It is no secret that I love words. I have been an avid reader since earlier childhood and dabbled in spoken word at one time. Why is this important? It is important so that you fully understand the next sentence. I love Olivia Shaw Reel’s word choice and story crafting. I hope that you enjoy this interview and pick up her books. I will be deep diving into her title – Soul Cry soon. It is my pleasure to share with you Olivia Shaw-Reel.
Tell me about your book.
My upcoming novel is entitled Hero for Sale. It can be read as a standalone but will be part of my new collection of romance novels, The Fallon Heights Series. It releases on January 25th.
Here’s the official synopsis: Singing sensation Marion Turner has not had the most positive behaviors in the public eye. From fast living to frivolous spending, self-destruction becomes closer than ever. With the help of his publicist and manager, he embarks on the road to redemption and pays the Children’s Hospital of Fallon Heights a visit, where he meets and befriends a beautiful mother and her young, terminally ill daughter.
Kenya Morrison and her daughter, Kailee, are on the rollercoaster of their lives, with an inoperable brain tumor diagnosis. By faith, and with the help of their new celebrity friend, Kenya and Kailee somehow find the strength to move forward until a devastating secret turns their world upside down yet again.
When the truth comes out, Kenya is left struggling with forgiveness; Kailee is left fighting for her life, and Marion is forced to face his past mistakes and an uncertain future.
Everyone needs a HERO, but at what cost?
Why did you choose to become a Christian Fiction Author?
God called me when I was a little girl to write, but I didn’t realize there were so many genres out there. So when I gave my life to God at 17, I said to myself, “I want to write stories that I, as a Christian, can be comfortable with reading.” I believe every book from any author has a vital message — mine in particular has the message of hope in every situation, every storyline, and through every character flaw. I always tell people I write with the three Es as a goal: to empower, encourage, and entertain. Even after dabbling in Urban Fiction and trying to do what everyone else was doing, God reminded me that Christian Fiction was the genre He called me to minister through, and I haven’t looked back since.
What inspired you to write it?
I am inspired by my own imperfect walk. On the outside, so many people can look like they have it all together, but most times, we don’t. There is a common misconception about Christians that we’re perfect or without flaw, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. So my goal through every book I have ever written is to craft characters who serve a great God, and who experience redemption in their drama-filled, filthy, and imperfect lives.
What is your writing process?
I prefer to type out my storylines; however, if I encounter writer’s block, writing in a notebook helps unblock my brain every single time, as crazy as it sounds! I also write with something on in the background — it could be music or TV, just no excessive talking! In the wee hours of the morning is when God speaks to me creatively and jolts me out of my sleep, and I can say that some of my best work comes when I am turning over in the middle of the night.
What is the best part of being an author?
The best part of being an author comes in the form of encouraging reviews and messages from readers that say my book helped get them through a difficult situation, or one of my characters reminded a reader of someone they love, or the message in one of my books helped minister to a reader who was contemplating suicide or divorce. Yes, that really happened, and it gives me chills to think about it. The ministry in writing is so rewarding.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Kimberla Lawson Roby, Sherron Elise, Andre Ray, and D.A. Bourne.
What book(s) are you most excited to read next?
Vanessa Miller Pierce’s What We Found in Hallelujah. Pat Simmons has a book coming out for the holidays as well, I believe.
Tell me something about you as a person. (Likes, hobbies, family anything you would like readers to know.)
I enjoy vacationing with my family, singing, dancing, and being creative with my hands (jewelry-making, painting, DIY projects, and arts and crafts). My husband and I have a podcast called The Reel Love Podcast and we own a business called Reel Creative Solutions.
What is next? (Events, Projects)
I would love new readers to check out some of my work and connect with me by visiting Amazon or my official storefront, www.osrbooks.com.
Olivia Shaw-Reel, award-winning author and CEO of Reel Creative Solutions. Facebook and Instagram @oliviashawreel. www.osrbooks.com
She Nell is the author of The A Good Thing Series (A Good Thing, A Good Thing2 If I Be Lifted, A Good Thing 3 Vengeance is Mine), Joyful Noise: The Hot Mess Choir, The Devil Thought He Had Me, Her Pleasure His Principles, Ramsey’s bed is Never Cold, and a co-author of Man of My Nightmares. In 2020 she published her tenth Amazon best seller Walking Crooked with Christ and became the CEO of Light and Salt Press LLC. Her blog Shenellinc.com is a go-to resource for writers and readers of Christian Fiction. She holds several nominations and awards. In 2021 she was awarded the Endie Fiya Radio Show Author of the Year and the Best Interview awards.