Welcome back for another great author interview. Please welcome Lacha’ Mitchell Scott. I just happened upon this wonder author and I was blown away by her book called, Speak of the Devil. I had to take my time in reading this story. It gave a message that warmed my heart. We all have that family. We all have our own internal issues and if we just hold on to God and His unchanging hand, rejoicing comes. Meet Lacha’.
Lacha’ is finally living her dreams of being a writer
which were birthed through her love of reading. Growing up you could
always find her curled up with a good book. Lacha’s love of words, writing
papers, short stories and poems were her favorite in school. She practiced her
craft and always put her passion into the assignments given. Lacha’
self-published her memoir, Cancer, The Silent Storm, Destiny’s Child book
series Volumes One and Two. As of February 2014, she was signed to the Urban
Christian Imprint of Urban Books, owned by Best Selling author Carl Weber.
Lacha’ is married with four beautiful daughters and one grandson. Being a two
time Breast Cancer survivor has opened many doors for Lacha’ to bless women
with Inspirational Speaking where sharing her testimony bloomed in her
ministry. Lacha’ has been keynote speaker at women’s conferences, revivals and
youth conferences, inside and outside of North Carolina.
In 2012, God’s Girls Rock was birthed. Lacha’s vision
of starting a mentorship for all girls ages eleven through age eighteen
came into fruition. Lacha’ has been featured in Women’s Essence Magazine,
Back to Eden Magazine, Peace in the Storm Publishing Interviews, Urban
Christian interviews and many internet radio interviews. She has had the
pleasure of co-authoring in Never Would Have Made It~ anthology with Tranquil
Moments Publishing, Have A Little Faith~anthology edited by Best Selling Author
Vanessa Miller and A Reflection of Me, an anthology by AAMBC Publications
Presents. All which are published works and available anywhere books are sold.
Lacha’s vision for her writing is that it will enlighten all readers to the
goodness of God in spite of the trials we have to endure in life. It is her
prayer that her writing will inspire other readers who have a dream of becoming
a published writer to pursue and take hold, so that their voices can be heard
through storytelling.
Lacha’ also is the Founder/President of Victorious Ladies Reading,
book club where there are 10 active members. They meet every other month face
to face to discuss the book club read chosen by one of the members. In 2015 VLR
is putting together a women's conference for the purpose of empowering each
woman to the next level.
Lacha’ is a recurrent Breast Cancer survivor. Diagnosed in
2003 at the age of thirty-two, caused Lacha’ to advocate for others with
cancer. She has been provided many platforms to share her story and was even
highlighted in the Durham Herald Sun for a Mother’s Day article as she battled
cancer alongside of her then ten year old daughter.
Lacha’ is currently the Senior Pastor of No Greater Love Christian
Church under the leadership of Overseer and founder Apostle Arlene S.
Chavis. She has a heart for the youth/women’s ministry. Lacha’ has
worked with the youth ministry, prayer warrior ministry, trained, facilitated
workshops, conferences and have taught other leaders within the ministry and
was head minister during her membership at NGLCC. She has also taken classes in
the Christian Education program at Shaw University.
Her favorite scripture is Romans 8:28 – “All things
work together for the good of those who love the Lord and who are called
according to His purpose.”
Why did you want to
become an author? My love of reading as a child sparked my interest in writing. As a
child I didn't have an outlet, so I took to writing my feelings, thoughts and
dreams down on paper.
What do you enjoy
most about connecting with your readers? I absolutely love
the interaction with readers who receive the message behind the words. It's a
blessing when someone tells you that your story has inspired, or reminded them
of what forgiveness is and the importance of family.
What two pieces of
advice would you give to someone wanting to become an author? Two pieces of advice I would offer are to read, read, read, and to
study the literary business.
What do you do when
you are not writing? When I'm not writing, I'm reading or jotting down ideas for my
next stories. I love to spend time with my daughters and grandson.
What is your writing
process and when do you do most of your writing? My writing process includes but isn't limited to; having recording
tools with me everywhere I go. When an idea drops into my spirit I want to make
sure that I don't forget anything that may be useful for my novel. I do most of
my writing in the evenings, when I can steal away and be the most productive.
Who are a few of
your favorite authors and why? Lutisha Lovely-
I've been reading her work from book one and she as well as Renee Daniel
Flagler, Jacquelin Thomas, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Victoria Christopher
Murray, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Pat G'Orge Walker, Vanessa Miller's work has
solidified my desire to want to bring stories to life. E.N. Joy, Rhonda
McKnight, Pat Simmons and many others writing's bless my soul and I want to
birth stories of enlightenment, redemption and healing in my writings.
What other gifts do
you have besides writing and Pastoring? Hmm, I would have to
think really hard about that- lol. Actually I'm a motivator by nature as I lean
on the trials God has brought me through to be a living testimony for many.
