Today I welcome author, Kimberly Cash Tate, the author of Heavenly Places. I really enjoyed the novel and if the reviews shes received for this novel are indication, she's also has a bright future with Christian fiction readers.Congratulations on your new novel. Tell us a little about Kimberly Cash Tate.
Thank you, Rhonda! Hmm…let’s see, where do I begin. LOL I’m a wife and a mother who’s starting to see that this season of child-rearing is as short as people said it was. :-) My son and daughter are 12 and 10, and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to homeschool them for going on seven years now. Prior to being at home, I was a partner at a large law firm in the Midwest, specializing in civil litigation, but that seems like another lifetime ago.
Tell us about your novel, Heavenly Places.
The main character in Heavenly Places is Treva Langston, who’s mother has always treated her as inferior because of her darker skin complexion. As a result, Treva found her worth in a career, but now that that job is gone, her life has been turned upside down. She’s returned to her hometown with her husband and her three girls and has to face not only the memories she’s fought to escape, but her mother, who hasn’t changed. But her sister kind of coaxes her into a women’s home bible study, and although Treva resists and even quits a couple of times, it becomes the catalyst that completely changes her life. The reader gets to journey with Treva as she works through the dynamics in her relationship with her mother, her husband and children, and the other women in the group.
Very compelling and it did deliver on the promise of being interesting. What inspired you to write this story?
I actually never thought I’d write fiction, but God kept putting these stories in front of me of women who were still dealing with “color complex” issues from childhood. I kept thinking, “If they could only see themselves as God sees them.” I was led to write the story, and I was excited when I got into it and saw that I could incorporate a bible study in an entertaining yet thought-provoking way. That’s been the aspect that most people have talked about, that they felt like they were doing the bible study with the women and learning things about their own lives.
You also published non-fiction tell us about that project and the experiences that prompted you to write it.
“More Christian than African-American” was published in 1999. In that book, I wrote about my life before and after Christ and the ways in which my life was transformed. The biggest change was when God opened my eyes to the fact that I saw the world through the lens of blackness, but now that I belonged to Christ, I needed to see the world through the eyes of Christ. That was definitely life-changing for me and took some adjustment. I knew God was moving me to share that experience, so I stepped out in faith and wrote the book. A revised and updated “More Christian than African-American” will actually be re-released in January of 2009.
The main character in Heavenly Places is Treva Langston, who’s mother has always treated her as inferior because of her darker skin complexion. As a result, Treva found her worth in a career, but now that that job is gone, her life has been turned upside down. She’s returned to her hometown with her husband and her three girls and has to face not only the memories she’s fought to escape, but her mother, who hasn’t changed. But her sister kind of coaxes her into a women’s home bible study, and although Treva resists and even quits a couple of times, it becomes the catalyst that completely changes her life. The reader gets to journey with Treva as she works through the dynamics in her relationship with her mother, her husband and children, and the other women in the group.
Very compelling and it did deliver on the promise of being interesting. What inspired you to write this story?
I actually never thought I’d write fiction, but God kept putting these stories in front of me of women who were still dealing with “color complex” issues from childhood. I kept thinking, “If they could only see themselves as God sees them.” I was led to write the story, and I was excited when I got into it and saw that I could incorporate a bible study in an entertaining yet thought-provoking way. That’s been the aspect that most people have talked about, that they felt like they were doing the bible study with the women and learning things about their own lives.
You also published non-fiction tell us about that project and the experiences that prompted you to write it.
“More Christian than African-American” was published in 1999. In that book, I wrote about my life before and after Christ and the ways in which my life was transformed. The biggest change was when God opened my eyes to the fact that I saw the world through the lens of blackness, but now that I belonged to Christ, I needed to see the world through the eyes of Christ. That was definitely life-changing for me and took some adjustment. I knew God was moving me to share that experience, so I stepped out in faith and wrote the book. A revised and updated “More Christian than African-American” will actually be re-released in January of 2009.
