Author Interview with Toni V. Lee
| An in-depth look at Christian author Toni V. Lee, talking about books, love and life! |
1. Tell us more about EXPECTATIONS!
Expectations is a romantic comedy-drama about a
woman who prays for a husband and receives more
than one unexpected answer.
When Michael Greer barges into Daria Simpson’s home
to avoid a belligerent ex-girlfriend, Daria is not
impressed. Then Michael renews his relationship with
Christ and begins attending her church. Suddenly, the
atmosphere becomes electric, and despite her best
intentions, Daria can’t get her mind off that man. Soon
they’re having monster alerts that have nothing to do
with ogres or dragons. Hilarious encounters, eccentric
aunties, and a persistent ex-girlfriend give them plenty
of action, but nothing prepares them for the arrival of a
secret baby who reveals an awful secret.
It’s a fresh look at the struggle for pre-marital purity and
the power of forgiveness. Using recognizable
characters, situations, and comedy, this novel
addresses the impact of self-discovery, physical
intimacy, and spiritual renewal on the Christian single
man and woman.
2. How much of your personality and life experiences
are in your writing?
I don’t believe that it’s possible to write a story and not
have elements of yourself shape the characters that
you “give birth” to.
In Expectations, the heroine, Daria, and I share the
same profession.
In addition, Daria’s main struggle was my own—
unforgiveness. I experienced firsthand its stagnating
and destructive force. Like Daria, I also experienced
Christ’s liberating power in this area.
Daria and Aunt Lenore have several crab boils in
Expectations. That’s something that I do several times
a month.
3. Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies,
education, etc.)
I have a BSBA degree from the University of Central
Florida and live in Central Florida with my family. I’m a
member of the American Christian Fiction Writers
Association, and I’m a member of the leadership team of
the CIC (Complete in Christ) Singles’ Ministry of my
church.
In addition to writing, I’m a Coordinator of Computer
Applications. I analyze, design, implement, and
maintain computer applications systems.
Besides being an avid reader, I also enjoy watching
romantic-comedy movies and Bollywood/Hindu films. I’m
a fan of Tyler Perry’s works, and listening to
Urban/Black Gospel and Christian alternative music is a
big part of my daily routine.
I absolutely love recreational travel.
Expectations is a romantic comedy-drama about a
woman who prays for a husband and receives more
than one unexpected answer.
When Michael Greer barges into Daria Simpson’s home
to avoid a belligerent ex-girlfriend, Daria is not
impressed. Then Michael renews his relationship with
Christ and begins attending her church. Suddenly, the
atmosphere becomes electric, and despite her best
intentions, Daria can’t get her mind off that man. Soon
they’re having monster alerts that have nothing to do
with ogres or dragons. Hilarious encounters, eccentric
aunties, and a persistent ex-girlfriend give them plenty
of action, but nothing prepares them for the arrival of a
secret baby who reveals an awful secret.
It’s a fresh look at the struggle for pre-marital purity and
the power of forgiveness. Using recognizable
characters, situations, and comedy, this novel
addresses the impact of self-discovery, physical
intimacy, and spiritual renewal on the Christian single
man and woman.
2. How much of your personality and life experiences
are in your writing?
I don’t believe that it’s possible to write a story and not
have elements of yourself shape the characters that
you “give birth” to.
In Expectations, the heroine, Daria, and I share the
same profession.
In addition, Daria’s main struggle was my own—
unforgiveness. I experienced firsthand its stagnating
and destructive force. Like Daria, I also experienced
Christ’s liberating power in this area.
Daria and Aunt Lenore have several crab boils in
Expectations. That’s something that I do several times
a month.
3. Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies,
education, etc.)
I have a BSBA degree from the University of Central
Florida and live in Central Florida with my family. I’m a
member of the American Christian Fiction Writers
Association, and I’m a member of the leadership team of
the CIC (Complete in Christ) Singles’ Ministry of my
church.
In addition to writing, I’m a Coordinator of Computer
Applications. I analyze, design, implement, and
maintain computer applications systems.
