Intimate Conversation with bestselling author Vanessa Davis Griggs
Vanessa Davis Griggs is an author and motivational speaker who adores the power of words both written and spoken. At the end of 1996, this former BellSouth employee left 18 years of service and stepped out on faith as she pursues her purpose and passion—writing and speaking. She resides in Irondale (a city just outside of Birmingham) Alabama and is the recipient of numerous recognitions and awards.
Novels by Vanessa Davis Griggs: Destiny Unlimited, The Rose of Jericho, Promises Beyond Jordan, Wings of Grace (which was also an audio book), a trilogy with Kensington/Dafina: Blessed Trinity, Strongholds, and If Memory Serves. May 26, 2009, Practicing What You Preach releases.
Ella: Ms. Griggs, please introduce us to your latest released book.
IF MEMORY SERVES released October 1, 2008.
Memory Patterson has been hiding from her family for much to long. Her instinct has always been to run, and never more so than when a chance meeting with Pastor Landris and his pregnant wife leads to a shocking revelation. Just as Memory attempts to convince everyone that she truly is saved now, the faithful woman responsible for reuniting her with her past finds herself suffering with troubles of her own. When Johnnie Mae experiences complications with her pregnancy, Pastor Landris learns he may have to make an impossible choice—one that will amount to true spiritual warfare. Meanwhile, Charity finally comes face to face with the painful truth and damaging secret of her own past. For those involved, secrets have done nothing but tear them apart and destroy their families. And—for Memory and Charity especially—only hope and the power of faith can mend these shattered fractured lives.
Ella: Finish this sentence: I am Powerful because...
It is not I, but Christ who lives in me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And yes, I am a child of the most High God and being a child has its privileges.
Memory Patterson has been hiding from her family for much to long. Her instinct has always been to run, and never more so than when a chance meeting with Pastor Landris and his pregnant wife leads to a shocking revelation. Just as Memory attempts to convince everyone that she truly is saved now, the faithful woman responsible for reuniting her with her past finds herself suffering with troubles of her own. When Johnnie Mae experiences complications with her pregnancy, Pastor Landris learns he may have to make an impossible choice—one that will amount to true spiritual warfare. Meanwhile, Charity finally comes face to face with the painful truth and damaging secret of her own past. For those involved, secrets have done nothing but tear them apart and destroy their families. And—for Memory and Charity especially—only hope and the power of faith can mend these shattered fractured lives.
Ella: Finish this sentence: I am Powerful because...
It is not I, but Christ who lives in me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And yes, I am a child of the most High God and being a child has its privileges.
Ella: Who are your two main characters and what do you like most about them?
Johnnie Mae and Pastor George Landris. I love their relationship with each other as well as others they come in contact with. But what I really love is their strong faith and their desire to do God’s work.
Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
The message of how much God loves and cares for us. That no matter what we’re going through, as long as we have Jesus in our lives, we can make it and yes, He has already overcome the world. The comfort in knowing that with God on our side, we’re more than a conqueror, and we have the victory no matter how much the devil may try to convince us otherwise. As a Christian author, I want people to see that Christians deal with issues and have problems just like everyone else. But when you have Christ in your life, you don’t feel alone and in the end, no matter what happens you win because you are not alone.
Ella: What is the most surprising thing you have learned in creating books?
How much my characters love taking over my books. It’s a wonderful surprise but it can be frustrating as well as exhilarating watching them take over the story as I learn who the boss really is and who ultimately is in charge.
Ella: Name 3 things that it takes to make a successful author, in your opinion?
1) Being true to who you are and to your calling. In other words, not trying to be a copy of someone else but instead being the original you were created to be.
2) Learning your craft, learning the business, and understanding you should never stop learning and striving to be the best you can be. Compete, not with anyone else, but compete with your last efforts to be better than you were before.
3) Realize that you well may be creative, but publishing is still a business. There is the business side which may require you to figure out how to get the word out about your book other than relying upon the publisher. If you’ve written a great book and nobody knows it exists, does it really matter to anyone except those who know about it? If it was important enough for you to write it and go through the trouble of it being published, don’t you owe it to that work and those you believe will be blessed to let them know it’s available?
Ella: Share with us your latest news, events or upcoming book releases.
Four of my most recent novels, BLESSED TRINITY, STRONGHOLDS, IF MEMORY SERVES, and PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH (due for release May 26, 2009), have sold audio rights so people will be able to get BLESSED TRINITY as an audio book at the end of March 2009, and the others as they release them. As I’ve mentioned, PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH will release May 26, 2009 while GOODNESS AND MERCY releases October 2009. As you can see, I am blessed to be very busy doing what I love!
Vanessa Davis Griggs: Thank you SO MUCH for this opportunity. You are a blessing!
Contact author Vanessa Davis Griggs
Johnnie Mae and Pastor George Landris. I love their relationship with each other as well as others they come in contact with. But what I really love is their strong faith and their desire to do God’s work.
Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
The message of how much God loves and cares for us. That no matter what we’re going through, as long as we have Jesus in our lives, we can make it and yes, He has already overcome the world. The comfort in knowing that with God on our side, we’re more than a conqueror, and we have the victory no matter how much the devil may try to convince us otherwise. As a Christian author, I want people to see that Christians deal with issues and have problems just like everyone else. But when you have Christ in your life, you don’t feel alone and in the end, no matter what happens you win because you are not alone.
Ella: What is the most surprising thing you have learned in creating books?
How much my characters love taking over my books. It’s a wonderful surprise but it can be frustrating as well as exhilarating watching them take over the story as I learn who the boss really is and who ultimately is in charge.
Ella: Name 3 things that it takes to make a successful author, in your opinion?
1) Being true to who you are and to your calling. In other words, not trying to be a copy of someone else but instead being the original you were created to be.
2) Learning your craft, learning the business, and understanding you should never stop learning and striving to be the best you can be. Compete, not with anyone else, but compete with your last efforts to be better than you were before.
3) Realize that you well may be creative, but publishing is still a business. There is the business side which may require you to figure out how to get the word out about your book other than relying upon the publisher. If you’ve written a great book and nobody knows it exists, does it really matter to anyone except those who know about it? If it was important enough for you to write it and go through the trouble of it being published, don’t you owe it to that work and those you believe will be blessed to let them know it’s available?
Ella: Share with us your latest news, events or upcoming book releases.
Four of my most recent novels, BLESSED TRINITY, STRONGHOLDS, IF MEMORY SERVES, and PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH (due for release May 26, 2009), have sold audio rights so people will be able to get BLESSED TRINITY as an audio book at the end of March 2009, and the others as they release them. As I’ve mentioned, PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH will release May 26, 2009 while GOODNESS AND MERCY releases October 2009. As you can see, I am blessed to be very busy doing what I love!
Vanessa Davis Griggs: Thank you SO MUCH for this opportunity. You are a blessing!
Contact author Vanessa Davis Griggs
Email: Vanessa@VanessaDavisGriggs.com
Web site: www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com
My Space: www.MySpace.com/vanessadavisgriggs
Christian author space: www.christianauthorspace.com/vanessadavisgriggs
Web site: www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com
My Space: www.MySpace.com/vanessadavisgriggs
Christian author space: www.christianauthorspace.com/vanessadavisgriggs
Author of: Promises Beyond Jordan,Wings of Grace, Blessed Trinity, Strongholds,
and Now Available! If Memory Serves
Check my Web site for more info!
Web site. www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/vanessadavisgriggs
Coming May 26, 2009! Practicing What You Preach Pre-order your copy today!
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Vanessa, as always I am proud of you. You are a great author! I love your books. Keep writing and doing what God has called you to do.
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