Interview with EARNESTINE JOHNSON-STARNES

Author of PRICILLA TRIALS OF A PRAYING MOTHER

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I AM ORIGINALLY FROM WINSTON-SALEM NC.
I NOW LIVE IN KERNERSVILLE, NC.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

MOVED FROM WINSTON-SALEM TO A QUIETER SAFER LOCATION.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

HOLY SPIRIT CAME TO ME IN A DREAM AND TOLD ME TO SHARE MY TESTIMONY ABOUT THE TRIALS AND STORMS I WAS DELIVERED FROM IN MY LIFE.
I ASKED MY FAMILY ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID TO JUST BE OBEDIENT AND WRITE MY STORY. I HAD THEIR SUPPORT THROUGH IT ALL.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

MY BOOK IS ABOUT A MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN WHO ARE GOING THROUGH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABUSE. WITH HER HAVING THE FAITH IN JESUS TO PROTECT HER AND HER KIDS, SHE GOT THE VICTORY AND WAS FREED FROM EVERYTHING.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

MOSTLY PEOPLE WHO GO THROUGH SOME TYPE OF ABUSIVE SITUATIONS. I AM PRAYING THAT IT HELPS ALL GENDERS AND AGES.
ABUSE COMES IN ALL TYPES OF WAYS. HOPING IT TOUCHES THE HEARTS OF THOSE CAUSING THE ABUSE AS WELL.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

I LEARNED THAT WRITING IS GREAT THERAPY FOR THE HEART AND SOUL. GETTING MY BOOK PUBLISHED WAS AN AWESOME EMOTIONAL STEP FOR ME IN MY LIFE.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

I WOULD SAY ALWAYS TRUST GOD. HE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU LEADING, GUIDING YOUR STEPS, WORDS AND ALL THAT IS NEEDED.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

EVERYONE POSSIBLE OF ALL AGES.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE HAS BEEN GETTING MY BOOK OUT TO MORE PLACES WORLDWIDE. WHAT FRUSTRATES ME IS THE COST OF GETTING IT DONE. I KNOW JESUS WILL WORK IT OUT IN MY FAVOR.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

MY BIGGEST STRENGTHS ARE STAYING FOCUS ON MY WRITING.
MY STRENGTHS IN PUBLISHING WILL BE SELECTING A BETTER COMPANY TO GIVE ME MORE THAN THE LAST ONE DID TO MARKET MY BOOK AROUND THE WORLD.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

MY WEAKNESS WAS TRUSTING OTHERS TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEEDED, THEN FINDING OUT LATER FROM OTHER COMPANIES THAT THEY DIDN’T. HAVE NO WEAKNESS WHEN WRITING.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I HAVE ALREADY STARTED WRITING MY NEXT BOOK. I WILL BE WORKING ON FINDING THE RIGHT PUBLISHER SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I USED A TRADITIONAL PUBLISHER.