The author in the Spotlight is Rose Chivers. A published author with a powerful story to share. Please see our interview below:
TW: How difficult was it to write your story?
RC: It was very difficult to put pen to paper. The writing was the easy part. It was the fear of ridicule and rejection that kept me from wanting to finish and then later publish my story. I kept needing a push of encouragement to help me get finished, and my book is only 149 pages, lol. So it’s fairly a short read but it took a lot to see it to fruition.
TW: What advice do you have for someone who is scared to tell their story?
RC: Kiss fear goodbye! God has not given you the spirit of fear. Anything that God has not given you, you DON’T need. Don’t worry about anything. Folks will not be seeing you or rejecting you. They will see what God has inspired through you. Write NOW. Right NOW.
TW: What are your hopes for this project?
RC: I hope that God will allow my story to inspire others to give up fearful thinking. Fear had me bound for 34 years and still tried to rear its ugly head while writing the book. Fear has got to go. It has held our thoughts, successes, families, future businesses, and opportunities, hostage, much too long! So I hope this book lets people know that when you activate faith there is no limit to what God can do.
TW: Do have plans of writing more books?
RC: Yes! Writing and reading are my therapy, lol. My second book, “I’m a Gem because of Grace” will be released on eBook May 2018.
TW: What is your favorite genre of books and do you plan on adventuring in those areas?
RC: I love self-help, Christian and religion books. I have an MBA so I have read tons of leadership books. My favorite leadership book, Becoming a Person of Influence, by John Maxwell, changed my life. John Maxwell is a minister, so all of his leadership advice is Bible-based. While I love leadership, I think I will leave that to John, lol. God has called me to minister His message of Grace. So I’ll stick with what God is saying.
TW: What do you want others to take from your story?
RC: I really hope others see God’s amazing grace. His grace is a gift, it’s not deserving so it's ok if you mess up. That’s why it’s a gift to you. You couldn’t earn it and you can’t be turned away from being its recipient. I really hope everyone comes to experience and accept God’s grace. His grace kept my life and me accepting His grace changed my life!
TW: If you could tell your younger writer self-anything, what would it be?
RC: Write Now. Right Now!
TW: Did you notify your family that you were writing your book before you started? If so, what was their reaction?
RC: Yes, I told my momma first. I’m a momma’s girl J. She has always been my biggest supporter in life, so this endeavor was no different. I later told my entire family and I have received nothing but continued well wishes. It’s been amazing to have so much support. God really lined up my support system for this book. I’m grateful.
TW: What does literary success look like to you?
RC: Literary success looks like publishing my first book. So I’m already successful! I changed my definition of success here recently. I no longer allow my definition of success to depress me. I don’t think “Oh you have to write 5 books, be on a best seller list, and make tons of money before you’re successful.” The DEVIL IS A LIE! I’m already a literary success because I was obedient to God and wrote and published my first book. As long as I’m an obedient servant to God’s people, I’m successful.
TW: How many hours a day do you write?
RC: Ha! When the urge hit me to write, usually after prayer, I would write for hours at a time. I didn’t stop to make edits or see if my thought was coherent, I just wrote. The day I wrote the final 3 chapters of Faith Talk Fear Walk, I wrote for over 8 hours.
TW: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
RC: Not sleeping lol. I never sleep! When I do sleep I never stay asleep. I also struggle with protecting my art. I share a lot. I’m so transparent with my life, dreams, and goals. So discernment in knowing who to tell things to about my art and life isn’t my strong suit. Protecting my baby (art) before it’s birthed has always been hard for me.
TW: How has this book changed your life?
RC: This book has really changed my life because I never wanted to be an artist or author. I could always write well and speak well but I really thought I would use those talents in the business arena. Writing this book has shown me how God can reroute your life. I thought I was on my way somewhere and God said “Hold up Lil Baby! I have other plans for you.” How cool is that?!
TW: If you could do one thing different in your life, what would it be?
RC: I don’t know. This is a hard one. I know all my choices were necessary for God’s glory. But I do often wish I wouldn’t have made all of them. I guess to be as honest as I possibly can, I’d say I would have never had two abortions. I’ve made a lot of fear-driven decisions in my life and aborting my twins was one of the hardest decisions I ever made.
TW: What’s next for you?
RC: I really wish I knew the answer to this question. I seem to make lots of plans and God just keeps rerouting me. Lol. I’m just gonna be content in relishing in His grace, writing my 2ndbook, loving my husband, kids, and family, and preaching, teaching, and living God’s word. I’m gonna just keep going with God.
Her book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Talk-Fear-Walk-reflections/dp/0692046720/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515380857&sr=8-1&keywords=rose+chivers
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