Dayton Book Expo and More...

Needless to say, it's been awhile since I've updated the Blessed2Write Blog. Charge it to my head and not to my heart. It's not that I've not had anything to write about, but very much the opposite. My calendar has kept me so busy lately that I haven't taken the time to break away to journal in my web log. I guess that's both a good thing and a not-so-good one. I often say that in this business (the world of writing) "busy" is a wonderful thing. It means that there is a demand for you and/or your work. The alternative would leave you sitting at home looking at a blank computer screen or twiddling your thumbs, wondering why the telephone isn't ringing. So I thank God for being so snowed under that I haven't had the time to blog.

It's nearing two o'clock in the morning as I share these thoughts, and no doubt, it will be after two by the time I finish this entry. I just finished looking back on some of the photo memories that I have of my participation in the inaugural Dayton Book Expo in Dayton, Ohio, and decided that before I shut down my computer and call it a night, I'd take the time to share my experience.

The Dayton Book Expo took place at Sinclair Community College on Saturday, May 1st. There was wonderful fellowship among the attending authors (saw some faces I hadn't seen in awhile and met others I'd never seen before), very informative panel discussions (I facilitated one about traditional publishing), and great support from the reading community (met some faithful followers of my works). Traffic was constant throughout the six-hour affair, and the Dayton community supported in good numbers in spite of the off-and-on rainfall. And I must say that I received remarkable red carpet service from Charlotte Brown, owner of C's Gifts, who not only served as my onsite bookseller, but also arranged ground transportation for me to get everywhere that I needed to be over the course of the weekend. Though the DBA took place on Saturday, my tour of Ohio went beyond the expo itself.

In addition to the expo, I had a book signing appointment on Friday afternoon at a local library where I shared my writing journey, writing tips, and other information with an intentive group of readers who gathered there to meet and speak with me. I have to give a special thanks to my sister-friends and supporters, Rhonda Bogan (of Mocha Readers) and bestselling author, Vanessa Miller, for coming out to support my appearance at the library. Saturday evening at the Dayton Convention Center during the production of the gospel play, "Don't Drive Mama Away", and then on Sunday afternoon, I was escorted to an area right outside of Cincinnati, Ohio to a local Pappadeaux restaurant where I hosted a signing and enjoyed a great seafood meal along with Charlotte Brown and local playright, Stephanie Hammett. Then just before I had to head back to the Dayton Airport to catch my flight back to Atlanta on Sunday night, I was fortunate enough to have some extra time to stop by a local Dayton church where one of my favorite contemporary gospel groups, Christopher, was performing live in concert. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay long enough to enjoy their music ministry, but I took advantage of the opportunity to hang out with them off-stage for a few minutes before my 7pm flight home. All in all, an excellent trip.
Congratulations to Dayton Book Expo visionary, Valerie Coleman, for a job well done. With a first year as well-organized as DBA's was, I predict that it will be even more enjoyable next year. For those who are interested, save the date (April 30, 2011). Visit the Dayton Book Expo website reguarly for more information and updates.

My First Nonfiction Is Complete

It was a challenge to write, but that came as no surprise. I knew it would be, but with the Lord's help, it's finally finished! And believe me when I say that without Him it never would have gotten done. Truly all things are possible when you believe in God. To God be the glory for the things He has done! My first nonfiction/ministerial tool is complete, and what a joy (and a relief) it is to celebrate this accomplishment. The writing of I Shall Not Die serves as the final piece of a very big puzzle in my life. I won't go into that fullness of that in this blog post. . .you'll have to read the book (smile).

My most sincere prayer is that when this book is officially released in October, it will be a powerful source of encouragement to those who read it. I want this book, more than any book I've ever written, to get into the hands of those who need its message most and be a life-changing experience to the readers. Throughout my career as a writer, I've been asked many times during television, radio, magazine, and blog interviews which of my books is my personal favorite. My answer has always been that there is no answer for that. I just didn't see how I could love one more than the others. "That's like asking a mother which of her children are her favorite," I'd often reply. But I have an answer to that question now. By far, I Shall Not Die is my favorite among my titles. It's not necessarily better written than any of my other books, but because of the content, and because it's a personal testimony, it is dearer to my heart.

