Author Interview
Author: Shenica Renee Graham
Book: Shine: A Woman of Purpose
Website: shineonpurpose.wordpress.com
- Question: What inspired the book?
Answer: This book is inspired by my personal journey of transitioning from spiritual darkness to light. It is a resource like the one I searched for when I was lost in a lack of purpose and struggling with depression, PTSD, bi-polar disorder, and schizophrenia resulting from childhood abuse. After being hospitalized several times, I needed new default thinking to maintain my mental health. I wrote manuscripts when I was well, preserving my testimony and revelations. The Woman of Purpose book is the second book I have completed.
. - Question: In your book you write about courage. Can you share what courage means in terms
of becoming a woman of purpose? When have you had to be courageous?
Answer: It takes courage to become a woman of purpose. You must be willing to step out of your comfort zone and believe you are an overcomer despite what the situation looks like. Courage is the will to do what needs to be done despite opposition. With a history of failures, it took courage to step back into ministry and publish this book. I had to stop thinking about my own circumstances and start focusing on submitting to my calling and serving others rather than thinking only of myself.
. - Question: How did you become a woman of purpose? Who were your teachers?
Answer: I followed the ministries of Joyce Meyer, Bishop TD Jakes, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and Paula White. Sarah Jakes Roberts represented the prodigal daughter that I was, who rebounded from being lost to becoming found (just like the title of her first book). Paula White represented the pastor I was on the path to becoming. Bishop Jakes became a spiritual father, especially after my birth father passed away. I related to Joyce Meyer’s personal testimony and found a spiritual hero in her when I thought no one understood my past and I could not receive healing.
. - Question: How do you recognize a woman of purpose?
Answer: The Bible says you will know them by their fruits. A woman of purpose shares characteristics with the Proverbs 31 woman.
. - Question: How long did it take to write this book? Why did you choose to publish it now?
Answer: This book is the culmination of 10 years of personal introspection. I would start working on it from time to time and then stop working on it. After putting the manuscript don for several months, one week unexpectedly, two of my friends asked me how my book was coming and when was I going to publish it. I picked the manuscript up again and the rest is history.
. - Question: Can you share a favorite excerpt from the book?
Answer: One of my favorite insights from the book is found on page 55. It a quote of Matthew 11:28 – Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. This verse is a stress buster.
. - Question: As the author, who are you speaking to? Who is this book for?
Answer: This book is for women who are starting out, standing tall, or starting over with God. My focus helping women to become more like the model Christian woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. While I was writing to women, most of the principles apply to making men of purpose.
. - Question: What is the key message of the Woman of Purpose book?
Answer: Any woman can choose to live a life of Godly purpose. It does not matter what trials
and tribulations she has come through. The door to purpose is open.
. - Question: Do you have other books planned?
Answer: Yes. I am revising my first book entitled Faith From My Father. I am also writing a 365-day devotional book, a cookbook (shinecookbook.wordpress.com), a book called Fasting Forward – A 42-day consecration and fasting devotional affirmations journal, a manual, purpose journal, and workbook on womanhood – behavior modification and the womanhood rite of passage.
. - Question: How can I get a copy of the Woman of Purpose book?
Answer: Visit shineonpurpose.wordpress.com. Click the lulu buy now button.
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