Besides being an avid reader, I also enjoy watching
romantic-comedy movies and Bollywood/Hindu films. I’m
a fan of Tyler Perry’s works, and listening to
Urban/Black Gospel and Christian alternative music is a
big part of my daily routine.
I absolutely love recreational travel.
4. If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
I’d definitely read more, and I’d be a romantic
comedy movie junkie. LOL!
5. How does your faith influence your writing?
Acts 17:28 says it best: “For in him we live, and
move, and have our being; as certain also of your
own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
My faith is everything to me. It’s not just a way of
life. It is my life. Because it is so integral to who I
am, it will always be an important factor in anything
that I do. That includes writing novels.
In my novels, I want to spread truth—God’s truth—
through fiction with a liberal coating of laughter.
6. Are there any words of encouragement for
unpublished writers?
• Make sure you know why you’re writing. Are
you writing for profit or to be a conduit for the Lord’
s message?
• Writing is hard work and not everyone will
appreciate your brilliance. LOL! Weigh what you
hear. Accept that which edifies—instructs and
improves. Reject that which destroys.
• Remember, enjoyment of the written word is
subjective. One person may not like your story, but
another may love it.
• Please, please keep it real. Don’t sugarcoat
life and the truth. I have received encouraging
responses from readers about Expectations.
Without fail, they’ve enthused about how real and
believable the characters and situations are. If
readers can identify with your characters and feel
like they are a part of your story, I believe there’s a
better chance of the message being accepted.
7. What question would you love to answer that I
didn't ask?
I’d like to tell readers where they can find me on the
Internet. You can find me at…
www.tonivlee.com
www.tonivlee.blogspot.com
www.shoutlife.com/tonivlee
www.facebook.com/tonivlee
http://praizes.ning.com/profile/tonivlee
I’d also like to tell readers where they can find
Expectations.
Expectations is available at...
• www.tonivlee.com
• On-line bookstores (amazon.com, target.com,
christianbook.com, etc.)
• 1-877-421-READ (7323)
• www.pleasantwordbooks.com
• Local bookstores (If you don't see it on the
shelf, ask for it.)
I’d definitely read more, and I’d be a romantic
comedy movie junkie. LOL!
5. How does your faith influence your writing?
Acts 17:28 says it best: “For in him we live, and
move, and have our being; as certain also of your
own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
My faith is everything to me. It’s not just a way of
life. It is my life. Because it is so integral to who I
am, it will always be an important factor in anything
that I do. That includes writing novels.
In my novels, I want to spread truth—God’s truth—
through fiction with a liberal coating of laughter.
6. Are there any words of encouragement for
unpublished writers?
• Make sure you know why you’re writing. Are
you writing for profit or to be a conduit for the Lord’
s message?
• Writing is hard work and not everyone will
appreciate your brilliance. LOL! Weigh what you
hear. Accept that which edifies—instructs and
improves. Reject that which destroys.
• Remember, enjoyment of the written word is
subjective. One person may not like your story, but
another may love it.
• Please, please keep it real. Don’t sugarcoat
life and the truth. I have received encouraging
responses from readers about Expectations.
Without fail, they’ve enthused about how real and
believable the characters and situations are. If
readers can identify with your characters and feel
like they are a part of your story, I believe there’s a
better chance of the message being accepted.
7. What question would you love to answer that I
didn't ask?
I’d like to tell readers where they can find me on the
Internet. You can find me at…
www.tonivlee.com
www.tonivlee.blogspot.com
www.shoutlife.com/tonivlee
www.facebook.com/tonivlee
http://praizes.ning.com/profile/tonivlee
I’d also like to tell readers where they can find
Expectations.
Expectations is available at...
• www.tonivlee.com
• On-line bookstores (amazon.com, target.com,
christianbook.com, etc.)
• 1-877-421-READ (7323)
• www.pleasantwordbooks.com
• Local bookstores (If you don't see it on the
shelf, ask for it.)
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