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“Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.” Leo Rosen
Meet Christian author Marilynn Griffith. In the bio on her website she describes herself as “mom to a tribe, wife to a deacon and proof that God gives second chances.”
Lynn: Welcome, Marilynn! Give us a short history of your writing career.
Marilynn: Though I’d been writing all my life, I never thought I could be a published author. I started a novel in 1994 (someone laughed at me and I quit) and again in 1999 only to not finish. Well, in the summer of 2001 I had what I thought was a heart attack and along with my family all the characters from my unfinished stories appeared before my eyes. I told God that if He let me live, I’d write instead of waiting for some elusive perfect time. It took another year o finish the book, another year to get an agent. That was six books ago.
Lynn: What do you think defines a Marilynn Griffth novel?
Marilynn: Faith, friendship and forgiveness make a Marilynn Griffith novel. I like to say that my books are serious fun, they’ll make you laugh… and cry.
Lynn: Your characters are quirky and fun. How do you breathe life into such an entertaining cast?
Marilynn: I come from a family of very fun and funny people. I grew up thinking that everyone was that way until I got to college and realized that the storytelling and laughter that I’d grown up with were special. I ask God to impart some of that to my characters. Sometimes though, my characters just show up full grown and start talking.
Lynn: What are some of the serious messages you want readers to take away from your books?
Marilynn: One message that resounds in my first book Made of Honor and all of my books is that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I meet so many girls and women who are jealous, depressed and self-loathing. That makes me sad. The world wants to tell us that we’ll never measure up, but in God’s eyes we set- and break- every standard.
Lynn: If you had to give career advice to a new author what would you tell her?
Marilynn: Oh, my. Pray, honey. Pray. Ask God if this is really what your purpose is. Then, as Maya Angelou says, if you can’t get out of it, get into it. Read good work: books, magazines, poetry, the Bible, etc. Write as much as you can, wherever you can. Get feedback from someone who knows what they’re talking about. Most of all though, just keep going. This race isn’t given to the swift. Publishing is an up-and-down business.
Lynn: Do you have any appearances planned?
Marilynn: My schedule is lighter this year than last, so I’ve done a lot of my engagements. I’ll be teaching the fiction track at Sandy Cove Christian Writer’s conference in October as well as teaching at the Write the Book Conference in Conyers, Georgia in July. I’m in the process of setting a few other venues for the end of the year.
Thank you so much for having me, Lynn. I appreciate it!
Visit Marilynn at her website: Serious Fun You can also find her blog Rhythms of Grace at her website
Visit FaithChick.com a blog where Marilynn is one of the contributors
“I have built my own factory on my own ground.” Madam CJ Walker
Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 on a Delta, Louisiana plantation, the woman who was to become the first female self-made millionaire in America built more than a factory. She built an empire. Madam CJ Walker was a pioneer in the development of the modern beauty industry. Long before there was Avon or Mary Kay Cosmetics, Madam CJ Walker created the concept of training her own beauty representatives and the home parties for ladies to buy her line of products. She hosted conventions for her beauty consultants. She gave out prizes to those who had the best sales, but even more she gave out prizes to those who had given the most to charity. Madam CJ Walker believed in success, but she believed even more that the successful should give back to humanity.
On June 23rd I attended a magnificent event. A’lelia Bundles, the great-great granddaughher of Madam Walker came to Baton Rouge to accept the posthumous induction of Madam Walker into the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame. Ms. Bundles graciously accepted the honor on behalf of the Walker family. All who attended came away inspired to reach higher and dream bigger.
A’lelia Bundles is an accomplished woman in her own right. She is an author, Emmy Award winning producer and former ABC News executive.
Learn more about her and the incredible woman who rose so high from such humble beginnings at Madam CJ Walker.com
Meet author Vanessa Johnson, a lady who turned her grief into a way to reach out to others who grieve. She took time from her busy schedule to visit Be Encouraged:
Lynn: Can you give us a summary of your publishing credits?
Vanessa: I’ll start with the most recent publications and proceed in chronological order- Gumbo recipe in Gumbo for the Soul, A Recipe for Literacy In The Black Community (iUniverse 2007); A poem in Black Expressions Poetry Anthology (2006); Help, I’ve Turned Into My Mother by ReShonda Tate-Billingsley, Strebor Books (December 2005); Nancy’s Christmas Eve Visitor: An Anthology of Short Stories by the Purple Pen, AuthorHouse (November 2005); My non-fiction book When Death Comes a Knockin’ (LuLu Press 2005); Essays in Celebrations Anthologies by Adass Prendergast Publishers: Letters to My Mother (2005), Notes to My Father (2004); An essay in Divine Appointment: A Caregiver’s Guide by Delores Thornton (iUniverse, May 2004); An essay called Faith in Healing in Living by Faith Anthology, Tina L. Miller (Obadiah Press, July 2004); What Foods Would Have Made You Grow? Down the Cereal Aisle Anthology (Daniel’s House Publications, 2003); Future essays for publication in the Celebrations Anthologies, Adassa Prendergast Publishers- Notes to My Grandmother, Notes to My Son, Notes to My Daughter, Notes to My Cousin. A short story in Living With A Stranger, The Second Chance Anthology.
