Q&A with Stacy Hawkins Adams

Stacy Hawkins Adams is the author of the Christian inspirational novel LEAD ME HOME (Zondervan) (recipient of a starred review by Publisher’s Weekly), the second installment of her Winds of Change series. The first novel in the series, COMING HOME, was a 2012 Target Recommended Read. Her latest novel, FINDING HOME, was independently released in March 2016. Stacy is also an award-winning journalist and writing coach. We are thrilled to welcome Stacy to WomenWritersWomen[‘s]Books.

Let’s start from the beginning, your beginning.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Arkansas, in a small town (Pine Bluff) about 45 minutes south of Little Rock.

What were you like as a kid? A teen?

As a kid, I was often quiet and shy in public, and always reading or writing short stories and poems. Get me in a room with family and close friends, however, or get me to talking about books or writing, and that shyness melted away. Everyone who knew me well were aware of this, including my fourth grade teacher.

She allowed me to write the class play that year, and my fellow students performed it onstage under my direction (and the teacher’s) before the entire elementary school. I was pretty much the same as a teen, and my friends knew that if I wasn’t hanging out with them, I must be somewhere curled up with a book or penning my next great piece.

Favorite place to vacation?

Rather than one favorite locale (there are too many to choose from!), I’ll say anywhere there’s a beach with a beautiful ocean view.

Hidden talent? 

Ah, this is a hard one! Although I love to sing, that’s best reserved for the shower, and even though I enjoy dancing, my two teenagers cringe when I do. I think my hidden talent is probably intertwined with my affinity for writing and storytelling, because it doesn’t stray too far: I love helping people (or organizations) better understand the “special sauce” in their personal or organizational stories.  I have a knack for finding that gem amid the details and helping them hone in on it and articulate it.

Best meal you prepare?

Oven-baked chicken, served with baked sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli and yeast rolls.

Did you set out to write in the Christian inspirational genre or did you find your way there?

I did not make a conscious decision to become a Christian fiction writer; I set out to pen the most authentic, heartfelt novels I could, without focusing on a particular genre. My goal was simply to write general women’s fiction, with real and relatable characters. But as the saying goes, you write what you know, and because I’m a person of faith, that’s what poured out of me. It was instinctive to write stories that featured characters who are in tune with their faith or struggling with matters of their faith—as people do every day—and my stories began to take shape with characters grappling with these kinds of issues in the early 2000s, at the height of Christian fiction’s popularity.

I also was writing a faith-based column for the Richmond Times-Dispatch daily newspaper at that time, and I sought to cover a variety of faith traditions and forms of spirituality in addition to touching on Christianity, without proselytizing or being judgmental. That column became the centerpiece of the Saturday metro section (from 2000 to 2006), and was well-received by readers from all walks of life. The tremendously positive feedback I received gave me the desire to model my books in the same way – not shying away from matters of faith, but also not preaching to readers, so they could experience the stories and character journeys in a way that helped them enjoy the story while also reflecting on their personal truths.

You say that your goal as a writer is to use the 21st century “parables” to enlighten, uplift, and inspire. What is a 21^st century parable? What draws you to a story? How do they come to you?

A 21^st century parable is a current issue, challenge or experience that lends itself to teachable moments. It’s a story that starts out one way, but usually ends another, with the main character) experiencing a transformation that helps that person grow or thrive.

I’m drawn to stories that seem to be unfolding in the headlines, as well as issues that women are intrigued by or challenged by in their daily lives, such as living with a chronic illness (as the main character in Finding Home begins to do), healing from broken relationships, recovering from domestic violence, having the courage to forgive, accepting oneself flaws and all, and appreciating one’s present experience for what it is.

I regularly explore what’s going in women’s lives through various news outlets, but I also often learn from my readers what issues they’re fretting about or need help with, and once I hear a refrain more than three times, I know it’s something I should probably tackle in my writing – whether fiction or nonfiction. Once I get that kernel of an idea from one of these sources, I go into “what if” mode and allow my creative juices to flow until a plausible plot and a believable main character consume my imagination.

