Here is where I give a shout out, a hollah, a virtual hug and a huge THANK YOU to the book clubs, internet radio shows and other entities who are gracious enough to support my work. It is my pleasure, in turn, to support theirs...
For the month of March, we shine the spotlight on...
7 Virtues Book Club!
Claps, applause, whistles!!!
Lutishia: I’m delighted to be joined by three “lovely ladies” from 7 Virtues Book Club – Lisa Moore, DeLisa New and club president, Diane New-Hardy. Thanks for joining me ladies!
7 Virtues: You’re welcome!
Lutishia: I’m going to direct these questions to you, Diane. Lisa, DeLisa, feel free to jump in any time.
Diane: Okay.
Lutishia: How did you come up with the name for your book club?
Diane: I was looking at a catalog and came across an item describing seven virtues. I thought this name would be great to call the bookclub since we believed in what the principles stood for. The principles are: Humility, Kindness, Compassion, Diligence, Charity, Patience, and Purity.
Lutishia: Wow, that’s beautiful. If we could master those virtues, we’d be earth angels! :) Had you participated in other book clubs before forming your own?
Diane: Yes. The previous bookclub that I participated in was formed by my sister and her friend. The name was Divas of the Sheets.
Lutishia: Hum, now that name could be interpreted in several completely different ways so I won’t even ask how it originated. However, I think Reverend Feelgood would feel right at home hanging out with those ladies! When was your club founded?
Diane: Our first meeting was in August of last year, 2009.
Lutishia: What inspired you to start a club? Was there a particular book that started this journey, or event perhaps?
Diane: I had attended the Faith and Fiction retreat last year and thought that forming this type of book club would be a different twist.
Lutishia: I believe my author friend Pat G’Orge Walker has participated at Faith and Fiction, along with a few other authors with whom I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. Great conference!
Diane: Yes it is a great conference. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Walker and others Christian fiction authors.
Lutishia: How many members are in your club?
Diane: There are ten of us.
Lutishia: Help us get to know your members, Diane. Are they single, married, mothers, career women?
Diane: Our ages range from Generation Y’s to baby boomers. We have it all - single, married, mothers, career women and a retiree.
Lutishia: Ooh, I love the diverse ages and statuses. That helps to stimulate discussion I’m sure. You know, Diane, I’ve found that those who start a book club often discover other benefits to a group of people getting together, and bonding around a mutual love of books. Has this happened to you guys?
Diane: Yes!
Lutishia: What are some of the other benefits that have come from forming 7 Virtues?
Diane: We get a chance to meet with friends that we may take for granted, or just talk to on the phone. We are planning a summer barbeque which is something we did in our old book club, so this gives us a chance to just hang out longer after discussing the book.
Lutishia: Nothing goes together better than good friends and good food! Where are you guys located? Are you all in the same city, and do you host in various homes, restaurants, or some other location?
Diane: All of us live in the Chicago area, except one member who lives in the suburbs. We take turns hosting in our homes, or at a local bookstore.
Lutishia: How do you choose which books to read?
Diane: The member hosting gets to select the book.
Lutishia: That makes sense…my house, my choice! Now Diane, I understand your group read Reverend Feelgood thinking it was Christian fiction. Oops! What were some of the parts about the story that you felt rang true or were appropriate when dealing with the Christian community. What parts of the story made you or perhaps some of the other members uncomfortable, and why?
Diane: The cursing and the explicit sex details! But I definitely feel that some of the things you wrote about are really happening in the churches today; especially how church members try to get closer to the pastor.
Lutishia: Believe it or not, the whole “covering” storyline was inspired by true events, and since the book’s debut, several readers have wrote that they too are familiar with situations where this either has happened or is happening now! But I didn’t write about it so much to expose anyone, but rather because I thought it was a unique perspective of how and why some people share their intimate partners.
While I understand why some readers find parts of my work uncomfortable, I find the whole thing interesting considering the fact that Christians live in the real world, with many watching ‘R’ rated movies and reading Zane! Why do you think we are so uncomfortable reading about what happens every day, when the book involves people who love God and go to church?
Lisa/DeLisa: Personally, Lutishia, I didn’t think the book’s content was that farfetched. I admit that thinking you are reading a Christian book and then getting a visual of the character’s activities was a little startling, but trust me, some of our members will be reading your next book! I think that when someone feels they’re reading a Christian novel, they think it would be more PG rather than rated R because you don’t want to give the wrong impression to non-believers or even believers that profanity and fornication is right, even if it’s something people do.