Lynn: Why did you write When Death Comes a Knockin’? 
Vanessa: I wrote When Death Comes a Knockin’ because I wanted to share my experience with others who had lost loved ones and were having a difficult time with the grief process. When I lost my mom and son in August and September 1994 I was sure I was the only one experiencing what I was feeling. I search for books on loss and grief. What I found in my search was that there were many books on the market focusing on loss and grief, but the authors were professional people, psychiatrists, psychologists, theologians, clergymen, but few of them had experienced loss so I couldn’t connect with them. I wanted to read about someone who had lost their mom, lost their child like I had.
Lynn: Losing a loved one is something we all can relate to. What is it you most wanted to say to those grieving?
Vanessa: The journey through grief is a very long and painful process. First and foremost give yourself time to grieve. Coming to terms, accepting that your loved one is gone doesn’t occur overnight. Everyone grieves in different ways. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve. Rely on your faith in God and your family and friends to help you through the process.
Lynn: What are some of the things we can do to start the healing process?
Vanessa: Allow yourself time to experience the stages of the grief process. If you feel like crying, cry. If you feel like talking, talk. If writing/journaling about what you’re feeling helps, do it. Just don’t let anyone tell you what to feel or do, or when they think you should be “over” the loss of your loved one. Don’t shelter yourself from the rest of the world. As painful as it is, life does go on even without our loved ones. But remember, take one moment at a time. I say moment because that’s how long you’ll have between thoughts of your loved one, and all the woulda, shoulda, coulda questions in your search for why your loved ones are no longer there.
Lynn: What are some reactions or comments you’ve recieved from readers?
Vanessa: I suppose there will always be a need for my book. Although the book has been out since March 2005 I’m still honored when people tell me they’ve read the book and say how much it has helped them through their grief. I’ve had people walk up to me and ask if they could give me a hug, or ask for a hug because they’d experienced loss.
Lynn: What is your next writing project?
Vanessa: I recently completed my first novel titled Sacrifices In The Name of Love. It is a coming of age story about multicultural characters as they discover the true menaing of love and the sacrifices that somtimes must be made under the guise of love. It is being reviewed by a traditional publisher. I’ve started novels number three, tentativley titled Tempted by Love and number four, tentatively titled Black Sheeep of The Family. Mana a full time job, a family and a writing career is very difficult. Sometimes one of those things suffer for lack of time. Thus far it’s been my writing that gets squeezed out. As of June 20, 2007 I’ll be officially retired so I’ll certainly have more time to devote to pursuing my writing career.
Lynn: Do you have any appearances or book signings scheduled?
Vanessa: I’m a participaint in a local fair the weekend of July 7-8 where I’ll be selling copies of my books. I’ll also make an appearance or two at the Essence Festival the weekend of July 4th. I’m also tentatively scheduled to teach some classes for the local Adult Education Program this fall.
Lynn: Thanks so much for dropping by Be Encouraged. You’re an inspiration and role model of courage. Congratulations on your retirement!
Vanessa: Lynn, thank you for allowing me this opportunity to talk about my book. If there’s anything else you need please don’t hesitate to ask.
Love & Peace, VeeJay
Visit Vanessa at: Vanessa Johnson Vanessa at MySpace
June is a fine month to celebrate fathers. We’re entering summer and that’s when dads love to barbecue! Well, maybe not all fathers. Still let’s give some love to fathers everywhere. These men, the ones who stick to it, are doing a hard and often thankless job most of the year. There is an old saying that says the older we get the smarter dad seems to get. So true. As an adult you finally get sense enough to realize the old guy actually knew what he was talking about all those years! So give your father a hug. Even better say, “You know, dad, you were right.” Just pick any topic he ever expounded on or advice he ever gave you and give dad the satisfaction of hearing those words. That just might be the gift dad prizes most of all!
In honor of my father the late
Joseph Emery
To Fathers Everywhere
Happy Father’s Day!
May you have rich blessings and joyous memories with your children.
