An Interview with Brenda K.Spencer

This month, I have the honor of welcoming the prolific and anointed writer, Brenda K. Spencer to BK Nation. She is the author of three amazing booksː The Miracle Lamp: An Inspirational Perspective On Life; Inspirational Prayers of the Heart; and Divine Stories, Timeless Lessons. I was able to reach out to Brenda and get her perspective on being an author and Woman of Faith.

KLR: Brenda, welcome to BK Nation, we’re anxious to know more about you and your awesome books. So tell us some things about you that most people don’t know.

BKS: Most people don’t know that I love to fish. I grew up in Dallas, TX. My siblings and I as young children grew up fishing on White Rock Lake and various lakes in the city. Occasionally, we would go out of town. I have been stung by bees and seen many water moccasins.

KLR: Who is your favorite author and why?

BKS: I love biographies and memoirs. Learning about the lives and experiences of others is so interesting to me because they are real. I believe there is much that can learned. As a young teenager, Maya Angelou was my favorite author. I have a habit of reading multiple books at one time. I will read a few chapters of one book, put it down, and after a few days go to another book. Eventually, I finish both. Right now, I am reading “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Jacobs (Pseudonym). It was written by Linda Brent around 1861 while she was a slave. She shares her “testimony” about the horror of slavery to convince the northern, free states to help end the evil institution.

KLR: What inspired you the most to become an author?

BKS: I believe I was inspired the most to become an author by listening to music and the desire to understand the meaning behind the words being sung. I am talking about the “clean” music of the 70s when I was growing up. When I was in the 5th grade, my mother had a friend who was a singer and often I was asked to use my tape recorder to transcribe songs. At that point, I began writing songs, poems and journaling consistently. I believe that is when the gift of being an “author” began in my heart. Now, I did not fully understand about being an “author” until many years later in life.

KLR: What factor/s led to your decision to become a self-published author as opposed to pursuing traditional publishing?

BKS: The factor that led me to become a self-published author was a “life event” that happened in October 2015. I lost my job with a railroad that I had planned to stay with until I was 65. Being downsized was not my plan, I planned to work until 65. When I was given notice, I exited the building with my belongings, looking back at the office building and said, “Lord, I pray that I pleased you while I was there.” A week or two later, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “It’s time to write your book.” Now mind you, throughout the years, I had started many books in spiral binders and kept them in a special drawer. I pulled out an old binder with one of my stories and began to write for months until I finished my memoir, “The Miracle Lamp: An Inspirational Perspective on Life.” After I finished the book, the Holy Spirit said, “Now I will teach you everything about how to publish your book. You will publish it without using any middlemen.” A few weeks later, I created my first publishing company, The Miracle Lamp, LLC in Florida. Pursuing traditional publishing was never an option for me.

KLR: What barriers/challenges did you face in becoming an author and how did you overcome them?

BKS: To be honest, I had no outside barriers/challenges in becoming an author. I truly believed and was confident in what I heard in my spirit. I knew that the Lord spoke to me to start a publishing business and also, that He would enable me to do so and provide everything I needed without a job.

KLR: Your books center around Christian living and prayer; How has your faith helped you in writing these books?

BKS: Yes, my books are centered on Christian living and prayer because I am a woman of faith. I believe and trust God. Had I not, I would not have been able to write anything, not one single book. Jesus gives me the mind, knowledge, skills and abilities to write, publish and help others with the same desire. I absolutely could not write any of my books without faith. I have books that I have not published yet, which include 3 children’s books.

KLR: Lets shift gears and talk about your first book, The Miracle Lamp: An Inspirational Perspective On Life. Give us a quick synopsis of the book and what inspired you to write it.

BKS: My first book, “The Miracle Lamp: An Inspirational Perspective On Life” is my memoir. In it, I share my life experiences about my early childhood to the point of losing my job in October 2015. Also, how my life unfolds as a Christian, professional in corporate America and how my faith was challenged. I was inspired to write this book because I wanted others to learn from my story and be encouraged.

KLR: As an African American male, your second book, Inspirational Prayers of the Heart, resonated with me. Near the end of the book, you mentioned a Council Tree. Please elaborate on the significance of that tree.

BKS: In my second book, Inspirational Prayers of the Heart. First, allow me to say it is a book that guides the reader into their own prayers. It is not a daily devotional per se. My goal is for the reader to establish their personal prayer life. There are 31 Prayers of Victory concerning life’s challenges. I learned about Council Trees while visiting a small coastal island in South Carolina (Daufuskie) at the height of COVID. These majestic oak trees are very large with huge roots. The oral history of these trees were shared with me by a 5th generation descendent of slaves that lives on the island. It was explained that the Council Trees were meeting places for former and freed slaves. During slavery council trees were a place of rest, coded communication and most important prayer. After freedom and upon establishing churches it is where they had meals, family time and discussed the business of the church. After hearing about the history of one council tree in particular in the midst of the COVID pandemic, I fell on my knees and prayed. Knowing my ancestors prayed for me, I wanted to pray for others.

KLR: Your third book, Divine Stories, Timeless Lessons focus on women in the Bible. How do these women parallel to 21st-century women?

BKS: In my third book, Divine Stories, Timeless Lessons, I focus on women in the Bible and how their stories are relevant to 21st-century women. The women in the Bible were real and lived lives with similar experiences as women today. The Bible is full of stories about women that have faced mental illness, death, rape, incest, poverty, infertility, prostitution, etc. However, because we do not read our Bible as God commanded, we believe we are alone. Loneliness can spiral into many emotional, physical, and mental challenges. In my book I want women to know they are not alone. There is help in the Word of God. My book is written in the “first person” to the reader as if they are giving wise counsel. Also, I have added a study guide to help the reader dig deeper.

KLR: Can we expect more books from Author Brenda K. Spencer in the future?

BKS: Absolutely! The books are already written with copyrights. As the Lord leads and provides the finances, I will publish.

KLR: Where can BK Nation purchase your books or contact you?

BKS: BK Nation can purchase electronic books on Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble.

Also, autographed hard copies can be purchased on my website: wibilpublishing.com. I can be contacted via email at brenda@wibilpublishing.com (<-or click on it to open an email to Brenda).

KLR: On behalf of BK Nation, I want to thank you for spending time with us today and giving us insight about you and your books. Is there anything more you’d like to share with us?

BKS: I am a publishing consultant as well and am available to assist others with their writing aspirations. Anyone interested can go to my website and sign up for a free 30-minute consultation.

KLR: As our honored guest today, you will be receiving a signed copy of my book, A Time for Courage, a coffee mug, and pen compliments of yours truly. I wish you much success in your future endeavors and may the peace of God be upon you.