Urban Reviews: Tell our
readers about Sunday Morning Secrets.
Shirlita K. McFarland: Sunday Morning
Secrets is about Pastor Jonathan Pierce who is turning his
church, King's Chapel, into a spiritual powerhouse. However,
he now finds himself torn between protecting his church and
keeping his wife's abominable secret life hidden from the
congregation, even though her secret has resulted in murder.
Intertwined in their lives is devoted church member, Alma
Curtis, who has harbored a devastating secret for over thirty
years. Her fear is that if it is revealed, it will ruin much
more than her saintly reputation. You must read the book to
discover what happens when Sunday morning secrets are exposed.
Urban Reviews: How did
you come up with the idea for this book?
Shirlita K. McFarland: My late mother had
a collection of church pew figurines on display in her living
room. I started writing a story about a fictional woman, Alma
Curtis, who also had such a collection. Her little figurines
became a pivotal part of the story.
Urban Reviews: What made
you want to get into writing? Is it something you see yourself
doing long term?
Shirlita K. McFarland: I have always been
a voracious reader, but it was at the suggestion of a friend
that I actually started writing the story that became
Sunday Morning Secrets. And yes, I can see myself doing
this full-time, all the time.
Urban Reviews: Name one
thing that you would have done differently in regards to your
literary aspirations?
Shirlita K. McFarland: Had I known that I
would achieve such a great degree of satisfaction from putting
my own thoughts on paper, I would have started many years
earlier.
Urban Reviews: With so
many books coming out these days, what things are you doing to
promote your book?
Shirlita K. McFarland: I am trying to use
every possible opportunity to tell booklovers that Sunday
Morning Secrets is available. I have introduced the book
to clubs all around the country; I have submitted the title to
online bookclubs and wonderful reviews are beginning to come
in; I have joined author websites and participated in online
interviews. I am meeting with book clubs to discuss the novel
and am looking forward to networking at some upcoming book
festivals.
Urban Reviews: What's the
best literary advice you've gotten from another author so far?
Shirlita K. McFarland: Unfortunately, I
have not spoken with any other authors, but I am open to any
positive suggestion or advice that they might have to offer.
Urban Reviews: Do you
have any upcoming projects that we can look forward to?
Shirlita K. McFarland: A second novel is
in the works, but there have been quite a few requests for a
sequel to Sunday Morning Secrets that I may have to
start on sooner rather than later.
Urban Reviews: Do you
have any favorite authors or books?
Shirlita K. McFarland: My list of
favorites is a mixed group of artists including Pearl Cleage,
Victoria Christopher Murray, John Grisham, RM Johnson, Linda
Howard, and Beverly Jenkins, just to name a few.
Urban Reviews: What
things have you experienced that you would like to advise
other aspiring authors about?
Shirlita K. McFarland: Writing the book
tests your creativity. Marketing the book tests your
character.
Urban Reviews: Is there
anything else you would like to share about yourself or your
novel?
Shirlita K. McFarland: I am really
enjoying interacting with book club members and getting
feedback from readers. Email me.
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