Dr. Eurita Taylor is gifted to understand the unique struggles of single mothers. As a survivor of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, she feels their pain and walks beside them on the only path to freedom from binding insecurities. Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and that life is in Christ.

Accountant by day and counselor by night, Dr. Eurita uses her personal experiences, professional skills, and Ph.D. in Christian counseling to empower women struggling with low self-esteem, homelessness, and financial stewardship.

1) First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me!  When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most?

Thank you for this opportunity. I wasn’t called to be a writer as much as I was called to be a counselor. Writing my story was a way for God to heal me and converting it into a book to help others. He helped me write His Strength in My Weakness (http://hisstrengththebook.com) and its sequel. It wasn’t until I finished writing #HisStrengthTheBook that I realized how much I enjoyed it. I probably should have done it before the accounting degrees and student loans. 

Writing is my time with God. It fills my soul with joy to see my words on paper, knowing that He inspired them. Writing brings me peace. I love how He uses me. 

My frustration comes when I get interrupted while in the writing flow. Forcing a message doesn’t work for me. If the Spirit is not stirring me, nothing hits the paper. A friend told me that God wants me to take a break. I told him, “God knows how driven I am. I cannot be hungry again.” During my wilderness experience as a divorced woman with three sons, I trained my body to accept one meal a day so that my children could eat.  

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you? 

His Strength in My Weakness: A Journey of Brokenness, Breakthrough, and Transformation started as my dissertation when I worked on my Ph.D. in Christian counseling. It portrays my story of childhood abuse, sexual molestation, and understanding God’s purpose for my pain. Autographed copies are available at DrEuritaTaylor.com. 

3) What projects are you currently working on?

I’m an accountant by day, counselor by night, and author all the time. I am in the process of restarting His Strength in My Weakness Podcast. I am launching a marketing campaign for His Strength in My Weakness and preparing to send the sequel to an editor. The goal is to publish it during the first quarter of 2022.

4) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

The most significant achievement is the healing and spiritual growth I experienced. Things I thought did not bother me anymore, made me cry as I wrote about them. I realized that I had buried my issues, not addressed them. Writing helped me face those demons and find closure. Five years from now, I see myself speaking into the lives of single women who need help finding themselves. I will combine my professional background in finances and counseling to help them reach self-fulfillment, I want them to understand that they are who God says they are and not the person society labeled them to be.

5) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

I have not had any rejections. 

6) Do you have a schedule for when you write?  Do you outline your novels?  How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

No. I write when the Spirit directs me to do so. So far, I write nonfiction. The first two books were written without outlines; however, I have an outline for the third book. It takes me just under a year to finish a book.

7) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry?  Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

No. It is never too late to become successful in this industry. For many nonfiction authors, the process includes living through multiple challenges to be able to write about it. It would only hinder them if they let it. Many successful people started “late in life” including Martha Stewart, Vera Wang, and Morgan Freeman.

8) Are you an avid reader and have you always been? What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you?  Who is your favorite author? What book are you currently reading?

I have always had a passion for reading. As a little girl, I used to get into trouble with my mom because I read instead of doing my chores. Through the Storm by Vanessa Miller. This book touched me in so many ways. It showed that God can and does use anyone He desires. One character was convicted of selling drugs. In turn, gave his life to God and became a well-known preacher. When his wife was diagnosed with cancer, she prayed, “Lord, by Your stripes I am healed.” That prayer resonated with me. I use it often. 

Kimberly Lawson Roby is my favorite author and right now the only thing I am reading is the sequel to His Strength in My Weakness. 

9) The Pandemic was a challenging time for some writers and creative individuals but also for others it was time that they needed to focus on their creative passions. Which side of that spectrum do you fall on? Are there any lessons or nuggets of wisdom that you gained during the Pandemic that help you within your writing career? Did the quarantine stifle your creativity or did it make you even more driven to get things done?

Since the quarantine, I worked from home, which is hard because of so many distractions. I am having a hard time putting the finishing touches on book two. 

It has stifled me a bit. Once I get marketing for book one launched, I will create a serene writing space in my home.

10) What are your thoughts about how the publishing industry as it is being represented today? Do you lean more towards traditional publishing or self-publishing as a preference? Does being a hybrid author interest you? 

Being a new author, I had little knowledge on how the publishing industry works. I went with a vanity press (a contract publisher who is paid to publish) and it was not a good experience for me. Many things were wrong and multiple marketing essentials were omitted. I did not expect them to teach publishing to me; however, I relied on them to position me for success. Providing insight on marketing would have helped me a lot. 

Although I hired a book producer for my first book, I am considered a self-published author. For my next book, I prefer to have a traditional publisher. 

I’m not necessarily interested in being a hybrid author but I will adjust as needed. 

11) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally.  I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity?  How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

Expressing the hurt that had been buried inside me all those years was a weight lifted. At first, I tried to hide the raw feelings. I had so much anger that spewed out as I wrote. It was quite healing. Writing allowed me to be myself, accept my truth, and speak about it to help others. I am free to be myself in my writing and empowered to use my experience as a guide to serve others on a similar path.