Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Rena A. Finney

Rená A. Finney (Rena A. Finney)

Rená A. Finney’s thirst for reading and writing blossomed when she was very young. Even at the age of 4 she began weaving stories that attracted the attention of the customers that frequented her grandmother’s country store. As her audience grew, so did her stories and everyone marveled at her imagination and creative flair. Even though Rená put her stories away with her paper dolls, her gift for storytelling remained. Being an avid reader of various genres and staying abreast of the world of contemporary and mainstream romance, she began thinking seriously about writing in the spring of 2000.

With a story on the inside begging to be told, hard work and a whole lot of praying, Rená’s self published title Halfway to Tomorrow was birthed. In January of 2006 she signed a two book deal with the Urban Soul Imprint of Kensington Publishing. Halfway to Tomorrow was released by them on February 6, 2007, a summer anthology entitled Summer Breeze which included a short story by Rená titled "Whisper" hit the scene in July, 2007. Additionally, her latest release dropped in October 2007 with her second novel, I Ain’t Perfect. Her next novel, If I’m Gonna Love You, will release in November of 2008.

Rená resides on the eastern shore of Virginia with her husband, George. Their daughter, Chanel is a recent college graduate and resides in Maryland and their son, Gee is a freshman in college. She is at work on her fourth title.

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Urban Reviews: Start by telling our readers about I Ain't Perfect.
Rená A. Finney: It tells the story of Monica Joyner Phillips who is married to a prominent pastor on the fast track to becoming bishop; however, the leading lady is attempting to display perfection in an imperfect marriage. But, as the problems get harder to ignore, she deals with hanging in as not to have the church see her as the serpent in paradise. While standing by the man of God, she meets a handsome NBA basketball player who sees in her what the church folk refuse to see. He is a man she immediately decides she doesn’t want anywhere close to her for obvious reasons. As he extends a friendship, she fights to hold true to her marriage and her vows. But the foundation that it is built on is shaken when the pastor does the unthinkable. Still she is determined to be what everyone believes she’s not.

Urban Reviews: What inspired you to create this particular storyline?
Rená A. Finney: Often the focus is on the man of God with little thought given to what it’s really like for the leading lady to balance standing beside the pastor and dealing with the demands of the ministry. It is often the leading lady that hides the imperfections of the marriage and when the pastor may falls a little short, all the while projecting an image that everything is simply “blessed” even when the church would rather believe that if it’s a fault, it lies with the leading lady. I felt it was time to tell the other side of the story and to prove that sometimes things just aren’t perfect.

Urban Reviews: Can we get a sneak peak at your next novel?
Rená A. Finney: I’d love to share. The title of my next novel is If I’m Gonna Love You. I’m bringing back a few characters from the cast of Halfway to Tomorrow and telling Patrice Henderson’s story. Turning another year older and facing empty nest syndrome with her adopted daughter going off to college has her out of sync. Couple that with her boyfriend of five years being ready to take it to the next level and Patrice not knowing if she’s ready, has her trying to stay one step ahead of having to make a decision, that is until he gives her an ultimatum. Her friends extend loving advice, with one dealing with pregnancy blues and another loving the wrong man. After ducking and dodging, Patrice realizes loving him may mean giving up her independence and life as she knows it, but living without him would mean giving up the best thing that has every happened to her.

Urban Reviews: You started your career by self-publishing your novel Halfway To Tomorrow. Can you tell our readers your literary journey from then until now?
Rená A. Finney: I penned my first novel is 1999 and decided to take the self-publishing route. For me it was a step in the right direction. It afforded me the opportunity to believe in myself first and to get my novel out there. In 2006 I signed a two book deal with Kensington’s Urban Soul and all the hard work I put into self-publishing, believing when no one else would and being encouraged by those that had my back, paid off. The marvel of it all is perfecting the craft of writing to give readers what they want and knowing that each day I work harder at it because I’m still arriving.

Urban Reviews: What is the biggest lesson that you've learned about the literary industry so far?
Rená A. Finney: To embrace it all the smooth sailing and the conflicts. It all unfolds to make us strong and it contributes in some way to who we are and who we become as an author.

Urban Reviews: Do you have any favorite authors or books?
Rená A. Finney: I have a dozen because I feel there are many within different genres who are contributing great works, and the minute you throw out names, you glance back and realize you left one of your favorites out…but to name a few… I love Tracy Price-Thompson, Victoria Christopher Murray, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, and Victor McGlothin

Urban Reviews: When you actually start writing, how long does it take you to finish a book?
Rená A. Finney: Once I’m in the groove of writing it normally takes me a couple of months to finish the first draft and another month to polish it up. That’s providing I stay on task and not allow major interruptions to get in my way.

Urban Reviews: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Rená A. Finney: To seek something or someone that motivates you and to work hard to perfect the craft of writing. And most importantly never give up on your dream.

Urban Reviews: Name one thing that the world does not know about Rena Finney-the person?
Rená A. Finney: That everyday I wake up I consider myself Blessed and Highly Favored! I ask God to order my steps, that way no matter where I walk, I know it’s his designed destiny just for me.