most interesting response was from a young man who stated that he was too embarrassed to admit that he’d also gone through a love hangover. He appreciated what the book was about and the fact that when he bought it, I didn’t call him out.

JP: What’s next for Shewanda Riley?

SR: I’m completing a book of prayers for writers called Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart and a fiction book.

http://www.shewandalriley.com/

The book was named an Essence best seller, endorsed by TD Jakes and Les Brown. It’s also been featured in JET Magazine, The Potter’s Touch TV show, USA Radio Networks and ABC Radio Networks. My contact info is info@shewandalriley.com or 972-533-3543. I’m also on Facebook.

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview, virtual blog tour

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress, author of Manna for Mamma

June 10, 2009 Joey Pinkney 6 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress, author of Manna for Mamma
(Little Light Production, LLC)

Manna for Mamma: Wisdom for Women in the Wilderness, a Dallas Morning News #1 Bestseller, is a non-fiction work that parallels the journey of the Israelites (from captivity in Egypt to the Promised Land in Canaan) with the ten (10) most common experiences women face today during their personal seasons of wilderness.

The book’s driving purpose is to respond to those seemingly barren and uncomfortable situations in a woman’s life and reveal that Jesus is her manna, available to not only meet her “wilderness” needs but to bring her out. Manna for Mamma will inspire women to move into that place where His promise for her life has already been fulfilled and is awaiting her arrival.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Manna for Mamma?

Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress: I’d encountered a season where I was drawn, if you will, to the plight of the Israelite people; I read everything I could about them, couldn’t get enough, in fact. During that same time, women (some I knew, some I didn’t) would communicate to me how they were “going through” one thing or another and my thoughts would pair these women’s challenges with an Israelite wilderness experience that I’d read about. The resemblance between the two was so uncanny and undeniable. I began to pray for direction and answers as to why God was showing me all this, and even more, what He wanted me to do with it.

I believe it was His way of inspiring me to present Him as The Unchanging Hand to a population of women who were being tested and transitioned, looking for and in dire need of something new—like manna was to the Israelites. Hence, Manna For Mamma.

JP: What sets Manna for Mamma apart from other self-help books based on Biblical scripture?

VMC: Manna for Mamma is a book to, for and about women and our journey through this oftentimes tricky thing called life. Manna for Mamma is a different self-help book in that its not preachy, but teachy. Some self-help books point a ‘ Here’s-where-you-went-wrong ‘ and if you’re really lucky, a ‘ Here’s-how-you-need-to-fix-it ‘ finger in reader’s face(s)–at least I’ve felt that way after reading some. But I truly believe that Manna for Mamma points that same finger away from the reader and in the direction of God to show that no matter who, what, when, where OR why, He’s got you and it’s a done deal.

Manna for Mamma incorporates the stories of key Biblical she-roes, some real divas, showing them at both high and low points to remind women that there’s absolutely nothing new under the sun. If its happening to you today then, sweety, it surely happened to your foresister(s)! So, read about their losses, take your lumps and LEARN; look only to yesterday for the beauty of the lesson but set your sights on today so you can LIVE. And true living, abundant and free, IS the land of milk and honey.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Manna for Mamma getting out to the public?

VMC: Well, truthfully speaking, the keys to getting Manna for Mamma or any book out into the public eye–or hands–has far less to do with my being an author at this point. Because I’m still relatively new in the literary game–okay, maybe not new, but let’s just say I’m not a heavy hitter or shot-caller–I don’t have the luxury of simply making it happen on the laurels of my good name alone–at least not just yet (smile).

Success in this industry, as with any other, still has alot to do with what you know and who you know. It definitely takes a certain tenacity to push and keep pushing your book(s) out in front of others, but I guess I’m old school and believe in timing and favor as holding the keys to the success I’ve had so far. Plus, being in the encouraging company of some truly anointed and self-less authors (my Anointed Authors on Tour sisters), has a lot to do with much of Manna for Mamma‘s success. Love you, ladies!

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

VMC: I’m an inspirational writer, seeking to motivate others, so I position myself to BE inspired before I can write and feel good about what I’ve done. I wish I could say that I’m disciplined and write twenty-five pages a day on schedule, but the plain truth is I write when “it” hits me. That “it” factor can be a simple phrase that comes to mind or sometimes “it” can be several pages in a couple hours. No matter what “it” is, I write it then wait for the pieces to come together and when they do, it’s always a fit.

But to answer your direct question, Manna for Mamma probably took somewhere between three and five months to completely pen.

JP: What’s next for Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress?

VMC: Still waiting to find out myself (smile). I’ve written with such a vengeance since 2001, and I do mean constantly plugging away at it! And because writing can be such a solitary undertaking, its easy to become somewhat reclusive. Of course, I’m writing, but a large chunk of my existence is now devoted to living and enjoying not just writing and promoting; I’m working to find that ever so delicate balance (smile). So, I’m trying my hand at something a bit different–a novel–and allowing life, up close and unedited, to inspire me.

http://www.myspace.com/DrVivi
http://www.shoutlife.com/DrVivi
LittleLightProd@aol.com

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview, virtual blog tour

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Michelle Stimpson, author of Trouble In My Way

June 8, 2009 Joey Pinkney 5 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Michelle Stimpson, author of Trouble In My Way
(Pocket Books/Simon & Schuster)

It’s all Karis’ mom’s fault. If she hadn’t snooped into Karis’s diary, she never would have known about Karis’s unauthorized activies. Now, Karis is grounded indefinitely with no modem, no iPod…and no cell phone.

There’s just no way Karis can survive being cut off from the world. Add a “shiesty” potential stepmother, a dangerous relationship with a self-proclaimed bad boy and the constant pressure to cover her sneaky tracks – the combination makes a perfect recipe for high drama.

Will faith in God help Karis get through, or has she pushed grace, and her mother, too far?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration for Trouble In My Way?

Michelle Stimpson: I was sitting in a Florida restaurant with ReShonda Tate-Billingsley discussing the release of her new young adult book, talking about what a ministry God has opened up through young adult fiction. She encouraged me to write a book for young adults, so I did.

When I write Christian fiction for adults, I know that I’m often trying to “undo” some of the damage that we’ve endured in our lives. When I write for young adults, it’s more proactive. I like that aspect. I wanted to write a book about a young lady who learns some things the hard way so that my readers hopefully won’t have to.

JP: What sets Trouble In My Way apart from your other releases?

MS: This is a short, fun read with a serious message. Since it’s for a different genre, it’s being promoted, shelved and received differently. I hope to be able to capture a whole new audience with this one.

JP: What have you learned from getting your previous book published that will help Trouble In My Way be better than the rest?

MS: Hmmm…this is a tough one because I don’t know that Trouble In My Way is necessarily “better.” All of my books are like my children, so I can’t say which one is better. I can, however, say that Trouble In My Way took me way back as a writer and made me think/reason in teenage terms. In that sense, it has a voice all its own.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Trouble In My Way?

MS: I wrote this book mostly over the Christmas Break of 2006. It took me about 6 weeks to write, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. I had a pretty detailed outline and went from there. Since I was pretty much able to write from sun up to sundown (no school, no work), it went fairly quickly.

JP: What’s next for Michelle Stimpson?

MS: I just signed another 3-book deal (adult Christian fiction), and I’m working on a follow-up to my first novel, Boaz Brown. Aside from that, I’m releasing short stories, and I’ll probably do a little teaching at the college level this fall. I’m also working to earn my ministry license.

http://www.michellestimpson.com/
http://www.womengrowinginchrist.com/
http://www.wegottaread.com/

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