Romancing The Gospel - An Interview with Author Terry M. Walker
by Rev. Terrence G. Clark
Is love enough to keep Shayna Procton and Simon Ortega together always? Finding each other was the easy part. Staying together would be their real test. Believing Simon is her true love, Shayna feels betrayed when it becomes apparent that he is not the man she thought him to be. Yet she cannot deny the feelings she has for him. Will she remain in a relationship that is not good for her? Or will she listen to her inner voice, the one which is telling her to walk away? Maybe the answer would be simple if she were not so…Shaded By Love.
(from the back cover of the book, "Shaded by Love")
Terry M. Walker is a born again Christian. She’s been saved since twelve years old. Ten years ago it came to her to write a book. An avid reader herself, she always wanted write. So she wrote a few pages---about two or three, paused a few years, wrote a few more, and then paused again. Eventually, she completed about one hundred pages. In 2010, she allowed her best friend to read it. Her friend was enthralled.
“Oh my God, her friend chimed, this is so good you have to finish it. How is it going to end?”
Now being pushed to complete it, Terry finished the book. Noting that writing this way made her vision seem more like a job. But her juices started flowing and she realized God had a lot for her to write.
So she did and tacked on an ending, but the world her characters had created, along with her friend, rejected it. “No, that’s too abrupt, critiqued her friend, that’s not the end. You have to do it right.”
So she did. A one thousand-page manuscript evolved, too big for a novel. So it was dissected, and a series birthed. Her first three books which are fast rising top sellers are not books on prayer, meditation or kingdom living. She writes about thugs, drug dealers, young women, and romance. Her stories which are still wholesome, whereas language is concerned, explore the borders and edges of realities and relationship not usually heard from the pulpit.
They are needful topic explains Terry. It’s what young women (and men) need to know and experience in relationships. Her stories are about making right choices and the consequences of bad ones. Her Love is Insane Series—Shaded By Love, A Bittersweet Love, Holding Onto Love titles alone are enticing to romance seeking readers.
“Christians do have romance, proclaimed Terry. As far as this series goes everything, relationship wise, was done in order. The young lady (the heroine) remained a virgin. She stood by her Christianity. They waited until after they got married to engage in intercourse. And, the romance part came after marriage, and that is completely (biblically) legal.”
Terry reveals that the young lady in the book mimics herself. However, the story line, though very convincing and despite what some people believe, is not hers. She explains, originally the story was supposed to be about Christian love. Two Christians who meet, fall in love, and do things in the order of God. Unexpectedly, her writing turned from her plot.
Is love enough to keep Shayna Procton and Simon Ortega together always? Finding each other was the easy part. Staying together would be their real test. Believing Simon is her true love, Shayna feels betrayed when it becomes apparent that he is not the man she thought him to be. Yet she cannot deny the feelings she has for him. Will she remain in a relationship that is not good for her? Or will she listen to her inner voice, the one which is telling her to walk away? Maybe the answer would be simple if she were not so…Shaded By Love.
(from the back cover of the book, "Shaded by Love")
Terry M. Walker is a born again Christian. She’s been saved since twelve years old. Ten years ago it came to her to write a book. An avid reader herself, she always wanted write. So she wrote a few pages---about two or three, paused a few years, wrote a few more, and then paused again. Eventually, she completed about one hundred pages. In 2010, she allowed her best friend to read it. Her friend was enthralled.
“Oh my God, her friend chimed, this is so good you have to finish it. How is it going to end?”
Now being pushed to complete it, Terry finished the book. Noting that writing this way made her vision seem more like a job. But her juices started flowing and she realized God had a lot for her to write.
So she did and tacked on an ending, but the world her characters had created, along with her friend, rejected it. “No, that’s too abrupt, critiqued her friend, that’s not the end. You have to do it right.”
