Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a licensed minister, mother and entrepreneur.  I live on the east coast now (I was born in Texas, grew up in California) I really feel my intimate understanding of these diverse areas of our country is very beneficial; it gives me a wealth of contents and perspectives for my writing.

I love traveling, and travel as much and as often as I can.  I am an animal lover, with two Chihuahuas (Milton and Honey Bee) who keep me very busy. I love movies, music, and my service to others.

I have been involved in entrepreneurial endeavors for the majority of my working life, and I absolutely love it.  There is never a dull moment, and the utilization of my work and life experience is exhilarating. In this environment, I can clearly see that nothing that has come into my life in the past was an accident, and I try to utilize every experience to bring out something positive. I consult for corporations, churches and individuals.

Describe your book ‘Crimson and Scarlet’ in 30 words or less.

The assorted and controversial residents, of a small southern town conduct their daily lives, unaware that what they do not know is killing them.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? 

Oddly, it was writing in dialect. The story line and premise was actually the easy part.  I wrote the entire premise about 35,000 words complete with characters, and ending in only five days, as many authors have said the characters wrote themselves. I just typed what I heard and saw. The most challenging aspect was writing the southern conversational dialect of this fictional town and its main character.  I wanted the reader to be able to hear the socio-economic differences of the residents. I wanted the reader, to literally, be able to hear their voices. It is funny but once you have so many grammatical errors, spell check just dies, so being able to see errors was a challenge, as far as my computer was concerned, I was on my own.

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

Undoubtedly, the Bible, I base everything in my life on what I have learned in its pages. As far as fiction is concerned, I really enjoyed the books by the late “Bebe Moore Campbell” her books actually drew me into the story line to the extent that I missed the characters when I had completed the books.  In addition, Hannah Hurnard’s, Hinds Feet on High Places and Mountain of Spices are among my favorite books.  Her allegorical works are so imaginative and yet tells a very profound and memorable story.

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

Happily, I found you guys, you have been a great help.  I also have posted on “all” the social networking sites of which I am a member. I continually access the marketing information supplied by my publisher, and have attempted to evaluate each opportunity for its possibilities for me and my book. I use “key words” to link my website, and everything I am working on together.

I am always open to suggestion, I read and research other authors marketing suggestions, and those that fit, I begin immediately, and others require getting supporting prerequisites in place. I usually find more methods as I research those prerequisites, and find others to evaluate as well, I am always learning.

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

I am actively involved in Ministry, working as Online Dean for our School of Ministry “God’s Generals International Ministry Training Center”. I mentor pastors and ministers, write for online publications (“Religion and Spirituality” examiner at Examiner.com), act as Host and radio personality for my shows, and I am an independent consultant, so I am busy servicing my clients. I frequently share the advice that “organization is everything” when you have numerous projects to oversee.

What are you working on next?

My next book is “Spirit and Truth.” It will revisit some of the resident of Southside, the voice of the narrator of Crimson and Scarlet has changed.

“Spirit and Truth” is narrated by G M Fallow (a peripheral character in Crimson and Scarlet). G M  is the leading correspondent of the Southside Chronicle, the towns leading newspaper.  In “Spirit and Truth” G M presents the towns stories from the perspective of the “news.” Major changes have take place in Southside and the surrounding vicinity and G M writes of major scandals which are exposed, gives us the stories of leading citizens as they experience great challenges and the long awaited answers to what’s happening now, with all the juicy details (we know that the background stories must be documented by reputable sources).

Again, I have attempted to tell the stores of these new characters and developments with humor, candor and revelation.