I just finished your book.

This is an excerpt from a note I received from someone who read Beyond Church Doors, my second novel.

Dear Sylvia,
I just finished your book. NikkiMac just cracks me up. She is so human!  There is never a dull moment in her life...My heart goes out to Cletus...I am glad Bro. Pace and Sis. Grace got together. I hope Bro. Adam Greene and NikkiMac will do the same...Be sure and let me know when your next book comes out.
Blanchie B.
July 2013

It's exciting for me when readers discuss NikkiMac, Cletus, Bro.Pace, Sis. Grace, and other characters I create as if the characters are real. I'm thankful that some readers identify with and care for so many of these characters.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Two Young Helpful Black Males

In light of current events about young African American  males, let me share something about 2 of them, strangers to me, who came to my rescue.  Last Friday, the outer tie rod on my car broke unexpectedly after an almost two hour, pleasant drive from the shore. Back in town, I had just made a left turn onto a busy street near an intersection. When I moved into the right lane and prepared to stop at the traffic light, I heard and felt a thunk  under my driver's seat. I thought I had run over something, but there was nothing in the road. I tried to go forward and nothing happened with the wheels, but the engine worked. The same thing happened when I tried to reverse. Just a churning sound. I was stuck in a lane of traffic in the midst of a 90 plus degree heatwave, and I was bewildered. I asked God to help me and to calm me so I could think of what to do next, and put on my flashers so other drivers could notice a problem and drive around me. I got out to see what was wrong under the car. Then, I called AAA auto service and the police, so they could direct traffic around me for the safety of all concerned. I prayed some more, and a muscular young African American male stopped his car and offered to push my car off the road into a nearby open lot while I waited for AAA. He couldn't, because we hadn't yet discovered the broken tie rod and that the front wheels were turned toward each other. I thanked him for trying to help me. He was so nice. Sooner than expected, the AAA truck arrived. The driver/tech was a young African American male, who  quickly discovered the broken outer tie rod. I called and canceled the police first, then called my mechanic and relayed this diagnostic info. He knew what parts to get so he could fix my car. The AAA driver efficiently loaded my car onto the flatbed truck and took me and my car home. He was so pleasant and respectful. I didn't get the names of either of the two young Black males, but I'm thankful.
God's protection. Awesome. And two very kind young African American males.
Keep the faith,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

A Recent Review

In June 2013, I received this message from a popular author.  Earlier this year, I met a friend of hers who bought a copy of my 2nd novel, Beyond Church Doors.

"Hi, Sylvia Brown-Roberts! One of my friends received a copy from you at the Women's Expo, and she told me how much she loved the story. She felt like the Lord was confirming His love through it. Thank you!"
Carrie T.

This is one of the main reasons I write: to tell about the Lord in a way that touches hearts.

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Keep the faith...
Sylvia

Approximations

Early in my teacher/staff trainer years, I worked in a program that involved Behavior Analysis techniques. One of them was about shaping desired behaviors in students, and stressed that approximations of  a desired behavior should be observed. Those approximations pointed to the student's success at reaching the desired end behavior. The small improvements were noted and praised. The student was encouraged.
Similarly, when I get too down on myself for not totally meeting a goal, it's helpful to recognize whatever progress I have made toward the end goal. I remind myself to keep going forward. I pray, of course.
I also have a magnet posted in my work room. The words are from an artist/writer named Jodi Hills. I discovered her work by checking out her website after I purchased a magnet that has one of her messages:
She wasn't where she had been.
She wasn't where she was going,
but she was on her way.
jodi hills
Nice...
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Heritage Days, June 2013

I had a table at the Heritage Days Festival on Sat., June 29, 2013. It was held outdoors in downtown Trenton on a sunny, humid, clear day. I carted my 2 novels (Behind Church Doors and Beyond Church Doors) and set up in my spot. It was good to talk to the people who stopped by. Many of them I knew, many of them I met that day. There was great music, lots of food, exciting activities for the many children, and  useful information available. The other vendors were friendly and helpful. The cultural flavor was varied and warm. People purchased my novels and a couple of young people had me share information about the writing life with them. They want to be authors one day. Good vibrations...
Here are 2 pictures of my table.
Peace,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com