Author Interview "LaShae Wallace"
LaShae Wallace loves the Lord with all of her heart, and has been highly favored with wisdom from above. She is another one of our youth who has made a decision to serve the Most High God. Enjoy her Christian lessons, adages, and scriptures for the healing of the mind, body, and spirit.
Tell us a little about your latest book, It Started With A Promise. What inspired you to write this book?
It Started With A Promise was inspired by Luke 1:45 which says, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" After meditating on that verse it stirred up a gift that was already inside me to encourage others. It started with a promise (Romans 12:21) my favorite bible verse "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Which started me on my journey getting to know my personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It Started with His promises the Word of God. It Started with "Look At God" my first published book.
How many other books have you published? Tell us a little bit about each one.
In total I have three published books. I started writing my first book at the age of 17 titled "Look At God" and it was published in 2013 at the age of 22. Look At God is filled with journal entries, Christian lessons, adages, and scriptures for the healing of the mind, body and spirit. I often found myself saying "Look At God" when I saw Him working in my life and just strived to be the woman God destined me to be, using my talents to reach out to others and share the Gospel.
"Season of Purpose" is my second book, after graduating college I remember praying, "God use me in a mighty way for Your Glory and I want others to see You through me" He blessed me with a job mentoring juvenile girls for 2 years, but when that came to an end and my maternal Grandma Manigault passed away I went through a season of pain/purpose. I dedicated "Season Of Purpose" to my Grandma and it was published in 2016. I wanted readers to know God has a purpose for your life far greater than your pain and wanted to encourage others not to let the struggle you're currently going through keep you from the blessings God has for you.
and my third book "It Started With A Promise" ties all of my books together it was published February 2017
I realize I'm living on a word called PROMISE! I gave my gifts back to God, "Look At God prepared me for my Season of Purpose, and It Started With A Promise"
What “message” do you hope your readers will receive from your books?
HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT and above all a relationship with God. When readers read my book I want the words to penetrate their heart and uplift their spirit and know that when God wants you to grow He makes you uncomfortable. Your discomfort is what He's using to PUSH you towards your purpose and your destiny.
How did you know you were called by God to be a Christian writer, and do you have any suggestions on how aspiring authors can know whether God has called them to write?
I've learned that my greatest test is being able to bless someone else while I am going through my own storm.
I remember a burning desire to just text ALL my friends and family and encouraging word every day and they would respond, "I needed that" it was then I realized God has blessed me with a gift to encourage and others prophesied I would write a book. I didn't believe it at first but when God wants you to do something He will keep tugging at your heart and won't leave you alone.
I would suggest always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and don't let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of the Lord for any aspiring authors.
On a more personal note:
Tell us a little about your “real” (Non-writing) life — family, job, church life.
I am a very charismatic 25 year old who loves living life to the fullest.
I am the oldest of 4 children. My parents have been married 27 years and I am engaged to my best friend of almost 6 years Charlton McCowan. We are planning to be married Fall 2018. I am very close to my family..My paternal grandparents had 10 children and I love getting together with all my Aunts/Uncles and cousins on both sides.
I mentioned before a huge part of my life was after graduating from college working at a Youth Development Camp where I was an instructor for at-risk girls. I did that for two years and loved the difference and impact made in many lives. My boss/director of the camp Carlos has the most humble, biggest heart I ever knew and it was hard when I made a decision to take a leap of faith and see what else God had in store for me. I started Graduate School at South Carolina State University for my Master's in Education in Counseling January 2017.
I grew up in the church. I was baptized at Freedom Fellowship Christian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee with Pastor Derek Wakefield at age 14. I attended Brookland Baptist with my family in Columbia,SC but recently joined a church called Worship Encounter with Pastor Jeffrey Williams and First Lady Leticia Williams in January 2017 after a divine connection at a book signing I had where I met Pastor Treska G. and Evangelist Linda and they invited me to some events and their church and when I visited the whole church immediately loved on me and everything was just SO divine and God's presence filled the atmosphere a worship encounter indeed. Pastor Jeffrey is truly anointed and exemplifies the eptiome of a Man of God with much integrity. The first sermon I heard was his series, "Use what you have to get what you need" then "Are you prepared for the Shift" "Unbreakable Faith, Church, and relationships" and "God's not finished" very powerful messages. I love my church family and the mission they have to be Kingdom Builders with a Kingdom mindset.
Does your personal life give you inspiration for your writing?
Yes. Very much so. Everything I go through reflects in my writing. I write my goals, dreams and desires but ultimately when I write I pray and seek God's will.
Who influenced you to become a Christian?
I believe in God not because my parents told me to. Not because a church told me to. But because I've experienced His Grace and Mercy and Favor myself. My family and grandparents were very influential though and taught me the power of prayer.
What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?
I've battled depression since 2010...been broken but I'm healed.
I hide a lot of pain beneath my smile...but I don't look like what I've been through.
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
More books!! I'm working on workbooks for my books, like studies and collaborating with my Sister in Christ Tasha on something I wrote in "It Started With A Promise" yet to F.L.Y you must First Love Yourself . I want to reach our youth and singles to find their worth in the One who fearfully and wonderfully created them.
What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, etc.) and link(s)?