Author Debut Spotlight with Valecia Carter

New author spotlight feature with Valecia Carter by Terri Shayne

Meet Valecia Carter, a new author with her debut non-fiction book “My Heart My Love My Life My Lord” Living Life Past the Pain. As with all new authors, Valecia is excited to share her story with readers and be an instrument for others.

When we share our own personal testimony it becomes a light for those either going through the storm or feeling like there is no hope. For another woman to see hope, happiness, and success through the personal journey of another is healing. Join me as we take this journey to get to know a new author by the name of Mrs. Valecia Carter.

Who is Valecia Carter? She is a wife of 22 years, a mother of seven children, a grandmother of fifteen children, and now a published author. You are a woman of many titles and our hat is off to you. Meanwhile, Valecia is a woman of faith and trust God with her many hats that she must juggle with her family. There is more to this beautiful sister as she is a motivational speaker, blogger, and certified marriage coach. She wrote her debut novel in hopes to help women and men struggling in their relationship. As she continues to write, Valecia hope to get her book written for the big screen.

I invite you to sit back and join a Q&A with Valecia Carter and get to know more about the author and her story.

Terri Shayne: Tell our readers about your debut non-fiction book “My Heart My Love My Life My Lord-Living Life Past the Pain.”

Valecia Carter: Well, this book is about a single Mother who gets married and struggles with many issues and dilemmas that she faces throughout the course of her marriage. Because she is determined to be happy in her marriage she overcomes these obstacles by the power of God. She believes in happily ever after, so she fights through the hurt, pain, anger, and frustration. It’s either stand and fight or give up what she asked for God to give her. She had to ask herself this question; Are you prepared to throw away what you said is “A Gift from God?”

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Terri Shayne: Your title is unique; tell us how did you come up with the title to your novel?

Valecia Carter: Everyone says I wear my heart on my sleeve and when I thought about it they were right. We as people base many of our decisions from our heart, which is why the first part is “My Heart”. We also want love and we want it to last and I love hard straight from the heart, so the next part of my title is “My Love”.

Next, these two points are major factors in the life that I live, so the next part of the title is none other than, “My Life”. Finally, I am a Christian and although I should always put God first, I did not always do that, so eventually, I turned to the Bible and I read Psalm 34, 4:22, which says, I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears, so the last part of my title is ‘My Lord”. Because of that scripture, I was able to gain strength and courage, which is where my subtitle comes in, which is “Living Life Past the Pain.”

Terri Shayne: Whenever there is a novel that is a personal journey and testimony, I know there is always a message you want readers to walk away with. What is your message that you want readers to walk away with after reading, “My Heart My Love My Life My Lord”?

Valecia Carter: I want the message to get across to men and women of all ages who struggle with being a mother, a father, married, having a blended family, those struggling with emotional distress, addiction, betrayal, commitment, faith, trust, love, and those who

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want or have a relationship with the Lord. If you stand on Gods promises you will not only reach your potential, but you will be victorious over every obstacle you are faced with.

Terri Shayne: Being a new author, tell us who inspired you to writer?

Valecia Carter: I actually started journaling since 2005 and I told my husband many times from 2012 to 2015 that I was going to write a book, but I wasn’t sure how I would start. My husband is the one who encouraged me to follow my dreams and not to give up. So when the opportunity presented itself, he gave me that push and my actual journey began last year in November 2017 when I took an Authorship Course.

Terri Shayne: Name three of your favorite authors and tell me why?

Valecia Carter: Kimberly R. Lock because her books are written with references to scriptures from the bible and truth. Her messages in her books are very profound. Dr. Seuss because his creativity is amazing, and all my children loved every Dr. Seuss book I read to them. I am still reading them to my grandchildren. Then my last favorite author is Terry McMillan because her books keep me wanting to turn page after page. Her writing is very relatable.

Terri Shayne: Tell me how does it feel to be a published author?

Valecia Carter: It is a blessing that I don’t take for granted. I love hearing how my story has impacted so many people. I attended a conference in Dallas, TX this year and there were at least a dozen people who bought my book that live outside the United States. I feel accomplished, not only because those who bought my book are in different countries, but because many people have contacted me and stated that my story is one they can relate to and they thanked me for writing it.

Terri Shayne: What advice can you give others who dream of writing a book?

Valecia Carter: I will tell them to keep a notepad with them at all times and just journal and write anytime they get a thought or gesture. Keep everything in one location so that they don’t have notes, thoughts or ideas on pieces of paper all over the place because it is easier to reference back to your notepad or notebook. Finally, you can do anything you put your mind to as long as you have Jesus with you. Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Terri Shayne: How can readers find out more about your events and how to get your book?

Valecia Carter: Readers can subscribe to my newsletter on my website at www.abovetheheart.net and I can be reached by email at authorvgcarter2018@yahoo.com and abovetheheart0803@gmail.com They can keep up with my events on my website under events tab.

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We wish you much success on your author journey. Continue to share your story and be a testimony to others as your story is meant to help others. Thank you for sharing your with our readers. Be sure to visit her website and pick up your copy today. It’s a great gift for the holidays.

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