SCBC thanks
Kendra for sharing her interview with readers!
-The SCBC, Inc.
Christian-based Questions:
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, but I spent most of my
childhood and adult life in south Georgia. Currently, I reside in
Atlanta, Georgia.
Q: How did you decide to write
Christian titles (fiction, non-fiction, etc.)?
A: For me, there was never a question. I don't even feel that I
decided or even chose to write Christian fiction. Instead, I think it
chose me. I wanted to write stories that were positive and inspired
while they entertained the reader. I’m the product of two ministers,
so I’m sure my Christian upbringing is a big reason for why I'm in
this genre.
Q:
Do you feel that Christian books, overall, are experiencing a
“rebirth”?
A: Not necessarily. I'm more inclined to believe that African
American Christian books are experiencing a "first birth" - especially
in the fiction category. While Christian fiction has been around for
ages, it wasn't widely found authored by African American authors for
African American readers. I think the genre was much needed and is
offering readers a choice that they are finding quite refreshing.
Q: If you could to choose, which
writer would you consider a mentor?
A: Victoria Christopher Murray is the writer that I most often
refer to as my mentor. For months, we spoke via e-mail and phone and
had never met one another. This was when I was self-published. She
would take the time to give me pointers and offer words of wisdom that
I still carry with me. Today, we are very good personal and
professional friends, but she still mentors me. Jacquelin Thomas is
another mentor and friend. Both these women have been more
inspirational to me than they can ever imagine.
Q: Are there Christian themes or
Christian issues you want to address through writing?
A: I want to address everyday issues and everyday themes in the
books that I write. Christians are only human beings like everyone
else and we experience the same troubles that non-Christians do. How
we handle those situations is what set us apart and often times get us
different results. That's what I want to highlight in my books.
Q: When did you first consider
yourself a writer? A Christian writer?
A: I've considered myself a writer since I began crafting poetic
verse as a 5th grader. Even my poems were deeply rooted in
Christianity, whether they addressed social, economic or religious
issues. A never coined myself a Christian writer until I began writing
manuscripts and published my first novel in 2002.
Q: What inspired you to pen your
first novel?
A: The death of my first husband in 1995. It's amazing how freely
the mind can flow once it's been purged of grief, anger and
frustration. I never even knew I was capable of novel writing until
the journaling that I wrote to express my anguish turned out to be a
full-length manuscript. Shortly after I completed that project, I
began writing fictional stories that flooded my mind. That was the
birth of my career. It’s very true that God can turn tests into
testimonies.
Q: Who or what has influenced your
writing, and in what way?
A: For a while, that was a hard question to answer, but I came to
realize that my stories are inspired by all of the positive black men
in my life. When I read a lot of books, I find it hard to find
representation of the male presence that I've had from childhood to
now. From my father, to my brother, to both my husbands, I've been fed
a lot of love and support. When I write, I make sure that the leading
men in my books are those who love have a genuine love for their
family as well as a love for Christ. They are men who have faced or
are still facing issues, but it they ultimately turn to Christ and the
strength of their families for help.
Q: What books or authors have most
influenced your life?
A: Maya Angelou is probably my greatest influence in the literary
world. I admire her wisdom and her honesty. Even in her golden years,
she epitomizes elegance and strength. Her book, “I Know Why The Caged
Bird Sings” is still my favorite book to date.
Q: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
A: Always! In "A Love So Strong" (Moody Publishers; July 2004), the
message is that God is faithful and just in all. Even when consequences
in our past life come back to bite us in the behind, God is still
gracious and He will grant us the desires of our heart if we do what's
right in His sight. In "For Love And Grace" (BET Books; Nov. 2004) the
there is a strong message on love, forgiveness and how to deal with
guilt and grief. There is also a message on just how important the
combination of faith, family and friendship can be.
Q: Tell us your latest news? What are
your current projects?
A: Well, let’s see. “A Love So Strong” is selling well and
recently went into its second printing. I traveled to Washington, DC
to film a taping of “Lift Every Voice”, which is a segment of BET’s
national television programming. The show will air at some point
before Christmas 2004. Currently, I am touring with both current my
titles and am awaiting the release of “Crossing Jhordan’s River”
(Moody Publishing; June 2005) and “Because of Grace” (BET Books; July
2005), which is the second installment of the Grace Series.
Q:
Is being an author all that you hoped it would be? Would you recommend
it to others? A: Actually, it’s all that and then some. Since 2002, being a
full-time published author is what I’ve desired. I left my job, by
faith, on July 4, 2004. In August, I got calls from both BET and Moody
and it’s been a whirlwind of a dream come true since that time.
There’s a lot of work and a lot of travel involved, but I’ve loved
every minute of it. For me, this isn’t just a gift, but also a calling
and to be able to walk in your calling is an awesome blessing. I’d
definitely encourage anyone who feels that God has given them this
gift, to pursue it and do so with integrity and determination. When
your work is also your dream, there’s nothing like it.
SCBC thanks
Kendra for sharing her interview with readers!
-The SCBC, Inc.
