In 140 words or less, tell us a little about yourself.

Originally from Indiana, I now live in Florida where I’ve worked for the past 15 years as a newspaper journalist. In my spare time, I like hanging out with friends, watching live theater, walking on a nearby nature trail, taking bubble baths, and devouring Rocky Road ice cream.  Also, as you might expect from a fiction writer, at times I love to sit and imagine things or just fantasize about life. Living in the Pink was the perfect way to channel all that daydreaming into something worthwhile.

In 140 words or less, tell us why Living in the Pink would make a great addition to our personal library.

Living in the Pink is a collection of humorous and insightful short stories unlike anything else in your library. The stories explore temptations that lead women to straddle the fence on their spiritual journeys. In short, the women are “living in the pink.” What does that mean? It’s simply the stage where so many women get stuck between what the Bible calls that “scarlet stain of sin” and striving to become pure or “white as snow.” They say they believe in God, but only enough to call themselves “spiritual” without having to make significant changes in their lives… They want to believe, just not too much.

How did you come up with the premise for Living in the Pink?

Inspiration for the short stories in Living in the Pink comes from my own triumphs and pitfalls in living out my faith and in simply observing the world around me. I see so many women who are worn out, unhappy, and struggling. In my view, the problem is that often we don’t recognize our potential in Jesus Christ. I’m hoping that Living in the Pink will inspire a change.

Tell us about the main character(s) in Living in the Pink.

The main character, Laura “Sister Pinky” Pinkston, appears in most of the short stories. She’s a wise “church mother” whose mission is to guide women out of their “pinkish” state and into God’s light. The other characters in the series are women who face some sort of crossroad in their lives. In moving forward, they must decide whether they will choose their own way or God’s way.

What are some of the main themes you portray in Living in the Pink?

There are 15 short stories, so the themes are many. For example, characters wrestle with issues such as adulterous relationships, drug-addicted children, church gossip, domestic violence, faith, career ambition, and jealousy.

What makes Living in the Pink different from other books in the marketplace?

The most obvious difference is that this is a collection of short stories. Although Sister Pinky and a few other characters and settings reappear in several stories, they could be read independently. (Readers will get the most from this novel by reading the stories in the order presented, however.)  Another difference: The stories are entertaining but also designed to make people think about their own lives. Discussion questions at the end of each story further inspire self-reflection. And Living in the Pink is not just a book, but a broader concept involving a website, devotionals, and a fun PinkyMeter quiz that helps women gauge whether they are actually “in the pink,” or rather at “code red” or “pearly gate” status.

What genre is Living in the Pink and who is the target audience?

The genre is Christian fiction. The target audience is African-American women, ages 30 to 55, although I’ve found that women of various ethnic backgrounds and ages enjoy and can relate to my characters and their stories.

What lessons have you learned about the publishing industry?

I’m learning how complex the industry can be and how much success relies on name recognition and marketing, aside from the product itself.

What can readers expect from you in the future?

I have a few projects under consideration. Readers should expect to read more of my work, although the “when” is still being nailed down.

For More Information

Visit the author online at http://godsdevinedesign.com/ or Read an Excerpt.

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