Kimberly, I read "More Christian than African-American" in 1999, and I can honestly tell you, it really changed the way I view myself. While ethnicity and culture are important, nothing is more important than our Christian life and the brotherhood/sisterhood of this walk. I really appreciate the Lord using you to help me reprioritize in that respect.
Tell me, how different is marketing fiction from non-fiction?
With the non-fiction book, my publisher sent me on a three-city tour, which I guess was kind of unheard-of for a new author. I didn’t have that with the novel. :-) But also, the non-fiction book was published almost ten years ago, so everything has changed with respect to the Internet. I was able to do a lot of marketing with respect to the novel right from my home. Bloggers like you are a true blessing for authors!
I asked Kimberly to get personal and she answered these questions:
Favorite color: That depends. As a stand-alone color, purple. If we’re talking clothes, black.
Favorite time of the year: Definitely spring, even with my allergies.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Italy is on my wish list, so I’ll go with that.
If you could have a one hour meeting with the person of your choice (living or deceased) who would it be and why? Jesus! I have so many questions. :-)
If you were going to a deserted island and could only take one fiction book with you that you didn’t write, what would it be? I would take “The Lord of the Rings” and I would count all three volumes as one “book.” :-) Then I would kick back and enjoy dissecting the themes and his use of prose.
What would readers be surprised to know about you?
Based on the themes of my books, I think people probably see me as serious, so they might be surprised to know that I can be really silly when I’m with my kids.
What’s next for Kimberly Cash Tate?
I have the new “More Christian than African-American” coming out in January of 2009, and look for a new novel hopefully later next year.
Kimberly it's been great having you. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Readers may learn more about Kimberly Cash Tate by visiting her at
http://www.kimberlycashtate.com/ www.myspace.com/kimberlycashtate and www.shoutlife.com/kimberlycashtate. Her novel Heavenly Places can be found where ever books are sold. More Christian Than African American is also available for pre-orders at Amazon. (click on the image of the book above).
Tell me, how different is marketing fiction from non-fiction?
With the non-fiction book, my publisher sent me on a three-city tour, which I guess was kind of unheard-of for a new author. I didn’t have that with the novel. :-) But also, the non-fiction book was published almost ten years ago, so everything has changed with respect to the Internet. I was able to do a lot of marketing with respect to the novel right from my home. Bloggers like you are a true blessing for authors!
I asked Kimberly to get personal and she answered these questions:
Favorite color: That depends. As a stand-alone color, purple. If we’re talking clothes, black.
Favorite time of the year: Definitely spring, even with my allergies.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Italy is on my wish list, so I’ll go with that.
If you could have a one hour meeting with the person of your choice (living or deceased) who would it be and why? Jesus! I have so many questions. :-)
If you were going to a deserted island and could only take one fiction book with you that you didn’t write, what would it be? I would take “The Lord of the Rings” and I would count all three volumes as one “book.” :-) Then I would kick back and enjoy dissecting the themes and his use of prose.
What would readers be surprised to know about you?
Based on the themes of my books, I think people probably see me as serious, so they might be surprised to know that I can be really silly when I’m with my kids.
What’s next for Kimberly Cash Tate?
I have the new “More Christian than African-American” coming out in January of 2009, and look for a new novel hopefully later next year.
Kimberly it's been great having you. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Readers may learn more about Kimberly Cash Tate by visiting her at
http://www.kimberlycashtate.com/ www.myspace.com/kimberlycashtate and www.shoutlife.com/kimberlycashtate. Her novel Heavenly Places can be found where ever books are sold. More Christian Than African American is also available for pre-orders at Amazon. (click on the image of the book above).
3 comments:
Hi Kimberly! Good to bump up against you again. Glad to see your book featured here and upcoming on the FIRST Wildcard blog tour.
Nice interview, ladies!
Hey Kimberly! I love the Lord of the Rings too. :) Nice interview.
When I'm called on to recommend a book, Heavenly Places is the book I suggest. Great interview!
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