Lutishia: Okay, so let me make this disclaimer right now: LUTISHIA LOVELY NOVELS ARE NOT CHRISTIAN FICTION! Did y’all hear me out there? :) Excuse me for shouting, but gurlll… no matter how much this is emphasized, and even though these novels are labeled ‘fiction’ on the book’s spine, many readers still assume it’s Christian fiction simply because pastors and church members are involved.
As for your point above about ratings, I understand what you’re saying, but needless to say the folks I write about don't live 'PG' lives! ::wink:: They are a diverse group of people at different points of their spiritual journey – some not saved, some saved and struggling, and others who are living closer to the mark. They love God but might curse, screw, lie, cheat, steal (or have unsaved friends and family who do!), as they work towards those seven virtues defined by your club’s name! Ha! I don’t write about these topics to say they’re ‘right’, I write this way to ‘keep it real’! That’s why my books are labeled Mainstream Fiction, or simply, Fiction. Because Spirit wanted these real, authentic voices to be heard.
I think the whole topic of sexuality is rarely discussed openly and honestly among believers, but I believe it is an important discussion to have. Thank you, ladies, for joining me in it! (And letting me vent a little!) But enough about why I do what I do…who are some of your club's favorite authors, and why?
Diane: Angela Benson, Tiffany Warren, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Victoria Christopher Murray, Kimberla Lawson Roby, and you of course! All of these books leave you with positive messages.
Lutishia: Now, sistah, you did not have to mention me simply because we’re talking! But I appreciate being named among such talented writers. Angela and I are with the same agent, and ReShonda and I conducted workshops at the same conference last year. She is such a sweet soul. Love her! So Christian fiction is obviously a favorite genre of your group. What are some others?
Diane: Mainstream and Mysteries.
Lutishia: Which book have you read recently that created the most interesting discussion for your book club?
Diane/DeLisa: Your books, Lutishia - Heaven Right Here and Reverend Feelgood. Both of these books got a lot of good conversations started. Heaven Right Here is a good book because it had a message that really helped the women. Cy and Hope’s marriage was one that all women would awe over. Cy is a great husband, a forgiving one as well and even though Hope had so many issues, Cy was understanding and never gave up. It was great how you added...into the story which turned out to be a blessing because...(parts of answer deleted to prevent spoiler!) I liked how you mentioned abstinence in the book. This book had a lot of positive messages in it.
Now, Reverend Feelgood, on the other hand, was just like looking at a gospel All My Children. That Pastor had more women than Erika Kane had husbands and I didn’t think that was possible!! LOL!!
Lutishia: LOL!
DeLisa: The whole “covering” issue had our whole book club talking. We could not shut up and we really couldn’t shut up when one of our members said she knew a women who was actually with a man that had been with her grandmother and her mother and the woman didn’t see anything wrong with it. Yes, SHUT UP!! That’s what we said.
Lutishia: See, that’s what I’m talking about! I still can’t believe how many people have written me saying they know somebody who knows somebody. Like you said…shut UP!!!
DeLisa: She said the woman lived in the south. This book had us all roused up and we just couldn’t stop talking. It was like Gospel Zane!!!
Lutishia: Ha! I’ve been given the Zane title a few times. It’s okay, because I am very comfortable with topics of sexuality. Those are some of my favorite scenes to write…so steamy and romantic! She who the Son sets free is free indeed, baby, and this sistah is free! Ha! So tell us, what book have you read lately that you’d most like to become a movie? Who would play the main characters?
DeLisa: Sometimes it’s hard to think back on an old book so since we just finished Rev. Feelgood, I’ll stick with that one. I could see Megan Goode as Melody. Some of the members thought about Lynn Winfield as Katherine. As for Rev. Thicke, perhaps Morris Chestnut (not sure about that one), or Idris Alba. Destiny would be the daughter from “My Wife and Kids” and Nikole Ari Parker would work as Simone. Tyler Perry could play one of the ministers, probably Derrick Montgomery. I see Plain Pat as Nicki Micheaux with no makeup on.
Lutishia: Okay, DeLisa…you and 7 Virtues are hired as my casting directors!!! And OMG, if somebody with Tyler Perry’s phone number is reading this, just go ahead, call a brothah up, and have his people call my people. That is my dream…to have him direct the movie for Reverend Feelgood! From our mouths to God’s ears, for real!
What idea, event, storyline or perhaps bible story you love that you’d like to see made into a novel?
DeLisa: I love the story of David. I can’t wait to meet David in heaven!! LOL!! David had some issues, but even with all his issues God knew David’s heart was after the Lord. I would love to read about the story of David and Bathsheeba and how the brother raped his sister, slept with David’s wives, and my favorite part of all is when David had Urriah killed and the prophet came in there to bust David out and put him on blast. Oh yeah, that’s some good reading right there!!
