Word Praize

The Midnight Clear

                    

THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR is a collection of short stories by some of today’s most acclaimed and up and coming authors of Christian fiction. Set during the Christmas holiday, the stories offer themes of love, hope and inspiration.

This week we will hear from a few of authors included in this Christmas anthology.

Click the book cover above to order your copy today!

Tell us a little about your short story included in the anthology, The Midnight Clear?

Stacy Hawkins Adams, author of Nothing But the Right Thing and Speak To My Heart

My story is titled The Inheritance. It is the story of Gabrielle and her two siblings, who have been estranged from each other for several years, but especially since the aunt who raised them died. They are stunned to receive letters regarding Aunt Clara’s will, informing them that unless they gather together for Christmas, they won’t receive their inheritance. To honor their beloved aunt, and because they are indeed interested in what she has willed to them, they get together for what turns out to be a rocky reunion. The inheritance they receive isn’t what they’re expecting - it’s even better.

Kendra Norman-Bellamy, author of More Than Grace and One Prayer Away

My creation is entitled Three Wyze Men and it “stars” Jake, Steven and Daryl Wyze, owners of one of the most successful catering and events planning services in Atlanta, GA. Jake is the seventy-year-old founder of the business and the father of thirty-four-year-old Steven, who is being groomed to take over the business, and seventeen-year-old Daryl, who adds an interesting “twist” to the family. Steven, who is the major character, has a past that includes bullying and promiscuity and one upcoming Christmas event that is being catered by his family-owned company presents him with the rare opportunity to beg the pardon of a former classmate that he mistreated as a teenager. The story is about the importance of finding forgiveness and the surprises that can develop in the process.

Patricia Haley, author Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and Still Waters

The Greatest Gift centers around Lee Warner, a security guard who is determined to make this Christmas extra special for his four children — he has to if they’re ever going to enjoy a sense of normalcy. Losing his wife less than a year ago has created challenges he never dreamed possible. But Christmas would be different. His family would celebrate with a newborn zeal and sense of hope. When Marty, an assailant, enters the store wielding a gun and a ‘don’t care about life’ attitude, calamity whisks in. Lee gets shot. Struggling to hang on, he attempts to reach the spiritual and emotional despair of his assailant at risk to his own life. He needs a miracle, the kind that only God can provide.

Tia McCollors, author Zora’s Cry and A Heart’s Devotion

The Perfect Present gives readers a peek into the life of Simone Alexander when she’s briefly untied with a former high school classmate, Lincoln Crawford.Through their brief encounter, Lincoln teaches her about the true meaning of Christmas, and gives her a gift she’ll never forget.

Sonya Visor, author of Who I’ve Become, Is Not Who I Am

My story is about how the church should always operate in love to believers and non-believers. In the story Malik stayed away from the church because the people were so fake. Rainey reaches out and embraces Malik because he was free and not even in the church. She was able to take the mask off and Malik saw the church through Rainey’s demonstration of how the church should be.

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Check cookieaisle.com to view the rest of the three day interview.

Connecting with God

THIS WEEK: Claudia Mair Burney

Claudia, how do you find time to connect with God?

Connection with God doesn’t go away. God is constantly in my thoughts and in my heart. I do find sweet communion with him during the Divine Liturgy, the Eucharist, and reading. When I find myself (and my relationship with God) too much in my head, I practice the classic spiritual disciplines to find my feet. I never met a prayer book I didn’t like.

Describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m a neomystic Jesus freak ragamuffin. Loved by God. Amazed by grace. I like all kinds of music, from U2 to Stevie Wonder to Byzantine chant. When I have time I enjoy knitting, but nothing beats a book in the hand. I like all kinds of ministries, but ancient church speaks to me the most. I’m Eastern Orthodox.

Tell us about your current book?

Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man is a mystery with heart. It’s in turn deep, funny, romantic, and horrifying.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

I thought about what I knew–and some of what I knew was quite painful–and what would be fun to write. I’ve always loved mysteries, and forensic science. And I can’t resist a fine romance. I put it all together and out came my genre hybrid, Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man.

Describe your journey to publication.

I started off blogging, and going deep and honest in the work. That earned me a number of readers. A friend who is a published writer told her publisher about me. He went to my blog, then emailed me and asked if I would write a novel for their company! In the end he quit his job two days after I turned in the manuscript. He became a literary agent and took me on immediately as a client. So, I landed an agent in the same “mysterious way” I’d gotten a potential publisher. He sold the book a few months later. My story is a testimony to how God really will bring what’s yours right to your door. He did it all. I showed up with my work, being honest and offering it to Him. He did His God thing.

What’s next for you?

