Author of Sex and Lies, Author Rhonda McKnight

 

Richardson: Hello Rhonda! I am excited to chat with you, welcome.

McKnight: I’m excited about the release of my novel. Thanks so much for having me and taking the time to share it with your va.

Richardson: My Pleasure. Your Christian fiction, Secrets and Lies, is slated to be released in December 1st. of this year. What is the synopsis of Secret and Lies?

McKnight: Faith Morgan is struggling with her faith. Years of neglect leave her doubting that God will ever fix her marriage. When a coworker accuses her husband, Jonah, of the unthinkable, Faith begins to wonder if she really knows him at all, and if it’s truly in God’s will for them to stay married. Pediatric cardiologist Jonah Morgan is obsessed with one thing: his work. A childhood incident cemented his desire to heal children at any cost, even his family, but now he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Will he continue to allow the past to haunt him, or find healing and peace in a God he shut out long ago?

Richardson: What do you want readers to take away from Secrets and Lies?

McKnight: Secrets and Lies is a story about faith, forgiveness and reconciliation. I believe it will resonate differently with each individual, but if I had to name one thing, I’d say I’d like readers to understand that forgiveness is a decision. Once a person decides that peace is more important than bitterness and pain, they will have a fuller, more complete life.

Richardson: Have you always known that you would write Christian Fiction?

McKnight: No, I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, and I didn’t even know Christian Fiction existed until 1998 when Victoria Christopher Murray introduced me to her novel, Temptation. That was when that I started to think about the kind of stories I wanted to tell. But even then I wasn’t sure I was the right person to tell a “Christian” story, but as I’ve grown spiritually, I’ve realized that it’s really the only kind I can tell. I write who I am and I love the Lord.

Richardson: You deal with Depression, suicide, and faith, in Secret and Lies. Did this require a great deal of research?  

McKnight: Jonah Morgan is a pediatric cardiologist, and what he does for a living is central to the story. I had to do tons of research about pediatric heart disease. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love doing research. I’m personally acquainted with faith struggles and it just organically comes out as I write. I think we all know people who have or are dealing with depression, and I struggled with that for a short period of time when I first moved from New Jersey to Atlanta. I did do some research about suicide and I had to research the incident in the novel that led up to one of the characters considering suicide. So, yes, I guess I can say it did require a lot of research.

Richardson: What have you discovered about yourself on your journey to publication?

McKnight: Other than how to write a book, (LOL), I learned that this (writing) is what I was really born to do. (That is other than be a mother).

Richardson: Being a mommy, is one of the best jobs in the world! There is always a story behind the glory. How do/did you handle rejection (s)?

McKnight: Ha! I never got rejected. I sold my book to the first publisher I sent it to. I did get a rejection letter two weeks later from another publisher, but I didn’t care. I had already sold. I must say I believe that was more about God’s timing than my writing.

Richardson: That is both wonderful and encouraging to hear! God timing is perfect and true. I have a book titled, The Certain Ones. Sometime, certain ones have to dig a little deeper and stretch a little wider. Delayed but not denied. God’s timing, presents awesome testimonies; of how I made it over. What advice would you offer aspiring authors, Rhonda?

McKnight: Read, write and then read and write some more. Study the craft of writing. Buy craft books or take writing classes. Attend a writers conference. You’ll learn so much about writing and the publishing business. The more you know, the less mistakes you’ll make and the less painful the journey will be.

Richardson: Wonderful advice. How can readers contact you?

McKnight: The best way to reach me is by email at rhonda@rhondamcknight.net . I love having people stop by my website and sign my guestbook www.rhondamcknight.net and I am a total and complete Facebook addict. You can catch me every day that the sun rises at www.facebook.com/rhondamcknight

Richardson: Rhonda, it was wonderful chatting and discovering with you. As always in closing, continue to inspire as you aspire.

McKnight: Thanks so much for having me Vanessa and all the best with your writing and ministry work.

http://www.rhondamcknight.net/ www.facebook.com/rhondamcknight http://www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com/

Selena Winston Interviews Me.

