Lynda, describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m a fifty plus African American woman who lives in St. Louis Mo. I’m divorced and have one child, a son. In 2008, he and his wife blessed me with my first grandchild. I work fulltime at the St. Louis Public Library as a Public Technology Assistant, which means that I assist people that need help using our Internet services and reference machines and products.

How do you find time to connect with God?

I make time each morning to spend with God. As a Commander of the morning, I’m up at the ‘fourth watch’ of the day between 2-4am,   decreeing and declaring how my day will be.  Dr. Cindy Trimm has a great book out that teaches this principal called Commanding Your Morning by Charisma House. Also, since I write about spiritual warfare, it’s imperative that I spend time with God, for wisdom and instructions.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

I’m an avid reader, so the list is too long to put here, however I’ve always been into Science Fiction and thrillers, so heading the top of my list would be authors Stephen King, Frank Peretti, Walter Mosby, and James Patterson.

Favorite books: This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti and all of the Left Behind Books by pastors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

My first book, Once I Was Lost was published by a traditional publisher in 2006. Working with them to get the book completed, I learned a lot, however, I wasn’t thrilled by the lack of marketing and the incredible small royalty checks I received, so I spent time researching self publishing and found these great books by author Dan Poynter, Self Publishing Manual Vol. 1 &2. They were a godsend.  Following the advice in the book, I started my own publishing company, Spoken Word Press in March 2010 and published my first print and eBook, Invisible Enemies. The sequel, Seed of Satan: Leah’s Story was published in August 2011.

Tell us about your current book?

Invisible Enemies is about two sisters, Candace and Abby Harris who live in Washington DC. The Harris’ are your typical middle class African American family.  Candace is a straight A student, a real go getter, however, she’s stuck up, and truly believes that her fellow classmates are beneath her, so of course, she doesn’t have a lot of friends. She also suffers from severe acne, so she tends to push people away from her, because deep down, she’s very insecure about herself. Her younger sister Abby on the other hand is very pretty and has a sweet and loving nature. Abby sings in the choir at Grace Faith Church, and has a wonderful voice. She’s very popular at school and at church.  Both sisters secretly have a crush on handsome Randy Nelson, a bi-racial hottie who’s the captain of every sports team that he’s on. Randy’s mom is Latino and runs the Nelson Foundation in Washington DC.

His dad is the current Secretary of State. The Nelson’s are very rich and powerful, and it’s their goal to see their son in the White House.  Candace is thrilled when an opportunity arises for her to tutor Randy and she soon finds out that the Nelson’s get all their power and influence from their spirit guides.  Randy’s mom Melena discovers a hidden talent for the occult in Candace and takes her under her wing to teach her the dark arts. This book delves into the spiritual realm as angels and demons take sides, as they battle for the soul of Abby Harris.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

Invisible Enemies was conceived after a conversation with the Lord one morning in 2006. I was raised up in a Baptist church, however, due to spiritual ignorance; I got caught up in the occult. It started off innocently enough by reading my daily horoscope in the local paper each morning when I was 16 years of age. I became obsessed with it and read every book I could find on the occult, and for years I did horoscope charts, tarot cards, chanting etc… not realizing what kinds of demonic doors I was opening. Friends and family tried to tell me I was dealing in the occult, but I ignored them, thinking it was just harmless fun. While working for American Airlines  in 2003, a co-worker was led by the Lord to purchase two books for me that changed my life: Rebecca Brown’s He Came to Set The Captives Free, and Frank and Ida Hammond’s Pigs in a Parlor. These two books accomplished what others couldn’t, I threw away all my occult tools, repented to God and asked for his forgiveness.

The Holy Spirit assisted me in using this personal experience to create Invisible Enemies.

What valuable lessons do you want readers to learn from your book?

One, that spiritual ignorance can kill you! Before writing this book, the Holy Spirit had me read Hosea 4:6: My people perish because of lack of knowledge.  Two, no matter what’s going on in your life, God is still in control.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on book three, The Devil and Sister Ford. Sister Cecilia Ford is the prophetess of Grace Faith Church, and this book will deal with her discovering her calling and her battle with the enemy who tries every trick in his arsenal to try and keep Cecilia from discovering who she is in Christ Jesus.

