Let’s Talk!

Q. How likely is it that an attorney, or other female professional, would become involved with a janitor or someone making far less money?

A. You’ve heard of white collar and blue collar? One of my friends, an attorney, said she’s involved with someone with “no collar.” Basically, he takes work where he can find it. I once tutored an attorney’s husband who was illiterate. I just pulled a piece from an advice column where another attorney had married a high school graduate and is completely satisfied in her relationship. Women, as they become more secure in themselves, are seeking love, communication, and other similar ingredients for a great relationship. A fat wallet is a great topping, but it’s not necessarily essential.

Q. Was your personal relationship the basis of the book?
A. No. I wanted to illustrate that peace and happiness are not defined by a particular image. God’s plan is bigger than the world’s definitions of success.

Q. Is it realistic that someone in their thirties, like your main character, would never have engaged in a physical relationship?

A. I admit it may be difficult to ignore physical urgings, but if I only read advice columns, it seems that many people have made such a choice—and not only women, but men as well. Remember the movie, The Forty Year Old Virgin? While some might have considered this guy an oddity, and a source of humor, God takes virtuousness seriously. Also, consider the rise of ceremonies that symbolize the intent to remain pure until marriage.

Q. Do you think it’s more difficult for a Christian man or woman to find a mate?

A. Significantly more so, especially for women. Statistics reflect that women worshippers outnumber men with the ratio of two to one. Plus, women who are serious about their relationship with God want a mate who is also committed.

Q. If someone has fallen short of the ideals that your heroine puts forth in maintaining her virginity, what would you say to them?

A. First of all, Brenda Quinn, the heroine in the book is not perfect. She gets angry, she says things she regrets, and tries to have her mother do things her way. And Russell Dawson, the hero, has fallen short in that he didn’t wait until marriage to have the relationship that God wants us to have. Yet, in their case, and in the case of anyone willing to accept His offer of forgiveness, God does forgive.

Q. Would you have ever considered giving up a successful career?

A. Actually, I did do just that. I worked in corporate America, made the six figure salary, plus bonus and stock options. I couldn’t decide whether the idea of giving up my job was temporary insanity or a bold move of God. My husband thought I was insane. After Robert saw me speak at “The Expo for Today’s Black Woman,” he said, “I now see. That’s who you are.” Wow! After twenty years of marriage, he got it! There’s always hope.

Q. Is there anyone in the book that bares some similarity to someone you know?

A. Some people are composites, and others were hatched in my head.

Q. Why did you write a romance novel?

A. “My Father’s House” was not romance initially. It began as a mystery with some of the same characters. Then, it became a work of women’s fiction. Finally, I thought it would be a short diversion to some troubling events in my life over a two year period. I thought God and I understood that I did not write romance. I should have taken a clue when I went to my first writer’s conference. I received a book entitled, “But God, This Wasn’t My Plan!”

Q. So, there is another book in the works?

A. Glad you asked. Check out “Becoming a Bodacious Believer.” (LINK) My first non-fiction work-in-progress.

Q. How do you become a writer?

A. Pray. Pray some more. If that’s what God is still telling you to do, check out some of my writing hints.