What do you do for work?
I am a journalist by trade and also practise Public Relations.
What do you write and where have your pieces been featured?
I write positive inspirational features on celebrities or business women, many of whom have overcome obstacles to build businesses–that in many cases, now turn over millions of pounds.
How were you able to make writing a career?
Through hard work, focus and vision. I got my first taste of work experience, thanks to one of my college lecturers. She knew that I wanted to become a journalist and recommended I gain some work experience on a newspaper called West Indian News. This was way back in 1986. I felt so proud of my first article which was published on July 2 of that year. I produced it on a typewriter back then, like most people! I mentioned my hard work, focus and vision, but years later I began to realise that back then, God was guiding my steps, even though I did not have a relationship with him.
It’s a common misconception that being a writer as a career is nearly impossible to do and be able to maintain a livelihood from it. What would you share with aspiring writers to give them hope that it’s possible?
You can make a living out of it. Some of the richest women in the world are writers – JK Rowlings, the author of Harry Potter is a great example of someone who is actually a dollar billionaire thanks to writing.
Attitude and belief is everything. I bought my first home thanks to writing. Way back in the year 2000, I spent a year juggling freelancing for national newspapers such as The Guardian, with four or five shifts a week as an editor for CNN International – a writing role. I was living with my mum, CNN was paying me quite a lot of money and so I was able to save around £1,000 a month. I wanted to use my money to buy clothes and go on holiday, but thankfully I put a deposit on a two bedroom home, where I am still living.
Having said this, some writers do combine their work with teaching or lecturing or even working in a library where they can indulge in their love of the written word. I believe the late author Toni Morrison worked as a lecturer.
I haven’t achieved my potential as a writer because I always doubted myself, even after winning two awards for journalism in May and June of the year 2000. Yes, that was twenty five years ago and I have won five more since then.
Doubt began to evaporate when I became a disciple [Christian] in London, as other disciples kept praising my writing. I remember writing a press release on a philanthropic project for my church, which involved disciples collecting food from supermarkets and it was not only praised by disciples, but also led to an article in a newspaper, after I sent the press release to the newspaper. I have since got the London church on TV (social media platform of a London TV station) and in other newspapers because of my writing.
What is one of the biggest challenges you face in your profession as someone striving to live according to the Bible?
Journalism suits me because I am blessed to be surrounded by editors who don’t turn what I write into lies. They only want the truth. Woman & Home, for example, always send me what I have written, edited and designed so that I can check the facts with the people I have interviewed.
There was a time someone wanted me to compromise my integrity and I refused to compromise. This was at CNN. At the time McDonald’s had just launched a range of new restaurants. My line manager told me to write a story criticising it. I thought to myself that I don’t have a strong opinion about it and so don’t feel the need to criticise it. I didn’t say this to him, I just didn’t write it. Not long after that I was released from my role which I had been doing for a year. I had dreams of becoming an anchor at CNN, I even went for a trial upstairs–the writers worked downstairs. I could have still been working there today, because so many people who were there when I joined in 2000 are still there! I could also have become a millionaire–so many CNN journalists are. But do I regret what happened? No, not at all! As Luke 9:25 says: “What profit will a person have if he gains the whole world, but destroys himself or is lost?” GNT
How would you advise someone to best manage this challenge i.e. your (biblical) best practice as a Christian?
Seek to be a God pleaser and not a people pleaser. Twenty five years on from the loss, I am not exactly where I want to be yet, but I have a clear conscience and a reputation for integrity.
What’s a scripture that would be a great go-to when faced with this challenge?
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
How do you prepare for your workday i.e. your morning routine?
I usually get up at 4.50am and brush my teeth while listening to a two minute message inspired by several scriptures. I then have a quiet time for at least 30 minutes if I am working away from home and an hour if I am working from home.
What are you reading in your quiet times lately?
I am reading scriptures around obedience and deepening my relationship with God. These scriptures include John 15:5 and Isaiah 1:19-20 TPT. These are also my memory scriptures for the first and second week of January, respectively.
What are you learning in your quiet times?
God is reminding me, more than teaching me anything new, because the truth is I am not yet ready to go to the next level. But if I just listen and obey, he will be able to do more in my life, bless me more and catapult me to the next level. Job 36:11 The Message
I need to focus on having a deeper relationship with God and this can be achieved by praying for a total of an hour a day. So at least 20 minutes in the morning, then ten minutes at say 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. As an individual I get more fired up about the blessings, such as being personally fruitful, but not the blesser which is wrong, as John 15:5 says: “I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me he can do nothing.”
That’s why connecting with God in prayer and just allowing him to work in my life is so important. To this end, I am going after putting into practise Isaiah 1:19-20 “If you have a willing heart to let me help you and if you will obey me, you will feast on the blessings of an abundant harvest. But if you are stubborn and refuse to obey, the sword will eat you instead. The mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”