Where can readers find you online?

The print version of both books are available on Amazon, BN.com and Books a Million, however, I just recently moved all my eBooks to Amazon’s Kindle Store.

My author website is: www.spokenwordpress.info and readers can leave a comment or send me a message there. I also have a Facebook Fan page for Invisible Enemies that you can access here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Invisible-Enemies-Series/123744524306937

Over the years there have been special days or months of the year to recognize, commemorate or honor a people or a cause. On any given day of the year, if you search, you will find a day for something or someone. There is Big Brothers and Big Sisters Month, Earth Day, Cancer Awareness Month and of course,  Black History Month. But many go unnoticed, many of which we don’t have a clue that they even exist.

The one dearest to me and the one I most recently learned about is National Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month which is in September. Like many of the days and months we observe, just as soon as the month is over… so is our awareness. For Black History Month we can be sure to see TV shows that deal with the struggles of Black America. You know “Roots” will be on someone’s network. What unsettles me though, is that there is very little recognition (unless you’re watching BET) or observance at any other time of the year.

But it’s the same with other issues as well, particularly with the issue of drug and alcohol abuse. Let’s bring attention to it for thirty days… then what? What are we thinking or doing during this time? More importantly, what are we doing the rest of the time? More than likely we’re talking about how so and so is “on that stuff” or his brother, sister or even Father or Mother. But how often do we ever try to find help for the one who’s struggling?

As I said, this particular cause is close to my heart. The reason is, I struggled with drugs and alcohol on and off for over twenty-five years. I remember the looks and the treatment I received from family and friends as I resigned myself to a life of guilt, degradation and humiliation. Shame was the only real thing I knew as the hopelessness of a crack addiction became a way of life for me.

What is there for the addicted one to embrace when he or she has concluded that love and acceptance has evaded them? When approval from the ones that mean the most seems non-existent?  When rejection has killed a dream or any presence of life? When these most basic needs go unmet, what do you do? You search for the fulfillment of that need anywhere and anyway you can get it! Some try and find comfort from another person, leading often to emotional, verbal or physical abuse, losing themselves further to hopelessness and more shame.

Others look to alcohol which is easily and legally obtained from the corner store but when that’s not enough, smoking weed or taking pills is the commonly preferred method of self medication and even accepted by many as being “okay”. But often, the “occasional” or “recreational” user eventually gives in to the deception and the lure of “pleasure” only to find themselves falling headfirst into crack cocaine, methamphetamine or heroin. The downward spiral has developed into a world of hurt and utter destruction!  Now the law is being broken and the risks have taken a much more serious progression.

“I only do it to take the edge off and relax from a hard and stressful day at work” or “to get away for a minute”, some say while others are “only having a little fun”. What we don’t see at the time is that one little trip to Fantasy Land can lead to a reality that will rival your worst nightmare! You can pinch yourself all you want but you’re already awake, this is real! Devastation has become your life! The choice has been made… now your life is over… WRONG!!!!

Yeah, choices were made and the reaction to the cards dealt, to the circumstances of life has landed the addicted one at the place they now reside. It is in fact a choice. They could have chosen to respond differently to the hurt but didn’t. That’s a fact as well, and that’s where we are… for now.

The choices I made stemming from a childhood of rejection and criticism led me to the streets where I found a measure of acceptance from my peers, which, later on only led to more pressure to perform and stay accepted.  This is what my life was like at twelve and thirteen. It was unknown to me at the time that addiction was in its early stages.

I made the choices I did as a young man as well as later in life because I was never equipped emotionally to make any other. There is usually the sense of right and wrong but when the pain of rejection is so extreme, in dysfunction, wrong becomes normal.

For twenty six years I lived my life bound to some form of drug. Much of that life I lived destitute and in despair and even homeless at times. I walked the streets of Philadelphia and many times called the crack house my home. Other times I would sneak on the subway so I would have somewhere to sleep for the night. That was my existence… what I called “life”. I was hopelessly trapped in a mindset of rejection and worthlessness and freedom from addiction was impossible for me it seemed.

