I’m thrilled to introduce my friend, Eddie Snipes, President of the Christian Authors Guild. You’re in for a treat! You’ll want to get the whole scoop on Eddie below, and don’t forget to leave a comment and you’ll in the drawing for a free book!
Let’s start with an easy question everybody always wants to know: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
In school, I grumbled that I had nothing to write. I often tell people that I was so good in Grammar that I was invited back to take the class four times.
One day my teacher came to my house to see my parents. I’m certain it was to tell them how good I was doing. I heard the knock on the door and answered. There stood my teacher. She said, “Eddie, is your mother home?”
“She ain’t here,” I said.
“Ain’t? Ain’t? Eddie! Where’s your Grammar?”
I shrugged and said, “She ain’t here neither.”
Somewhere between high school and now, a miracle occurred and the dread of writing became a passion.
Now that you’ve fallen in love with it, what is your goal as a writer?
Five years ago I set my goal on making it to Vonda’s blog. Here I am. And it only cost me a year’s wages. (Vonda: I do NOT charge to interview authors on Christian Writer’s Den. However, if any of you would like to pay me a year’s wages, I’ll be happy to plug you right into the schedule. How ’bout next week?? Hehe.)
I didn’t start off with the goal of writing a book. I began writing when doing prison ministry. Prisoners wanted study material, so I began writing my messages out. At first it was a chore, but soon became a love for writing. Now I write almost every day – and enjoy it.
What types of books do you write?
I try to model my writing after Christ. Jesus used fiction and non-fiction. His fictional parables communicated truth and drew people in. When digging into the deeper truths, Jesus taught doctrine. In both instances, he spoke on a level people could understand. The goal was to communicate in ways people could apply to their own lives.
My fiction is like a parable. It isn’t ‘preachy’, but focuses on situations that present God’s grace in ways that even unbelievers can perceive. Hopefully this stirs readers to want more so I can minister through discipleship books.
What’s the biggest compliment you’ve ever received?
On my fiction book, a friend’s daughter said, “There’s no way Eddie wrote this.” Woohoo! It might have been a backhanded compliment, but from a teen, I’ll take it 
While that’s a true story, the highest compliment came from a prisoner who said, “Your writing is so easy to read, even my kids could understand this.” I try to avoid talking over people’s heads. When an uneducated prisoner understands, I know I’m writing on the right level. It’s not about showing what I know, but showing how to know God.
Tell our readers about your books. 
I Called Him Dancer is about a boy growing up in a broken home. His fragile world is shattered when his mother leaves him with a relative and walks out of his life. After seeing a man dancing with grace and acrobatics, he decides to imitate the man and discovers a natural talent for dance. His life’s passion becomes dance and eventually the young man achieves his dream of Broadway. A drug addiction and his inner demons destroy his life and he eventually becomes homeless. His previous dance partner refuses to let go and reaches out to him, but he rejects her. Bitter at God and the world, the dancer embraces a solitary life on the streets. Though he lashes out at God, the Lord has other plans for the fallen dancer.
I Called Him Dancer has a 5 star average after 24 reviews. It’s available in print, but the ebook version is only .99 cents and is available here.
Simple Faith: How every person can experience intimacy with God is also available in print or as a free ebook. Download it here.
Each of us struggle with the tendency to put the weight of faith upon our own shoulders. Christianity can become a fear of failure, and then we miss the joyful journey. According to scripture, the goodness of God leads us to repentance. We follow God’s ways because we see the goodness of fellowship, not from fear of punishment. Instead of feeling like God watches from behind and strikes when we drift off course, the journey becomes about intimacy. It’s two friends walking the road of life, enjoying sweet fellowship, and being helped – not scolded – through difficult times. The sweetness of intimacy is how the Christian life should be lived. Misunderstanding this makes faith a difficult road. Instead of faith being our strength, it adds a burden. I hope this book helps others realize this truth.
Powerful truth, Eddie. I have both of your books and am enjoying reading them. Can’t wait to see how Dancer ends! How can readers get in touch with you?
You can play Batman music and flash a beam in the sky that says, “Free Chicken Fingers,” and I’ll come running. Or you can choose a more conventional method. People can email me through the contact page on my website at
Connect with me on facebook –
Connect with me on twitter – eddiesnipes
I’m also on Google Plus and Linked in.
Eddie’s bio: Eddie Snipes balances writing between a full-time job, five children, and participating in professional organizations. In 2011, he began serving as the President of the Christian Authors Guild.
He has been actively writing since 1998. Eddie contributes to OnePlace.com / Sermon Search, is a speaker, and has served as a Pastor and interim pastor. He actively participates in three writing organizations – The Christian Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club, and has won several writing awards.
Eddie’s favorite genres are not limited the Christian fiction – anything but sappy romance and trashy writing. He reads a little of every genre - as long as he can get it on his Kindle.
Vonda here: What an interesting interview! Thanks for joining us, Eddie, and for giving us a glimpse into your writing life…and your funny bone. Readers, don’t forget to leave a comment and you’ll be in the drawing for one of Eddie’s books! (And don’t forget to order your own copy, too!)
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It’s Not Too Late to Reach Your October
MoGo Goal!
Haven’t met your 7000-word goal on a book project this month yet? Not to worry! You still have plenty of time. October 31 is the last day to write your new words. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to win $100!
Our own Eddie Snipes has written over 140,000 words since MoGo began in January, and if you read his bio, you see that he’s done that with working a full-time job, being a family man, and working in prison ministry, too!
So what are you waiting for? Need more information? Check out the MoGo7000 guidelines here.
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The Christian Communicators Website is LIVE!
If you’re a woman who has felt that God is calling you to a speaking ministry, or perhaps you already have a ministry, but would like to learn how to expand it, I hope you’ll check out ChristianCommunicators.com.
Carolyn Knefely and I are honored to have the opportunity to work with Christian women to share the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus with other women through our conferences, online training, and ministry helps.
As a matter of fact, as you read this, we’re leading our second conference, partnering with women from CT, CO, TX, MO, WV, PA, TN, AL, FL, GA, NC and SC to bring God glory through the spoken and written word.
We hope you’ll check out the new website and sign up for the weekly blog and monthly newsletter. We’ll be announcing our next conference soon and we’d love to have you join us!
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Parting Words from The WORD…
As Christians, and especially as writers and speakers, we’re commanded to go and tell.
“…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Go. Tell.
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
