Meet our feature author Nicole Smith. She stopped by to tell us about her third book titled “Passion Fruit”. Nicole shares her story with us during a Q&A so that we can learn more about her story and her journey as a writer.
Sistah’s Place: How did you start writing?
Nicole Smith: As a minister and minister of the Single’s Ministry, I was searching for books and resources for singles. I searched in Family bookstores, Christian bookstores, and other bookstores. I noticed they had a large area for Family, a large area for Women, for Men, for Marriage, and the children had its own “west wing.” But when I found the single’s section, it was about three rows of books that were under the Marriage section. It was then that I decided to write some resources just for singles.
Sistah’s Place: What inspires you to write?
Nicole Smith: My personal life and the world around me. Being single, I understand what it means. Don’t get me wrong, I love you married folk and maybe one day, I will be there, but in meantime, married people cannot relate to single. They can share how it was being single, past tense, but they cannot relate at this very moment. The things that I experience and the things my single men and women experience inspires me to write.
Sistah’s Place: Tell us about your latest or newest novel?
Nicole Smith: My Book 3 is called “Passion Fruit, Our Passions, and Desires. It is a 28-Day Devotional for Singles. Sex, our passions, and desires are subjects that you don’t hear preached much from the pulpit. It is taught in our Marriage Ministries, but has become almost taboo in our Single’s Ministries. This book helps us to know that God has created in us, passions and desires and He wants to teach us what to do with them. Through the eyes of the Bible, and the experiences of singles, it teaches us how to live the life God created us to live, as singles.
Sistah’s Place: Why did you choose that title?
Nicole Smith: I chose the title “Passion Fruit” because Fruit Passion Fruit is considered to be the most intensely and extremely enticing scent of all fruits. Sexual sin can be as enticing as the passion fruit’s scent. It is so alluring that its power binds you and holds you in bondage, making you a slave to that sexual sin, but God gives you the power to control those passions and desires, by not doing away with them but while keeping them.
Sistah’s Place: Is there a message in the story that you like readers to walk away with?
Nicole Smith: Yes, Holiness. It is not only attainable, but it is a mandate. The Word says “Be ye holy for I am holy.” He is holy. It is not up for debate. That is His character and thus our would need to be that as well. There is a passion, a desire that is inspired by faith, that longing for your Savior, your one and only, God Himself. Fall in love with Jesus. He loves you so much, that He demonstrated His love for you, while you were yet sinners, by dying on the cross. Romans 5:8
Sistah’s Place: Is there someone who influenced you as a writer?
Nicole Smith: I would have to say my younger brother. He would always tell me to “tell my story.” About 10 or 15 years ago, he started an online magazine called the Vision and he gave me the opportunity to write in his magazine. He is now a published author working on his next book project.
Sistah’s Place: What’s your favorite story?
Nicole Smith: My favorite story is Passion Fruit.
Sistah’s Place: Is there an author that you would love to collaborate with?
Nicole Smith: I would collaborate with Norma McLauchlin. She writes of worth. All of her books, devotionals, and journals cause you to look deeper and answer some thought-provoking questions.
Sistah’s Place: How can readers learn more about you and get to know you as an author?
Nicole Smith: They can visit me on my Opened Palms Ministry
Website: www.openedpalms.com
Email: openedpalms@gmail.com
nicolesmith@openedpalms.com
Facebook: facebook.com/n.ferguson.smith
@openedpalms
Instagram: openedpalms
Twitter: nicolesmith@openedpalms
Sistah’s Place: What advice would you give a new writer or someone desiring to write?
Nicole Smith: WRITE-Get it on paper! Write it down. Don’t worry about the order, editing, or grammar.
We enjoyed talking with Nicole about her latest book, Passion Fruit. Get your copy today and follow her on all social channels. We wish you nothing but success with your novels. Continue to strive high for the sky is the limit.
Originally featured in June/July magazine issue.