This was it for me though; this was my life I thought so I had to play the cards that were dealt me. The thing is, I was a very poor card player. Where was hope? It was nowhere I could see. What did I believe in… God? He saw my situation; He knew what I was going through but still allowed the avalanche, this downward spiral of hopelessness to continue.

What would I do? What could I do? I left Philly with a the shred of a glimmer of hope tucked away in the deepest recesses of my soul, in search of a way out of my mess but only found more opportunity to indulge my hunger and thirst for drugs. Even after landing in Lenoir, NC where I heard hope lived, where I had even met hope. Hope resided at a place called Bethel Colony of Mercy, a ministry set apart to show men like myself that there was a life beyond the grasp of crack cocaine and other drugs (and other life controlling issues) and that Jesus was the source of that life. But I had to give myself to Him like I had to the drug but I was unsuccessful. I caught a glimpse of hope but it seemed just beyond my reach.

After going through their program three different times, I left Lenoir for Statesville, N.C. still not free from the bondage of drugs and alcohol. One night, it was around midnight, after spending all of my money on a drug binge I stood on a deserted corner and wondered again what had happened. But God was merciful to me. I had met a pastor of a church who knew of a place like Bethel where I could find my freedom and I was again faced with the promise of hope.

“The Transformation Center” was a place started by another local church that had men of God as teachers and would build on the previous foundation and insisted that hope indeed was alive. And then, through no power of my own, there was that moment… “AH HA!” Everything that I had heard and was taught hit me square in the head and settled firmly in my heart! Hope had found its way into my heart and made itself at home! Slowly, methodically I believed! I believed in HOPE! Hope is a man named Jesus, God in the flesh who, when I thought I was unlovable, loved me all along! Through my mess, through rejection, through my so called failure and perceived worthlessness! I believe! I believe in hope! There IS hope for me! Hallelujah!

I’ve been clean now for about eight years! God restored everything the devil had stolen from me… with interest! I have a beautiful bride – Sondra – of over eight years who is my biggest system of support.  I serve as a deacon now and was licensed as a minister by the same church God used to bring me up out of the pit! He is so awesome!

Shortly after learning I was already free because of what Christ did for me that I could not do for myself, I began to walk in that freedom. I wanted to tell others of the freedom I found since surely there are those who feel as hopeless and helpless as I did. People have got to know that there is an abundance of mercy and grace just waiting to fill their lives. That there is a forgiving God who loves them just as they are and doesn’t condemn them. He brings life! So I began to write a book, mixing in some of my experiences. “Against the Gates of Hell: A Crack House Exodus”. The following is a synopsis of the story:

 Kerby Wilson had always looked down on those who partook and pedaled drugs which claimed the lives of many in the streets.  Now he finds himself duped by his own pride and going down a very desperate path of his own.  Distraught over the death of his parents and the murder of a fellow police officer, Kerby alienates those closest to him, pushing them away-his wife, brother, police force buddies and old friends. As the bottom falls out of his life and darkness consumes his soul, he sells all that he holds dear for an elusive state of peace.

Herby, Kerby’s identical twin brother is angry with Kerby for turning on his family, friends, and the police force and for going down this destructive path. As his heart hardens and he is caught up in his own battle of resentment and bitterness, he tries to shut Kerby out. But Rene, his God-fearing wife won’t allow that to happen. Instead she continually appeals to his conscience, reminding him of God’s unfailing love and Kerby’s need for his help.

When Kerby uses his past identity as a police officer to rob the biggest drug dealer in Philly, a price is put on his head. Learning of Kerby’s latest antics, Herby, family and friends are challenged to push past their struggles to help keep him alive and break free of his addiction.

There is a lot of debate on the subject as to why someone living in addiction seems to not want to get out. Let me say that no one wants to be addicted to drugs, and of course that’s never the intention. No one ever wakes up and says “I want to be a drug addict”. No little girl ever says “I wanna be a prostitute when I grow up” and no little boy ever says “I wanna be a liar, a thief and a murderer”. These are all consequences of bad decisions.

But you can help decrease the odds of your kids becoming addicts (yes, your kids as well as you can become drug addicts and alcoholics and everything else in the middle) by first, loving your children. Don’t ever tell your child or teen that they are worthless and will never amount to anything. You’re only speaking death to them and helping to seal their fate. Instead, give them nurturing and support while they’re young.

