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Stacy Hawkins Adams

Author Interviews

Stacy Hawkins Adams is one of the most influential writers in Christian fiction today. She is the author of Speak To My Heart and the sequel, Nothing But The Right Thing. Both of these novels, which are inspiring and realistic, address many of the issues women face today. A wife, mother, speaker, and author, Stacy realizes the importance of worship and fellowship with God. Let’s take a journey to see how God has moved in Stacy’s writing ministry as a result of her listening to and obeying His call to touch the lives of many. If you haven’t read her books, please go to your local bookstore and get your copies today. Reading them will change your life!

1) Can you tell us a little about your current book?

My most recently published book is Nothing But The Right Thing. It was released in April 2006 and tells the story of Serena, Micah and Erika, three friends who think they know the one thing that will make their lives fall into place, if only it would just happen. Erika wants her marriage to be perfect, but her husband is abusive; Serena wants to have a baby and can’t get pregnant; Micah wants the congregation of the church he pastors to trust his leadership, to no avail. When each of them remembers that the one true “thing” is their faith in Christ, they surrender to Him and their lives began to transform in powerful and beautiful ways.

2) How long did it take you to complete Nothing But The Right Thing?

That book took about nine months. Keep in mind, however, that when I wasn’t writing, I was still thinking about the characters and mentally plotting storylines. I consider the couple of months that I spent doing that as my prep work, before I began writing.

3) How has your relationship with Christ affected your career as a writer?

My relationship with Christ has actually been the center of my career, even when I served as a secular, daily newspaper reporter. I approached every person I interviewed and every subject I covered as an opportunity to show the power and beauty of humanity, whether or not I mentioned faith. As a Christian fiction novelist, I pray before I sit down to write each book, and I ask God to speak through me during the entire process.

4) Describe your goal when trying to reach your audience.

I want readers to be entertained by meeting characters who remind them of themselves or people they know. But I also want them to finish the book with a revelation, or a reminder, that they are the apple of God’s eye, and that when no one else loves them or understands their “issues,” God cares and is there to see them through.

5) Do you write on a full-time basis? If so, how did you transition from the corporate to the writing world?

My first novel was published in October 2004, when I was still a full-time reporter and columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. I took the “leap of faith” to full-time author in February 2006, after many months of praying about the transition, seeking the advice and prayers of my Christian mentors, and pushing on other doors that failed to open. I submitted my resignation when I reached a point of peace that this was what God was indeed calling me to do. Throughout this entire process, I was also steadily building a speaking ministry and working as a freelance writer to build my contacts in that arena.

6) In addition to Jesus Christ, who or what is your main inspiration for the novels you write?

My main inspiration, in addition to Christ, is really the readers, and potential readers, who I believe can be entertained and healed by the books. Sometimes people question the value of fiction, but in reality, fiction is simply the truth put in a form in which readers can receive a message without feeling “preached to” or “lectured.” It is truly a ministry. So, my inspiration is each person who will pick up my books and somehow be impacted by them.

7) Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, how did you handle it?

I used to say that writer’s block didn’t exist, that it was really just procrastination. However, I did experience a lull in my writing in 2005, after my mother’s sudden death. I know it was primarily due to the grieving process, but it showed me how some writers could consider the inability to be creative a block. I was easy on myself. Instead of trying to force the writing, I read lots of books about the writing process, read good novels and spent a lot of time brainstorming about my characters. When I finally sat down to write again, the words began to flow, and I felt like I had become a stronger writer.

8) Are you working on any other projects at this time?

I recently completed my third novel for Revell Books and it will be published in October 2007. It is called Watercolored Pearls. I am truly excited about this book, because the characters - Serena, Erika and Tawana - had spoken to my heart (no pun intended!) by the time I finished writing it. The title, Watercolored Pearls, is a metaphor for how pearls are shaped in the body of oysters, through force and trauma, and how each of us can survive the challenges and tragedies we face, with God’s help, to become something beautiful.

9) Do you have a publicist? If so, how has that facilitated your writing career?

My publicist is Pam Perry, the CEO of Ministry Marketing Solutions. I can’t say enough good things about working with Pam. She effectively promoted Nothing But The Right Thing and also helped me become more savvy about marketing efforts that I could personally undertake. She understands and embraces the ministry aspect of the work I do as an author, and helped me reach radio stations and Internet markets that I would have never known about.

10) What types of goals should beginning writers aspire to have?

One of the primary goals should be to get their book finished. It doesn’t have to be perfect or polished, just plow through it and get it finished. They can always go back and edit it to make it better, but first, they’ve got to have something to edit!J

Tiff's Hot Reading Picks

Fiction

Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin' by Mata Elliot
Speak To My Heart by Stacy Hawkins Adams
Nothing But The Right Thing by Stacy Hawkins Adams
More Than Grace by Kendra Norman-Bellamy
He's Fine...But Is He Saved? by Kimberley Brooks

Non-Fiction