Every new challenge excites me because I'm always pushing myself to achieve
greater.
What are you working
on now? I'm working on edits to Up Pops the Devil, which will be released
on November 24, 2015 with Urban Christian. I'm working on a submission as
we speak, but will have to hold out on the details at this time. I have a
young adult series, Destiny's Child, that I'm still giving birth to.
So expect the Kindle and paperback versions of the 2nd volume to be released
this Fall. :)
Thanks so much for allowing me this time- to share my passion and
my work with you.
Excerpt of Speak of the Devil:
Refreshed after a
cup of hot tea, Serena went into her study to check her flashing
voicemail. It had been nearly a week since the last time she was able to spend
any time in her office. Serena was the head of a twenty-four hour prayer
line and was thankful for her team of seasoned
intercessors. They worked the prayer line faithfully and most of the
times without obstacles or issues. In the beginning she ran into many
hurdles and there were bumps in the road, but with extra patience,
prayer and tender loving care, Serena was able to weed out those who
wanted to be a part and get rid of those who were there with insincere motives.
Her mother, Pastor
Crystal Sampson, told her that it was mighty strange that so many people showed
interest in the ministry when it was first announced six years ago. She had
great insight and cautioned Serena on how to handle the group without
causing offence to them. She let Serena know up front that it didn't
take a little bit of nothing to make folks leave the church. The phone rang
before Serena could hit the button on the answering machine to play back her
messages. The red light blinked on and off furiously, but the messages
would have to wait.“Praise the Lord, Prophetess Sampson speaking.” Serena had to concentrate on the pronunciation of her words to keep from straining her voice as her throat was still sore.
“Serena, child is that you?” Crystal sounded worried.
“Yes, Pastor it's me.” Serena rolled her eyes up into her head. She answered the phone too quickly and if she had a chance to think about it before answering, she would have let it roll over to the already full voicemail.
“What in the world is going on with your voice? I've been calling you since after church on Sunday to see how the conference in Atlanta went, but Amina kept telling me that you weren’t available, or were in the shower, or sleeping. Are you two okay over there?” Serena’s mother’s voice boomed through Serena's earpiece.
“Mommy, it is well.
I’m just really tired and I appreciate the wisdom that Amina possesses
to know that I need rest and peace. The last thing I want to do is have a
conversation, plus my throat has been bothering me. You know how taxing it can
be to minister three nights in a row. It's an exhilarating, yet draining
assignment. Women were delivered and set free so mission accomplished. Mother,
the atmosphere changed immediately upon the heartfelt worship of the
people." Serena gave Crystal the quick version.
"Are you
feeling better today? God really must have used you because I can hear it in
your voice. Girl, I know you inside and out and you sound like you're
sick. You musta overdosed on the Holy Ghost, down there in Atlanta."
Crystal laughed at herself. "Mama always knows when something ain't
right with her children. The intercessors had also been trying to get into
contact with you. I guess they grew tired of trying to reach you and
resorted to calling Sister Edna. Evangelist Curry didn’t hesitate to let her
know that she'd left numerous messages on your voicemail, but you hadn't
returned any of her calls. You know Sister Edna is ill equipped
at handling matters of the spirit and you know what she does when she
can't handle an issue. She buzzed me in my office up to fifty times a day.
It didn’t matter that I had counseling sessions booked every hour on the
hour. She doesn’t have any problem reminding folks that she is just
the administrative assistant you know?" Crystal droned on and on in
Serena’s ear."Mommy, please." Serena didn't feel like hearing all of the issues that she was sure that awaited her on the busy voicemail. "What was the issue they were having?" Serena asked.
"Oh, chile something about someone joining the ministry. I can't remember the young woman's name, but I quickly told Evangelist Curry that she would just have to wait until you return to church. That's the reason I placed you over that ministry, so folks can stop coming to me seeking direction on every thing." Crystal fussed.
Serena felt a sermon
coming on, so she spoke up before Crystal came back with more to say, "Tell
me about the service, did any souls get saved Sunday? I will deal with the
intercessors and the prayer line before the day is out. I may need for
Evangelist Curry to stay on call the rest of this week." Serena
wished that she could just crawl back into her bed, pull the covers over
her head and go to sleep.
"Oh my, God
showed up and showed out today, daughter. Judah Praise Team was in
full effect and it didn't take long for the anointing of God to saturate
the place. The Holy Spirit showed up and showed out, like always. It just
blesses my soul to see God's people free in Him." Serena's mother
went off on a tangent and she knew there would be no stopping her mother
until she got tired. "Mommy, did anyone get saved today? It seems like that would be the case since the spirit was so high. Cutting her mother off from replying, Serena continued talking, "How could the anointing be strong and no one got saved?" Serena was aggravated as her passion was seeing folks get saved. The highlight of the service for her was someone surrendered their life to Christ.