As they grow let them know that they are your gift from God and that they are significant and have value and potential! When children and teens have what they need at home they are less likely to look for something more outside. Talk with your kids and find out about their lives.

So, if there was hope for me, a twenty five year veteran of drugs and alcohol, then for sure, there is hope for ANYONE dealing with ANYTHING! There is hope for YOU!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Contact Mylow at gatesofhell1@gmail.com or visit his website at www.mylowyoung.com for ordering information. He has also written a poetry book “You Can Still Rise Again: A Collection of Poems for the Struggle available at www.authorhouse.com. You can also find Mylow at www.facebook.com/mylowyoung Go to Against the Gates of Hell: A Crack House Exodus “Fan page” and press “Like”.

Brent had cheated on Dayna and coldly said goodbye to her seven long years ago—dashing her hopes of having children or growing old with the love of her life.

Working hard to make herself successful as a hospital executive, Dayna has moved on, finding comfort in a new relationship with a faith-filled colleague, Warren.

But when Brent resurfaces on her doorstep at just the wrong time, Dayna’s heart threatens to come unglued. Why is Brent asking for forgiveness now? And why are he and his new wife, Tamara, interested in reconciliation with Dayna? The unbelievable answers begin to surface as Brent boldly asks Dayna to support him at the most crucial time of his life.

While Tamara’s heart brims with guilt, both women will discover what it means to reach beyond pain and baggage to love unconditionally, while leaving the consequences to God.

About the Author

Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning inspirational author, speaker and freelance journalist who has written about women’s relationships with God, each other, and themselves for more than a decade. She has penned seven nationally published women’s fiction novels and one nonfiction book, and is at work on her ninth book.

Stacy also operates a group coaching service for aspiring authors called Author In You. For more information about Stacy, her books or her coaching services, visit www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com or www.AuthorInYou.com.

There is an identity crisis among the Believers today. We have forgotten who we are and the price that was paid for our redemption. Our state of being has unique characteristics that are found in and through the blood of Jesus Christ. The one time shedding of His blood as our high priest has positioned us far above the world system of the enemy. Even though we were born into the system of sin, initiated by the fall of Adam, but the blood purchase destroyed the bond of the enemy to position us and release us into heavenly places. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV).

Recently I was going through one of the enemy orchestrated situations and read a scripture that I know and quote, Psalm 91:7-8. But in the Amplified version it reads, “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only a spectator shall you be, yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High, as you witness the reward of the wicked.” When I read that I was a spectator who was inaccessible, I immediately thought about the skyboxes of the wealthy at sport events. They are watching the event, but the people on the lower level and the field of play cannot see or approach them. I received the revelation that I was in the wrong seat at this event. A spectator is one who is present but views and looks on as an observer. In other words you are a part of the audience to witness the battle and the victorious outcome. Glory to God!!! If I am inaccessible, that means that the enemy cannot approach, reach or even have any influence where I am through his activities. The secret place is an awesome place to be in God!!!

We are a part of a royal and holy race, picked out and accepted in the beloved by God himself. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19 KJV). Planning in love for us, He set us apart for himself. He takes pleasure in fighting for us. “For He foreordained us, destined us, planned in love for us, to be adopted, revealed as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will, because it pleased Him and was His kind intent.” (Ephesians 1:5 AMP). Whenever I read any scripture that says “In Whom”, it reminds me that I am hidden in Him and that “In Him, we live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:28 KJV).

Forgetting my identity allowed the enemy to maneuver to deceive and manipulate to create a wrong position in which I was too low as well as having the wrong image of myself. In any royal activity, the kings and priests are always in the reserved pre-arranged seating. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6 KJV).

There are some battles in which we must ask the Lord, “Is this one yours or mine?” It is important that we stand and withstand against the enemy, but we must take the right position. Truthfully, the enemy is after our faith and he makes every attempt to use the element of time against us, all the while spewing his evil chatter through thoughts. That is why we must discern our thoughts and cast down the ones that are contrary to the Word of God. Sometimes the Father may just want to showoff or flex His mighty omnipotence. See, as the Creator of everything, He can do any thing He wants, anytime He pleases. When we call upon Abba Father, we are calling on our Daddy, our Papa for help. Sit back and watch what happens to the one who messes with His children.