So she did. A one thousand-page manuscript evolved, too big for a novel. So it was dissected, and a series birthed. Her first three books which are fast rising top sellers are not books on prayer, meditation or kingdom living. She writes about thugs, drug dealers, young women, and romance. Her stories which are still wholesome, whereas language is concerned, explore the borders and edges of realities and relationship not usually heard from the pulpit.
They are needful topic explains Terry. It’s what young women (and men) need to know and experience in relationships. Her stories are about making right choices and the consequences of bad ones. Her Love is Insane Series—Shaded By Love, A Bittersweet Love, Holding Onto Love titles alone are enticing to romance seeking readers.
“Christians do have romance, proclaimed Terry. As far as this series goes everything, relationship wise, was done in order. The young lady (the heroine) remained a virgin. She stood by her Christianity. They waited until after they got married to engage in intercourse. And, the romance part came after marriage, and that is completely (biblically) legal.”
Terry reveals that the young lady in the book mimics herself. However, the story line, though very convincing and despite what some people believe, is not hers. She explains, originally the story was supposed to be about Christian love. Two Christians who meet, fall in love, and do things in the order of God. Unexpectedly, her writing turned from her plot.
“I have no idea what happen, said Terry. I would sit down and just write and then I would go into this zone. After a few chapters, I would stop, read what I just wrote, and say oh my God where did this come from. The characters became real, and whatever their personality was that is what would be written. I wouldn’t know until I read back over it.”
She confessed, many times she thought about changing what she wrote, worried about what people would think about her a Christian writing this type of content. Conversely, every time, God would send confirmation to keep her writing intact. The resolve was that her story-line was real life. She needed to keep it real so that it would reach the right people. An example was a letter from one of her readers. A young lady who followed the series to the end said the books confirm things in her marriage. It let her know that her decision of being steadfast and persevering was of God. The letter brought tears to Terry’s eyes. She reflected on her life story.
“When I got born again, although I was young, I took it seriously. That isn’t to say that I didn’t do some things, as a teenager. I experienced drinking alcohol, but it never stuck. I was like God this isn’t me. I used profanity. You know when you’re in high school, and you’re around friends. I would try that, but it didn’t sit well with my spirit. I was one of those people who dared to be different. People respected that. Because I was not like everyone else, doing what everyone else did, it made me a very strong as a person, an individual and as an adult. In my life, I tend to become friends with people who are totally opposite of me. People who have done the world-thing are drawn to me. We become friends. Often they would change their habits not because I asked them, but just because I just stood strong in what I did as a Christian.”
Even as a little girl Terry’s dream was to be someone who would change the world. She’s been told that her name and business was destined to become a household name and brand. She has seen confirmation. God has been continually connecting her with others who will help on that path. Terry message to young women is that they always need to know their worth. They need to know they truly hold the power. “Like I always tell my daughter, she says. Women or young girls need to stop going for the thugs and start going for the nerds. I don’t want to call them nerds, but men who are all about the business of doing the right thing, all the boys would try to mimic that. They would know that’s want the girls like. If the young girls are so busy wanting to be with 'the thugs,' every guy feels like they have to be 'the thug,' in order to impress the young woman. The minute we change our mind and our idea of what a man should be towards the positive that’s what the men are going to be, because it is all about them impressing us.”
Married herself, Terry says it’s summed up in knowing your worth. Her message includes young women who were not brought up with a father figure. She communicates that in her books. The message, young women need to know their worth. They need to know the Lord. They need to know that there is an order to everything. The order she pens—girl meets "the guy," after he has come after her and not the opposite. She says the girl shouldn’t have to chase the guy. The guy should be chasing the girl.
“And you should be waiting and saving yourself, says Terry. If he is worth you, then he will do things properly. He will wait for you and you shouldn’t have to give of yourself before marriage.”
