Author Interview "Jill Yvonne"
Jill Yvonne is a Self-Published Author. Years ago, she was a blogger for Skirt.com online magazine. Jill Yvonne freelanced for a magazine entitled “Hollywood Images.” She is currently working on a film project in 2020.
Exclusive Interview
Please tell our readers a little about yourself.
My name is Jill Williams. I am a Christian Mother, a Self -Published Author, an Entrepreneur, and Instructor. I appeared in Writers Magazine, Sister 2 Sister Magazine, as well as Black Enterprise Magazine.
Could you tell us a bit about your new book and the inspiration behind it?
My book is entitled,”My Pain Birthed My Purpose.” It chronicles the number of horrific events that took place in my life. I've suffered from depression, survived domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and rape. Did you know that 30% of domestic violence occurs when a woman becomes pregnant, and 90% of domestic violence occurs while children are in the same or in the next room. The inspiration behind my book was ME. I wanted to inspire other women, who may have traveled down a similar path. So many times I hear the horror stories of sexual abuse, depression, domestic violence, and rape. All the stories are so similar to my own.
I feel as though God allowed me to go through those trials and tribulations to help someone else.
As an author, what would you say were the three biggest struggles you faced while writing your book and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest struggles I faced writing my book was, drifting on the memories: having to rehash the traumatic events stirred what I endured during those dark moments in my life.
The second struggle was, procrastination. I didn’t want to face my past, so I kept putting off writing. I had many days even years when I would say, “ I will get to it one day”.
The third struggle was, will there be an audience. Will people want to read it?
Thank God I pressed through all the negative chatter in my head.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned about yourself as a person while you were writing your book?
The most surprising thing I learned about myself is, that there Isn’t anyway I could have endured this without the help of the Lord. There were things I couldn’t understand when I look back over my life. There’s no way I could have been able to forgive every person who harmed me. I recognized God was there all the time. He was the one who kept me from slitting my wrist.
Can you tell us about some of the responses you’ve gotten about your book from readers.
The responses have been very favorable. Many totally related because either they experienced it, or knew of others who did.
Do you have any unique or quirky writing habits?
I’m very old school. I flush out all my ideas on paper. Then I go to the computer. That’s my quirky writing habit. I also have a special pen I write with.
Is there a message you want readers to take away from your book?
The message I want readers to take away from my book is there are things that happen in our lives that will turn our mess into a message. That is why I named my book "My Pain Birthed My Purpose," because my story helped others who experienced the same things I experienced.
On a more personal note: Tell us a little about your “real” (non-writing) life — family, job, hobbies.
On a personal note, I’ve experienced grief in my life. September 13,2019, I lost my mother.
The most devastating pain ever. I’m thankful she was a Christian mother, who laid a spiritual foundation for our family.
These first holidays have been rough, but with the help of God, this too shall pass.
Who is a creative person (not a writer) who has influenced you and your work.
The most creative person who influenced me was indeed my mother. She told me I would be successful one day. When I decided to relocate to California, she told me to always keep a pad and pen with me. To this day, I always keep something to write with in my purse.
Do you have any advice for the yet-to-be-published writers reading this?
The advice I have for yet to be published writers is, we all have a story to tell. There is an audience awaiting your work. It’s a calling that you were destined to fulfill.
What's next for you? What are you working on now?
Since the death of my mother, I plan on writing about her life. Also, I’m taking myself beyond my comfort zone and currently working on a movie project.
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)?
Where can your book(s) be purchased?
My book can be purchased on Amazon
My Pain Birthed My Purpose, chronicled a number of horrific events, in my life. Depression, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape.These are some of the topics I discuss in my book. My trials and tribulations not only strengthen my faith in God, it made me stronger spiritually. My pain and sorrow enabled me to serve others who traveled down a similar path.
