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