Anointed Authors on Tour consists of seven award-winning, bestselling authors of Christian fiction and non-fiction publications with a commitment to write and/or publish integrity-based literature, touring as a testament to the power of using gifts and talents for God’s glory. Over the next two weeks, plan to meet Kendra Norman Bellamy, Tia McCollors, Vanessa Miller, Michelle Stimpson, Shewanda Riley, and Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress. Each of these authors have current and upcoming book releases that are must-reads for your summer reading list.
The ladies join us today on All The Buzz Reviews to talk about the writing process.
List your published books.
KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY: A Love So Strong, For Love & Grace, Crossing Jhordan’s River, Because of Grace, Thicker Than Water (an anthology), More Than Grace, One Prayer Away, The Midnight Clear (an anthology), In Greene Pastures, Three Fifty-Seven A.M., This Far By Faith (an anthology), Battle of Jericho, and The Lyons Den.
TIA MCCOLLORS: The Last Woman Standing (August 1, 2009), A Heart of Devotion, Zora’s Cry
DR. VIVI MONROE CONGRESS: The Bankrupt Spirit (2004), Manna For Mamma (2007)
Which book did you find the hardest to birth?
KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY: None of them were hard, exactly. I would say that In Greene Pastures was the most challenging because it was my first attempt at writing a book that had a strong flavor of mystery. It was the first of a series of romantic suspense novels. This was something different for me so it took a little more effort on my part. After writing that one, the others in the series were less of a challenge.
TIA MCCOLLORS: I think my first novel, A Heart of Devotion, was the most intimidating. With your first manuscript, it’s almost like you need an extra boost of confidence to prove that you can actually complete an entire novel. After you’ve written one, the others come easier.
DR. VIVI MONROE CONGRESS: They’re ALL my babies 
How would you describe your writing style?
KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY: If there is a politically correct word to accurately describe my style, I don’t know what that word is. I know that I am what the industry defines as a “seat of the pants” writer. I don’t prepare chapter outlines prior to delving into my story. I simply sit at my computer and type out my thoughts as they flow through my head. Rarely is anything pre-planned. I suppose my style of writing is a bit unique in that the lead character in all of my titles is a male. Most writers (both male and female) make a female character the lead in their stories, but that’s particularly true for the majority of female writers. I chose to build my stories around a male lead so that I can shed some light on the fact that we really do have strong, positive men in the African American community.
Contrary to what society may want us to believe, all of our black men are not on drugs, in jail, deadbeat dads, or mentally and/or physically abusive individuals. Many of them are dedicated fathers, loyal husbands, good providers, and God-fearing men. They aren’t perfect individuals by any means, but they are trying to be the best person they can be despite their faults and failures. Those are the men I choose to write about.
TIA MCCOLLORS: I tend to write books that touch the hearts of women. They’re light-hearted, but they can still make you think because they’re doused with so much reality – not from my life – but from the lives of any woman you see walking down the street. I also tend to think I have a good sense of humor so there’s always a funny scene or two in my books…or at least something that a character will say that’s going to make the reader laugh out loud.
DR. VIVI MONROE CONGRESS: Inspirational.
Do you listen to music while you write?
KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY: Oh yes! I don’t necessarily have to have it, but given a choice, I would elect to have music playing while I write. It’s really the only “noise” that I can appreciate when I’m in that creative mode. If I can’t have music, I’d rather have complete silence. Most often, I’m listening to Praise 102.5, which is the premiere gospel station in Atlanta. It gives me a good mix of music. When I’m not listening to the radio station, I pop in a CD and listen to my favorite gospel, jazz, or R&B artists. No matter what genre of music I’m listening to, the lyrics are positive and inspirational in nature.
TIA MCCOLLORS: Not all of the time because I end up doing more singing than writing. And just so you know, singing is NOT my forte. But I’ve found that I tend to write to the pace of the music – if it’s a slow kind of ballad CD, then I write slow. If it’s faster, like praise music, my fingers are running across that keyboard like it’s a piano. But when I do listen to music when writing, I enjoy Donald Lawrence, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond or Israel Houghton.
SHEWANDA RILEY: I have playlist of all instrumental piano music (Mel Tunney, Jacci Copeland) that I listen to when I’m writing.
We invite you to check out these current releases by the Anointed Authors:
• The Lyons Den by Kendra Norman-Bellamy
• The Last Woman Standing by Tia McCollors
• Through the Storm by Vanessa Miller
• Trouble in My Way by Michelle Stimpson
• Manna for Mamma: Wisdom for Women in the Wilderness by Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress
• Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends by Shewanda Riley
Follow the rest of the Summer Reading with Anointed Authors Blog Tour at
http://bit.ly/SummerReadingwithAnointedAuthors.
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