For any who saw the original cover (see photo below right) that was designed for this book, you will notice that it has been upgraded just a bit (see photo top left). I polled a few family members and asked them which cover they liked better and the revised design won by an overwhelming majority. A special thanks to Alex Johnson, III of AJ3 Photography for the picture of me that is on the new cover and for the cover design itself. Additionally, I'd like to send a special thanks to Lisa Zachery of Papered Wonders for designing the new logo for the I Shall Not Die motivational ministry. And for everyone who has gone through the website to pre-order your copy, thereby making you a VIsion Partner (VIP) with this ministry, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. As I head down the home stretch toward the finished line of getting this book in print, I thank God for you because I know that your support has made the process a little easier for me.

Stay tuned. . .

The Official Release of "Fifteen Years"

It seems that my life's meter has been locked on the setting of "whirlwind" since the beginning of the year, but even more so since the beginning of this month, when my fifteenth novel released on February 1st through Moody Publisher's Lift Every Voice imprint. Fifteenth novel. Wow. The realization of it sometimes even makes me have to catch my breath. I'm just so thankful to God that He equipped me for such a time as this. This writing ministry to which He assigned me in 2002 has been quite a journey. It hasn't always been easy. The road has been winding and bumpy at times. Every day of it hasn't brought me happiness, but there's not been a single day that hasn't brought me joy. I love what I do, and each novel reminds me of why I do it.

When many people hear that the title of my most recent novel is Fifteen Years, they assume that it was titled to match its placement in the lineup of my career. Totally not the case. The irony is definitely a God-thing. When I initially turned the completed manuscript in to my editor, the title was something completely different and unrelated. I still recall the day when she called me and told me that the publishing house loved the story itself, but wanted to change the title of it. She kept saying, "It's not that we don't like the title you have, but we feel led to change it." It was a first for me. In all the books I've previously written, never had the publishers of them wanted to change the title. I was told that the title they wanted to give it was Fifteen Years, and as much as I liked my original title for this novel, I had to admit that theirs was a better fit. I immediately loved and embraced it, and it wasn't until several weeks later that I realized it would also be my fifteenth published project. It wasn't in my plan nor the plan of the publisher, but I'm convinced that it was in God's, and I thank Him.

Though the book released nationwide on February 1st, the official release observance of Fifteen Years didn't take place until Saturday, February 20th, and what a celebration it was! It was a beautiful day that came with bright sunshine, perfect temperatures, and about 100 supporters (including friends, family, and fans) that filed into the fellowship hall of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA at 2:00 in the afternoon to help me commemorate this milestone with an event so enjoyable that it made the three-hour celebration seem far shorter. The event was spearheaded jointly by the members of Something More Book Club and Book Talk Book Club, and hosted by on-air radio personality, Rhodell Lewis (aka 'Rhodell in the ATL') from Atlanta's Inspiration Station, Praise 102.5.

Along with wonderful fellowship, a treasure chest of door prizes, and a delicious catered lunch (prepared by Marquitta Rogers, president of Something More Book Club), the agenda was packed with live entertainment provided by Agape Award winning mime minister, The Master's Mime; Emmy Award winning poet, Hank Stewart; Stellar Award winning vocalist, Lowell Pye (from Men of Standard); comedy team, Willie Brown & Woody (from BET Comic View and HBO's Def Comedy Jam), and gospel/jazz saxophonist, Antonio Allen (of Five Men on a Stool). Talk about first-class entertainment! We sang, we worshipped, we laughed until we cried....and shhhhh....don't tell anybody, but there may have even been a bit of swooning and cat-calling going on in the mix (but I won't call any names). :-)

It was an afternoon to remember. Speaking personally, I know I won't soon forget it; especially since I have a ton of photos for my memory book that were captured by Alex Johnson III of AJ3 Photography, and a video diary of the entire event, filmed by Lloyd Caldway of Anointed Photography & Video. I know that I will be admiring photos and reviewing footage for many days to come. And I would like to publicly thank my wonderful family, my beautiful sorors (the Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.), the awesome entertainers, and all of the fabulous book clubs, avid readers, business associates, friends, and supporters who came and were present for the celebration. Thank you for sharing your amazing talents, your warm smiles, your kind words, and of course, I thank you for maximizing your show of support by purchasing copies of my novel.

To view a few of the photos that were captured at the event, please click on the link that is provided at the close of this blog entry. To get your own copy of Fifteen Years, visit any local bookstore or online bookstore. To read a synopsis of this story, visit my website by clicking HERE, and then clicking on the "Books" tab in the website menu. While browsing the site, stop by and sign my guest book. I'm always excited to hear from readers and supporters, and signing the guest book will automatically get you added to my newsletter which will keep you abreast of all of the important goings on in my career; including upcoming releases.