Lutishia: Some fabulous reading, and talk about ‘R’ rated!!! And best of all, David was a man after God’s own heart! Spirit doesn’t judge the way we think, doesn’t think the way we do, and THAT’S a blessing!
Diane, I have thoroughly enjoyed this interview and I want to thank you, Lisa and DeLisa and your other members for being “Lovely Ladies”. Is there anything else you would like those who check out this page to know about you and your club?
Diane/Lisa: Just that we are a diverse group of women who found a common hobby that has brought us together, even though we were all connected in one way or another already, sharing the love of reading is what brings us together every fourth Sunday to discuss the fabulous books one of our members has chosen.
Lutishia: Fabulous books read by fabulous ladies! It’s an honor to recognize you as March’s book club of the month. Blessings!!!
Would you like to have your book club or internet radio show featured on this page? Would you like me to participate in person, via phone or virtual chat with your discussion about my novels? Please email me asap and I'll tell you how!
LutishiaLovely@yahoo.com
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Natural Sistaz Book Club! (Feb, '10)
In this, the month of love, I am so excited to feature a book club that has learned to love themselves unconditionally and to, in their words, “embrace our wonderful, natural selves”. Join me in a warm, virtual hug to the Natural Sistaz Book Club and its president...Trena Wooldridge!
Claps, applause, whistles!!!
Lutishia: Trena, thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me.
Trena: You’re welcome, Lutishia. It’s a pleasure.
Lutishia: So Trena, what was the first book you read that made an impact on you?
Trena: Toni Morrison’s novel, Jazz, was the first book I read that helped me understand how impactful reading can be, and the true power of words and an imagination.
Lutishia: Toni Morrison is probably one of the deepest authors I’ve ever read! I remember re-reading the first pages of The Bluest Eye, just to become accustomed to her voice, which is so unique. She’s definitely not a sistah to read with distraction in the background! So…had you participated in other book clubs before forming your own?
Trena: Yes. My mom had an active book club. She understood the importance of reading, constructive discussions and sisterhood. After leaving home and moving to a new city, I quickly realized I really looked forward to those club meetings, and decided to form my own.
Lutishia: Wow, a huge shout out to your mama! What an awesome gift. To this day, I remember my 13th birthday present from my mother…a subscription to American Girl magazine. For me, reading is not only fundamental…it is essential to a well-rounded life!
When was Natural Sistaz founded?
Trena: We held our first meeting on April 29, 2006. Our very first book discussed was Changing Faces by Kimberla Lawson Roby.
Lutishia: What inspired you to start a club?
Trena: My mom set the example, but my profound love for reading and desire to fellowship with like-minded women inspired me to start a book club.
Lutishia: And again I say…I love your mama! I also love the name of your club. How did y’all come up with it?
Trena: For the first several years, we didn’t have a name. Then, while walking to our cars after a meeting one day, we were having a discussion about natural hair. We noticed that by coincidence, each of the member’s hair was natural. All of a sudden, the name for our book club just hit us.
Lutishia: I can relate to the natural status, Trena. One of the best things I’ve ever done in life is lock my hair. So easy, effortless and beautiful! How many members are in your club?
Trena: We have six active members, but sometimes have had as many as ten women participating in discussions. Unfortunately, we lost one of our founding members to Sickle Cell Anemia.
Lutishia: Oh my…so sorry for your loss, Trena. Are there any male members in your group?
Trena: No, and we don’t plan on inviting any. We enjoy our girl talk too much!
Lutishia: Ha! I love it - a circle of strong sistahs discussing books. Help us get to know your members. Are they single, married, mothers, career women?
Trena: Lutishia, we are all of the above. Everyone in our club is thirty plus. We consist of single and married women. With the exception of one member, we are all mothers. Some of our members have careers outside of the home while a few are lucky to stay at home and be full-time parents. Everyone in the book club believes in the value of an education.
Among the group you will find engineers, analysts, biologists and healthcare workers. We have a couple that are returning to school to study new fields. Lately, the entrepreneurial bug has bit a few. For instance, I’ve set up a small lab inside my home and use volunteers from the club and their families to act as a focus group for my natural hair product experiments. The eclectic makeup of our book club is one of the things that keep us coming back. You just never know where the conversation will go because of all the experiences each woman brings to the group. I’m so happy they’re in my life and want to take this opportunity and give a shout out to Tiffany, Chiquita, Melanie and Wendy!
Lutishia: Wow, congratulations, Trena. I join in with that shout out! I spoke with Wendy earlier, and felt such a warm spirit. I’m going to try and squeeze Baton Rouge into my schedule this year. Far too long since I’ve been to Louisiana, but let me make a declaration right here and now and say Saints in the house as Superbowl champs! Oh, when the saints go marching in… Black and gold, baby! Who dat? :)
I’ve found that those who start a book club often discover other benefits to a group of people getting together, and bonding around a mutual love of books. Has this happened to you guys? What are some of the other benefits that have come from forming this group?
