Dialogue with the Author

Armed with the standard list of questions most interviewers keep on hand, I pondered which ones I would draw from for today’s piece.

After speaking to Ms. A’ngelle I felt a bit more secure in what I would bring forth. I did because I took off the restraints and wrote from the heart. You see, once you have spent any length of time with LaCricia A’ngelle, your heart has been forever touched by the effervescent author from Tennessee.

Effervescent – bubbling, scintillating, sparkling, sparkling, marked by high spirits. Each of the aforementioned adjectives can certainly be used to describe LaCricia. They can because she is FREE. Within that freedom she is unencumbered by the restraints that too often confine the literary prose. Because she is free she writes with abandon, wisdom, skill and the love of God. The freedom that she exudes in virtually every aspect of her life flows from her pen onto paper as entertainment securely wrapped in ministry.

To aspiring and novice authors she encourages you to step out on the gift God has entrusted to you. In doing so she cautions that there are no shortcuts and that you must take the time to learn the craft.

You can find out more about LaCricia A’ngelle by visiting her on the web at:

http://www.lacriciaangelle.com/
http://authorlacricia.wordpress.com/

What the Future Holds

Author Maurice M. Gray, Jr. truly gives his readers something to ponder in his short story Long Term featured in The Soul of a Man (A Triumph of My Soul Anthology) from Peace in the Storm Publishing.

Nate Carter is the Temporary Employee Coordinator overseeing the transitory workers moving through Statebank. People coming and going is all in a days work for him. What he does not anticipate is his past returning with the intent of making the somewhat short-term assignment a long-term position in his private life.

Within the few pages you will become acquainted with two people determined to achieve personal goals. It will be those goals that will war with their sensibilities and determine if their interaction should be – Long Term.

Dialogue with the Author

When asked how he came to title his latest short story ‘Long Term’, Maurice Gray, chuckles and then easily responds that it came from real life experience. Like his characters, he once worked temporary assignments. What he observed was that the personalities of many in the temporary positions were well-suited for the work. Their short attention spans made them perfect for their short term projects; i.e., they soon tired of the work and were ready to move on.

A people watcher by nature Maurice compared his surveillances to how relationships are evaluated. Those looking for the casual move in quickly; get what they can get and then move on – these are short-term assignments. He believes that this state of the temporary can mature as focus widens, attention span enlarges and true value is placed on the quality of the relationship, be it personal or business.

Like the variety of assignments he has had, Maurice wears many hats. He is a sought after editor who also serves on the faculties of the Sandy Cove and Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conferences where he teaches workshops and evaluates manuscripts for attendees. He is also a member of the Damascus Road Authors.

A confessed loner who has found himself in a profession that requires much interaction with the public Maurice has found himself rising in the ranks of the Greater Newark area Toastmasters club.

Using laughter as medicine to heal most situations Maurice has been reviving his comedic skills at some of his public venues. He is also an accomplished singer and is very active in the Men’s Chorus and Singles ministry at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, DE near his home in New Castle, DE.

His published works include To Whom Much Is Given, All Things Work Together and Traveling Mercies (a short story in the Blessed Assurance anthology). His is the ‘as told to’ co-author of Livingston Lee’s – I Really Didn’t Mean To Get HIV. Next year his third novel Female Problems will release.

To learn more about Maurice you are invited to visit him on the web at:
www.mauricemgrayjr.com
www.myspace.com/writethevisionmg
www.facebook.com/people/maurice-m-gray-jr


The Soul of This Man Blog Tour continues tomorrow at Blogging in Black. See schedule below:

Day 2 – Tuesday, Aug 11
Blogging In Black

Day 3 - Wednesday, Aug 12
Abundant Solutions Hour
Call in Number: (718) 508-9600
6P/PST – 8P/CST – 9P/EST

Wanda B. Campbell Blog

Day 4 - Thursday, Aug 13
Out-the-Box Radio
Call in Number: (347) 237-4326
6P/PST – 8P/CST – 9P/EST

Tia's Pen

Day 5 - Friday, Aug 14
Phenomenal Women Book Club

Written Voices Blog Spot

Silence Has A Voice

Within the pages of Things Left Unspoken, Eva Marie Everson skillfully touches upon what is all too common in all families – secrets.

