First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me! When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most?
Thank you for having me!
I realized that writing is what God called me to when he supplied me with a husband. This man said, “If you write, I’ll make sure everything in our home is what it should be. You won’t have to work.” By that, I recognized God had opened a door for me to do this work.
What I love most about being a writer is having people send messages. These messages of how the message in my book resonated with them, bring me total fulfillment.
What frustrates me the most is having to promote to expand the reach of my books. Promotion is a faith act for me. Do I have enough faith that if I act (promote) God will deliver? I do and He does, but I can tell when I’m promoting and when I’m not.
Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you?
I write under three different pen names. Under Danyelle Scroggins, you will find all my Christian fiction and non-fiction books. Under Ivory Keys, you will find steamy romance infused with sin and a portal to Christ. Under D. L. Quaker, you will find my children’s books that are Christian lessons for the young.
I’m on several platforms but my website is my home. You’ll always find what’s next, what’s on for preorder, and a listing of all my books.
Where do you draw your inspiration from for the stories that you manage to weave together and the characters that you create?
My main source for inspiration and character-building is the Holy Spirit. I never know what I’m about to write until I sit down and flow. I also do a lot of praying, reading, and researching. If something hits my mind, I know God put the thought there. So, I search to find what He was saying. Then once I’m solid, I start writing.
I have the people, their problem, how God solves it when they realize it’s solved, and the end praise report.
Do you have a schedule for when you write? Do you outline your novels? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel? What projects are you currently working on?
I have learned to not schedule but to word count. This means I tell myself, seven thousand words a day. It used to be five but I found out I could do more. Each year my word count gets stronger. So, if I’m writing a short, it takes three days to finish. My more lengthy novels took two weeks or more.
I’m finishing the Keatchie Corner Series and working on the Logansport Rivers Series. It is set in a little town in Louisiana called Logansport. I’m also working on a standalone called A Daddy’s Dilemma, and a Christian non-fiction, Why Pray.
What’s the first book you ever read that really moved you emotionally? Who is your favorite author to read? What book are you currently reading?
The first book that ever moved me in my emotions is the Bible. When I learned its true value, I began to open my heart as I read it. Now, as much as it moves me emotionally, my desire is for it to increase my faith, rebuke, restore, and replenish me. So, check my spirit. I read it to make sure I’m aligning my life with God’s Word.
One of my favorite authors is Toni Morrison. I watch videos of her lecturing over and over again. When I’m watching her, I’m getting a glimpse of my grandmother giving me wisdom.
Right now, I’m not reading for pleasure but for greater understanding. I have opened on my desk “Writing And Launching A Bestseller” by Elana Johnson. I heard another one of my favorite authors say, “How can I read other people’s books when I’m writing?” At first, I thought that was selfish of her to say. Then I realized, that if you are writing Danyelle Scroggins, you don’t have time to read. Now, what will it be? Selfish moments to produce. Or, lost time fulfilling pleasure. I chose to produce. So, I have small windows that I open to read books that I’ve bought and are waiting on my Kindle for me to open.
What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?
My greatest achievement is finally moving the needles of my sales. Like, it took forever for me, but I’m grateful that I’m now seeing traction with my book sales. By traction, I mean increase.
In the next five years, I see myself as free as a bird. Writing whatever God puts on my heart, but doing it as if tomorrow my readers will need what I write to survive.
How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career? What is your advice for other writers to better be able to cope or navigate their way through the publishing process, be it traditional or self-publishing?
I have, but I learned that rejection has a way of becoming your best friend. I learned that when the world says, “No”, God is saying “Go.” So I go knowing that if God is for me, He’s more than the world against me.
I would say to younger writers or my younger self, do you? Don’t look to the left or right. Find the way that works for you and do the work. With publishing, either way, you still are accountable for doing the work. So pray, write, eat, edit, eat, write and produce.
Do you find it hard to juggle the creative side of being a writer against the business side of being a writer, in terms of marketing and promotion and things of that nature? How hard has it been (or easy) for you to build up your author platform?
In my older age, I’m learning that without the business side, the creative side will sit doormat. You’ve got to always remember the five P’s of writing: produce, push, press, publish, and promote. Once you remember those, it keeps you knowing where you are versus where you want to be.
Building my platform wasn’t easy, but with the help of consistency, it becomes easier. People will rock with you. When they know you’re writing for them; for their pleasure as well as for their growth. For me, it’s their spiritual growth that I’m trying to ignite. I’m trying to bear witness to what’s within their heart and spirit. Because if we don’t change our hearts, we won’t change our lives. Our heart determines what comes from our mouths, and how we love God, others, or ourselves. And, if I can change a person’s heart through a book, then I’ve done my part.
What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity? How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?
I always find a way to promote Christ. To show how important it is for us as humans to live with good morals and integrity is always my goal. It represents me…the sheep helping sheep.
So, I would hope that every time I’m encountered, whether in books, in person, or indeed, I represent God’s love. His chastisement or either His hands.
I’m always saying that even when I’m dead and gone, my books will live upon the earth as a sign that I was here. If that’s not purpose empowerment, I don’t know what is. It’s the fact that when I’ve crossed to the other side of life, my grandchildren will know exactly how I felt about an issue presented in one of my books. They, as well as millions of other readers, writers, or listeners (in my case), will know that my heart’s desire was and is for them to find Christ. To see His glory shining through books as a display that all things are possible with Him for those who believe
How can readers find you and your books?
You can go to www.danyellescroggins.com, or visit my Amazon page at
http://www.amazon.com/Danyelle-Scroggins/e/B004513RVY.
If you have a question for me, you can always email me at info@danyellescroggins.com.
Author Bio:
Danyelle Scroggins is the Senior Pastor of New Vessels Ministries North in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is a dynamic author of both Christian fiction and non-fiction books. She studied Theology at Louisiana Baptist University, has a Psychology Degree from the University of Phoenix, an Interdisciplinary Degree in Psychology /Biblical Studies, and a Masters’s in Religious Education from Liberty University. She owns Divinely Sown Publishing LLC and is a Chaplain at Ochsner LSU Health Center. She also writes under the pen names: Ivory Keys, and D. L. Quaker.
Social Media Links:
http://www.danyellescroggins.com
http://www.authorivorykeys.com
http://www.twitter.com/pastordanyelle
http://www.facebook.com/authordanyellescroggins
http://www.instagram.com/pastordanyelle or
http://www.instagram.com/author_danyellescroggins
http://www.instagram.com/ivorykeysauthor
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