An Unforgettable Journey
“If feel like this book takes one on a physical, emotional, and spiritual journey. Its heartfelt love and warm hugs you like a blanket in the winter cold, so you never want to let it go. It’s truth tugs at your heart like a good reality check. The deep and rich illustrations reflect the universal themes of life. Cherish Each Moment definitely comforts, challenges, and inspires every generation to take care of what really matters most.”
-Blackgirlsmatter2020
Tell me more about your latest book.
This year I know has been an extremely challenging and difficult year of uncertainty for every generation with the global pandemic impacting all of our lives.Today, there are many that are feeling wounded, broken, lonely, poor in spirit, hopeless, and at the end of their rope. My book, CHERISH EACH MOMENT can help every generation find hope, especially when some people feel such despair, isolation, and lack peace and encouragement.
While trouble appears to be on every side, here are some of the messages you can learn from CHERISH EACH MOMENT. Be teachable for there will be Teachable Moments. Life always brings daily lessons. If you are a lifelong learner and have a growth mind-set you can learn from any source, under any circumstance, and especially those not to your liking.
Don’t forget these words, be Battle Ready, armed dangerously with words of faith, prayer and the Word, and you will be victorious. Remember you’re Adjusting to God’s Will. You can’t afford to live without Harmony which basically can be summed up in seven little letters R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Yes, You Can, Do Anything! Life Choices are too important to mess up.Sometimes you have to say these words, Step Back, Devil! Don’t let anyone ever dim your Light. Maintain your Peace at all cost! You are tobe a Life-Light for the world to see. Pray, it is the key to everything! Dream Gateway, grants you possibilities of unlimited opportunities. Never let it be said that you didn’t take risks and pursue all avenues. Identity plays an important part in everyone’s life. Everyone needs to know who he or she is. Identity is ever evolving. Various elements of identity are personal identity, family identity, social identity, gender identity, sexual identity, cultural identity, and racial identity which impacts one’s identity throughout life. There will be Moments of Faith. Defining Moments will show you who you really are and where you really stand really fast, when the heat of adversity gets turned up. The choice of Life or Death is up to you, choose wisely.
Let this not be said of you,
Quite too often people wait too late to give the flowers, to say the words,
“I love you!”
“I forgive you!”
“I’m proud of you!”
“I miss you!
You’re special!”
You’re amazing!”
You’re beautiful!
“I need you!”
WE NEED OUR FLOWERS NOW, IN THE MOMENT!
This is definitely a demonstration of going beyond present circumstances to witness the beauty of everyday being special.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
What I find challenging in my writing is when I have to tap into the emotional side of things. For instance, this book is written in loving memory of my beautiful mom, Annette Jackson (February 3, 1943- October 22, 2008). Nevertheless, I dedicated the last section of my book titled, “Remembering You/Memory of You Moments” as a tribute to her. This tribute section was the hardest to write because of the emotions it conjured up.
My mom’s poetic and poignant last words to “Cherish Each Moment,” not only led to the creation of this book title, but also the song tribute included in the last portion of my book.
None of us want to say goodbye to anyone that we have come to love and cherish. This is why, it’s important that we “CHERISH EACH MOMENT” we are granted by God.
God has truly been the source of my strength in dealing with the loss of my mom. It’s always hard to say goodbye to love ones that depart from this earth. May we all live without regrets, then when a love one dies we don’t have to soberly think about what we could have, should have, would have said, or done instead of what in reality our actions spoke loudly and clearly.
What motivated you to become an author?
My voracious love for reading birthed a desire to write life-changing literature that speaks about the power of faith in God. She has a strong desire to inspire, to motivate, and entertain a multicultural diverse group of people by encouraging and challenging them to live a life of purpose.
What brought you to write this book?
After losing my beloved mother to cancer, I realized I needed to live out her poetic, poignant reminder to “CHERISH EACH MOMENT.” Those words of wisdom not only led to the creation of this book, but also a song tribute, the personal commitment to make each moment last, and a dedication to sharing her journey with others.
How many books have you written so far?
So far, I have written three books but have published only this one.
What book or books had a strong influence on you and your writing?
Most definitely the Bible has a strong influence on my writing. Sometimes whatever I’m reading during the time I’m writing can factor into my writing in some way.
How hard is it to establish in nonfiction?
It’s not easy to try to establish in nonfiction as a poet. Truth be told, the life of a nonfiction writer is not for the faint of heart. It’s ever evolving, but I’m in it to stay.
Where do you love to write?
I love to write in the various spaces that I’m inspired to write. One thing I learned is I don’t ever want to just confine myself to one particular writing location because I could possibly miss out on opportunities that present themselves that go beyond time, space to flow, to grow, and to capture thoughts that are begging to be brought to life.
Where do you get your ideas from?
As I mentioned earlier, I sometimes get ideas from fiction or nonfiction, that I read. Other writing inspiration sources include people like my students, family, friends, and circumstances.
What is your favorite nonfiction book?
One of my favorite nonfiction books is Hello, Tomorrow The Transformational Power of Vison by Cindy Trimm. I’m a strong believer that there is power in our words and no words are more powerful than the Word of God. This book gets you to not only create words but create the action behind them, bringing vision to life.
Cherish Each Moment: Poetry, Spoken Word, Inspirations, and Reflections https://www.amazon.com/dp/1532087209/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0WZE9MJR1F1393JWWAP6
Queenie's BookTalk and Reviews 