Urban Reviews: Can you tell
us what your latest book Practicing What You Preach is all
about?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: The wedding between
Angela Gabriel and Brent Underwood promises to be the
Birmingham, Alabama event of the year, and aspiring event
planner Melissa Anderson has been working feverishly to make
it happen. During this hectic time, Melissa agrees to go out
on a date with a most unlikely prospect: Marcus Peeples.
When it came to Marcus, it definitely wasn’t love at first
sight. But after a lovely evening together at Bible study at
Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center (Pastor George Landris
presiding), Melissa has a change of heart. Things seem to be
going fine until Melissa learns Marcus is divorced—a fact she
can’t reconcile with scripture even though she knows he’s a
good man and a wonderful father. Marcus gives her an
eye-opening teaching on divorce and the scriptures that are
the cause of her concern. But when Marcus’s diva ex-wife
decides she wants him back, Melissa will discover that love,
divorce, and faith have quite a bit in common.
Urban Reviews: How did you
come up with the concept for this novel?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: There were two
characters in a previous novel that were planning to wed named
Angela Gabriel and Brent Underwood. But there is a character
named Melissa Anderson who meets a guy she later learns is
divorced. From a church standpoint, she believes dating a
divorced man (unless his divorce fit in a biblically correct
circumstance) could affect her negatively when it comes to
God. Of course there’s a lot more going on in this book (like
an ex-wife who might not be sure she did the right thing in
divorcing this good man). But some of the book addresses what
the Bible is really says about divorce or more to the point,
remarrying after divorce. Honestly, this was a book God told
me to write. My first response was, “You have the wrong one
for that. You need to find somebody else.” Mostly because of
my own views when it came to this subject. But I must say, the
Holy Spirit showed me some things, and after that, I wrote
this book. You’ll also see dealings with people who aren’t the
easiest to deal with.
Urban Reviews: What
things have you done and plan to do to help spread the word
about your latest novel?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: I do a lot of
interviews. A lot of traditional radio, Blogtalk radio,
interviews for magazines, newspapers, and online media. Of
course, I appreciate the various outlets especially online
sites that list upcoming books, reviews are good (when they’re
favorable I love them and make sure I highlight them on my
promotions). I made sure the trade magazines have advance
copies for review to help alert book stores and libraries
about the book. I speak at various events and churches. I have
my own Web site so people have a way of checking out my work.
Then there are the social networks like MySpace, Facebook,
Twitter, Goodreads.com, Shelfari, Tagged, etc. But my greatest
assets are the people who read my books and tell others. I
make an effort to respond to every email or person who signs
my guest book. I’ve used companies like
BlackChristianBookPromotions.com to send out e-blasts and
various promotions prior to and after the book’s release to
reach readers.
Urban Reviews: What has been
the biggest lesson you've learned so far about the book
industry?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: That things
constantly changes. You can never say what will be hot at any
given time because what’s hot today may not be hot by the time
your book releases. Also, the editor you sign with may not be
the editor you’re with later because editors leave for various
reasons. You need to be flexible and don’t wait on someone
else to do it for you. You have to take care of things
yourself if you want to stay in this business with any
longevity.
Urban Reviews: What was the
best advice that you've ever received from another fellow
author?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: To be myself and to
continue to have faith in myself and my gift the way I was
doing.
Urban Reviews: What do you
hope to accomplish in the literary world? If given the
opportunity, do you think you could sustain a long writing
career?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: I want to write
books that are more than just a throw-away book. I’d like my
books to have value in another’s life and impact their world
in a way that’s more than just passing. I’m working toward a
goal that wasn’t exactly my idea to begin with. I know most
author’s desire this, but when I used to confess that I was a
top ten New York Times’ Bestsellers’ list published author, I
heard God say: “Why don’t you say you’re number one?” Now my
confession is, “I’m a #1 New York Times’ Bestsellers’ List
published author.” My hope is that New York Times’
Bestsellers’ list stays around long enough for me to get there
;-).
Urban Reviews: What upcoming
projects can we look forward to from Vanessa Davis Griggs?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: I have a novel
releasing November 24, 2009 entitled Goodness and Mercy.
I’m really excited about this book. Also another book is set
to release with Kensington/Dafina around May 2010.
Urban Reviews: Do you find
promoting Christian fiction to the masses to be a difficult
task?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: No, I don’t find it
difficult. I just put myself and my work out there, and those
who are interested take a look. I continue doing my thing, and
I’m thankful for the readers who get what I do and enjoy it.
Urban Reviews: What author
do you admire in the book industry the most and why?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: I admire Toni
Morrison. I love how much effort I believe she puts into the
writing of each sentence. I know some believe her books can be
hard at times, but I love that it means so much to her that
she just doesn’t throw anything on the paper and feel “that’ll
do.”
Urban Reviews: Is there
anything else you would like to share with us about you or
your books?
Vanessa Davis Griggs: I appreciate those
who read my books and truly get what I’m doing in my writings.
My goal is for people to have a great experience, maybe be
encouraged and even learn a few things when reading my books.
My desire is to make a difference, and I’m so grateful for the
opportunity to live out what I know is my purpose on this
earth. |