In her book, the hero is a thug. He is the head of a crime family. He meets this young, black, sweet, lady. He is just mesmerized by her, her independence, and the fact that she is so different from the other woman that he’s been with. He falls in love with her. He becomes possessive, obsessed, and controlling because he is not used to a woman who isn’t needy of him. He is a handsome guy and has a lot of money. Interestingly, it’s not his looks or wealth that impresses her. It drives him crazy, because he knows how he has treated women in the past. He is afraid she is going to turn and hurt him.
Apart from her husband Terry announces the true romance in her life is Jesus Christ. "He’s my brother, my friend, and my lover. He dwells within me—seriously. There’s not a day or even a second that goes by where I am not conversing with God, with Jesus. He’s my everything. I love me some Him.”
Connect with Author Terry M. Walker, purchase her books, and stay updated on upcoming projects via the below information.
Books are available above, at Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles.com
She confessed, many times she thought about changing what she wrote, worried about what people would think about her a Christian writing this type of content. Conversely, every time, God would send confirmation to keep her writing intact. The resolve was that her story-line was real life. She needed to keep it real so that it would reach the right people. An example was a letter from one of her readers. A young lady who followed the series to the end said the books confirm things in her marriage. It let her know that her decision of being steadfast and persevering was of God. The letter brought tears to Terry’s eyes. She reflected on her life story.
“When I got born again, although I was young, I took it seriously. That isn’t to say that I didn’t do some things, as a teenager. I experienced drinking alcohol, but it never stuck. I was like God this isn’t me. I used profanity. You know when you’re in high school, and you’re around friends. I would try that, but it didn’t sit well with my spirit. I was one of those people who dared to be different. People respected that. Because I was not like everyone else, doing what everyone else did, it made me a very strong as a person, an individual and as an adult. In my life, I tend to become friends with people who are totally opposite of me. People who have done the world-thing are drawn to me. We become friends. Often they would change their habits not because I asked them, but just because I just stood strong in what I did as a Christian.”
Even as a little girl Terry’s dream was to be someone who would change the world. She’s been told that her name and business was destined to become a household name and brand. She has seen confirmation. God has been continually connecting her with others who will help on that path. Terry message to young women is that they always need to know their worth. They need to know they truly hold the power. “Like I always tell my daughter, she says. Women or young girls need to stop going for the thugs and start going for the nerds. I don’t want to call them nerds, but men who are all about the business of doing the right thing, all the boys would try to mimic that. They would know that’s want the girls like. If the young girls are so busy wanting to be with 'the thugs,' every guy feels like they have to be 'the thug,' in order to impress the young woman. The minute we change our mind and our idea of what a man should be towards the positive that’s what the men are going to be, because it is all about them impressing us.”
Married herself, Terry says it’s summed up in knowing your worth. Her message includes young women who were not brought up with a father figure. She communicates that in her books. The message, young women need to know their worth. They need to know the Lord. They need to know that there is an order to everything. The order she pens—girl meets "the guy," after he has come after her and not the opposite. She says the girl shouldn’t have to chase the guy. The guy should be chasing the girl.
“And you should be waiting and saving yourself, says Terry. If he is worth you, then he will do things properly. He will wait for you and you shouldn’t have to give of yourself before marriage.”
In her book, the hero is a thug. He is the head of a crime family. He meets this young, black, sweet, lady. He is just mesmerized by her, her independence, and the fact that she is so different from the other woman that he’s been with. He falls in love with her. He becomes possessive, obsessed, and controlling because he is not used to a woman who isn’t needy of him. He is a handsome guy and has a lot of money. Interestingly, it’s not his looks or wealth that impresses her. It drives him crazy, because he knows how he has treated women in the past. He is afraid she is going to turn and hurt him.
Apart from her husband Terry announces the true romance in her life is Jesus Christ. "He’s my brother, my friend, and my lover. He dwells within me—seriously. There’s not a day or even a second that goes by where I am not conversing with God, with Jesus. He’s my everything. I love me some Him.”
Connect with Author Terry M. Walker, purchase her books, and stay updated on upcoming projects via the below information.
Books are available above, at Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles.com
Website: www.TerryMWalker.com