“Every God-begotten person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.” ( 1 John 5:4 The Message).

© April 2012

First of all, I’m a believer. Secondly, I’m often described as down to earth. I enjoy laughing out loud, spending time with my family, reading, and of course writing. I’ve written four books, Brotherly Love & Betrayal, Caring What People Think, Mommy Moments and Too Many Lies.

How do you find time to connect with God?

I have to make time in the mornings to connect with the lover of my soul. I enjoy communing with him early in the morning when no one is awake, or during drive time. I also love to journal and oftentimes, God speaks to me as I write.

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?

I love books that grip me from the beginning. I enjoy reading books from James Patterson, Jodi Picoult, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Dorothy Koomson and a whole host of others.

Tell us about your current book?

Too Many Lies is about Deidre Thompson and her husband, Stanley. She’s loved him since high school even though she knows in her heart of hearts that Stanley is the wrong man for her. She’s known this since prom night over fifteen years ago. It was then that he broke up with her because she wouldn’t have sex with him. Despite the pain he caused her young heart back then, she married him some years later.

Throughout their marriage, Stanley has hurt her on more than one occasion, but his latest deception, a family secret Deidre discovers without looking it, sends her over the edge and the fate of their marriage lies solely in her hands.

Too Many Lies is about self-discovery, forgiveness, divorce and learning to love again.

How did you come up with ideas for this book?

I actually got the idea from a real-life situation. I can’t spoil the big reveal, but when you read it, you’ll know what I’m referring to. That situation happened to someone in my family. The rest is pure imagination, although we all know a woman who is as naive as Deidre and a man who is a “playa” like Stanley.

What valuable lessons do you want readers to learn from your book?

I hope readers walk away understanding that sometimes it is okay to let go. Just because we made a mess of things doesn’t mean God wants us to stay in our mess. Forgiveness is a powerful tool to use for healing–healing for yourself.

What’s next for you?

There is a sequel to Too Many Lies. Stanley’s story needs to be told. He makes a decision in TML that will change the course of his life. However, a few years later, Stanley realizes his decision comes with some challenges that leave him questioning his faith and God.

Readers will also see some different things come from my pen in the next couple of years. I have a YA novel in the works, a paranormal Christian novel, and a mainstream story I’m working on. Busy, busy, busy.

Where can readers find you online?

They can find me online:

• Blog.DaphineRobinson.com
• Facebook.com/bookdiva2
• Twitter @daphinerobinson

Tremayne, describe yourself for our visitors. 

I am an accountant by profession and writer/speaker by purpose. I am a man who doesn’t mind showing your emotions.  I have a heart for God and care for hurting people.

 How do you find time to connect with God?

I find time to connect with God through prayer, fasting, personal study (sometimes particular verses, a specific book or the Bible – or as His Spirit leads).

When did you first discover you loved to write? 

I first discovered I loved to write in my junior year in High School (this was the 1990/1991 school year). Our teacher would write a phrase on the board (ex: I feel like I don’t know….), and we could fill in the blanks and write what we wanted. Although English wasn’t my favorite subject, I loved the freedom to write in this manner and to my surprise, my teacher loved what I wrote, though it was very morbid.

When did you write your first poem?

In 1991. I was sitting in Algebra II with a classmate and I was trying to think of a Valentine’s Day gift for my high school crush. I bounced ideas of what to get her to my classmate and my classmate asked if my crush liked poetry. I was a well-known rapper in my high school and my classmate wrote lovely poems.  The moral of the story is my classmate and I wrote a poem together which would be my first true poem and not a rap song.

Tell us about your current book? 

My current book is Take It From Him: From Men of Standard & The Women Who Love Them. It was released in June 2011 and it’s a collection of poems with the intention of causing all to look into the mind of manhood. Hopefully, men will roll up their sleeves and ladies will take a closer look at the men they know and love.

Can you share a poem from the book?

Absolutely, this poem is entitled Who Said?

