By: Kelvin Oliver
T4JYM: How much editing was involved?
JF: First, I spent nearly a year just writing the book then another two years organizing the material in the book. When I first started writing, my work was channeled in that I felt divinely guided with my writing. I would write whatever came to me in that I cleared my mind and allowed Spirit to take over and then I would write, but it was quite unorganized and how to be worked into the manuscript later on.
T4JYM: Did you do it all alone or did you send it to people to edit?
JF: During this time, Kitty (who is an editor) and I came together on-line and she worked with me. I would write and she would read then make suggestions. Mainly she encouraged me to write deeper from my heart. This was difficult in that I was writing about a personal and painful subject matter.
T4JYM: How many times did you have to re-edit your works?
JF: The manuscript was revised more than ten times before we really got down to something we could work with in an organized manner.
T4JYM: Did publishers reject them?
JF: Yes, I had several turn downs.
T4JYM: Who have been your biggest influences in life?
JF: I would have to say that my parents have been my greatest influence in life.
T4JYM: Who have been your biggest influences in your life as a writer?
JF: I love the way Sarah Ban Breathnach writes, and Iyanla Vanzant is another favorite. I would read Sarah’s writing in awe of her talent, and Iyanla is such an inspirational writer.
T4JYM: How has this book been received by the general public?
JF: It has been exceptionally well received.
T4JYM: Has there been positive feedback?
JF: Absolutely! Everyone that I have spoken with has said incredibly wonderful things about the book. It is life changing. It has impacted their lives for the better.
T4JYM: Any negative feedback?
JF: None!
T4JYM: What are your next plans for writing?
JF: I want to continue writing.
T4JYM: Do you plan to do any more books along the same lines as this book?
JF: Thank heavens I won’t ever have to write another book like Beneath Wings of an Angel, my spiritual healing journey to recovery from domestic violence. Although it was healing and it is inspirational, it was quite difficult to write it. Now my writing is about taking the next step into self-awareness. I am working on a book entitled, Maiden Butterfly, which is self-empowering.
T4JYM: Will you move on to new writing?
JF: I think my writing will stay the same, just more focused for specific audiences.
T4JYM: What is generally your target audience?
JF: Women, but men have read and been greatly influenced by my first book, which came as a surprise to me. Young girls have also read my book and been deeply touched by it.
T4JYM: Do you write specifically to ministry workers or have you written other books targeted at other audiences?
JF: I think my first book really covers a general audience. Those that are seeking answers to life questions such as why have I been abused, how can I change or how can I heal from my past will benefit from this book. My writing has a wide audience range. It is intended to help all those who are in need of spiritual healing, and for those who are in a position to help. There is much to learn from the in depth revelations of a family in crisis.
T4JYM: How do you decide on what audience to focus your writing on?
JF: My titles and subject matter really come to light from inspiration and I write from my experiences as a young girl, a woman, wife and mother so I have much subject matter to write from. It’s really a matter of finding enough time to devote to the several projects I have in mind.
T4JYM: Have you written any other books?
JF: No.
T4JYM: Do you have any ideas for books you would like to write?
JF:Absolutely! I am also working on a book (Angel in the Mirror) for girls ages 14 to 25 to help them see their life from a wider angle to bring spirituality into their lives so that they can understand their life purpose and create authentic power this is how we become empowered and learn to follow Spirit’s Voice.
With so many stresses and pressures in life its easy to be confused especially when teens experience problems at home. There are many who feel lost and turn to others for validation. It is self-love that is missing and a strong sense of personal identity. I believe we are the life breathed into our physical bodies and we have all the power and wisdom to make it through life with fewer problems.
T4JYM: Who were the biggest influences in your life generally speaking, and who were the biggest influences since you decided to write?
JF: I would have to say that key people in my past such as members of my church and my ex-husband have had the greatest influence in shaping my destiny, and since I started writing it would most certainly have to be God and His Angels.
T4JYM: How do you find time to write?
JF: I have been blessed in that I was able to stay at home while writing my first book. I wrote all day every day and never stopped writing until it was finished. In fact, my life was a little unbalanced at the time in that my writing came first. Life is busy and time management is hard to do sometimes. Now that I am traveling quite a bit and have a busy schedule it is much more difficult to find time. But I am learning to prioritize and make time for those things that are most important, my family and my writing.
T4JYM: When do you do your best writing and where?
JF: My best writing comes late at night. It seems as though I can write all day just to delete most of it and then really write from my heart late at night. I have a room with two large windows overlooking a garden and trees; this is calming especially with bright sunlight, water fountains, and soft music.
T4JYM: Who are some of the authors you read?
JF: Gary Zukav, Doreen Virtue, Mariann Williamson.
T4JYM: Why do you like their works?
JF: Marianne Williamson greatly influenced me years ago when I was searching for answers. She brought a new concept about God’s Love through her writing that influenced a change in me, and I find the authors work enlightening.
Be the first to comment