INTERVIEW | Ayani Meli
Ayani, describe yourself for our visitors.
I am a Child of the Most High, Author, Poet, Playwright, Griotte and CEO of Revolutionary Disciples Media
I am mommy to the most anointed, precious and handsome little boy in the world.
After graduating from Davidson College, I taught drama at an alternative school, serving the needs of behaviorally challenged youth. I helped to establish Neighborhood Networks Computer Centers in culturally diverse areas in Boston, teaching regular computer classes, digital storytelling, and incorporating my love for poetry and drama into each center. The spiritual and educational needs of rural youth are very important to me. Currently I am sitting on a couple of Gospel plays for future production.
How do you find time to connect with God?
For me it is easier to read in the morning and easier to worship during the day.
I have to get up early to read. Once the day gets started there are a multitude of distractions; some natural, some specifically designed by the enemy. There is nothing like having a conversation with Abba when things are quiet; before the world gets started. I believe that you can achieve a level of communion early in the morning that you cannot reach at other times of the day. I have always known that time is precious, but time is your connection to God. If you don’t have time to read the Word, you must make time. You must make time to worship, time to speak with Him in the course of a day and time to LISTEN to what He has to say. If we are always doing the talking, that is a problem. That is one way communication and we are not edified by that.
Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?
There are a few other Christian Fiction books that I have read, but one of my favorites is Second Sunday by Michelle Andrea Bowen.
Tell us about your current book.
It is based loosely on my life. I started writing “Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” about 6 months before I came back to Georgia. That actually turned out to be about a year before my Dad made his transition. It is amazing because the Holy Spirit allowed me to write the very words that would help me grieve before my dad went home.
There are two storylines. During the beginning, the matriarch of the family makes her transition, which sets the stage for a relationship check between a woman and her sister. The main character, Journey Rhodes, was born and raised in a small southern town, where unlike larger metropolitan areas, life is not as hectic. However, certain things are universal. We all have family that drives us crazy and we must all examine ourselves and gauge our Christian walk by a plumb line. That process can be both painful and humorous.
Quote:
“No one can tell me that our Father does not have a sense of humor. He allows trials to come our way. How excellent is hindsight. I had completely forgotten I had invited hell to move into my home. Every home has a flow; created by its inhabitants, but soon it takes on life, becoming a living, breathing entity. When something is amiss, it affects us, just as cancer affects the function of our bodies or a bad burrito affects the function of our elimination process. The man who coined the term “urgent bowel” had eaten a bad burrito. Something wasn’t sitting right in my Spirit.”
Testimonials
“I laughed from the very beginning of this story to the closing chapter. This book, for me, is refreshing … because many writers are so serious … that you can read a whole book and never laugh once.” - Theresa Harvard Johnson, Voices Of Christ Literary Ministries
“Ayani Meli´s introspective look at self-examination through the lens of humanity in her work is powerful and resounds with each stroke of her pen. Poetic and prosy, her stories and poetry expands from her pen to a community of readers and will impact greatly.” - Pam Osbey, Author, Cause I Can
So consequently this journey has not been about making money. This is a ministry for me. I am not a stand up in the pulpit and preach kind of preacher like my Dad. But I can allow Abba to use my talents and gifts to heal hurting people. If I have to use humor, poetry or illustrations, I will do just that.
Tell us about your journey to publication.
I did some research and at that time could not make heads or tails of the whole industry. So I went to what I thought was a Christian publisher. They were misrepresenting themselves. But I toughed out the process and learned the ropes; i.e., what to do and what not to do, as well as how to treat people. It took several years to bring it to fruition, but God made a way.
What valuable lessons do you want readers to learn from your book?
No matter how hard we try, there is always an area in our lives that needs work. The little foxes have a tendency to slip in under the radar; for many of us, it is with our love walk. Examine yourself, examine your relationships and recognize where the problems reside. Find a way to make things right. Life is too limited to hold grudges and harbor hate. The spirit of offense is running rampant in our society. It is time to show more love.
What’s next for you?
There is a series of books for disabled children that Father has given me. The series is “God Says the Struggle is Over.” Hopefully by Christmas the first will be available. You can find information at http://www.godsays.biz.
Where can readers find you online?
- Twitter: @Ayani_Meli
- Webpage: http://www.ayani-meli.info
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ayani.meli
- Tumblr: http://www.ayani-meli.tumblr.com/