View photos by clicking HERE. For easier viewing, choose the "View Album" link at the bottom of the web page, and then click the "Play Slideshow" link at the top of the next page.

Blog Contest Winner

Congratulations to Nicole Williams - winner of our blog contest! She answered the question correctly regarding the significance of the title Crossing Jhordan's River to the story itself.

In her email response, Nicole said:

The significance of the title"Crossing Jhordan's River" to the novel is that, Jhordan was unable to congueror his fear of trusting women, this was the major problem (river) in his life and marriage. So , in order for Jhordan to save his marriage he had to overcome his fears (cross the river) and reclaim his marriage and life.

Thank you for your participation, Nicole....and thank you to all others who responded. As the winning submission, Nicole will receive a FREE autographed copy of my hot-off-the-press title, Fifteen Years!

Here's Your Chance To Win A Free Book!

My latest novel, Fifteen Years, officially released on February 1, 2010, and I have partnered with Review magazine (click on the magazine's name to read my latest online interview) to give a free copy to one blog reader as a way to kick off the book's debut. To qualify for the free book, all you have to do is carefully read the information below....

In 2005, I released a book entitled Crossing Jhordan's River, which reached the #1 slot on Essence magazine's bestsellers list. I hope you were one of those who read it! It would help you to have a better chance of winning this contest. :-)

In order to have your name placed on the qualifying list to receive a free copy of Fifteen Years, you must do two things. First, if you are not already an official follower of the Blessed2Write Blog, you must click on the appropriate link to become one. And second, you will need to send an email directly to me at blessed_2_write@yahoo.com and tell me the significance of the title, Crossing Jhordan's River. In other words, how did the title of that book relate to the story?

The names of all those who answer correctly will be place in the qualifying bowl, and one blessed participant will receive a free personally autographed, hot-off-the-press copy of Fifteen Years! The clock is ticking. This contest is ONE DAY ONLY! I will announce the winner on tomorrow (Wednesday) night. Will it be you?

Make That A Triple!

Happy New Year to all of those who take the time to read the Blessed 2 Write Blog. I hope this year has gotten off to a great start for you. I believe that 2010 is a year of great things. During the Watch Night Service at my church here in Atlanta, Bishop Johnathan and Co-Pastor Toni Alvarado tag teamed together and preached a message titled "Continuing With The Lord." That's my aim, and I hope you'll make it yours too. I believe that by doing so, God will allow us to reap great rewards. Amen? Okay....that's the end of my mini-sermon. Now on to the blog! :-)

I'd announced on a few online forums a couple of weeks ago, that God had handed me a double blessing in the month of January. Well, make that a triple! The year 2010 has met me with three wonderful honors thus far....To God Be The Glory!
First, I was one of the recipients of the "Best Series Books of the Decade" award, which is an honor that was given to twenty African American authors by Ella Curry and EDC Creations. The award recognizes authors who the judging committee viewed as those who rendered the most outstanding series books between the years 2000-2009. This honor is particularly humbling for me because the judges didn't just focus on Christian fiction books. They looked at all of the books of every fiction genre that was released from every African American author over the past ten years and named those that they felt had written the best series. And my books in the Shelton Heights Series (In Greene Pastures, Battle of Jericho, and The Lyons Den) made the list!
My second honor was to be chosen to grace the cover of the new "The Grove" online literary magazine. The magazine's creator, Brian W. Smith, approached me several weeks ago and asked if I would consider being one of the authors that he would feature in his inaugural issue. The edition released a couple at the beginning of the year. In it are insightful interviews that were conducted with me and the other cover authors: Mary "Honey B" Morrison, Kimberla Lawson Roby, and T-Styles. To read the online magazine, click HERE. This particular complimentary edition will be available online for viewing through the end of January 2010. If you'd like to have access to future issues, subscriptions are available on the website as well. To read the magazine, click on the upper right corner of each page to make them turn. Technology is amazing, isn't it? :-)
The third honor I received was that for the first time, one of my novels was chosen as a "Featured Pick" by Black Expressions Book Club. Several of my novels have been made available in the hardcopy format through Black Expressions, and many of them have been chosen as "alternate picks," but my new January release, The Morning After (with co-author, Hank Stewart) is the first to be chosen a "featured pick." This may seem like a small thing to some, but for me, it was a prayer answered, and I consider it a blessing and an honor. If you are a member of Black Expressions Book Club, please consider accepting the automatic shipment of this book and add it to your library. The Morning After is the long-awaited sequel to Three Fifty-Seven A.M., and is the final installment in what has been dubbed the "God's Timing Series." Pick up a copy wherever books are sold. I'm certain that you will enjoy reading this dramatic and inspiring story.
I'm grateful for the early blessings that I have enjoyed in the year 2010, and as I thank God for those, I also thank Him in advance for those that I pray are to come.

