Vanessa Richardson 
Vanessa Richardson is an author, poet, and playwright. Vanessa has written several stage productions and has been blessed to perform them at various venues. Her stage productions include. Mama Rainey, Someone to Love Me, Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Lord, I Don't Understand, and The Fullness Of Time.
Once upon a time, she considered herself a closet writer, as she was painfully shy of sharing her written works with the public. An unforeseen bout of illness in 1999 would cause a change in Vanessa's life. "One day I woke up" would become her mantra for years. Vanessa wants her readers, to be aspired toward greatness, in spite of what circumstances, may dictate to them. "With God all things are made possible to them who believe" With faith we can leap over boundaries. We can break barriers and defeat the labels of rejection.
Vanessa realized that she had not just a story to tell but many stories. Relying on God; she wrote her first inspirational novel The Certain Ones. A spiritual impacting novel that inspires her readers to know that not everyone are called into greatness. Fact: Many can not handle the process that goes along with becoming great. Only the certain ones that endure can obtain greatness. Vanessa is currently working on her Fiction novel titled Love Found Me.
"When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)
Author’s Interview
Just ask! It was an honor for me to be able to ask some of my favorite authors some questions and to have them answer them was simply delicious.Often times we tend to allow the fear of the unknown to hinder us from reaching our goals, to that I say out with that old and in with the new. Walk by faith and not by sight. You never know unless you ask. Don’t just sit there…just ask!
I am a huge advocate of Vanessa (love the name!) Davis Griggs if you have not read any of her books your missing out on a treat. Do not take just take my word for it read it for yourself!
Linda Leigh Hargrove is such a phenomenal author and is a shining light to all those around her. I am blessed to have discovered her wonderful books! Her novels will move and inspire you! Do not just take my word for it, read it for yourself!
Vanessa Davis Griggs is an author and motivational speaker who adores the power of words both written and spoken. At the end of 1996, this former BellSouth employee left 18 years of service stepping out on faith and decided to pursue her purpose and passion--writing. Proving out Proverbs 18:16, A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men, she began her own company (Free To Soar) emphasizing the taking off of limits as she travels around the country inspiring others--young and old--to take flight and do the same.
Richardson: Do you remember the first thing you've ever written?
Griggs: I won't say I remember the first thing I've ever written, but I do recall decades ago writing a short story that I think about. It had to do with a character that was prejudice, died and went to heaven only to learn there really is no segration in heaven. He's sent to a holding place thinking they were working on separate but equal places in heaven and ends up in a place very much like hell. He learns he has to go back to earth if he's changed his mind about waiting on that segregation in heaven. Back on earth, he soon learns he's no longer in a white body, but a black one. He learns a valuable lesson about walking in someone else's shoes and why we should treat others the way we'd like to be treated.
Richardson: How do/did you deal with rejection?
Griggs: No one likes rejection. That's why you have to play mind games with the word and look at it as getting closer to your desire. Example: "Each rejection is putting me one closer to a yes." I think it's good to realize that people who reject your work aren't always right. They miss it. But one must not be fooled into thinking your work is perfect. Should you receive a rejection and it comes with some sort of feedback, examine the feedback to see if there's merit and something that can be used to make you better. But you have to believe in what you're doing.
Richardson: Why do you write Christian Fiction?
Griggs: Christian is who I am. I just write and people label it Christian fiction. Sure, I could write other things, but this is what comes out of me naturally. I love feeling like I'm being authentic and being a blessing to others with what I do at the same time. Fiction is good because you have a little more liberty with characters and you can tell things about their lives that you might not want to tell when it's real people.
Richardson: What does success mean to you?
Griggs: Good question. Success is when I know I've been true to what I'm here to do. It's not the money although that's great when it comes. It's not the awards because you may never get one. It's feeling that if this were the end of the road for you, you can close your eyes with no regrets.
Richardson: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Griggs: Don't try to be or write like someone else. Trust that what you have is what you are here to give. Yes, you need to strive for excellence. Yes, you should learn your craft. Yes, you should continue to get better with each round. But don't imitate, initiate. Be you, write with your voice. If no one is doing it that way doesn’t let that deter you. Maybe you're the one who is supposed to start it so others can follow. And above all, know this is what you truly want to do and don't just do it because you hear others are making tons of money. Do what you love and the money will follow.
Vanessa Davis Griggs
www. VanessaDavisGriggs. com
Linda Leigh Hargrove blends suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America. Her writings include two novels: The Making of Isaac Hunt (June 2007) and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (September 2008). The former environmental engineer currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and three sons where she designs Web sites when she's not writing. She blogs at
17seeds.com.
 Richardson: Do you remember the first thing you've ever written?
Hargrove: The first thing I wrote was actually a co-authored sci-fi book in 3rd grade. My co-author, Ginger, was my best friend. Actually she did most of the writing. I did all of the illustration and stapling.
Richardson: How do you deal with rejection?
Hargrove: Better than I used to. I used to see rejection as total failure. If my writing was being rejected, I felt I was being rejected. One day, God showed me that in order to get to the shining city of success, I had to travel down the road called rejection. Every step along that rocky road got me closer to my goal. The thing is I had to step down that road (mostly alone) if I wanted to reach the goal. If I didn't step (deal with rejection, face the fear) then I'd never move forward. So although, I'm not a glutton for punishment, I know rejection is essential to success.
Richardson: Why do you write Christian Fiction?
Hargrove: I write fiction because I like it. A lot. Not all of what I write or want to write is what the Christian market wants to talk about (or read) unfortunately. Underneath all the suspense and romance that I weave into my stories, there's a story about race. Anyone can enjoy my fiction but I think what I have to say about race and racism is for God's people. Not all people. The world has their approach to addressing racial problems. That's not always the way the church should go about it. The church's approach should include two things Jesus taught us about: prayer and fasting. Not just diversity training and legislation.
Richardson: What does success mean to you?
Hargrove: At the risk of sounding trite, I say that my definition of success doesn't involve big fancy cars, dream homes, or fine clothes. I may never be successful in anyone else's eyes but as long as I have done His will and done it well, that is success. Each day should mean that I and my family (especially my three boys) look more like Jesus. Not more like the Joneses. Looking like Jesus doesn't mean we live in a shack and have nothing but rags. Someone once told me that he was all for a thing if it made Jesus famous. I'm all for that.
I'm not knocking fame. I would like a little writing acclaim now and again like the rest of the bunch. But what will it mean if I get to the stage to say my acceptance speech and to find that Jesus was sitting in the audience frowning in disapproval. Ouch. Ten thousand times, ouch.
Richardson: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Hargrove: Read fearlessly. Write fearlessly.
Linda Leigh Hargrove
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~Vanessa's Poetry Corner~
I was afraid to admit this. But it true.
I often think of you as my boo.
I think about the times you made me laugh.
I admit to myself, this man is my other half.
The chase has been called off.
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