Waletta is a Louisiana native. She was born in Shreveport and raised in Bossier City. Reading has been a part of her life from a very young age.
Graduating from Texas College in Tyler, Texas, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She also holds a Master of Public Administration from The University of Oklahoma. For over twenty years, she worked for higher education before deciding to write full time. She currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida with her husband, Donald.
Kiesha Jackson's peaceful life is about to change!
Her mother receives military orders to Afghanistan. Keisha goes to live with her grandparents in Magnolia, Florida. The new high school principal is far more concerned with protecting her career than protecting innocent students. When Kiesha unintentionally breaks the school's zero-tolerance policy, she enters the school-to-prison pipeline.
Will Keisha muddle in the injustice of it all? Or will she become a conduit for change?
A row of sparsely planted shrubs extended along the front of the house. She watched a large lizard leap from one of the front windows onto the decorative plant before knocking on the front door. After a moment, the door swung open to reveal a petite blond-haired, blue-eyed woman holding an adorable blond-haired, blue-eyed toddler boy. The child removed the sippy cup from his lips and tendered a delightful gum-filled smile. Chaos lay on the other side of the threshold—scattered toys and clothes, and a child dancing with Barney the Dinosaur blaring from the television. The clamor of screaming children reverberated out from other places in the house.
The woman wrinkled her nose before speaking. “Hello? May I help you?”
“Mrs. Vickers?”
“Yes?” The woman curled her lips.
Shirley squared her shoulders and sized her up. “My name is Shirley Jackson. I understand you had a problem with my daughter this afternoon.”
“Excuse me?” asked the woman with a confused look on her face.
The toddler threw his sippy cup on the floor.
“My daughter, Keisha, was the teenage girl you chased in your van this afternoon.”
Mrs. Vickers jaws dropped, and her face drained of color. “I …I don’t know what… she was throwing rocks.”
“No, she wasn’t.” Shirley stared her down. “You also felt the need to shout a few racial epithets out of your van window.”
Mrs. Vickers eyes grew large and bulgy. “I’m not prejudice or anything. I have black friends.” Vickers crinkled up her nose and mustered up a fake smile.
Shirley raised her hand and cut her off as she opened her mouth to speak. “Congratulations. I’m not here to argue with you. I’m here to warn you. Stay away from my daughter. Don’t say another word to her. If you see her walking down the street, don’t even speak to her. Not one word. Nothing!”
1. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I believe my writing is my ministry. Therefore, I use my writing to remind others of the love of Christ. I have had some challenges in my life. I’ve been hurt. I’ve lost loved ones. I’ve made bad choices and paid the consequences. But God has seen me through all of it. I want to share my stories and others like it, to remind people that God loves them. He knows all about our little secrets and he still loves us. My desire is to touch the hearts of readers by exposing the love of God in every facet of the lives of my characters.
2. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Sometimes writing can be exhilarating. I call it my “sweet spot.” But getting to the sweet spot can be a difficult writing obstacle. Sometimes I must work for every word, strain for every sentence, and push for every paragraph. One of my favorite ways to overcome the lack of inspiration is to call an older family member. Older family members have a plethora of experiences, and most are willing to share. I ask questions and learn about their lives and my life. These conversations inspire me to write.
3. What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Authors put in a lot of work and sacrifice a lot of time to share their new book baby with the world. Mistakes are made and lessons are learned. I advised new authors to read often. It will increase your vocabulary and your creativity. You’ll also learn what good writing looks and sounds like.
- Tell us about For Such A Time As This – a brief blurb:
Keisha Jackson’s peaceful life is about to change!
Her mother receives military orders to Afghanistan. Keisha goes to live with her grandparents in Magnolia, Florida. The new high school principal is far more concerned with protecting her career than protecting innocent students. When Keisha unintentionally breaks the school's zero-tolerance policy, she enters the school-to-prison pipeline.
Will Keisha muddle in the injustice of it all? Or will she become a conduit for change?
- Is there one particular message or “moral of the story” you hope readers walk away with?
Yes, I hope readers will understand that God created each of us with a particular purpose in mind. When we find that purpose, and walk in it, we become a blessing to the kingdom.
- What one question would you like us to ask your readers? (this is the one that they answer to win what you’re giving away IF there is a giveaway, if not, ignore.)
Do you know God’s purpose for your life? If so, please share.
- Tell us about the giveaway you’re offering. (if there is one).
I am giving away a signed copy of For Such A Time As This.
- How did For Such A Time As This get started?
I was invited to speak at a church service in Ringgold, Louisiana a few years back. One of the other speakers was Ms. Daryl Joy Ellis. Her topic was the school-to-prison pipeline. I was surprised to find out that it existed and ashamed that I hadn’t heard about it. The "school-to-prison pipeline," is a troubling national trend wherein children are funneled out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
I developed a story around the topic.
- How do you see yourself in your character’s story, if at all?
Yes. I’ve experienced a lot of difficult challenges. I’ve done things I’m not so proud of. There are others who are going through the same things that I have been through and overcome. My job is to share with others so they can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
- Where do you like to write?
I like to write amongst the clutter at the desk in my home office. But you can also find me with my feet tucked under the covers in my bedroom late at night or at my favorite spot on the couch in the living room.
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