Today I welcome author, Ashea Goldson. This is such a pleasure. Ashea and I met in 2003 in the Atlanta Black Christian Fiction Writer's Critique Group. ABCFW folded into the Visions in Print Writer's Group where I currently serve as president and Ashea works alongside of me as our treasurer. She's inspired me to move forward with my writing. Especially when she got the call that her novel was purchased. An online interview could never capture the warmth of her spirit, but hopefully you'll feel like you've met a very special lady by the time you finish reading this.
Welcome Ashea! Cyberhug, girl. Tell us about your debut novel, The Lovechild.
The Lovechild provides a riveting ride through the life of Makaeli Lovechild Hunt, a successful fashion designer who struggles with her biracial identity and her spirituality. Born into a dysfunctional family and enduring many hardships, she eventually becomes estranged from them. She escapes to Italy where she dives into her career and masks her resentment for her family, for God, and for herself. Finally, a family emergency forces her to face her tumultuous past. In seven life altering days, she discovers what forgiveness really means and amidst crises painful enough to make her turn her back on God forever, she learns what it means to be God’s lovechild.
It’s story of redemption and re-dedication. It’s a story about how God’s overwhelming, unconditional love can lift us from whatever pit we’re in, no matter how it looks, no matter what people say. It’s a story that confirms our victory in Christ Jesus.
What inspired you to write The Lovechild?
The whole concept of The Lovechild came out of me wanting to take a character who was broken and have God heal her spiritually and mentally. So I began to create a young woman who looked great on the outside, but after years of turmoil, had lost faith in God, and was ultimately crumbling on the inside. I think on some level, although the specifics are different, we can all relate to that. I believe that my own personal ministry is dealing with the broken hearted.
Your publishing credits include some self-published projects. Tell us about them.
Although I am new to the Christian fiction scene, I am no stranger to creative writing. I have always written since I was a child, throughout highschool and then through college. I've also written for local publications such as The Atlanta Christian Chronicle, The Senior News, The Georgia Poetry Society Newsletter and a variety of online publications.
I have also published several poetry collections. The first is When Torn Down Is All You Know, a collection dedicated to the broken in spirit. My second collection of poetry is Then Two Became One, which are very romantic poems for one’s spouse, a testament to my twenty two years of marriage, and my last poetry book is Song of The Unforgotten Youth which are poems written for young people struggling with today's issues.
The self-published work that I’m most excited about however, is Resurrecting Vision:45 Steps To Digging Up Your Destiny And Seeing It Through God’s Eyes. It’s a really awesome book and not because I wrote it but because I’m living it. God began speaking it to me a few years ago and once I got a revelation of it, it became so real in my spirit. It’s now my personal mission to get everyone to seek God for their purpose, to discover their destiny and to be totally fulfilled. I don’t want people to walk around with regrets when God already has the perfect plan for each of us if we would only receive it. Anyway, Resurrecting Vision is available at most online retailers like Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com, etc.
What’s been the most exciting thing about The Lovechild’s debut?
I think the most exciting thing that has happened so far was being picked up by Black Expressions Bookclub. Also, the books are selling pretty fast at a church bookstore in New York City. That’s exciting too.
You’re a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Tell us the benefits to this organization.
Well, I am a part of this well known National organization, and being a member does provide credibility, industry and craft information, etc., but it is truly my local southeast chapter, Visions In Print that I benefit from the most. This group was truly a Godsend. I asked God for this several years ago and He gave me much more than what I could have imagined. We meet once a month but we communicate much more than that by phone, emails, teleconferences, etc. They’re a huge part of my support system. They’re my writer-sisters. We motivate, encourage, inform, teach, critique, and even rebuke each other. It is good to have people to be accountable to, who really care if you’re writing and what you’re writing. It is good to have other Christian writers with your same concerns, who have been down or are going down the same road that you’re going, that you can share with. Then we support each other’s book sales, spreading the word for one another and so on and so forth. The group is like an extension of my family. This is my writer- family
Favorite Color: Definitely purple, all shades lilac, lavender, plum and especially magenta.
Favorite Time of Year: Fall. I love the breezy weather when it’s just cool enough to wear my favorite boots and leather jackets yet it’s not cold yet.
Favorite Dessert: That’s difficult. I don’t know that I have a favorite. When I was younger I didn’t like sweets too much at all. I was so picky but now… I like so many desserts like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, moist chocolate frosted cake, rocky road ice-cream, or creamy sweet potato pie. Wow, what a choice to have to make.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Israel, the Holy Land. I’d like to walk where Jesus walked.
If you could spend one hour with someone, living or deceased who would it be and why? Jesus. I’d like the opportunity to thank him in person for saving me from a life of sin, and for rescuing me so many times I have lost count.
What would readers be surprised to learn about you? I think most people are surprised to know that I co-own a Christian school, not a daycare but an actual private school that goes up to the 8th grade. I'm actually the principal and I still teach everyday. It’s not an easy business but I’ve always loved children. I can never give up on them.
What’s next for Ashea Goldson? The next thing is my second Christian fiction novel, Joy Comes In The Morning and of course, preparing for its release. I will spend more time promoting the projects produced through my publishing company, Goldwrite Publishing, mine and those of other authors. In fact, I have manuscripts from a few authors that I’m looking at right now. I would like to do a teen writing camp for next summer and a dramatic poetry group for youth as well. I’d also love to write for television one day.
Readers may visit Ashea at http://www.asheagoldson.com/ and www.myspace.com/asheagoldson and http://christianfiction.ning.com/
The Lovechild provides a riveting ride through the life of Makaeli Lovechild Hunt, a successful fashion designer who struggles with her biracial identity and her spirituality. Born into a dysfunctional family and enduring many hardships, she eventually becomes estranged from them. She escapes to Italy where she dives into her career and masks her resentment for her family, for God, and for herself. Finally, a family emergency forces her to face her tumultuous past. In seven life altering days, she discovers what forgiveness really means and amidst crises painful enough to make her turn her back on God forever, she learns what it means to be God’s lovechild.
