MEET WANDA B. CAMPBELL (Part 2)
Who are your favorite authors?
Aside from Sharon Ewell Foster and Kendra Norman Bellamy, I really don’t have favorites. I’ll read any author that catches my attention. My book collection crosses genres and ethnicities. Recently I have added books from Sherri Lewis, Shelia Lipsey, Lacricia Angelle, and Kiesha Dawn.
What are your favorite books?
Some of my favorite books include, Riding Through Shadows and Passing Into Light by Sharon Ewell Foster, Gal, by Ruthie Bolton, and Tryin to Sleep in the Bed You Made by Deberry and Grant.
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?
Yes, music helps my creative juices flow. The type of music depends on the scene. For ministry scenes, I keep Israel & New Breed on repeat. For romance scenes its Boyz II Men and old school Anita Baker.
How would you describe your writing style?
I describe my writing style as edgy Christian Fiction. I love digging up taboo topics and bringing them to the forefront. In Illusions and also in my July 2010 release, Right Package, Wrong Baggage, readers will come face to face with real “don’t ask, don’t tell” Christian issues.
Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.
Probably the most unusual thing about me as a writer, is that I hear voices in my head. Hopefully I am not alone in this, but my characters talk inside my head. I don’t mean one-liners either. On occasion my characters will act out an entire scene inside my head and then won’t allow me to rest until I write what they want to say.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Anyone who desires to write must first make sure writing is a passion. Everyone has a story to tell, but not every story is meant to be written. Don’t stop with just being passionate about writing, take the time to learn the craft and the business. Connect with groups and organizations and don’t be afraid of critique.
Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing?
Most definitely; however in the beginning I found that difficult. For instance, I write about Christians in and out of the sanctuary. I have been a church girl all of my life, but I found it hard to put what was in my head on paper. The challenge was making the familiar sound interesting. What I learned is, what’s familiar or routine to me, maybe fascinating to others, so I show as much detail as possible.
Writing what you know gives the reader personal insight that could be missed with research alone.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Illusions
by Wanda B. Campbell
After three years of marriage, Denise Hightower discovers that her husband, Pastor Bryce Hightower, has a secret addiction that not only jeopardizes his marriage, but impairs his ability to effectively preach the gospel.
Yielding to pressure from her mother and her husband, Denise agrees to keep his addiction a secret, although her self-esteem plummets. Her life as the perfect First Lady is falling apart at the seams.
Self-centered and determined to uphold his pastoral image, Bryce is oblivious to his wife’s emotional state. He’s convinced that he can overcome his “little problem” on his own, so he rejects the spiritual help God sends him. But when his secret is discovered, will he be able to come clean with himself, God, and his congregation?
For more information about Wanda, visit her at wandabcampbell.net.
The Illusions Blog Tour Giveaway
We have some great prizes for visitors. Let us know you were here by leaving your response in the comment section below. Prizes will be drawn weekly.
* Week 1 – An autographed copy of The Midnight Clear
* Week 2 – Valentine’s Day (Celebrate Wanda’s birthday!) – A Box of Sees Candies.
* Week 3 – An autographed copy of First Sunday in October
* Week 4/GRAND PRIZE – An autographed copy of First Sunday in October, The Midnight Clear and Illusions.
The winner from each week will also receive a coupon for a FREE print design (choose a bookmark, postcard or business card) courtesy of Tywebbin Creations. Winner are responsible for printing. Check Wanda B. Campbell’s blog for the winners.
About Renee Williams
Thank you, Renee, for hosting me.
It is truly my pleasure to host you!
I have this book and can’t wait to read it.
Hey Sharon! Thanks for stopping by! I don’t have the book yet, but I’m looking forward to reading it!
Thank you Renee for hosting the tour! I think you are on the East Coast, so your book should be coming any day now. Looking forward to your review.
Blessings,
Ty
I’ll be on the look out for it! Can’t wait to read it. Thank you again, for allowing me to be today’s host!
Renee: Thanks for inviting me to view your site today.
Wanda: I loved your first book and actually did a review on it for RAWSISTAZ. I am looking forward to reading your new book.
Renee – I hope all is well with you
Wanda – Your intro about Illusions has me interested!!!
Take care
Beverly
Patrice: I’m glad you enjoyed First Sunday in October. I still use that review on my promo items.
Sharon & Beverly: You will not be disappointed.
I love reading author interview and learning interesting things about them.
Wanda,
I was reading back over your answers. Don’t worry, I hear voices too! LOL! Before I write sometimes I’ve seen/heard the scene in my head several times.
I look forward to reading this book. Your words on writing was a great pep talk for me.
Lashonda,
Thanks for stopping by.
Hmmmm . . . Edgy Christian Fiction . . . you say?! My copy of your book arrived in the mail yesterday. So I look forward to checking out your style soon. Excellent interview ladies!
Thank you for the invite to this page. I understand using music to help bring your thoughts to life, I do the same thing from time to time. I prelude to your book sounds interesting, I look forward to checking it out. May God continue to bless your journey.
Cheryl Lynn
Thank you Cheryl, and everyone else, for stopping by & supporting Wanda Campbell’s blog tour! It’s not over yet, so please continue to follow it all this month! Click the link on the home page to get the complete list of tour stops!
THanks for the corrected link over on Raw. I enjoyed the interview. People are always saying writers are a bit off. I agree. I hear voices too. LOL. Hearing other authors say so feels like a sort of kinship.. Plus, I know I don’t have to rush out and make an appointment to get some sort of pills to supress the voices.. I’ll be sure to visit Wanda’s website.
Vanessa
Multiple blessings and peace
Vanessa,
As soon as you figure out how to stop the voices, let met know. lol
Don’t stop the voices. That’s what make up a great writer. Keep a pen handy and the vices will come. more vibrant than ever before. It’s a gift. Very few have that gift. Yet they will change with the presence of time, and you will be the better for it.