Monday's Moment With Author Michelle Sutton

Michelle Sutton is the author of over a dozen edgy inspirational novels releasing through 2012. She is also a member of ACFW, an avid book reviewer and blogger, the mother of two college students, the wife to wonderful man for two decades, and a follower of Jesus Christ.

I recently had a chance to talk with Michelle about her novel, Never Without Hope.

Synopsis:

Hope believes she is above sexual temptation; that she would never break that commandment like her husband's previous wives had done. After all, she is a good Christian and a loving mother. She has no reason to stray . . . until her husband starts neglecting her needs and things begin to look hopeless. Though she clearly communicates her pain to her husband, he refuses to get help. She starts to wonder… Will she never have sex with her husband again? She soon learns that she, too, is capable of such betrayal when she succumbs to the unthinkable.

But things that first seemed sweet and reasonable given her painful situation soon produce a bitter taste when combined with the overwhelming guilt. No substitute will ever replace her love and desire for her husband. If only he would touch her like he used to. If only they could make love again. She misses him so much and wants to tell him the truth hoping it will propel him to do something to fix their problem, but she fears his rejection. Steeped in the quagmire of adultery, Hope must find her way back to solid ground to save her marriage. But will she lose everyone she loves in the process?

Michelle, can you tell us how long you've been writing professionally, and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Never Without Hope?

I started writing in August of 2003, but it was a hobby until I seriously tried to sell my first book in 2004. I have gotten bolder over the years in regards to subject matter and this latest project is the result of that. Like any married couple, my husband and I have had our struggles, so I simply took a situation that all couples experience at one time or another – like feeling rejected in bed – and made a novel out of what might happen if things weren't going well for a couple in the bedroom and the wife decided to fix things herself. It turns out to be a mess, of course.

What do you hope readers will take away from it?

I hope readers will experience through Hope that the grass is not greener on the other side of the hill. In fact, though the grass looks mighty tempting, playing on it will get you dirty and stain your life in a way that will never be totally rectified, even when forgiveness comes. But I also want readers to see that God is able to heal any marriage if He is included in it, despite what most people believe.

At what point in your life did you realize that writing was your "thing"?

When I had my mid-life crisis in my 30's.

I understand that you learned to write mainly from reading a lot of well-written fiction. Name 3 authors you enjoy reading.

It's impossible for me to name only three favorites. I have about fifty favorite authors and narrowing the list down to three would be too hard because I read over a hundred novels a year and am discovering new authors I like at every turn. There is a lot of talent out there in the Christian fiction world these days.

What is something about yourself that most people would be surprised to know?

My mother was a nun.

What 3 nuggets of wisdom would you offer an aspiring writer?

Be patient. Keep writing. Don't stop until something sells.

If someone were to write a book on your life, what would the title be, and why?

Up until I was saved I would have titled it… Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places. I think that title is self-explanatory. But now that I've been a Christian for 25 years I'd have to say I would title it… Struck Down, But Not Destroyed. This is because the enemy has hit me hard over the years and attacked my life from every possible angle, but as long as I look to Jesus and serve Him only, He can make something beautiful from all of my hurts and mistakes. Only He can transform a broken life into something worthwhile.

What is your HIGHEST HOPE for your writing career?

To know that without a doubt lives have been touched in some way and possibly even changed because God gave me stories to write that He wanted people to read and I was obedient to that calling.

Any closing thoughts or comments for readers?

No. Thanks for the interview!

Thank you, Michelle. It was great having you! Would you like to tell readers how they can reach you and find out more about your books? (e-mail, website, etc.)

http://www.michellesutton.net

mailto:michelle@michellesutton.net

http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com

http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com

Monday's Moment With Author Tiffany L. Warren

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love a good read. So when a fellow church member and friend walked up to me, slapped a book in my hand, and said, "There ain't that much love in the world!" my curiousity was piqued. The book, which led to the creation of our church book club, Righteous Readers), was What a Sistah Should Do. The way in which the characters dealt with their unthinkable situations was one of the greatest displays of love and forgiveness I'd ever heard of. The author, who has become one of my absolute favorites is Bestselling Christian Fiction Author, Tiffany L. Warren.

Her debut novel, What a Sista Should Do, was released in June of 2005 and has ministered to over 50,000 readers. Her second book, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay was a national bestseller. In 2006, Tiffany and her husband, Brent, founded Warren Productions and released their first gospel musical. What a Sista Should Do - The Stage Play debuted in Cleveland, OH at the famed Allen Theatre.

Tiffany writes fiction for young adults under the pen name Nikki Carter. The So For Real series was released in 2009, and her new series Fab Life will be available starting in the fall of 2010.

