About the Author
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Now, onto the interview.
James : When did you begin to write?
I’ve found the spiritual
value of journaling as a teenager, though that didn’t tell me if I had any real
flair as a writer. From 2003-2005 I wrote a monthly “wealth creation” ezine
sharing what I was learning about real estate. I started writing a “success”
book when we were doing so well we no longer required jobs. I’m glad I didn’t
publish because we lost everything we had to a fraud. Then I began to research
and write a book on fraud warning signals, so that what happened to us wouldn’t
happen to anyone else. I began working for a Corporate investigator who taught
me a lot about fraud and what makes people vulnerable. He asked me specifically
to write my book for women, because by the time they called him, they had no
money to pay him. Most often they were ripped off through romance.
At the same time I was
facing prosecution for breaching the Corporations Act, so I held off publishing
until I got a penalty. That penalty turned out to be 8 months in prison. The
prison experience brought out the real writer in me.
James : When did you first discover that you were a
writer?
When I started receiving
letters in prison from strangers who’d had my prison letters forwarded to them.
That’s when I really knew the Lord was doing something with my writing. I had
no internet access so I would post a letter for our family and friends to my
husband, Justin. He would type it out in an email and send it to them. The
letters tracked my journey through prison, how I coped, funny stories and my
relationship with God during that time. Those emails went viral and the
feedback I received was very encouraging. I wanted to keep a record of my
experiences. I also kept a journal of things I couldn’t put in letters and my
intimate moments with God. I instinctively, knew what I was writing was
important and the feedback showed the Lord was using my letters to touch
people.
James : How much did you write before you were
published?
Not much. I’m easily
distracted and prefer talking to writing. I’ve heard real writers just have to
write, they can’t help it. I need a reason to write. I find it hard to sit
still and write, so I’ve learned to do it in bite sized chunks. That’s probably
why the prison letters worked so well.
James : What is your favorite part of writing?
Seeing it in print!
Writing is hard work, it takes a lot of thought, so I love it when I’m “moved”
to write. I get on a roll and pour it out. Then I go back and slash it down to
the best words.
James : Tell us about your latest release.
My latest release is Weapons of Cash Destruction: Protect
Your Fortune from Fraud. It’s the gender neutral version of my women’s
fraud book. I’ve produced 3 books in 3 years and the one most people are
interested in still, is my “Treasures of Darkness: A Prison Journey.” When I
first came home I put all my papers in a box and shoved it under the couch. I
couldn’t even look at it without feeling shaky and ill. I was told that was a
symptom of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). A year later, the Lord
impressed on me that I needed to collate the letters and journal entries as a
book. It was difficult and I found myself having to forgive certain issues and
people all over again. Fortunately the Lord gave me the grace to work through
it. Now I see the hope and courage I didn’t realize I had at the time.
James : Wow! This book sounds really good. Are you
planning on writing more in the years to come?
Yes, on leadership.
There has been a journey of healing and rebuilding that I believe the Lord will
have me share from. I’ve had time to reflect back on what the Lord did and will
include keys to healing, self-leadership and dealing with difficult people too.
James : So far what is your worst
criticism/attacks, and how have you overcome it?
The worst attack came
from my own mind. I felt ashamed of my failure and didn’t think I had the right
to offer anything. Some months after I got home, the Lord impressed on me to
publish my first book, “Dangerous Wealth: What Every Successful Woman Needs to
Know to Avoid Being Ripped Off!” I wondered, “How can I publish a book and
people not find out I’ve been in prison?” I was deeply ashamed. I had to make
the decision to go public and tell them myself.
How did I do that? I
knew in my heart that the Lord expected me to. I believe the only thing worse
than going through an adversity, is to waste it. I was afraid, but I did it
afraid anyway. Then I was invited to speak to a business group. My story and
it’s lessons were appreciated. From that engagement I received more and more
invitations to speak. The Lord opened the doors.
A second criticism I
received was at a Christian business conference designed to encourage and
release us in our calling. I had recently published my prison book “Treasures
of Darkness” and was looking for guidance and encouragement. Perhaps I was
looking for “man’s” approval? One of the leaders said I should stop what I was
doing and burn all my books. Fortunately I had travelled enough with God down
that road to recognise there was something about my story that offended him. I
realised I could let him rob me of my courage or defend it. I quietly and
firmly told him his “word did not witness to my spirit, but thank you anyway.”