Jo-Lynn believes that returning to her hometown to renovate the family residence is the perfect escape from a marriage in need of the same care. What she discovers will change the view of what she once believed and bring her face to face with the reality of what is. Time spent with an imperfect family and reuniting with a long ago love are the tools used to help restore the life she was consenting to allow to slip away.

Things Left Unspoken combines intrigue and romance with faith to present a memorable story of what can happen when your silence finds its voice.

HER LIFE – UNTAPPED

Life Untapped is the name of Stacy Hawkins-Adams’ monthly newsletter.

By personal definition Stacy defines ‘life untapped’ as one living a life:
• Of optimism
• Of giving back
• Of loving unconditionally
• Of loving self
• Unafraid of the new
• Of recognizing and learning from everyday experiences

Those blessed to know Stacy in any capacity will attest to the fact that she is the living definition of the aforementioned words.

Operating within that context Stacy readily admits that writing is a passion she does not take for granted. With each book she challenges her skills not just for the sake of honing her craft, but for the benefit of her readers.

A celebrated author, Stacy’s humility speaks volumes as she gives thanks to the readers who share their thoughts with her and express their gratitude for the ministry within her work. Graciousness accompanies words relaying her joy born out of knowing that her work is not only entertaining, but for some, life changing. She is also humbled by the outpouring of support at personal appearances.

Stacy’s growing writing credentials include her syndicated parenting column, Life Notes, contributions to publications such as the Richmond Times, Heart & Soul Magazine, Crosswalk.com, contributor to two anthologies and author of five novels.

Worth A Thousand Words is her current release and the second installment from the Jubilant Soul Series (see June 22nd entry of this blog for review). Giving me a glimpse into the future Stacy revealed that she is working on a non-fiction project.

Before concluding our conversation I asked Stacy what she would like readers to know about her. It took a moment for the accomplished mother, wife and writing minister to admit that she is funny and serious. She added that most do not know that in order to become an effective journalist she had to overcome shyness. Above all she wants people to know that she is doing her best to live a life untapped – dependent upon God.


To learn more about Stacy visit her online at: http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/

SILENT DESTRUCTION

The private lives of the seemingly blessed is not always the view people expect. Such is the case for Jeff and Nikki Singleton.

From the outside the couple seems to have it all in terms of secure careers, productive financial planning, possessions and a great marriage. What will come to light in this necessary story from author Michelle Larks is what really happens behind closed doors and whether or not their faith will be enough to help them overcome.

Added to their marital woes is a unexpected event with the ability to pull the two farther apart.

‘Til Debt Do Us Part speaks to the challenges that beset marriages when past hurts go unresolved and unspoken needs fester.

Dialogue with the Author

Author Michelle Larks is a wife, mother and IT professional. In my opinion she should add consummate hostess to her list of abilities.

Speaking with Michelle via telephone is akin to being ushered into the inner sanctum of her suburban Chicago home. Exuding a disarming candor Ms. Larks invited me into a conversation that most reserve for close friends. In doing so I believe that beside the word vulnerability in the dictionary, we will now find her picture.

During our short time together Michelle shared the story of how she and her husband had to escape from their burning home. I expected her words to revolve around all the things she had lost, but they did not.

Michelle, in her soft-spoken voice relayed the reality of that moment. That reality was that although she was offered help, it was refused. She refused the help believing that things were not as bad as they seemed. Reality opened her eyes to the fact that things were bad in terms of the damage done to the home. Even at that Michelle made the best of the situation – she and her husband checked into a hotel.

Anyone who has had to live through a remodel can attest to the fact that the timeline can become quite an inconvenience. Yet it is often in our inconvenience, our patience, our experience with that which is not a part of our ordinary routine where our greatest lessons are learned.

What was the lesson Michelle learned?

What Michelle candidly revealed was that it took this experience to show her that needing others, being able to depend upon and accept the blessings awaiting you does not label you a burden or inept. She was able to break out of what could have held back/blocked her blessings when she chose to share her needs with others.

When she chose to accept what she would have unselfishly given to others, blessings poured in. They poured in to the degree that with a book signing on her agenda and no clothes to wear, a business outfit came in the mail from someone in her online writing group.

When asked what she would like readers to know about her and her works her answer touches personal aspects of the life she has lived. Michelle is a people person, one who does not pass judgment, but will give advice when asked. Within the pages she writes her focus is set upon family dynamics. She desires to show how people interact and how individual lives and family can be empowered by effective communication.


To learn more about the author you can visit her on the web at: www.michellelarks.com