Death, Deceit, and Some Smooth Jazz is the second Bell Brown Mystery. You can expect higher stakes and the romance to heat up! And in August the final book in the series, Saints, Suspicions, and a Ticking Clock.  After that, The Exorsistah, which I’m really excited about.

Where can visitors find you online?

ragamuffindiva.blogspot.com
claudiamairburney.blogspot.com
myspace.com/amandabellbrown

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Pray, write and be blessed so you can bless others.-- Tyora Moody, cookieaisle.com

 

Connecting with God

 

THIS WEEK: Maurice Gray

Maurice, how do you find time to connect with God?   

My best times alone with God are when I’m driving or in the shower or other unconventional prayer times. It took me awhile to figure out that I don’t necessarily have to be on my knees at a set time to pray effectively. It’s great when that can happen, but I try to take advantage of opportunities like those I described as well

Describe yourself for our visitors.

I LOVE to read. I enjoy comedy (I’ve actually tried my hand at stand-up comedy a few times). I listen to gospel music and also some jazz. In my church, I’m involved with the Singles Ministry and the Young Adult Network (for ages 18-45), I sing on the Men’s Choir and the Voices of Light (gospel choir) and I play on the church softball team (the season runs from late April through June)

Tell us about your current book? 

All Things Work Together is the sequel to my first novel, To Whom Much Is Given. To Whom’s main characters are Max Carson and Donna Randall. All Things features their best friends, Fred Bennett and Yolanda Mason. In To Whom, Fred, a world class womanizer, got saved. Now he’s at the beginning of his Christian walk and struggling to live for Christ. He has feelings for Yolanda, who is torn between feelings for Fred and for private investigator Raoul Carizales. When one of Yolanda’s students is kidnapped from the playground on her watch, his mother hires Raoul to find him. Fred has information useful to the investigation, which means he has to work closely with Raoul (whom he can’t stand).

As Fred and Raoul try to work together, Max and Donna struggle with their newlywed status, her call to the ministry and how they can still maintain their friendships with Fred and Yolanda with all the changes in their lives.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?   

When I wrote To Whom, I wanted to do more with Fred and Yolanda, but I couldn’t because Max and Donna’s story had to be told. I wanted to do a series of books anyway, so I got to thinking what would happen after the “happily ever after” ending of To Whom. I’ve read lots of Christian love stories, and I always wanted to know what happens after the happy couple gets married. I wanted to explore that through Max and Donna. And aside from featuring Fred and Yolanda this time, I also wanted to deal with the aftermath of a lot of other events that happened in To Whom, including a woman from Fred’s past, more about the family of the woman who tried to kill Max and Donna in To Whom and to deal with Max and Donna’s spiritual gifts and where those gifts lead them. All Things Work Together almost wrote itself

Describe your journey to  publication.   

I started writing To Whom Much Is Given in the fall of 1990. It took me three years to get the first draft done (I did a lot of starting and stopping   and three more to revise it after getting a critique and finding out how long a way I had to go as a writer.

I attended the Sandy Cove Christian Writers Conference in North East, MD in 1997 and got great feedback from Gayle Roper, a veteran author of Christian fiction. Her feedback helped me revise (and rename) To Whom Much Is Given. In 1999 I met Patricia Haley, another Christian fiction author. She taught me how to self-publish, an option I really didn’t want to embrace. After about thirty rejection letters, I decided to give it a try. I got downsized from my job in February of 2000 and jumped right into the process. I created my company Write The Vision, Inc. to facilitate the process and To Whom Much Is Given was released that October. I’ve been off to the races ever since.

What’s next for you?   

I’m currently working on an anthology project for Dreams Publishing with two other Christian authors (Terrance Johnson and D.A. Jackson) called A Few Good Men. Each of us is writing a hundred page story about those men of God who sometimes get overlooked by the women they’re interested in for various reasons. These aren’t soap opera men. They might be short, or skinny or overweight or less than good-looking. Maybe they stutter or simply lack confidence. Whatever their shortcomings, they are men of God, and they just want the women in their lives to see that .

After that, I’ll get back to working on my next manuscript, something with all new characters. I still have another book in me featuring Max, Donna, Fred, Yolanda et al, but I’ll get back to them after I finish this new manuscript. Like the anthology, it also will deal with Christian relationships from a man’s perspective.

Where can visitors find you online?

www.writethevision.biz

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Pray, write and be blessed so you can bless others.-- Tyora Moody, cookieaisle.com

 

Connecting with God

THIS WEEK: Tiffany Warren

Tiffany, how do you find time to connect with God?

It can be hard when most of the time it seems like I hit the ground running everyday, but I make sure to listen to an inspirational word in the morning (Bishop T.D. Jakes or Pastor Paula White) and during the children’s naptime I just turn on my gospel music and reflect on the character of God. When I’m working on a novel I make an extra effort to read and study my Bible at least three times a week, because I want my writing to be in line with the Word of God.

Describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m a wife and mother of five. I love worship music like Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin. I also enjoy praise dancing and drama to the glory of God.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

I’ve been writing a long time - since I was fourteen. The first novel I attempted to get published was a mess and I got about thirty rejection letters and emails. One of those rejections came from Denise Stinson at Walk Worthy Press. Her rejection was a constructive one that gave me tips on how to improve my writing. I took her suggestions to heart and went back to the drawing board. When I was ready to submit again, I found an agent who wanted to represent me, but who told me to go directly to Walk Worthy Press. Two weeks after Denise received my manuscript, we were discussing a two-book deal.

Tell us about your current book?

My new book Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay is about Charmayne Ellis who is saved, successful and single. She’s waiting on God to send her a man, but finds herself getting impatient because of pressure from her mother and sister. On top of it all her best friend, Lynette, is getting married and Charmayne is the maid of honor. Charmayne’s battle with her weight has left her discouraged about ever finding a man until the finer-than-fine Travis Moon comes along with marriage on his mind. She goes head and heart first into a romance that is built on nothing but lies. This story is really about waiting on God and the disasters that we can cause for ourselves when we step outside of His will for our lives.

How did you come up with ideas for your current release?

I was inspired by a friend of mine who found her soul mate and husband at the age of fifty. It was her first time being married because she’d waited on God. I realized that there were alot of saved women who are waiting on God and hopefully, they are encouraged by Charmayne’s journey.

List your most recent books. 

My first book was called What a Sista Should Do and was released in June of 2005.

What’s next for you? 

I’ve just completed my third novel and I am working on a fourth. Also, I plan to take the stageplay adaptation of What a Sista Should Do on the road in 2007.

Where can visitors find you online?

My website is www.tiffanylwarren.com and also www.myspace.com/christianauthor

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Pray, write and be blessed so you can bless others.-- Tyora Moody, cookieaisle.com

Connecting with God

As a writer how do you find time to connect with God?  Many of us don't have as much time as we would like to dedicate to writing so we take snatches of time here and there to crank out first drafts and edits. Sometimes sacrifices are made, especially our time with God. In this column, authors will be interviewed about their latest releases as well as how they connect to the ultimate Creator, the Lord our God. Pray, write and be blessed so you can bless others.-- Tyora Moody, cookieaisle.com

THIS WEEK: Stacy Hawkins Adams

Stacy, how do you find time to connect with God?

I utter a brief prayer every morning before I get out of bed. My special quiet time comes later in the morning, usually while I’m in the shower or when I’m alone in the car driving to a particular destination. I’ll turn off the music and talk to God. Sometimes I’ll just listen, which is equally important. Recently, since I’ve decided to jumpstart my exercise routine, I’ve had my chats with God while I walk on the treadmill.

Describe yourself for our visitors.

I’ve been a professional writer for more than a decade and a published author for nearly three years. I love to write and tell both fictional and non-fiction stories that linger in people’s minds and hearts and nudge them to make positive changes in their perceptions or in their lives.

Outside of my career, I keep very busy with my family, which includes two children, a daughter and son ages 8 and 5. A good chunk of my free time is spent carpooling them from one activity to another, helping with homework, et cetera. I don’t get to pursue my hobbies as often as I’d like, but they include reading all types of work, from mainstream mysteries and Christian fiction to devotionals and memoirs. I also like to play tennis. I love listening to music, including R&B and jazz, but my favorite is gospel.

Regarding ministries, I have a heart for children and for encouraging them to explore the world so that through their experiences, they can begin to discover their life’s calling. I consider both the church-related and community-based work I do a ministry. Churchwise, I currently volunteer in the nursery one Sunday a month, and I edit the church newsletter. I have served as a teenage Sunday School teacher and have helped teach Vacation Bible School.

Community-wise, I assist Reach Out and Read, a national youth literacy program that works with pediatricians to provide free books to young children who might not otherwise have access to books or learn to value reading. I also am a founding board member of the Richmond Christian Leadership Institute, an initiative through which Christian congregations of different races, denominations and socioeconomic levels are partnering to train groups of young leaders how to have a faith-based impact on the city. (I know by now you’re wondering when I sleep - I don’t that often! LOL)

Tell us about your current book?

