Rená Finney has penned Halfway To Tomorrow.  She kindly shares her literary goals with SCBC, Inc and readers.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I won’t even bother to name the small town because it’s not even on the map. It’s also where I currently reside. After attending college in Richmond, Va., I returned home. I guess you can say I bought into the cliché “there’s no place like home.”

How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?

Hmmm. Well being raised in a rural area afforded me the opportunity to savor everything…people, surroundings, the sight and smell of the locale. The pace of life on the Eastern Shore is slower and that has colored my world and my writing. It’s like looking at life through keener lenses.

When and why did you begin writing?

I started in 1999. I had the wonderful experience of meeting Rosalyn McMillan and I was blown away by this lady’s talent. I mean I had read her novels, but actually meeting and talking with her, it was like a breath of fresh reality air. Robbie is so grounded and real. I was instantly impressed. Doing one of our many conversations she encouraged me to think seriously about writing. There have been other authors along the way that have shared much and inspired me significantly, but I credit Robbie for the push. For me it was a secret love and although I read a lot, I never thought I could be a writer. Once I started I was hooked, I found my niche in life. Now it’s such a large part of who I am, I can’t fathom not writing.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

A writer? To me that’s such an impressive and well-deserved title and one I continue to work toward daily. I’m new at this and I plan on working hard to perfect the craft for many years to come. Am I a writer? I’m arriving and that makes me feel good.

What inspired you to pen your first novel?

I lost someone that I was very close to a while back. She had such a thirst for life and loved her family tremendously. For a while I didn’t know what to do with the hurt and pain of losing her. When I decided to write Halfway, her memory inspired me to complete it. If she were here, she would be right by my side cheering me on. That wasn’t to be; instead she’s my angel who sits high chartering my course.

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

I tell the story often of how I spent my pre-school years at my grandmother’s country store. To help pass the time, I would tell stories to the regular customers. The more they enjoyed my stories, the more flare and creativity I would add. I was only 4 years old, but I would go home at night and work on new material for the next day. Even though my stories were outlandish and were fabricated by falsehoods, she never discouraged or chastised me. She would tell everyone that I was gifted and had a colorful imagination and that one day I would share that gift with the world.

What do you do to set the mood for writing?

Many times my writing is spontaneous and I’ll jolt down notes on anything, at anytime. Other times it is a process and I believe in setting the mood. I have to spend a little time unwinding. I’ll do that by listening to music, contemporary jazz, smooth R&B, or jazz. Then other times I’ll just clown around with my kids to get in touch with the carefree side of myself. Add a couple of scoops of Butter Pecan Haagen-Dazs, a pair of my favorite sweats and I’m set.

What are you reading now?

I try to discipline myself and only read once I’ve completed a mini-milestone in my writing, be it developing a certain character, finishing a particular plot or completing a number of chapters. But, I often can’t make it through without saying, “I’ll just read a little of this and get back to work,” before I know it I’ve read the whole book. I just finished Too Much of a Good Thing by Kimberla Lawson Roby and I’m getting ready to read Tracee Garner’s new release The One Who Holds My Heart.

What are your current projects?

Of course I’m marketing Halfway To Tomorrow and I’ve started on my second novel, Seasons of Change.

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

Actually I was on my way home from a day of shopping and while riding along the title just hit me and I said it out loud a couple of times. Everyone in the car looked at me and I just smile and said, “That’s the title of my book.” I like it and it’s a perfect fit.

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

To appreciate and embrace the power of love and forgiveness. If you can’t forgive often times it consumes your entire being and holds you hostage to so much negativity. But when you let it go its like a weight being lifted. The sun comes out, the birds sing, your soul is at peace, all is right in your world and you walk away free of the bondage. Then and only then can you appreciate the real power of love.

How do you feel overall about self-publishing?

For me it was the step in the right direction. The self-publishing route is receiving more of a positive response than it did a while ago. It affords many who have a wonderful book on their hands to get it out there, test the market and get it recognized. Many of the greats in this arena were once self-published, that in itself says a lot.

How does your family and friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

They have embraced me and are equally excited about this venture. I’ve received so much love and encouragement, I really couldn’t ask for more. There’s nothing like the support of those you love and who really love you. What more can I say, I’m simply blessed.

Do you see writing as a long-or short term career?

Definitely long term. I’m in this for the long haul and as long as I can contribute to this wide world of literature I’m going to keep right on writing. If at least one person enjoys that contribution, I’ve accomplished my goal.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything?

Not one thing. Life experiences and the way things unfold come to make us strong and contribute in some way to who we are and who we become as a person. This journey has been no different. At times I thought that I would falter and fail, but I’m still standing. There has been a lot of impatience from others along the way because it’s taken a while to get this done. I’ve grown weary saying, “it’s coming,” but I have a friend that often recites an old proverb, “What don’t kill us will make us strong.” That is so true.

www.renafinney.com

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