Interview with Eddie Snipes

» Posted on Dec 9, 2011 in Blog | Comments Off on Interview with Eddie Snipes

This week I’m hosting Kathy Herman with Dangerous Mercy, Rose McCauley with Christmas Belles of Georgia, Eddie Snipes with I Called Him Dancer, and Rebecca Jacoby with Beating Cancer. If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (December 11th) evening.

Interview with Eddie Snipes:

How did this story come to you?

In 2009, two song writers named Tralena Walker and Tom Webster visited the Atlanta Writers Club. They were scheduled to speak at the second hour of our meeting. I almost didn’t stay since I had no interest in song writing. I headed down the hall after the first session ended, but when I reached for the door, I had the strange urge to stay. At the end of their presentation, Tralena performed a song titled, Dancer, and then said, “I’ve been trying to find someone to write about this song. I think it would make a great novel.”

Until then, I was a passive spectator, but her words made my head explode. Embarrassed by the loud pop, I quickly scooped up the pieces and reassembled my head and discovered that the book was mixed into my brain matter. The whole story hit me at once. I met with them and we worked together shaping the story into what it is today.

Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

I never expected to become a writer, much less did I plan to get published. When I was a child, I got my first book. I flipped through the pages, then tore it apart. I didn’t know it at the time, but that’s exactly what you do when editing a manuscript.

I hated writing when I was younger. I only did what I had to do, and sometimes not even that. Writers block was more like writers dementia. My mind didn’t return to me until after… hmmm. What were we talking about?

In 1998, I became active in prison ministry. Many of the men I ministered to were eager to learn. Someone asked me if I had my studies or notes on paper. I agreed to write out the next study and then my writing career was born. The problem wasn’t that I couldn’t write. It was that I didn’t have something to say. Or didn’t realize I had something to say. Over time writing transformed from a task to a passion.

Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

I’m dyslexic, but hey, slysdexics are teople poo.

I have 5 kids – all girls. I did get a male dog to get some testosterone in the house.

My favorite hobby is to tap dance on oatmeal while reciting Shakespear.

What are you working on now and what’s next for you?

I have many project going. I’m working on my new release, Sound Mind. It’s a non-fiction book about how to deal with emotions in a healthy way. This was inspired by many discussions with my 5 girls. While working through a problem with my third daughter, I realized these same issues keep coming up. Maybe it’s time to put these things on paper.

Parting comments?

I try to make my books affordable. The ebook version of I Called Him Dancer is only .99 cents. The ebook version of my discipleship books are free downloads from my website. All are available in print as well.

Where can fans find you on the internet?

My website is http://www.eddiesnipes.com

Twitter: @eddiesnipes

I’m also on Facebook and LinkedIn.