I Believe I'll Run On...And Walk On...And Write On

I'm not one of those fortunate people who can eat all they want and never have to exercise or worry about weight gain. Those people, quite frankly, make me sick. I'm kidding (but not really). I'm also not one of those "either/or" people who can get by with either eating right or exercising. As a health advocate, I have done extensive reading and research to self-educate myself on which foods will render a healthy dose of good nourishment without packing on the pounds. And in the six years that I spent as a certified group fitness instructor, teaching aerobics classes at various local gyms across metropolitan Atlanta, I was well-versed in what to do in order to build a healthy heart and fit body. But what I have found is that if I eat right and don't exercise regularly...or exercise and don't eat properly, I fail in my efforts to keep fit. If I want to maintain a healthy weight, I have to do both. I know that to be true because in the last four months, I've maintained a relatively healthy diet, but due to my heavy workload, I didn't make the time to exercise like I should have. As a result, I've gained six pounds. Ughhhh...those evil little scale crushers!
Monday morning, for the first time since the end of August, I got out of bed, and after spending time in prayer and meditiation, I hit the gym. The one hour session that had become second nature for me months ago was tedious to get through today. I had to pep talk my way through those miles that I walked the threadmill on an uphill incline. And when I erased the incline so that I could throw in a few high speed sprints on level grounding, I found myself switching from pep talking to downright praying. By the time I made it to the weight bench and began churning out chest presses, bicep curls, and tricep dips, I was ready to start speaking in tongues. And those crunches... Man! What a difference (and not in a good way) that four-month hiatus from the gym made. I have truly learned my lesson. Getting back on the exercise wagon wasn't easy, but I've done it. The hardest part - that first day - is behind me, and I'm back on track now, and the strides of day one already have me pumped up to take on day two.
The point I'm trying to make (I took the long route to make this point because the long route burns more calories) is that if you want to do anything well, and if you desire for it to become less of a chore, you've got to do it regularly. A few more daily visits to the gym, and my workouts will become second nature once again. That's just the way it is. The more you do a thing, the more natural it becomes. It may not be easy, and it may call for a little schedule shifting and a little sacrifice, but once you get accustomed to doing it routinely, it becomes a normal part of your daily schedule. And that includes PROCRASTINATING. That's right. The more you put things off, the easier it becomes to put things off. Like my exercising. Notice I said because of my workload, I didn't make the time to exercise. It wasn't that I couldn't exercise, I just didn't make it a priority.
Anyone who has taken any of my Writer's Cocoon Workshops have heard me say it. Writer's write. Anybody can talk about writing a book, but only a writer actually writes one. Talk is cheap....and useless without following it up with action. I'm a firm believer that anything you want to accomplish, you'll do what you have to do to accomplish it. You may have a full day of activities on your schedule. Work....family....laundry....cooking....cleaning....eating....most of us share those duties. They are not viable excuses. If you want to get that book written, you have to make the time to do it. Plain and simple. Donate thirty of those minutes that you spend sitting in front of the television. Sacrifice fifteen minutes of sleep time. Better yet, give your writing at least one of those four hours you spend on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter telling everybody in cyberspace your business. Use that time to hit the literary gym. Exercise your creative writing skills. Put that energy into lifting a pen and pad or burning calories by allowing your fingers to dance across a computer keyboard as you type out that manuscript. Lose the fat of procrastination and build the muscle of achievement! It will be a challenge at first, but mark my words...the more you do it, the easier it will be come.
There is an old church song that says, "I believe I'll run on and see what the end is gonna be..." The only way we will ever see our literary goals achieved is by daring to get in the uncomfortable position of taking the first step. Once we've done that, the hardest part is over. The finish line is within reach....

Run on...walk on...write on!