 

The Columbia Christian Living Examiner welcomes this week’s

Spiritual Spotlight: Vanessa Richardson

This very accomplished writer is ‘on the move’ and
a kingdom builder as you will see as you read on.

CCLE: Tell us about you, personally and as an artist.

VR: I am an author and Playwright. My first novel inspirational nonfiction titled: The Certain Ones: You’re not Forsaken. You’re Chosen for Purpose was released in 2009. And has been received wonderfully! I write and perform stage productions annually. I am ecstatic to announce our up and coming production: God Knows My Heart. It is slated to be performed around the Christmas Holiday.

CCLE: What is your motivation/inspiration?

VR: With out a doubt my inspiration comes from above. God. I have condition myself to have meditation and daily devotionals. This is my time with God, where I read my Bible and really listen to his divine directions for me. Through Him I am motivated to help women who dealing with low self-esteem and rejections. I am inspired to live the best life God intended for me to have.

CCLE: What is the best thing about being an artist in your field?

VR: The divine connections! I have met some great literary friends and some faithful readers. Thanks for the emails everyone! With my stage productions I have been blessed to have worked some spectacular actors and actresses.

CCLE: What character in the Bible has influenced you the most? Tell us why?

VR: At present I would have to profess Hannah. I consider Hannah to be a trailblazer— her path was blazed with a crazy praise. It is our decisions we make in life that determines our outcome. Hannah had a physical handicap something she had no control over. She was provoked sorely for it. There are some things that happens that we have no control over . Know this: It is alright to cry. It is alright to confess to being hurt and confused. Alas, it is not alright to bow down to defeat. It is not alright to give up when you’re feeling the heat. Do a Hannah movement and rise up. Give out, but never give up. Let all the Hannah’s of the world rise up and proclaim their destinies!

CCLE: What is your background and how do you gain from its impact?

VR: I hail from a background of strong women! Everyone needs a foundation that is solid as a rock. Our foundation is faith and family. I am not successful with out my faith and my family. Money and material things are fleeting and can not provide you with the support that you need in this world.

CCLE: “WWJD” is a popular slogan- how does it play a part in YOUR life?

VR: I have heard this slogan many, many times and honestly never considered it. I strive to be Christ minded on a daily basis. There are several requirements to following Him. The key one is to let His will be done. It is hard to kick against the grain…after doing so so many times and coming away scarred. I yielded to Him and still doing so. Obedience is better than sacrifice. When I am in the perfect will of God and not his permissive, I am closer to Jesus and am happiest in my life.

CCLE: What are your upcoming projects or events!?

VR : I am working on my next novel Christian fiction suspense entitled “Love Found Me”. It should be released later this year. My stage production “God Knows My Heart” slated to be performed around the 2009 Christmas Holiday.

The Certain Ones is made available for purchase on my websites or just visit me and drop a line or two, I love hearing from readers. www.authorvanessarichardson.com

http://thecertainones.blogspot.com

or Amazon.com, or Barnesand Nobles.com

Big Thanks to Vanessa for allowing Columbia Christian Living Examiner into her heart and her life.

 

Selena Winston
www.selenawinston.webs.com
Author of “Butterfly Kisses”

My Garden

There comes in a point in a person’s life where they just need to be alone. To think. To breath. To see. To cry. To release. Running never solves anything. The consequence of loss is too strong to risk. On the other side of the coin there is confronting the issue. Confronting is almost like a dance. There is a art to it. It requires timing and tactic ism. The goal is to problem solve or least identify the root of the problem and deal with.
Maybe for you this day will yield the answers that you’ve sought for so long. There are different levels to needs. Level 3. Although the need is strong your still able to function by rote with your daily routine- your image is nothing is amiss with you. On the surface everything appears all right.

 Level 2. Your in desperate need of answers and although they are fleeting, you’re determined to hold on. Only it’s not for the sake of yourself– but for others such as your spouse, kids, and friends.

Level 1. You can no longer “pretend” it is well, not even if you tried. The energy is just not there. Even a blind man could notice the changes in your personality. You aura that once shone so brightly has now lost its luster. You’ve lost the person you use to be and now your crying inside for help. Can someone one anyone hear you silent cry. Your hurting inside.

