Today’s guest is Mata Elliott, whose first novel will be released tomorrow by Walk Worthy Press.
- Congratulations on your debut novel, Forgivin’ Ain’t Forgettin’. That’s a great title. Tell me about your book.
Forgivin’ Ain’t Forgettin’ is the story of a young woman who made a heart-wrenching decision when she was a college student. Now at the age of twenty-eight, this decision continues to haunt her. Trapped by feelings of guilt, regret, self-doubt, bitterness, and unforgiveness, she is unable to love herself or have a fulfilling relationship with the man God has blessed her with. Faith, forgiveness, and love are major themes in Forgivin’ Ain’t Forgettin’ because ultimately it is my character’s faith that leads her to forgiveness and to the love she didn’t believe she deserved.
- I’m sure you’ve learned a lot as a new novelist. What about the experience surprised you most?
I learned that I am stronger than I believed I was. I grew up going to church and reciting the scripture “I can do all things through Christ…” But it was not until I actually lived through some life-altering experiences that this scripture became real to me. While writing Forgivin’ Ain’t Forgettin’ I loss three dear family members. At moments I felt like crumpling up and dying myself, but as I reached out to God, He reached back, giving me His strength so that I could finish this book. I also thought I might have some type of emotional breakdown when I received those initial rejection letters. But surprisingly, I didn’t. God reminded me that He was in charge of the doors of my life. He would open the right one when it was time.
- What advice do you have for all the aspiring novelists out there?
Read a lot. Reading is exercise for the brain. Second, finish the manuscript. Even if you have to write one paragraph or a few sentences a day, that’s progress. Finally, write what God tells you to write. I decided to veer from the writing course God had given me, only to have to go back and spend months and months writing what He told me to write in the first place.
- I read your bio and learned that you made the decision to become a writer at a very young age and by the fourth grade had attained your first playwright/director credit. If I were to read the "complete character sketch" on Mata Elliott, what else would I learn?
I’m a city-girl. I was born in Philadelphia, and it’s still my home. As a teenager, I was a late bloomer. I did not go on either one of my proms because I was too shy to talk to boys. But now I’m married to the most wonderful man in the world. I met him while I was teaching elementary school. His little boy was in my class and that’s how we connected. I love chocolate, romantic movies, and animals. Whenever I meet up with a stray I can help, I do. The last little one I rescued was an orange-colored tabby cat abandoned in a parking lot. I don’t like cooking, so I don’t do much of that. The simple things in life make me happy. I can spend hours sitting by my favorite window while reading a good book and listening to the musical selections of the birds in the background.
- Tell me a little about Soul Pen.
Soul Pen is a component of my website, mataelliott.com. It’s a place where I highlight many talented African American authors and write reviews for fiction that feature African-Americans as the major characters in the story. I occasionally include devotions, and I hope to include articles in the future.
- So, what’s next for you?
I am working on a second novel but I am also open to God’s possibilities. Twelve years ago, I was teaching and did not see this season of my life—writing a novel and having it published. So twelve years from now, who knows, I may be writing books or I may be exploring other gifts and passions that have yet to be revealed.
- You can search inside Mata’s book and order it at Amazon.com.