Your goals for your work include deepening your readers’ faith and their senses of self-worth. How do you do that?

I seek to do it through the stories I write, because the goal of story is not only to entertain readers, but also to help readers better understand other people, and important societal or cultural issues they might not otherwise consider.  If a reader finishes one of my novels and feels compassion or grace for a flawed character, my hope is that, going forward, she (or he) will have grown in some way that allows her to extend those same gifts to others she encounters. If a reader has been struggling with some aspect of faith, I’m hoping that seeing my characters wrestle with similar issues helps the reader begin to feel okay about who she is and where in life she is. I’ve heard from numerous readers that my writing (both fiction and nonfiction) has had this impact, and it’s truly humbling.

Forgiveness is another running theme in your books. Why is this a keystone for you? Do you find people have an easier time forgiving themselves, loved ones, or those less close?

I think this is an inevitable issue for me to tackle because people are so hard on themselves – especially women – and having a seed or kernel of unforgiveness toward oneself or others has a ripple effect throughout a person’s life. We beat ourselves up for not being perfect, for not getting it right every time, for not looking like the models on the magazine covers or being superstars in our work or families. We also live in a society that is critical of celebrities and anyone else who gets their 15 minutes of fame; and as we witness them being torn down, our culture dictates that many of us adopt that same behavior, right or wrong. This affects how everyone, especially women, operate in the world and interact with others, so that’s one of the reasons I revisit this topic in every book.

I think forgiveness is hard, period. Yet, it does seem easier to forgive those who are less close, because we are less vested in them being loving and loyal. The closer one gets to us, the harder it gets to see past that person’s flaws, into their humanness. And we are hardest on ourselves, when if we could learn to give ourselves grace, doing so can help us more easily extend it to others.

You have many roles in your life – parent, journalist, speaker, marketing professional, volunteer, leader in your community, etc. How do you balance them all?

I promise I do sleep! And I don’t all of these things at once. Lol. Life is all about seasons, and so in addition to managing my schedule very well, I do different things in different seasons – except of course the parenting, day job and seeking to create a loving family life, which are daily priorities. The other hats come in cycles: I write the parenting column only twice a month, I speak professionally about five or six times a year; my board commitments require just one meeting a month or one a quarter.

My other writing is scheduled around these endeavors, which is why I’m just now preparing to publish my first novel in three years. (Once Finding Home is released, I’m planning to spend the next few years on my nonfiction – writing essays, columns and blog posts on themes similar to what I’ve explored in my fiction. I hope readers will enjoy these works as well.) I also try to honor the principle of “not now” doesn’t mean “not ever.” So there are some things I may want to do that I postpone until I’m finished with a particular project. I’ll resume those things, or participate in those things, as my schedule shifts.

You spend a lot of time advocating for youth and women. What issues do you see them facing? What can the rest of us do to support them and people like you who are on the front lines? (Is this right? I’m not sure exactly what you do, but I’d love for you to speak to this subject. Feel free to edit the question to fit what you do and want to share.)

I’ve served in various community volunteer roles over the past decade that have afforded me opportunities to advocate for women and children – including serving as board president of Voices for Virginia’s Children and serving as a founding member of grassroots women’s philanthropic organization called Impact 100 Richmond.

I’ve always said that if I had not become a writer, I would have become a child advocacy attorney, because I greatly admire the work of women like Marian Wright Edelman and organizations like the Children’s Defense Fund, which seek to give a voice to women and children who aren’t equipped to speak up for themselves. So in my own way, through my volunteer work, and also through my books, speaking and the freelance parenting column I currently pen for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, I’ve sought to empower these groups. I also hold a Master of Liberal Arts degree in women’s leadership studies, and I’ve used that to infuse both my fiction and nonfiction writing and my public speaking with truths and information that prove when women are empowered –both in the U.S. and around the globe – their children and families greatly benefit.

Does the publishing journey differ at all for the Christian inspirational genre?