Trena: This has definitely happened to us. In addition to forming lasting friendships, we have discovered that our book club meetings have served as socialization/therapy sessions. While discussing issues that are relevant to our lives as women, we have found ourselves relating to each other, consoling each other, and realizing that we are more alike than different. The club has also given us the opportunity to discover new cuisine throughout the Baton Rouge area as we meet at a different restaurant each month.
Lutishia: That was my next question, Trena, whether you guys met in member homes or in a public location.
Trena: We started off hosting at member homes, however it was decided that the meetings needed to be a time of escape from reminders of everyday responsibilities. We now meet monthly, at different restaurants around town. If our book has been turned into a movie, we’ll meet at the theatre and then discuss the differences between the movie and the book. The great thing about our chosen hosting arrangement is that we usually discover new parts of town we didn’t know existed. It has let us see the true growth of our little metropolitan area, and do our small part to contribute to the local economy.
Lutishia: Good for you! Natural and conscious, which is so important considering what your economy has had endured as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
Trena: Exactly.
Lutishia: How do you choose which books to read?
Trena: We read books suggested by book club members. We usually make a schedule for the year that includes the book and restaurant for each month.
Lutishia: Does your club choose one book a month? More?
Trena: Only one. With busy career and family lives, we wanted the club to remain more fun than become an added responsibility.
Lutishia: Who are some of your club's favorite authors, and why?
Trena: We read books from authors of various cultural backgrounds. Our favorites are diverse. We like Kimberla Lawson Roby because of the the cultural references, and the fact that the novels are written from a Christian perspective. Dan Brown’s novels are thought provoking page turners. After reading The Da Vinci Code, we decided to go to Italy this coming summer.
Lutishia: How exciting! I spent a week in Rome last May and absolutely loved the city. That history can rub shoulders with our modern world, coexist in the same place, is amazing. I was actually surprised that one of the highlights of my time there was the Vatican. It’s simply stunning. Enjoy ladies!!!
Okay, I interrupted you. Sorry, sistah, but that news about your upcoming Italy visit got me excited!
Trena: We’re excited, too! Okay, other fave authors include Mary Monroe. We loved everything about the God Don’t Like Ugly series; James Patterson, because we are drawn to the Alex Cross character and the way James Patterson seems to relate to and accurately depict the distinctive characteristics of the African-American community; and Greg Iles. He is a southern writer with very suspenseful storylines. His stories have provoked some very animated discussions.
Lutishia: I love your diverse reading tastes! Each type of genre brings its own richness to the literary environment so it is wonderful that you ladies embrace different styles. Which book have you read recently that created the most interesting discussion for your book club?
Trena: Million Dollar Divorce by RM Johnson.
Lutishia: Okay, why did I just think of Tiger Woods? Guess that title would be, mega-million dollar, huh? But I digress, especially considering my next question. Since this is the month for lovers, what romances have you read that warmed your heart?
Trena: A Special Summer by Victoria Wells.
Lutishia: I’m a fan of many romance authors, including Brenda Jackson, Gwyneth Bolton and my favorite, Zuri Day. (For full disclosure, I must state here that Zuri is my alter-ego! ::wink::) Do you guys have some romance favorites?
Trena: Victoria Wells and Brenda Jackson. We haven’t really read a lot of romance novels as a book club but we plan to add the genre to our calendar this year.
Lutishia: Well, then I must highly recommend Zuri Day. She’s a new author, but her current book, Body By Night, and the one coming out in March, Lessons From A Younger Lover, are must reads!!!
Trena, I have thoroughly enjoyed this conversation, and look forward to meeting your group when I’m in the area. Is there anything else you would like those who check out this page to know about you and your club?
Trena: Thanks, Lutishia. As I stated earlier, we keep our book club fun. It is not a super structured event. Sometimes the book becomes an afterthought and the meeting turns into a therapy session. And that’s okay. We are an eclectic group of women. The uniqueness of each member has inspired us to embrace our natural, wonderful selves. Everyone didn’t always embrace natural hair or bare skin but over the years we have learned to love what Mother Nature has blessed us with. Sometimes you have to open yourself up to new experiences, new people and new book genres to truly learn more about yourself. I guess that’s it. Ciao!
Lutishia: Well said, Trena. Ciao, bellas!
Would you like to have your book club or internet radio show featured on this page? Would you like me to participate in person, via phone or virtual chat with your discussion about my novels? Please email me asap and I'll tell you how!
LutishiaLovely@yahoo.com
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