Featuring Author Kimberley Payne

I can offer a giveaway  on the day of the interview to anyone who leaves a comment.

A choice of one of three e-books:

 

#1 Fit Test
Test your flexibility, muscular strength and muscular endurance.

#2 Strength Training Exercises
These exercises are a great way to get started with strength training.

#3 Full-body Stretches
Stretches for all main muscle groups.

 

 Welcome Kimberley,

*  Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a wife and a mother of two teenagers, one German Shepherd, two cats, one rat and lots of fish. I love to walk and hike in the great outdoors, and consider myself an amateur photographer who loves to take tons of pictures of nature.

I Certified as a Personal Trainer, a Fitness Consultant, a Fitness Instructor, and as a Weight Training Instructor. I used this training to design and implement employee wellness programs and counsel individuals on weight control, stress management, self esteem improvement and overall wellness.

I used my education and experience to write the devotional Women of Strength

 * What do you like to do to get away from it all?

I love to hike in the woods, have a fun game of tennis, or enjoy a bike ride with a good friend.

 *  What is included in the book?

Women of Strength is a devotional to improve spiritual and physical health.  Each section includes an inspirational devotional, facts on common health and fitness questions, reflections, prayer, a Bible verse, and journaling suggestions along with an energizing exercise for those seeking to be spiritually and physically fit.

 * What was the inspiration (motivation) behind the book? (Why did you write the book?)

This devotional book was born out of a desire to become more physically healthy. As a former personal trainer, I knew all about exercise and nutrition, however there was still something missing. Or should I say Someone.

In the past, I had never included God in my health and fitness plan. I thought it wasn't something worthy of His attention. However, God checked my spirit and told me that He wants to be part of everything in my life...even something as small as losing a few pounds.

* What do you hope this book accomplishes?

Women of Strength is a devotional for women, dedicated to encouraging them to discover how easy it is to become more physically active while improving their spiritual walk with God. Women of Strength emphasizes overall health, not just weight loss. The devotional includes strategies that empower women to make small changes in her daily routines to improve the quality of their lives.

* Who (or what) is your greatest encourager when you write and why?

My readers. When they email me, or leave a comment on my blog I feel encouraged that someone is reading my works and gaining something from it.

* Any tips for upcoming authors? 

Read, read, read. Read a library’s worth of books in order to write one book.

 * How can readers connect with you?

Website: www.kimberleypayne.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimberleyPayne.Author

Devotional Blog: Return Home and Tell http://www.returnhomeandtell.wordpress.com

Fitness Blog: Fit for Faith www.fitforfaith.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/FitForFaith

YouTube: Fit4Faith channel http://tinyurl.com/3jnjpkp

* What genre is your book?

 Nonfiction Women’s Devotional

I can offer a giveaway  on the day of the interview to anyone who leaves a comment.

A choice of one of three e-books:

 

#1 Fit Test
Test your flexibility, muscular strength and muscular endurance.

#2 Strength Training Exercises
These exercises are a great way to get started with strength training.

#3 Full-body Stretches
Stretches for all main muscle groups.

Racism is Alive and Well, Unfortunately

Where Love Once Lived--Free Days: 5/25/12-5/26/12

By Sidney W. Frost, author of Where Love Once Lived and The Vengeance Squad

Shouts of racism are in the news every day now even though you'd think we'd be way past that by now. The old saying, what would Jesus do, comes to mind.

In my book, Where Love Once Lived, the male protagonist is white and his best friend is black. I'm not sure how that happened, but it did make the story more interesting. I'm sure it has a lot to do with my personal beliefs. However, how does a writer who believes in equality, write about people of different races without sounding like he or she is emphasizing the differences. Ideally, race wouldn't be mentioned. This might work in a movie or TV show, but in the black and white of a book, how do you show the black and white of the characters?

I grew up in Austin, Texas during the segregation period, and use the father of one of the characters in the book to tell about some of my experiences of that time. I turned one story upside down, letting a black character tell about his experiences. As George McCullough, now in his seventies, describes his experience back in the 1930-40's with segregation, I'm the white boy he refers to. Well, as far as fiction allows.

"It's called historical, now," Mr. McCullough said holding a fork in the air. "It use' to be a ghetto, you know." He glanced at Brian. "I don't guess Cindy told you that. Most of the Negroes lived east of Austin, but there was a colony here in Clarksville."

Mr. McCullough continued. "When I was growin' up, there were boundaries, you see. We couldn't jus' live anywhere we wanted. Ever'one knew where the lines were. Our street here was as far south as we could live."

He shook his head. "Today, it doesn't matter. No one's shocked when black and white marry, even." He locked eyes with Brian, then moved his gaze to Cindy.

"When was this neighborhood a ghetto, Grandpa?" Cindy asked. "I've heard the story, but I think Brian would like to hear about it, too."

"Let's see." He touched a thumb to his fingers. "I'd say up until sometime in the 1950s." He pointed south. "Over at Mathews School, on 9 ½ Street, that was white. Our lot touched up to a white family's back yard." He laughed. "I'd forgotten about that. Fact is, back in the 1930's or 40's, I use' to play with the little kid who lived there. Well, not play, really. We mos'ly jus' talked through the chicken wire. My Mama and Daddy told me not to, but I did anyway."

As the author, I also worried about making Mr. McCullough sound different. To make up for using the speech pattern, which I felt gave a better view of the character, later in the book, his intelligence is clearly shown.

How do you write about race differences without emphasizing the differences? What do you prefer as a reader?

Where Love Once Lived--Free Days: 5/25/12-5/26/12

http://www.amazon.com/Where-Love-Once-Lived-ebook/dp/B003ZHVE1O/