Vivid is the memory of  level 1. for me. It is a level I vowed never to tread again. Somethings can be prevented. I’ve build up a resistance to the things that can hurt or distract me. I am not perfect but I am learning. I’ve learned to resist the subtle pull of low self worth and hurtful words from others. No longer a destroyer of myself and others. I am now a planter. One day I hazard a look upward at the sky and immediately became transfixed by the soft billowy clouds. It looked as if they were performing just for me. It was spectacular to witness. I smiled at the thought.

Today was a good day as spring had sprung! I made it through another winter season. The season was quite chilling and no matter how much I tried to cover up. I still felt the numbing chills coursing through me. I thought- if only someone could feel how cold I really was, I wouldn’t feel so alone. Experience revealed to me: Sometimes a person own pain can make them unaware of the pain of others. Please be sensitive and watch out for the silent cries of others.

That fateful day I decided it was a good day to plant my seeds.. I was going to grow my own rose garden. White, red, and yellow… I was excited to start my master piece. The day started off lovely. Some where the line I faltered. My ebullience began to fade. I began to look around me. I should have just focused on my own garden.

My neighbors yard looked like it should have grace the cover of Better Homes and Garden Magazine. Their two storied home– (which was painted a challenging white) stood bold and majestic. It was a boggle to me, how they always managed to keep their home and yard looking flawless. Their floral garden housed an array of exotic flowers and trees.

Mums, roses, and ferns, japanese maple, and dog wood trees. Utterly breath- taking. It was a beautific to view.  I wanted that! I looked at my yard and immediately became overwhelmed. I looked at my home deciding that I no longer like its coloring. For the first time I considered painting it white. And I am no fan of such a difficult color. Call me cover girl.

I looked at my roses they no longer appealed to me. I wanted my garden to look like my neighbor’s. I wanted that!  A chill coursed through me as the clouds blotted out the sun. Casting shadows over my half planted garden. My heart sped up at the sudden phenomenon. In that dark moment I had to make a decision. I could remain focus and plant my seed according to my purpose. Or watch others and be pulled from my plan. The lesson learned: what look good on others may not be good for me. I decided. I like my roses.

My Garden may not be like my neighbors but it is mine. I labored and nurtured my planted seeds and am expecting new growth. The process would be greater than the results. At my self declaration the sun revealed its illuminating presence once more. I smiled thinking as I looked around. I almost slipped but am back on track. Yes, today was a good day to plant and grow.The Sun was shinning on me as God always does. My faith is my seed and my garden is blessings. I hold my seed in my hands. I choose to live and be happy. So should you!

About My Book, “The Certain Ones”

The Cover of My Book, "The Certain Ones"

 Why do certain ones suffer more than other people do? That is the question she wanted answered. The path of life is not just a journey but also an assigned one she discovered as she witness the journey of the lives of others.

 

No longer a peripheral bystander she will embark on her own private journey. On this journey, she deals with personal issues that have been handicapping her life. On her path, she encounters hurt and rejection. Hurt can cause a person to do things that they normally would not do. On the heel of self-discovery, she finds that she is not alone and that she was a certain one.  Chosen for purpose.

 

 

 

Thoughts from the Author

Have you ever had something inside you begging for release?  My book The Certain Ones was one of those things inside of me that needed releasing for purpose.  Catamenial Pnuemothorax, infertility, and rejection could no longer remain silent inside of me. With my coming forth and shedding light to those aforementioned issues, has helped many women young and old alike.  (Thank you ladies for your  emails J)  Though painful for me at the time, I now understand and even appreciate the physical and emotional hardships I endured.

My purpose has come full circle, I accepted that I was not forsaken. My chosen purpose is to be of help to women suffering from ailments, due to infertility. Through the process of time and Gods grace, I now fully embrace my change in assignment.

It had taken me awhile to see past the hurt, but I have and now I am pleased with the woman God has chosen me to be. Let the Hannah’s of the world rise up! We are not forsaken. We are chosen for purpose.  Go, purposed women!