Tiffany is also the visionary behind the Faith and Fiction Fellowship tour. Presently, the authors have visited groups in Atlanta, Houston, New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Charlotte.

Tiffany's third novel, The Bishop's Daughter was released in January 2009. Her newest release, In the Midst of it All is available everywhere books are sold.

Tiffany resides in northern Texas with her husband Brent and their five children.

Get ready to share a brief moment with Tiffany as she chats about everything from her latest book, In the Midst of it All, to her most memorable fan encounter!

About In the Midst of it All

All her life, Zenovia has struggled with the burden of caring for her schizophrenic mother, Audrey, alone. Until one day, God seems to offer support in the form of two members of a church called the Brethren of the Sacrifice, who knock at the women's door preaching an unconventional version of the Gospel. Despite having questions, Zenovia agrees to join the church along with her mother. Soon afterward, Audrey stops taking her medication when fellow churchgoers deem her illness a demonic possession. Unable to watch her mother's mental deterioration, Zenovia flees town, only to receive a fateful phone call several years later telling her of her mother's suicide. Heartbroken, Zenovia must now make a soul-altering choice: accept "God's will," or return home to confront the demons she's worked so hard to leave behind....

Welcome to Hold Your Hope, Tiffany. Can you tell us what inspired you to write this particular book and what message you hope readers will take away from it?

I wrote In the Midst of it All for a couple of reasons. I’m a huge advocate for Mental Health issues in the African American community. I don’t feel like we do a good enough job addressing those needs in our families and communities. Also, I was raised in a church similar to the Brethren. I think those cult-like churches that masquerade as Christianity are very dangerous.

At what point in your life did you realize that writing was your "thing"?
Very, very early on. I’ve been writing since I could hold a pen. I remember my middle school English teacher encouraging me in that direction! My first book has Mr. Thurman in the acknowledgements. I got my first writing paycheck at the age of 16 when I wrote an essay for a contest in my hometown newspaper. Suffice it to say, I got the writing bug early!

What's a typical day like for Tiffany L Warren?
I work full time outside of my writing career, so days are really busy. I go to work, come home fix a quick dinner and help with homework. Then, I try to squeeze writing time in every day. It doesn’t always happen, though.

If someone were to write a book on your life, what would the title be, and why?
Diary of an Overworked Black Woman! LOL.

What 3 nuggets of wisdom would you offer an aspiring writer?
Write because you love literature – not because you think it’s a new hustle or come up, READ something, take a craft class – no one takes you seriously if you don’t know the basics, no matter how good your ideas are.

What has been your most memorable fan encounter so far?
I met this lady at the Faith and Fiction Retreat in Orlando. She broke down in tears and hugged me! It was very surreal and humbling. Writing Christian Fiction opens you up to ministering to the reader. The reader really feels connected if you speak to their specific struggle. Something in my book spoke to her spirit, and that is amazing to me.

Has a review or profile ever changed your perspective on your work?
No. I understand that what I write is not for everyone. I just wish that readers understood that. Books should be reviewed based on literary merit, style, plots, characterization, or something like that. A person saying, “I didn’t like this book, it’s not what I’m used to” and giving it a 1-star on Amazon.com is not really a valid review. No one likes everything they read. I’ve read many well written books that just didn’t resonate with me as a reader. I wouldn’t give them a bad review based on that.

In a recent interview with EKG Literary Magazine, you stated that had you not followed your dreams as a teen and become a writer you would be doing something related to food or travel. What is one of your culinary classics and if you could travel to any destination in the world, where would you go?
I cook a lot of really good food. I am a foodie. I really make great soul food. Fried or Smothered Chicken, Rice and Gravy, Macaroni & Cheese, Candied Yams and Collard Greens or Smothered Cabbage is a typical soul food menu I’d bring out. I also make a slamming pound cake and Red Velvet cake. My top destination right now is the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I’m saving for that! My husband and I would love to spend some time in Portofino and on the Island of Capri.

What is your HIGHEST HOPE for your writing career?
That I am able to continue to do what I love and share these stories that I love so much. I’d love to be able to write full time and make a living from it, so we’ll see what unfolds.

What else do you want readers to know?
That I really, really love to hear from them! I enjoy feedback, testimonies and invitations to book clubs. Connecting with readers is my favorite part of all this.

How can readers reach you and find out more about your books (e-mail, website,etc)?
There are excerpts of my books on www.tiffanylwarren.com and I’m on Facebook (look for me under Tiffany L. Warren). I also write books for young adults under pen name Nikki Carter. Please check those books out on www.kensingtonbooks.com. They’re really positive and I’ve gotten great feedback from teens so far.

Thanks for stopping by, Tiffany! I wish you continued success!