Who said that a man can’t be emotional
When God’s Word is more powerful than a devotional?
Is it just the women who are to be this way in a congregation?
And do we submit to their leadership regardless of the church’s denomination?
I know the stereotype is that more women are in church than men
It’s like that now, and from my understanding, it’s always been
When will we rid ourselves of these ridiculous labels?
And allow men to worship the God who is able
Real men believe, just like women do,
Jesus is the only name that frees us too

Who said that a man’s prayer isn’t as effective as a woman’s?
Haven’t they heard of David, Paul or Samson?
Unless he’s a Pastor or a Bishop; that doesn’t seem fair
Yet men seem to be held captive to this notion everywhere
The Bible commands that men and women are to pray and not grow weary
When you’re feeling blessed or when your life seems tired and dreary

Just because a man is serious about God shouldn’t make him a threat the ladies
When will we come together on one accord? This question isn’t an if, but or maybe
We are to complement one another, to show the world that we are one
So let’s join together and praise His name until our work on earth is done

We’re Kings and priests in the earth with no respect to gender,
Who can shut down Satan’s kingdom, rid the church of all pretenders
Who said it can’t be done? Only Satan would make that claim
He’s a liar and deceiver, under our feet in Jesus Name!

How did the concept for this book come together?

I was actually writing this book (which is the 3rd book in the You Can Take It series) and the previous book Take It From Her (the 2nd) at the same time. A lot of the poems for this book came about through my interactions with others, watching the news as well as reality shows in passing (i.e., while exercising at the gym) and thinking about the stereotypes that I see and hear from those who attend church.

What’s next for you?

To be released May 5th is my first novel addressing child physical/sexual abuse and teenage suicide (and how the church needs to cease from further injuring people who have suffered from childhood trauma).

Where can visitors find you online?

On my website: http://www.maynetre.com
My blogsite: http://mayneman.blogspot.com
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTremayneMoore
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/Mayntre

About the Book

Deidre Thompson believed her marriage was finally on the right track. After all, her husband, Stanley told her there would be no more secrets, no more lies. When they move back home to their hometown after being away for fifteen years, Deidre discovers a family secret that shakes the foundation of their unsteady marriage.

Through the pain, she remains committed to him because of her vows and faith, despite the evidence she holds in the palm of her hand. When Stanley’s lies and old secrets are uncovered, they are enough to send Deidre running-straight to Las Vegas-to an old friend and into the arms of another man.

Sometimes it takes a woman a long time to realize what everyone else has seen since the beginning. He’s not the one.

About the Author

Daphine Glenn Robinson, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Winthrop University and a Master of Business Administration from Charleston Southern University. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated and is married to her high school sweetheart. They have two children.

Being an only child until the age of ten, a pen and a sheet of paper always provided a way of escape from boredom. While other children were outside playing, she spent quiet time in her room playing with dolls, reading, journaling and creating stories. Elements of those stories have now evolved into full-length books.

About the Book

I have always introduced my first volume of poems , Reflections of a Mississippi- A Life In Poems , as a “celebration of the south and things southern.” One reviewer called Reflections, A “love letter to the South.”  Now, in My Magnolia Memories and Musings, the love affair continues.

There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. Using simple poems , portraying very common experiences, I attempt to give an upclose, personal and positive glimpse into the southern way of life.

It is my hope to dispel some of the many misconceptions and misunderstanding about our much maligned state and region. Though it might seem impossible to many people, there is MUCH to love about this place that I so fondly call home.

Patricia, what advice do you have for aspiring writers?

I always emphasize what I call Patricia’s P-Attitudes..

1. Positivity- Be positive, believe in yourself and your book,
2. Persistence-Be relentless. Never take “NO” as a final answer. Keep knocking. If you can’t get in through the door, go in through the window.
3. Perseverance-Never give up
4.  Patience. .Hold on. Hold tight.

Sometimes, the answer or outcome that you seek might take a minute (days, weeks or months) but keep the faith. It will come, Keep hope alive and always. always keep your dream alive.

About the Author

Patricia Neely -Dorsey is a 1982 graduate of Tupelo High School in Tupelo, Mississippi. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University, in Boston University.

Patricia currently lives in Tupelo with her husband, James; son Henry, and Miniature Schnauzer , Happy .

Patricia’s first book of poetry, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, was published in 2008 (GrantHouse Publishers)