Monica Marie Jones is our Woman in the Spotlight

This months woman in the spotlight is an author whose published works include The Ups and Downs of Being Round and Taste My Soul. She is also a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul, New Directions for Youth Development and several publications and youth development training materials for the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. She has worked as a columnist and freelance writer for the Michigan Front Page Newspaper and does consulting, editing and content development for businesses and non-profit organizations. She is also a member of the Motown Writer's Network, Business Women Attaining Millionaire Mindsets (B.A.M.M), Elysian Business Group, and Fully Figured Out.

Her name is Monica Marie Jones. In November 2008 we featured Monica's Book, The Ups and Downs of Being Round. Over forty-six percent of the women in the world today deal with weight struggles. We were compelled to feature her book which deals with issues women face concerning their weight.

In addition to being an accomplished writer Mis Jones is also a professional dancer, dance teacher, and aerobics instructor. She has danced with Gospel recording artists including several venues around the United States with Dorinda Clark-Cole and a three-city tour in Japan with Kierra 'Ki-Ki' Sheard. She also works with the Spirit of the Moment Praise Dance Ministry. We had the pleasure of interviewing Monica and getting to know more about this multi hat wearing author.



W2W: What inspired you to write?

Monica: I have always kept a journal to process my emotions. As I got older I began adding poetry to my journal entries. One day I decided to share my poetry with some friends and I was amazed at how it evoked emotions in them. Shortly thereafter I began writing The Ups and Downs of Being Round. In the midst of writing it, I sent an excerpt from it (That just happened to be a true story) to Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul. After having their staff, and then girls around the world review the story they decided to publish it and they sent me a letter saying, "Congratulations! You are an author!" From that point on I felt that it was confirmed that I had a gift that was meant to be shared with the world.


W2W: I felt compelled to showcase your book The Ups and Downs of being Round on our website because so many women struggle with weight problems, what do you hope readers will learn and take with them after reading it?

Monica: It is my hope that readers will learn that weight loss, or any other external factor for that matter, does not guarantee happiness. You can only find true joy within which is a direct connection to our relationship with God. We must love ourselves if for no other reason than the fact that we are HIS children.

I also include a guide in the back that teaches people how to lose weight by changing their lifestyle as opposed to dieting. It is the plan that I created, after much research, and used to lose 65 pounds and over 50 inches.


W2W: Who are your favorite authors, and why do they inspire you?

Monica: My favorite author is Jacqueline Thomas. She inspires me because she writes inspirational fiction but it deals with the real issues that we face everyday. I believe her writing style is an extremely effective means of ministry because when you read it you don't feel bad for not being perfect. Her writing speaks to you instead of preaching at you.


W2W: What is your advice to an aspiring novelists?

Never stop. I use this mantra in everything that I do. Even if it is the smallest thing, continue to do something toward reaching your goals every single day. So to all of the aspiring novelists I say this:

1. Write everyday, whether it is a journal entry, a blog, or a scene in your book, just write.
2. Do your research, read books about the craft of writing, and read books that are the same genre of the book that you plan to write.
3. Immerse yourself in the literary world. By this I mean, network with other authors, join listservs, subscribe to newsletters, attend conferences. If you can't afford the conference fees do like I did for years and volunteer :)

W2W: Are there any new projects your working on? Will there be another book?

Monica: I already have a poetry book called Taste My Soul and an Urban Contemporary fiction book called FLOSS published. Currently I am working on another installment of the FLOSS series called SWAG, the sequel to The Ups and Downs of Being Round, which is called, The Flip Side of Fat, and the Child and Teen versions of the Ups and Downs of Being Round.


W2W: You are also involved with the Spirit of the Moment Praise Dance Ministry. Tell us a little about your involvement in this beautiful ministry.

Monica: I have danced with the Spirit of the Moment Praise Dance Ministry for a little over a year. Currently I have taken a leave so that I can focus on my writing and my Breakthrough Book Tour, but I am still a member. I just help behind the scenes when I can. You can see pictures and video of my involvement at http://www.spiritofthemoment.com


W2W: Monica what are your three favorite scripture verses and why?