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve never really pegged myself as a Christian fiction writer, even though I write in that genre. I see myself as an inspirational writer who happens to be Christian and explore themes of faith in my work, along with other issues women face. In regard to the specific question, and since I’ve worked with Christian imprints (Zondervan under HarperCollins and Revell Books under Baker Publishing Group), the biggest difference is that these publishers want to ensure that if you’re writing from a Christian worldview, this reflects who you are as a person. Otherwise, the rigor of the editing process and of the marketing endeavors undertaken to promote a book are the same.

What advice can you offer to aspiring writers who admire what you’ve accomplished and aspire to something similar?

Again, I’ll reiterate that life happens in seasons – especially for busy women who are working, raising families and serving others at every turn. Fit in the writing when you can, and be consistent with that schedule, no matter how limited an amount of time it is. Even if you can only write one chapter a month, or journal every two weeks, those times that you’re carving out for your writing matter.

An excellent route to getting traditionally published is to attend conferences where you’ll have the opportunity to meet editors or agents who might be interested in your work. I also recommend researching to find the agents you believe would be best-suited for representing your long-term author goals (including, but beyond your first book) and following those people on social media. You can learn more about their interests and the types of books they represent, and you can possibly interact with them and begin creating a respectful connection.

With the publication of Finding Home I’m officially becoming a hybrid author, which is a term used to describe an author who has published both traditionally and in the self-publishing arena. For writers who are willing to oversee the entire publishing process – from writing the book to hiring a book cover designer, editor and proofreader to orchestrating their own book marketing – self-publishing is a viable route to consider. You can always start small, with a brief ebook or novella, before going in full-fledged, with a complete manuscript.

And finally…

Plane or Train?                     

Plane. I travel via both, but I love the immediacy of a flight (despite the hassle of security) and being able to reach one coast from the other in a day.

Film or Television?               

Film. I try to enjoy films as a viewer, but I also love analyzing the story arc and storytelling methods featured in well-done films.

Eat Out or Eat In?               

Eat out! Love this form of socializing, and also the fact that there’s no after-meal cleanup.

Swimming in a Pool or Swimming in the Ocean?

I love the ocean, but given all of the shark attacks last summer, I’m gonna opt for a pool in the short term. J

Apple or Orange?

Apple – an organic one, every day!

 

Thank you, Stacy, so much dropping in. Welcome to the WWWB family!  We will be supporting and rooting for you forever more!

Thanks so much! I’m honored to be here, and I sincerely appreciate your support, and other readers’ as well.

 

FINDING HOME by Stacy Hawkins Adams –

What happens when you’re so desperate for things to go your way that anything goes?

Jessica Wilson Arnold is a superstar professional speaker whose husband and friends fret about the strain of her ambitions, while she hungers for more. When a medical crisis and some poor decisions bring her fast-track success to a screeching halt, Jessica is forced to admit that her life isn’t as perfectly packaged as advertised. Her quest to restore her health and prioritize what matters most leads her to a crossroad. Will she revive her faith and learn to love herself and others more deeply, or cling to a path that threatens disaster?

Jessica’s desperate choices and gripping fear will take readers on a literary ride that’s both shocking and familiar, mostly leaving them rooting for her to win big – with family, faith and finding her way.

 

FINDING HOME is available –

Amazon                 Barnes and Noble

 

Other ways to bond with Stacy –

Website – www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com

          Facebook – www.facebook.com/StacyInspires

Twitter – www.twitter.com/SHAdams

Interviewed by –

MM Finck is a writer, essayist, and book reviewer. Her women’s fiction is represented by Katie Shea Boutillier of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She is a regular contributor WWWB as well as overseeing the Author Interview segment. She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and will be the contest chair for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association 2016 Rising Star writing contest for unpublished authors. Her work has appeared in national and regional publications. When she isn’t working on her novel-in-progress, #LOVEIN140, she can be found chasing her dogs and kids, cheering herself hoarse over a soccer match (USWNT! – three-time world champions!!!), learning to play piano (truly pitifully), and trying to squeeze more than twenty-four hours out of every day. She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Say hi.  http://www.mmfinck.com

Tags: author interviews, featured, Q and A

Category: Interviews