Writers4Higher: April 2014

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Writers4Higher features Rhett DeVane

Welcome to Writers4Higher

The purpose of the Writers4Higher blog: to feature authors in a new light, a fresh look at the way writers use their talents and life energies to uplift humankind. Writers4Higher doesn’t promote religious or political views. Authors are asked to answer three simple questions: simple, yet complex.

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Rhett DeVane, the humble

Writers4Higher blog master.

It’s been two years now. The Writers4Higher blog has gained its legs and is going strong. I am thrilled to see people from across the globe tuning in to read about the fine featured authors. Hosting this blog has greatly enriched my life, as I have met so many talented, kind people.

Seems only fair that I answer my own probing questions for this two-year anniversary post. Here goes:

1. Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

I am a born and bred Southern woman, from the somewhat rolling hills of North Florida, United States. Originally, from the small town of Chattahoochee, Florida, I have called Tallahassee my home for over thirty-five years.

In my professional life, I am a dental hygienist. This field has provided financial stability and the opportunity to get to know many quality people. I love my patients, and after all of these years, consider them friends. Bless their hearts, they have listened to me as I discussed the latest plot lines, characters, and upcoming releases—mixed in with their care and the required home care instructions, of course.

I look for humor. And I don’t have to search far. Seems I can’t help tripping over some wild situation, some crazy family story, or newspaper article. Humans provide more than enough inspiration for my stories, and the occasional dream.

My latest novel, Suicide Supper Club, found its seed in a funny conversation with my sweet mama. I was her caretaker for the final five years of her life, and we discussed everything, especially end of life issues.

My small-town upbringing provides the inspiration for my writing. I scrape through memories, ask questions of relatives, and keep my eyes and ears open at family gatherings. At one time, they ran from me. Now, they come forward.

2. Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

Wherever it leads, I shall follow. I have a number of novels in first draft, ready for revisions. Not only my Southern fiction series, but middle grade fiction as well: two middle grade fiction series are in the works. Elsbeth and Sim, book one in the Tales from the Emerald Mountains series was released in October of 2013, with plans for book two in the fall of 2014. I pen a few reviews for the Tallahassee Writers Association blog, as time permits, and have reviewed novels for Southern Literary Review.

3. How do you use your talents/time to help others?

For my fellow authors, I host this blog—Writers4Higher. I see my fellow authors as friends, not competition. I have met so many fine people, and hope to meet more. We are put on this earth to help each other. Through Writers4Higher, I promote this philosophy.

As I continue on this writer’s journey, I will continue to gift a portion of my royalties to benefit charities I hold dear. To this end, I frequently donate to local people of my choice. I know where the money goes. I like that.

Would you like to find Rhett?

Check out the links:

Rhett's Website
Order Suicide Supper Club on Amazon
Order Elsbeth and Sim on Amazon
Rhett's People on Facebook

Be sure to visit the Writers4Higher Market! We have gear for the writer in you.

The Writers4Higher Market

Rhett DeVane

Fiction with a Southern Twist

Writers4Higher blog

Rhett's Website

Rhett's funny Southern Blog

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Writers4Higher features Angela Yolanda Hodge

Welcome to Writers4Higher

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Angela Yolanda Hodge

Hi, Angela. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

BIO:

Angela Yolanda Hodge was born and raised in the beautiful town of Madison, Florida.

Angela is a graduate of North Florida Community College. Formerly a teacher for Florida’s Early Head Start Program, Angela has over ten years’ teaching experience.

As a child, she always kept how she felt within her. When trials and tests came, she began to express those moments and her feelings in writing. Writing became therapeutic for Angela, as it allowed her to release the pressure that she says submerged her heart in fear. Angela’s writing taught, kept, and saved her.

Angela currently resides and works in Tallahassee, while enduring many challenges over the years, Angela found a way to overcome the pain and rejection from her childhood. She is a proud mother of three children, five grandchildren, one son-in-law, and two God children.

In 2011, Angela published her first book, Daybreak: Gaining Strength Through Our Pain. In 2012, she contributed two short stories to two anthologies. One of her short stories, entitled, “A Wicked Twist of Fate,” was featured in Barbara Joe Williams’ anthology, 21 Lives of Lisette Donavan, and earned Angela a 2nd place prize in the Tallahassee Authors Network’s short story contest. The other, entitled “The Amazing Journey of Healing,” was featured in Marvin “Merv” Mattair’s anthology, Words from My Kings& Queens. In 2013 she published her second book Daybreak : Rising Above It All With Praise.

She is the Founder and Visionary Director of the Daybreak Community Outreach Program, which is a volunteer Christian base program designed to allow each individuals to be creative in their reading and writing skills we provide five workshops which includes the Daybreak Creative Writing Workshop, Scrapbooking with Daybreak, Daybreak Book Club for Kids, and Daybreak Poetry Slam, and Daybreak Young Author Conference.
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I love Scrapbooking. It allows me to be free in my mind, I can express how I feel without using words. I love spending time with family and friends.

My inspiration is believing in myself, finding my self- worth and moving forward. For many years, I lived in fear, the fear of not being accepted, the fear of rejection, and the fear of not being worthy. I was led on a 31 day transformation, and in those days, I felt I wasn't going to make it. I had to let it all go the past hurt, the pain, the unforgiveness, and the hate, day by day as I read the word. I gain strength to keep pushing, so I stand today and say all is forgiven.

2. Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

I see my writing taking me in many different directions, working with others to help bring out their own gifts and talents. We all were born with a special gift; we just have to discover it and set goals to achieve it.

3. How do you use your talents/time to help other?

I use my talent and time to help others by volunteering in the community my Daybreak program is volunteer services. I do workshops as well and help with the youth department at my church. I volunteer with the FAMU Softball team, Leon County Reading Council, and Leon County High School. I also provide services to GMME-Global Multi Media Enterprise; I’ve been a reader and reviewer for the publishing company.