It’s story of redemption and re-dedication. It’s a story about how God’s overwhelming, unconditional love can lift us from whatever pit we’re in, no matter how it looks, no matter what people say. It’s a story that confirms our victory in Christ Jesus.
What inspired you to write The Lovechild?
The whole concept of The Lovechild came out of me wanting to take a character who was broken and have God heal her spiritually and mentally. So I began to create a young woman who looked great on the outside, but after years of turmoil, had lost faith in God, and was ultimately crumbling on the inside. I think on some level, although the specifics are different, we can all relate to that. I believe that my own personal ministry is dealing with the broken hearted.
Your publishing credits include some self-published projects. Tell us about them.
Although I am new to the Christian fiction scene, I am no stranger to creative writing. I have always written since I was a child, throughout highschool and then through college. I've also written for local publications such as The Atlanta Christian Chronicle, The Senior News, The Georgia Poetry Society Newsletter and a variety of online publications.
I have also published several poetry collections. The first is When Torn Down Is All You Know, a collection dedicated to the broken in spirit. My second collection of poetry is Then Two Became One, which are very romantic poems for one’s spouse, a testament to my twenty two years of marriage, and my last poetry book is Song of The Unforgotten Youth which are poems written for young people struggling with today's issues.
The self-published work that I’m most excited about however, is Resurrecting Vision:45 Steps To Digging Up Your Destiny And Seeing It Through God’s Eyes. It’s a really awesome book and not because I wrote it but because I’m living it. God began speaking it to me a few years ago and once I got a revelation of it, it became so real in my spirit. It’s now my personal mission to get everyone to seek God for their purpose, to discover their destiny and to be totally fulfilled. I don’t want people to walk around with regrets when God already has the perfect plan for each of us if we would only receive it. Anyway, Resurrecting Vision is available at most online retailers like Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com, etc.
What’s been the most exciting thing about The Lovechild’s debut?
I think the most exciting thing that has happened so far was being picked up by Black Expressions Bookclub. Also, the books are selling pretty fast at a church bookstore in New York City. That’s exciting too.
You’re a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Tell us the benefits to this organization.
Well, I am a part of this well known National organization, and being a member does provide credibility, industry and craft information, etc., but it is truly my local southeast chapter, Visions In Print that I benefit from the most. This group was truly a Godsend. I asked God for this several years ago and He gave me much more than what I could have imagined. We meet once a month but we communicate much more than that by phone, emails, teleconferences, etc. They’re a huge part of my support system. They’re my writer-sisters. We motivate, encourage, inform, teach, critique, and even rebuke each other. It is good to have people to be accountable to, who really care if you’re writing and what you’re writing. It is good to have other Christian writers with your same concerns, who have been down or are going down the same road that you’re going, that you can share with. Then we support each other’s book sales, spreading the word for one another and so on and so forth. The group is like an extension of my family. This is my writer- family
Favorite Color: Definitely purple, all shades lilac, lavender, plum and especially magenta.
Favorite Time of Year: Fall. I love the breezy weather when it’s just cool enough to wear my favorite boots and leather jackets yet it’s not cold yet.
Favorite Dessert: That’s difficult. I don’t know that I have a favorite. When I was younger I didn’t like sweets too much at all. I was so picky but now… I like so many desserts like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, moist chocolate frosted cake, rocky road ice-cream, or creamy sweet potato pie. Wow, what a choice to have to make.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Israel, the Holy Land. I’d like to walk where Jesus walked.
If you could spend one hour with someone, living or deceased who would it be and why? Jesus. I’d like the opportunity to thank him in person for saving me from a life of sin, and for rescuing me so many times I have lost count.
What would readers be surprised to learn about you? I think most people are surprised to know that I co-own a Christian school, not a daycare but an actual private school that goes up to the 8th grade. I'm actually the principal and I still teach everyday. It’s not an easy business but I’ve always loved children. I can never give up on them.
What’s next for Ashea Goldson? The next thing is my second Christian fiction novel, Joy Comes In The Morning and of course, preparing for its release. I will spend more time promoting the projects produced through my publishing company, Goldwrite Publishing, mine and those of other authors. In fact, I have manuscripts from a few authors that I’m looking at right now. I would like to do a teen writing camp for next summer and a dramatic poetry group for youth as well. I’d also love to write for television one day.
Readers may visit Ashea at http://www.asheagoldson.com/ and www.myspace.com/asheagoldson and http://christianfiction.ning.com/
Her novel, The Lovechild is available at Barnes and Nobles, Books-a-Million, Amazon.com and where ever books are sold.
Thanks for stopping by Ashea!
3 comments:
This was a very enlightening interview. Too many of us try to put forward a 'churchface' when are steeped in lives of brokeness. Showing that all is not lost, whether in fiction or fact, is a blessing.
You have so much going on, may the Lord continue to bless you and your ministries.
Wow own a school now yes that did surprise me! Then it added so many more questions to the forefront like how do one own a school? How does Ashea do all that she does in a 8 hr day? and so on and so on!!!
The broken is universal I believe, on some level we have been there or know someone going thrugh right now. I have found the most important question to ask God during the going thru is not to deliver you because your faith will do that but you're going through to develope you.
This way during the waiting season you can grow rather than becoming bitter or lose faith. Ask God to show you how;s He's working through His divine delays and turmoils of life.
congrats and great interview...APOOO would like to request a copy of The Love Child for Review. Please let me know who I should contact with request. Thanks much.
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