“Serena, you know you can’t make people give their lives to Christ, so to answer your question no. No one received salvation today,” Crystal said in a huff. Serena listened to her mother go on and on about everything from Sister Tasha's short dress and how she wished the child would put on more clothes, to Mother Jenkins hollering and crying throughout the service because her baby boy, Jody, had gotten shot hanging out with the gang. Serena had to put her mother on mute for a moment, happy not to have needed to respond to anything she was saying. She called out for Amina to bring her two aspirin and another hot cup of tea. She tried to stay focused on the conversation going on the other end of the phone, but realized her mother was on mute when she called Serena's name to make sure she was still on the line. "Serena? Are you still there? Did you hear what I said? Child, you must be tired, I hope you can get it together before Friday night prayer," Crystal said.
Serena had accidentally pushed the mute button on the handset with her chin. “Mommy, I'm sorry, my mind is really full and I am trying to nurse my throat.” Serena wished she would have let Crystal know that she wasn’t feeling well at the beginning of the call. “Can I call you back tomorrow evening to let you know if I will be able to make it for prayer on Friday evening?” She hoped that her mother would be okay with that. Crystal didn’t like the idea of her daughter not feeling well, but couldn’t act as if she was too concerned because that would cause Serena to shut down. It was no secret for those who knew them that their relationship was strained, but Crystal hoped that would change before it was too late. She was also concerned about Amina who was being groomed and trained in the prophetic ministry.
The two of them stuck together like Frick and Frack. When you saw one, you saw the other. When one was absent the other would be also. They were like Siamese twins joined at the hip. Crystal knew that the ministry would feel the prolonged absence of the two most effective and anointed intercessors at Abiding Savior Christian Community Center. “All right sweetie, please let me know as soon as you are feeling better. We have missed you in your absence. I will put you on the prayer list and also will solicit prayers from the pulpit. I love you and I’m here if you need me, ya hear?”
Serena agreed to
anything her mother said because she was more than ready for the phone
call to end. “Yes, I promise that I will call to let you know either way.”
Before releasing the phone call, Serena had one burning question. “Um,
mother, had Brother Nathaniel Jackson been in service this past week? I
haven’t heard from him since before I left town for the
conference.” Serena waited, hoping her mother would tell her something
about the man who had been unsuccessfully trying to court her for the last
three months. They'd gone on a few dates and she liked him more than she would
admit to anyone. “Brother Nathaniel?”
Hmm, let me think. You know we have so many new members that I am not good
with names.” Crystal laughed out loud, however Serena didn’t find
any humor in what she said. “Mother, he’s the nice looking brother
who stands six feet seven inches. He kind of puts you in the mindset
of Idris Elba. You can’t miss him. Nathaniel is such a
distinguished looking brother with the smooth bald head that looks like he
has it spit shined before church each Sunday." Serena felt her tempature
rising as she leaned back and sighed softly. “Oh yes, Brother
Nathaniel, now I remember him. Serena, are you sweet on him or something?”
Crystal asked her daughter in surprise.
“Why would you ask
that?” Serena closed her eyes wishing she hadn't brought him up.“I’m asking because if you have any interest in that brother, you had better keep your eyes open. Yes he’s been at church since you left, but trust me when I tell you that all of your single sisters haven’t been delivered from the ideology that church is the spot for a hook-up. The difference is that they think it's okay, as long as it's done within the confines of the church walls. Hmmph, a holy hook up is what I hear it's called now adays, but back when I was a little girl, it was called pimpin' in the church.” Crystal said with her tone laced with disgust.
“Pastor, don’t be so
dramatic. I was just wondering if Nathaniel had been in church while I was
away. God showed me that He has greatness in store for him. The Lord also
revealed to me that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing on assignment to
destroy his destiny. Women who are operating in the spirit of Jezebel are
trying to blindside him by flaunting themselves in his presence.” Serena felt
the energy she had on reserve zapped from her just by talking about
Nathaniel. She felt the spirit of jealousy and desire rising up in her flesh
so she took that as her cue to end the conversation before her carnal
nature betrayed her heart.
Serena finally said
her goodbyes to her mother and dropped her head on her desk. Her temples
throbbed as she heard her mother’s voice in her head telling her to watch out
for Nathaniel if she wanted a future with him. Serena had become
complacent believing that he would just follow her around and sniff up
under her forever. Serena admitted to herself that she’d been acting stand
offish. She tried pretending that she wasn't into Nathaniel as much as she was,
to protect her heart from having to possibly repeat the past pain she barely
got over.
Copywrite2014
All rights reservedThank you for stopping by. Show your love and visit Lacha' at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and www.nogreaterlovechurch2.com
Be Blessed
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