Fortunately the other leaders disagreed with him as well. I was shaken but
pleased I had defended the precious, hard won gift the Lord had given me.
James : What is the accomplishment that you are
most proud of?
My family. In
particular, helping my children heal from the damage they suffered due to my
imprisonment, the length of time I was absent and the PDST I suffered
afterwards. My husband and I have been careful to guide them through the pain,
teaching them to position themselves for the Lord to be able to “make all
things work for good”. We parent carefully, prayerfully and with purpose.
James : What does your writing process look like?
Undisciplined and
eclectic. I keep a folder with topics that come to me. Every now and then
I’ll look at one and pray. I start with brainstorming questions around that
topic, putting them in a logical order and answering them.
James : How did you get published?
I researched self
publishing companies. I wasn’t interested in being rejected by a traditional
publisher. I didn’t know if my books were any good or if anyone would be
interested. I only knew I had to do it. As it turns out, people are interested.
My prison book sells just as well as my business books, even at secular events.
James : How do you come up with title of your books?
I came up with Dangerous
Wealth, because wealth is a double edged sword. It can do good and it can get
you into trouble. The subtitle “What Every Successful Woman Needs to Know to
Avoid Being Ripped Off!” was necessary to clarify what it is about.
“Treasures of Darkness”
is from Isaiah 45:3, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden
riches of secret places, so that you may know that I, the Lord, which calls you
by name, am the God of Israel.” The Lord had showed me many treasures in the
darkness of prison.
“Weapons of Cash
Destruction: Protect Your Fortune from Fraud!” is my third book and a “gender
neutral” version of the women’s finance book. For that title I turned to the
male members of a Face Book business group. I wanted to butch it up and make it
appealing to men. It worked. It’s a combination of the best suggestions. I
thanked them each with a PDF of the book.
James : Can you enlighten us a little more about
your books?
Not all things are good,
but the Lord promises to make all things work for good when we love Him. My
business books will show you how to find what makes you vulnerable and what to
do about it as well as how to overcome financial setbacks. They bring out the
Warrior Prince or Warrior Princess in you.
Treasures of Darkness is
different. It’s not even a memoir based on a selective memory. It was written
as it happened, real and raw, so you will go through it with me. The good new
is, the Lord was there with me too, showing me how to overcome, challenging old
assumptions, bringing fresh revelation. You will see how much He is with you,
when you draw on Him.
James: Tell us your guiding principle that governs your life?
Love God. Maintain an
intimate relationship with Him. Love people. See Christ in them, but be
discerning about them too. Ask the Lord for His perspective of any
circumstance, blessing or person. That’s
when you’ll find treasure and purpose.
James : How have you cultivated these values?
Choosing to trust God in
a circumstance, rather than blame Him for it. Practising forgiveness. Modelling
and teaching these values to my children. Prison really defined and tested
these values. It taught me to see past the exterior to Christ inside a person,
to genuinely care about them. When people sense you genuinely care, you can
reach them.
James : Do you have any advice for writers looking
to get published?
Yes. It’s not about YOU.
Your writing is for His glory, to further His purposes, whether it be simply a
heart-warming romance or a serious “How-To” book. In all your ways acknowledge
Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3) Walk humbly, don’t confuse your
opinion with the gospel. “Passion without Compassion, is just Ambition.”
Write to be understood
rather than to impress. Pray to be effective.
You can do things very,
very cheaply if you are resourceful. Outsource using websites such as oDesk. I
recommend CreateSpace as a print-on-demand service because it requires simple
formatting and has excellent customer service.
Be humble and market
your books. Literary snobbery against the business of books dishonours God. If
He has given you a message to get out there, you don’t have the right to sit on
it and wait to be discovered. Hire a professional editor so you don’t sound
illiterate, yet still retain your own “voice” in the work.
Choose a title that will
get the reader’s attention.
If you have a how-to or
helpful book, learn to be a speaker and sell your books at the back of the
room. If you can’t speak in front of anyone, talk to your computer camera and
record a video teaching what you know. Separate the audio and you suddenly have
3 products from one.
Meanwhile, I also keen to
review your book, Treasure of Darkness, if you have no objection.
Thanks and look forward to
co-operate with you.
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