The Real Housewives of Literature
They are mothers, wives, daughters, aunts and sisters, yet they have found time to make a name for themselves and pursue their dreams.
O.O.S.A.’s goal is to not only acknowledge African American women in literature, but to educate and encourage others. We hope that you will join us as we recognize, respect and applaud their efforts as these phenomenal women make history or in this case, HERstory!
Rhonda McKnight
Status: Divorced
Children: 2, ages 8 and 22
Books: 6
Rhonda McKnight is the author of the Black Expressions Top 20 bestseller A Woman’s Revenge (Mar 2013), What Kind of Fool (Feb 2012), An Inconvenient Friend (Aug 2010), Secrets and Lies (Dec 2009), Breaking All the Rules (Oct 2013), and Give A Little Love (Dec 2013). She was a 2010 African-American Literary Award nominee in the categories of Best Christian Fiction Novel and Best Anthology. She was the winner of the 2010 Emma Award for Favorite Debut Author and the 2009 Shades of Romance Award for Best Christian Fiction Novel. Originally from a small, coastal town in New Jersey, she’s called Atlanta, Georgia, home for fifteen years.
Behind the Books
Do you have a special way to prepare before you sit down to write? If so, what is it? Not really. I have to make myself write, so I just have to mentally make up my mind to do it. I say a prayer and start typing.
What do you wish to accomplish with each book? To entertain my readers and prompt them to say, “Ooo weee!” at least once.
When did the writing bug first bite you? As a child. I wrote my first book when I was 6.
How do you balance being a mother and author? Am I balancing both? I’m a mother first, always. I never put anything before my kids. I prioritize writing and writing related activities in behind them and my full-time job. Some weeks I write, some I don’t. Some weeks I promote heavily, others I don’t. But my writing is important, so I don’t have a lot of other activities at the church or in my community which means I can generally fit my books in right behind my family.
What female authors have influenced you? Victoria Christopher Murray is one the greatest writing influences. She encouraged me to write the story of my heart nearly 20 years ago. It took me 10 years to follow her advice, but when I stopped over-thinking the writing and just wrote from my heart I finished my first project and signed to a book deal. She’s also been a great mentor about the business. I’ve learned more from her in an hour than I’d ever learn in five years in this industry.
Stay tuned next week as we highlight another incredible woman!
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