Lisa ~
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CHASING A DREAMA family…a career…a dream…can a woman really have it all?
Florence Kinkaid is content as a small town clothing designer and seamstress. Married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two sets of twins, she’s certain her life is complete. But deep in her heart a forgotten dream waits. A dream she tries to ignore. When a noted fashion mogul undertakes a nationwide contest to discover America’s next fashion designer, Flo wonders…what if?
Flo secretly enters the contest and is thrilled when she is named one of the top five finalists. When she tells her husband William, she’s shocked to find opposition in her own home. William wants things to stay as they are and does his best to discourage her from leaving. He calls her opportunity a pipe dream. Hurt, but determined to get a second chance at her dream, Flo decides to prove her husband wrong and follow her heart. But in doing so, will it cost her more than she’s willing to pay?
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Excerpt from CHASING A DREAM
“William, we need to get away, just the two of us,” she said, seductively, staring at him chomping down on his food. He never looked up at her, making her feel some type of way. “There is a life outside of Gomer, you know.”
Chewing in rapid motion, he commented, “People are going crazy with these mass shootings and driving trucks with bombs into crowds, baby. We need to wait until things get better, then we’ll see the world.”
She rolled her eyes, tired of hearing the same old yadda, yadda.
“And besides, we can’t afford it right now.” He pushed his plate forward, sucked his teeth, and said, “Are you going through…um, what they call it?”
She cut her eyes over at him, annoyed, knowing what he was about to say.
“A mid-life crisis.”
“Are you serious, Will? It’s been years since the two of us have gone anywhere alone. And no, I’m not going through a mid-life crisis. I’m tired of coming in last place in this house.”
She stood from her seat, hands on hip, continuing her complaint.
“It’s bad enough that I’ve had to put my dreams on hold. And so have you.” She didn’t mean for that to slip out, but his cheapskate ways made her lash out and say what she’d been holding in.
“Look, I have to go.” He pushed from the table, wiping his mouth. He tried leaning in to kiss her goodbye.
She winced, turning her face away from him.
He tried once more to touch her but she remained stiff as a board. “Flo, we’re not kids anymore and we’re certainly not getting any younger. It’s time we let go of these pipe dreams.”
Chewing in rapid motion, he commented, “People are going crazy with these mass shootings and driving trucks with bombs into crowds, baby. We need to wait until things get better, then we’ll see the world.”
She rolled her eyes, tired of hearing the same old yadda, yadda.
“And besides, we can’t afford it right now.” He pushed his plate forward, sucked his teeth, and said, “Are you going through…um, what they call it?”
She cut her eyes over at him, annoyed, knowing what he was about to say.
“A mid-life crisis.”
“Are you serious, Will? It’s been years since the two of us have gone anywhere alone. And no, I’m not going through a mid-life crisis. I’m tired of coming in last place in this house.”
She stood from her seat, hands on hip, continuing her complaint.
“It’s bad enough that I’ve had to put my dreams on hold. And so have you.” She didn’t mean for that to slip out, but his cheapskate ways made her lash out and say what she’d been holding in.
“Look, I have to go.” He pushed from the table, wiping his mouth. He tried leaning in to kiss her goodbye.
She winced, turning her face away from him.
He tried once more to touch her but she remained stiff as a board. “Flo, we’re not kids anymore and we’re certainly not getting any younger. It’s time we let go of these pipe dreams.”
Interview with SHEILA L. JACKSON
How does your faith fit into your books?
There is no way that I could write Christian Fiction if my faith didn’t play a huge part in it. I have faced many obstacles in my life and it shows through my writing. The characters I created each have to face some type of difficulties in their lives, but it is their faith that brings them through.
What is your favorite positive saying or motivational phrase?
I coined this one myself years ago to help keep me inspired, “I want more out of life than just to exist.”
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes. Never allow anyone to extinguish your dreams. God anointed you with the gift, not others.
How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in your book?
A lot, some are lovable, witty, corny, dramatic, and aggressive. I have all these characteristics rolled up in one body, each shows up in my life when needed.
What is the most pivotal point of a writer’s life?
For me, when readers express how my stories helped them through difficult situations in their lives. It’s a sign of validation, knowing that the words God has inspired me to write is reaching and helping others.
What do you like the most about being an author?
Knowing that lives are changed and life lessons are learned through the stories that I tell, is a blessing as well as rewarding. Whenever I want to give up on writing, there is always a reader that will send me a letter about how my books have changed his or her life. It fuels my spirit to continue on this uncertain journey as a writer.
Why did you write, Chasing A Dream?
For others to know that there is no age limit when wanting to start on a new career path. When God gives you the vision, it’s for you. Stop looking for validation from those who cannot see it.
When Sheila is not writing, you can find her at the movies. She is a huge fan of the Marvel/DC Cinematic Universe and action/thriller/suspense movies.
Sheila has penned many articles, such as: Only the Strong Survive, Count it all Joy, Suffering in Silence, and The World of Sports-When the Glitz and Glamour Ends, which all appeared in Dream Magazine. Sheila also wrote: Voting Booths -Speak now or forever hold your peace (during the 2008 presidential election) for the Shreveport Times
Mrs. Jackson has appeared on KTBS-TV, Comcast Cable Station, and KOKA with Barbara Norton (State Representative) & Curtis Wright, 1340 Super-Talk, KMJJ, and From Bondage to Freedom radio/studio broadcasts. Along with her media and radio appearances/interviews, she has also appeared in The Forum, SB Magazine, Dream Magazine, Urban Faith Magazine and The Shreveport Times.
Connect with the author:
Website: www.sheilaljackson2.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sheilalj
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sheila4343
Twitter: twitter.com/sheilaljackson
