This month we here at Blackrefer.com are pleased to spotlight Pat G'Orge-Walker, BWA Gold Pen 2000 Innovative Writer recipient.  (October 2003 interview) Read our interview below.

DT:  Tell us about "Sister Betty! God's Calling You, Again!"
PGW: Sister Betty! God's Calling You, Again! This is a collection of seven vignettes detailing the misadventures of Sister Betty and the zany congregation of the Ain't Nobody Right But Us--All Others Goin' to Hell church pastored by the Reverend Knott Enuff Money.

It is based upon the experience of Sister Betty, a former Head Pharisee and the telephone call she received from God in 1984 and the impact it had upon her life and the effect upon the congregation. This is a very brief synopsis and any resemblance to these characters, whether dead or alive, is a doggone shame!

DT: Where did you get the idea?
PGW: The idea for these stories was inspired by my concern for people who whoop and holla, amen, all during church and before the Benediction is finished they're tearing each other apart. They claim they love God whom they've never seen but are so mean and nasty towards one another.

DT: Are the characters people that you know, or are they a figment of your creative imagination?
PGW: Most definitely. I believe that is why the stories and characters have become so embedded in my psyche. People who don’t know my name know Sister Betty. They will call me Sister Betty before they call me Pat. Also I take familiar situations and kick them up a notch into satire and it becomes embraceable. In certain stories, I’ve done situations that I thought would never occur and sure enough, later on down the line, they became a fact.

For example, the church in my book always had an ATM bank machine and a blessing Dispenser, there are churches that now have those machines. I did a story about the church adding a drive through. I understand that has happened in California. However, all my stories may be embedded in comedy but they deliver a Bible-base message.

DT: What are the book clubs and other reading groups saying about your work? Has it been reviewed anywhere online? Since you're a veteran author, do you have an established readership?
PGW: The bookclubs have truly embraced my work. For those clubs who have selected my books and for whatever reason I'm unable to attend a meeting they are sent a special package. In the package they receive copies of my comedy performance DVD's, CD's, headshots, excerpts from the Sister Betty Cookbook, etc. My book has made the Best Seller list for both Karibu and Cush City since its July 2003 debut.

Several reviews have been posted online and it's been very positive. I can only think of one negative review from someone who didn't know anything about satire and admitted as much :-) My readership is very diverse. It has embraced the gender, the religious and the racial divides.

DT: Who are some of your favorite authors? Why?
PGW: Those that quickly come to mind are: Zora Neale Hurston, Maya Angelou, Bernice McFadden, Delores Thornton, Tracy Price-Thompson, Jacquelin Thomas, J. California Cooper, sharon Ewell-Foster, Stephen King, John Grisham, Jackie Collins, and James Patterson. There are definitely others but this is my short list.

These authors, in my opinion, epitomize those who have studied and excelled in their craft of story telling. Each seem to be able to pull me into their experience within the first 100 words. They leave me panting and almost sad when the book is completed.

DT: What are some of things that you do to market and promote you and your titles?
PGW: I am able to fully use my fame as a Christian Comedienne to market and promote my books. My ability to portray different characters on radio and television as well as the stage are invaluable assets. I also have my DVD's and CD's that promote my books as well as performances. They cross promote one another. I also belong to different bookclubs and author-based support groups.

There's no way to put a price on like-minded commaradiere. And, of course, there's the mighty word of mouth that go into the cracks and crevices of the population worldwide. I've also contributed to other anthologies; most notably the 2003 Proverbs for the People which is published by Kensington who also happen to be my publishers. There is also my websites: www.sisterbetty.com and www.holyhumor.org At the Holy Humor website there is a video clip of my portrayal of Sistah I. B. DeUsher.

DT: Tell us where you've traveled?
PGW: I've traveled all over the US and the Caribbean, as well as performed on cruise ships such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean. I'm currently touring and promoting Sister Betty! God's Calling You Again! and it has me revisiting some of the fertile groundwork previously lay by my previous two titles, "Sister Betty! God's Calling You!" and "Sister Connie Fuse Makes A Grave Mistake."

DT: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers or beginning novelists?
PGW: Hone your craft. You must read in order to write. You should also be honest in what you are writing; in other words, know what you are talking about. You should also be disciplined. Finally, write your story first and edit later. That last piece of advice is to myself. :-)

DT: What's next for Pat G'Orge-Walker?
PGW: Currently, I'm working on my third book for Kensington. In this particular story we have the usual suspects, Sister Betty, Ma Cile, Sister Ima Hellraiser, Deacon Laid Hands and Sister Carrie Onn, just to name a few. They will be embarking on another misadventure involving their participation on a Singles Cruise. And, of course, it's just another zany idea perpetrated by Sister Need Sum.

Also, I today received the jacket copy for my 2004 release titled, "Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin' is Dead." It promises to be another off-the-chain misadventure for Sister Betty and the half-blind, snuff-dipping Ma Cile as they try to carry out the final wishes of the Late Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin. Sister Betty has to deliver three checks for a million dollars each to three Baltimore Mega Pastors and the Reverend Knott Enuff Money is shamelessly trying to get a piece of the prize. This is a full lenghth novel and promises to be hilarious but indepth without being preachy.

DT:  We thank you so much for granting Blackrefer.com this interview and we pray that you are successful with all future projects.

Thanks, www.deloresthornton.com