Dallas author, J. J. Caldwell, give insight to her writings as Christian writer and offer reader a personal look...

-SCBC, Inc.

Where are you from?

I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, spent most of my life in Oakland, CA. I currently reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and have been here for almost five years.

How did you decide to write Christian titles (fiction, non-fiction, etc.)?

I never made a decision to write “Christian” titles per se. My writings have always been an outpouring of my heart and since I gave my life fully over to walking with the Lord, words and works that are pleasing to Him…that’s all I have to write about!

Do you feel that Christian books, overall, are experiencing a “rebirth”?

I read a lot of Christian devotional and Bible study books. The only Christian fiction that I have read was the Left Behind series. Due to the popularity of this series of books, I believe that the door has been opened wider for Christian books and authors to be respected and recognized.

Do you study a special Bible passage prior to writing a book?

No, I have never studied a special passage before writing. In writing my book of poetry entitled, As I struggle…to walk with God, I do reference scripture verses with each title and have re-read the verses that came to mind in order to ensure that the particular verse was being used in its Biblical context.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

In my debut collection of short stories, Stages of a Woman my goal was to reach out to those who don’t think God is present in their everyday problems and that God can’t help in our modern-day issues. In Stages, I deal with issues such as sexual abuse, abortion, and prejudice, prayerfully guiding the reader through the character’s struggles, showing how God’s solution is the best of all.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? A Christian writer?

I obeyed the Gospel at the age of six and began writing at the age of eight, so I guess I have always been a Christian writer. =)

What inspired you to pen your first novel?

My first book, Stages of a Woman was inspired by a rough patch in my life, as I bumped my head growing from “girl” to “woman”. I learned to use writing as a way to relieve stress and one day, after a highly stressful situation, I started writing to release my sadness, anger, and frustration with life in general. What I had originally planned to become an entire book was shortened into a story (I got over the situation and ran out of steam). Since that time, because of emotions about other life situations weighing heavily on my heart, I have written six additional stories and the Lord blessed me to have them published and released through PublishAmerica in October 2003.

How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

In coming up with the title for Stages, I thought about the stories, what they had to say and what title would appropriately describe my book. Being Stages is a collection of short stories that chronicle the lives of women from youth to death, I believed that Stages of a Woman would make a wonderful name for my book.

I used the title, As I struggle…to walk with God, for my poetry collection because it perfectly described the trials and the spiritual growth that I was experiencing while writing my poetry.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

There are so many people and experiences (good and bad) that contributed to my writing of Stages! The two people who had the most influence on me in regards to releasing my words for the public to hear are my sister, Esther and my best friend, Mark. These two individuals believed in me and my writing when I stopped believing in myself and encouraged me to find my niche and follow my dream.

How much of the novel is realistic? Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

I consider Stages of a Woman to be very realistic. I fictionalized different events of my own life, which happen to be similar to the events that have occurred in the lives of other women. I believe that the best books to read are those written by people who are knowledgeable about their subject. I want my readers (male and female) to be able to relate to the characters within Stages.

Tell us your latest news? What are your current projects?

I am really prepping up for stronger nationwide promotion of Stages of a Woman. I am currently working on scheduling book signing events for Black History and Women’s History Month and making my title visible to book stores and book clubs. I am also submitting As I struggle to publishers in hopes of getting it published in 2004, in addition to writing the sequel to Stages and a 30-day devotional book for women.

If you could to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I would choose Maya Angelou, Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. Their works truly touched my life while growing up and to be mentored by either of these ladies would be a great joy.

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?

Stages of a Woman [ISBN: 1592869971] is available through Amazon, B&N and other online bookstores. You can also order my title in your local bookstore.

Please check out my website www.geocities.com/jayejcaldwell/JJ_Caldwell.html for more information about myself and my writings.

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