Monica: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 This is one of my favorite scriptures, particularly verse 12 because is reminds me of what many have forgotten about the ministry of marriage. Throughout the verses leading up to 12 it talks about how two are better than one...but at the end of verse 12 it says that a three-fold chord is not easily broken. To me that represents how when we add God into the equation and keep Him there, then we have strength beyond measure.

Philippians 4:13 - This is my favorite because whenever I doubt myself or my ability I simply repeat this scripture over and over to myself. "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."

Luke 12:48 - I feel like God constantly whispers this to me in so many ways. "To Whom much is given, much is required." When you have been given the gift to minster to others whether it be though writing, speaking, being a good listener, or dancing...you have a great responsibility. You are given so much because it is meant for you to share, not to keep it all to yourself.


W2W: Do you have any final thoughts to share with us?

Monica: I just want to say that I have stepped out on faith and left my job to write full time :) So I am a living testimony that it is possible to follow your dreams and pursue your purpose and your passion and still prosper. I not only write to entertain, but to inspire, educate, motivate and add value to the lives of others.

We thank Monica Marie Jones for this inspiring interview. If you would like to learn more about her or her books, please visit her website at http://www.monicamariejones.com or email her at monica@monicamariejones.com


Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
Moms Working for the Kingdom

Simplify the Season: Celebrate the Savior

Thanksgiving is now past tense for 2008, Christmas is near. People are scrambling to shop, craft, and deck the halls. Advertising is at an all time high in order to draw people into the stores ergo boosting sales.

Sometimes you turn on the news and there is such madness going on, some events even tragic. Some become so frantic around the Holidays. Thanksgiving is based around being thankful for what we have which in fact we should have this attitude daily. Christmas is based around giving and Love which is what God showed us when He sent his son to die on the cross so that we could live. The word of God says that He showed his love toward us that while we were yet sinners Christ (His Son Jesus) died for us. It also says God so loved the "world" that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. He sent his Son in the world not to condemn but that the world through "Him (Jesus)" might be saved.

Yes, there is a big question mark as to the actual birth date of our Savior and many will say that the 25th of December is not it. Whatever the date may be I am just thankful that He was indeed made flesh and dwelt among us. Christians know that Christ's existence did not begin the day he was born of the Virgin Mary and we are just glad that a day has been set aside in the world to observe the fact that he did truly come. No matter what pagan practices may have been played out centuries ago surrounding this date Christians do not reflect on these practices, we reflect on Jesus and he is at the heart of our celebration. We joy in the fact that our Savior came into the world in bodily form to save his people. Although Christians decorate their homes for the pure pleasure of the beauty of the season, Jesus is who we worship, not the brightly colored decorations, the tree, nor the Nativity scenes.

If our focus was kept on this fact the Holidays could be carried out smoother with less chaos and confusion. There is nothing wrong with giving in the name of love and in the spirit of the season but we shouldn't become stressed out or consumed with competing to out buy or out give another. When we give in the name of love it is not suppose to be of the demands of another's request necessarily. We give what we can, then it doesn't becomes a burden of meeting a quota or a specific request of another. There is nothing wrong with trying to find out what another likes and acting upon information found to please them even more, if we are in the position to do so but if we are not we can just give what is within our allowance. You don't always have to give a expensive store bought gift to show someone you care, you can give them the gift of more of your time, love, and understanding. Sometimes the simply things mean more than you think. Just reflect on the great gift the Father in Heaven gave us, it wasn't a gift bought in the store, wrapped in pretty paper with a bow on it costing hundreds of dollars.

He gave us a "Love" gift, his Son, which to many is PRICELESS. Let's teach our children and grandchildren the true reflection of the 25th of December, they will grow up to appreciate receiving gifts that much more, whatever the gift may be. They will in turn pass on this legacy to generations to come after them. I know you may think its hard because of what they as kids may see going on around them but its not, this is why the word of God says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it." It begins with us. Simplify the Holiday, celebrate the Savior.

Peace and Joy this Holiday and always,
Sherri