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Author Interviews
Kim Brooks, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is a vivacious author. She has toured the country promoting her novel, He's Fine…But is He Saved? I had the opportunity of meeting Kim during a writer's conference, and she was motivated and sincere about the things God is doing through her writing and evangelism ministries.
Let's take some time to talk with Kim to see how she plans to reach her readers for Christ through her debut novel.
1. Can you tell us a little about your current book?
He's Fine...But is He Saved? is an entertaining and inspiring novel about the challenges and triumphs of three single girlfriends waiting to be found by love. Sandy is the babe in Christ who makes a lot of mistakes with men. Liz is the devout Christian who feels she needs "no man but Jesus," so she gives men a hard time. Michelle, the most balanced character, is a successful career woman who wants to be married one day, but refuses to chase men. It is a very contemporary, down-to-earth novel that a lot of people can relate to.
2. Who or what was your inspiration for writing, He's Fine...But is He Saved?
Well, I've been writing since I was 8, so I have always known I was going to be a writer. For some reason, I have always written about boys and relationships. As a single Christian woman myself, I wanted to paint a picture, in the novel, of what single women, in the church, go through while they're believing God for a mate and waiting to be found.
3. How has your passion for evangelism affected your career as a writer?
My passion for evangelism is actually the stepping stone for my writing career. I was a part of my church's evangelism team for five years, and now I am able to evangelize through my novel as the characters minister to each other in different scenes. For instance, in the first chapter a fine brotha gets saved by the main characters at a nice restaurant, so the reader is able to learn how one can minister to another, in seemingly unexpected situations. My goal is for readers to be blessed by the book, and -if they're not already- get saved or grow in their relationship with God.
4. Describe a typical day in the life of Kim Brooks, the author.
A typical day? Well, there is really no such thing. My publicist, Pam Perry, keeps me on my toes with new information, new places or cities I should visit, and new people I should meet. On any given day I fill book orders, make collection calls to my distributors, call bookstores, email media personnel (I live on the computer), and think of new ways to promote the book. It is now carried nationally in Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Waldenbooks, so I am definitely excited about that. Most of my weekends are spent doing booksignings or conducting workshops on abstinence and relationships.
5. What words of wisdom can you give to aspiring authors?
Know that the idea or book that God has placed in your spirit is not for you, but for thousands of others to be blessed by and benefit from. True evangelism is reaching out, and writing a book is a great way to reach out and touch thousands of households by sharing with them the Word of God as ministered through your book. Seek God every step of the way, and be self-motivated and determined to make God's vision come to pass. Join writing groups and network with others who may be able to help you along the way. If you are currently working on a book, write every single day, or do something that has to do with your book -whether it's just outlining a chapter, or writing a paragraph or two. For those interested in self-publishing, which was the route I decided to take, I would suggest you purchase Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual, 14th Edition. It tells you everything you need to know in order to self-publish.
Tiff's Hot Reading Picks
Fiction
A Heart of Devotion by Tia McCollors
Flame by Stephanie Perry Moore
Crossing Jhordan's River by Kendra Norman-Bellamy
For Love and Grace by Kendra Norman-Bellamy
Non-Fiction
Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby & Claude V. KingShare Jesus Without Fear by William Fay
Eternal Security by Charles Stanley
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren