"Birthing happens after the water breaks..."
- Dr. Jackie Gilbert-Grant
When your purpose wakes up in you, just like in natural conception you begin to experience symptoms that you come to know that something on the inside of you is definitely changing. You begin to have dreams and visions that are bigger than your faith. Today's Author Spotlight Guest is Dr. Jackie Gilbert-Grant.
Dr. Jackie Gilbert-Grant is the Senior Pastor and Founder of Sanctuary of Praise Christian Assembly, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia. She is a Leader, Author and Motivational Speaker, who ministers at conferences, retreats, and seminars. She is also the Creator of the Queens For Life LLC. and author of the soon to be released book "When The Water Breaks" launching 20 October 2019. Her latest book takes you through a mind, body, spirit journey on how to carry your dreams from conception to delivery.
In this author interview, she chats with Editor-in-Chief - Alex Okoroji about her writing career, book inspiration, and the real motivation behind her latest work. Enjoy!
1. Tell us a little about where you grew up, and how it influenced your writing.
I grew up in Savannah, Georgia, in the United States of America. Growing up in America has its advantages. In many ways, it's a privileged life. However, I grew up in the South of America, which has had its own challenges of inequality, low employment and struggles for African Americans. These issues give a woman a lot of personal experiences to write about. For example, I'm able to draw so many lessons from how I overcame several of my personal obstacles, to get to where I am now.
2. When did you start writing?
I started writing around 1985 when I wrote a play entitled “Raptured.” It was a play concerning the second coming of the Lord. This play was performed twice by my church and was met with good success. Then I did not write a book again until 1997. The title of that book was “Developing Your Spiritual Gifts.”
3. What are your five favorite books, and why?
1. The Holy Bible
2. Soar, by T. D. Jakes
3. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. by L. Frank Baum
4. Becoming, by Michelle Obama
5. Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson
All five of these books have inspired, equipped and motivated me to go after all that God has purposed for my life. I have found in each of these books vital information that I have needed at certain times, to empower me to do all things - with a made-up mindset and determination.
4. What do you read for pleasure?
For pleasure, I love to read magazines. People Magazine, Essence Magazine, Vogue Magazine and O Magazine.
5. What's the story behind your latest book?
The story behind my latest book "When the Water Breaks" will take YOU on a mind, body, spirit process on how to carry your dreams from conception to delivery. I wrote this book to inspire women to not give up on their dreams. Although they will encounter many painful situations and circumstances, as would any normal pregnancy.
"I wrote this book to inspire women to not give up on their dreams. Although they will encounter many painful situations and circumstances, as would any normal pregnancy. "
- Dr. Jackie Gilbert-Grant
The reader is encouraged to stay focused and be steadfast during the process of birthing their dreams into the world.
6. What motivated you to become an indie author?
I am motivated by the autonomy that being an Indie-author brings. It allows me to be as creative as I possibly can; not only in my writing but also in the direction the entire publication process goes through.
7. What is your writing process?
My process is very simple. I first come up with a title for that which I am interested in writing about. I brainstorm ideas as to the direction I want my book to go in. If there are certain aspects of the subject matter or area that needs a little research, I do my research to make sure I have clarity on the issues. I begin to pre-write and make corrections as I go.
When completed with each chapter - I stop, edit and revise as needed.
8. Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?
The first story I ever remembered reading was a book entitled “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” As a child, I saw the movie on television, and later read the book as a book report in school. The story had a great impact on me and in a sense still has an impact on me to this day - in many ways.
It was the different people that the character met on her journey trying to find herself was interesting to me. It empowered me to know that my journey will not be an easy one, that I’m going to meet some strange people along the way, but I can still dream big and hope that I will reach my destination. The story has encouraged me to always look within.
9. What Inspired you to write your latest book?
"What inspired me to write my new book “When the Water Breaks,” was some personal challenges that I was facing. I was inspired to share with the world how this book really came to be." - Dr. Jackie Gilbert-Grant
It was right when I was ready to birth a dream that I had had been carrying, I realized I was birthing more than one thing, it was multiple births.
Just as I was ready to go forth with launching my perfume line, and a motivational speaking component to my ministry, while preparing to write a different book entirely, I suddenly went into hard labor. The things I encountered caused me to change the name of my book and thus, the idea of “When the Water Breaks” was birthed.
10. What would you like for your readers to gain from your book?
The takeaway I want my readers to gain is that God has given us all dreams and a purpose to fulfill in life. Birthing or bringing those dreams to fruition is not always easy, but never give up! Giving up is not an option.
"Birthing or bringing those dreams to fruition is not always easy, but never give up! Giving up is not an option."
- Dr. Jackie Gilbert-Grant
Once you familiarize yourself with the birthing process you can deliver successfully. And when you see the end result, you won’t remember all of the pain you had to go through.
Find Out More About The Book & Preorder Your Copy-> www.WhenTheWaterBreaks.com