Nothing But the Right Thing tells the story of three friends who think they know just the thing that will satisfy them. Erika wants her marriage to be perfect; Serena wants to have a baby, and Micah, a minister, wants his congregation to follow his lead without a lot of drama. When things don’t fall into place as they expected, each of them is drawn to the one true “right thing” – their faith in God. Each realizes, in his or her own way, that when they trust Him, He’ll work everything out for their good.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

I wanted to tell a story about real people struggling with real issues who also happened to be people of faith. Their faith informs how they view the world and how they respond to challenges. In Erika’s case, she’s never had a relationship with God. But she comes to learn that He is faithful when no one else can be. These characters are no different from people that you or I know. They struggle to please God, but also struggle with their human desires and needs.

List your most recent books.

• Speak To My Heart (2004)
• Nothing But the Right Thing (2006)

What’s next for you?

I am working on several projects right now that will be released between November 2006 and October 2007. The Midnight Clear, a Christmas anthology in which I have a short story featured, will be released just before Thanksgiving. The publisher of this project is Kendra Norman-Bellamy, who is also a best-selling Christian fiction author.

In July 2007, my short story about a mother and daughter who are driven apart by past regrets and secrets, will be released by Kimani Press. I’m also hard at work (and prayer) on my third novel for Revell Books. It is tentatively titled Watercolored Pearls and will update readers on the lives of characters who are also featured in Speak To My Heart and Nothing But the Right Thing. It will be published in October 2007.

Thank you Stacy. Visit Stacy online at StacyHawkinsAdams.com.

It's All Inside

Cookie Aisle
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8

At the first of the year I decided to do something I should have done a long time ago. Deal with my wardrobe. I don’t consider myself a packrat and normally purge the house of unnecessary items quite often. My clothes are a different story. I’m not sure why but I keep old ratty t-shirts, jogging pants with holes (in places that should not be seen), worn-out shoes (is that my toe peeking through), and clothes that looked nice at one time, but now make me pause (what was I thinking).

This cleaning mission was spawned as a result of watching too many episodes of TLC’s What Not To Wear. Unlike other reality shows where the participant has to go through some type of surgery to complete a makeover, What Not To Wear provides the participant with $5000 to buy a whole new wardrobe. My dresser and closet was a spaghetti of clothes I SHOULD have stopped wearing a long time ago. There was no way I wanted the hosts, Stacy and Clinton, to show up at my door.

Thankfully some clothes I did have sense of enough to leave alone. Either my hips had gotten wider or the washing machine was playing a cruel joke. Being in denial, I like to blame the washing machine! While I no longer wore them, they continued to take up space. Well, I placed my sentiments to the side and in less than 30 minutes, I ripped clothes from the hangers and the dresser drawers. Then, I proceeded to place the clothes in a pile to give away and others into the trash can. Mission accomplished! Well … almost?

Any woman knows you have to replace what you no longer own. Right? I’m not a shopoholic, but the empty hangers indicated a trip to the mall to me. Well, one of my favorite stores to go to is JCPenney. I know I can usually count on them to have the conservative style I like to wear and checking out the Spring sale wouldn’t hurt. Speaking of conservative, I can take that to the extreme. I’m attracted to neutral colors like brown, black and navy which are not the most exciting colors in the world.

With a tad bit of boldness I checked out clothes with a little more color. After numerous trips to the dressing room, I noticed a pattern. Where before I rarely would wear “pink,” now I started noticing that pink was not so bad after all. I have heard it is the “in” color. Must be, it was hard to avoid it. Pink was so prevalent, that I found my eyes being drawn to a very nice pair of pink sandals. Keep in mind I’m a neutral woman, so this was out in left field for me. I looked them over because they were really cute, but I was prompted to think. How many other shopping expeditions have I bought something because it was cute? How many times has something cute ended up being forgotten in the back of the closet? Ok, these are cute shoes , but they would not be coming home with me.

JCPenney’s slogan is “It’s All Inside.” While they are referring to their product and services, “It’s All Inside” is so profound. As the days get warmer, we can easily get caught up with pretty flirty skirts, sandals, shades, etc , but what about our innermost parts. In 1 Samuel 16: 7, God told Samuel, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I needed to replace some clothes in my closet only with the basics. The unnecesary purchases would only have me cleaning out the closet again!

Sometimes our heart gets cluttered with unnecessary items, just like our closets and dresser drawers. Unfortuntely, when we let these items or situations build up they cause our hearts to harden. Hardened hearts lack the sensitivity to hear the Holy Spirit and the decision making process becomes complex and messy. Mmmm, I see some connections to my crazy reasoning for hanging onto clothes.

What’s taking up residence in your heart? What needs to be cleaned and thrown out? Check out a little fashion advice below.

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Romans 13:14, NIV)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV

Tyora "Ty" Moody is an aspiring writer, book reviewer and professional web developer. She tries to juggle various hats on her short frame. Those hats include being a military wife, Sunday School and bible study teacher and "momma" to one spoiled cat.  Visit her blog or check out the web design portfolio.