Q & A with Lacresha Hayes
If you are interested in booking an online tour, please contact me at lacresha.hayes@gmail.com. Otherwise, feel free to use the following questions and answers on your website/blog. Notification is appreciated but not necessary.
1. Tell us about yourself?
I love being a wife, mother and minister. But more than that, I love being a survivor. Not everyone is so fortunate. I appreciate the gift of life and so I work hard to live it with integrity. I'm the founder and VP of Living Waters Publishing Company and Christian Consulting Company. I'm the author of fifteen books and many tens of articles. I'm a professional speaker and an ordained elder.
2. What is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration would have to be God. There's not even a sentence that can be added to that. I'm also inspired by my family who makes a huge sacrifice for me to do what I do. There are so many wonderful people in my life and they inspire me also.
3. How did you become an author?
I loved reading and writing as a child. I've always journaled and wrote poetry. Then one day, I sat at the computer and went into a writing coma, so to speak. I couldn't wake up from it. The end result was my first book, Christian Principles: My Thoughts Exactly. Then, I went dormant for awhile. When I came back to it again, it would be the hardest books I've ever written, The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive and Full Exposure: Behind Church Walls.
4. How do you find time to write all those books, run these businesses, do ministry and make time for family?
Actually, I'm trying to figure that out now. No, honestly, I make my family part of the business and writing. Still, not everything is balanced yet. Often, you'll find me pulling my hair out about something I happened to forget. Some info I forgot to put in the computer, or some contract I forgot to sign, etc. So, it definitely takes a lot from me, but frankly, I believe that is the purpose of youth. I definitely don't plan for my life to be this hectic when I'm 50. LOL!
5. Of all your books, which one would you say you are most satisfied with?
I'd have to say I'm most satisfied with Mistakes Parents Make and when you see it, you'll know why. It may not be my most celebrated book, as Rape is making waves everywhere. However, you can see the difference in writing style and there is more experience in it.
6. Which one are you least satisfied with?
I'd have to say The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive. The book is powerful and full of wisdom. It has a life-changing effect, but for some reason, I always read it thinking that I should have done this or should have said that. I'm not sure if it's the book, or if it is the part of my life included in the book. I have all sorts of fears about whether I gave too much detail in some areas or not enough in others. It's weird, but true.
7. As a former victim of sexual assault and incest, what do you think is the one area not covered enough by various media? How does your book approach the subject?
Well, I think most of us open up and tell our stories, how we survived and the long term consequences we still deal with. When I was going through it, I think I most needed someone to tell me that someone loved me and that I was not dirty or nasty. I think we need to focus more on actually connecting with how we felt and what we desired when we were going through our issues. I think my book is full of "feelings" so that victims can connect with me and trust me enough to take my advice given towards the end of the book. That's what it is all about. They have to trust that what healed us can heal them. Therefore, the readers have to see our pains and believe that it is as great as their own. My book, I pray, does that well.
2009 Press Kit for General Use
List of Currently Published Books
* The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive
* Becoming: My Personal Memoirs
* Poetic Infinity: Passion and Promise
* Truth and Intimacy: A Couple's Journal (with Pastor Lensey Hayes)
* Raw Redemption, a novel
Upcoming Releases
* Mistakes Parents Make - February 2009
* The Snare of a Strange Woman - February 2009
* Full Exposure: Behind Church Walls - April 2009
* The Culpeppers: Family of Faith - April 2009
* Justified - July 2009
* Christian Principles: My Thoughts Exactly (re-release) - May 2009
* Black Dakota - May 2009
Author Bio
Lacresha N. Hayes is the founder and former President of Living Waters Publishing Company in Marion, AR. She serves on the Apostolic Council of RehobothInternational Fellowship at New Birth Christian Centre and is active in women’s ministry. She is also the founder of Christian Vitality magazine.
Lacresha has been called an inspiration for today’s woman. She understands pain and how to make it work to her benefit. Through her books, ministry and multiple blogs, she has ministered to thousands of women. And her accolades don’t stop there. In fact, that is only the beginning. She is a speaker on the RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) Speaker’s Bureau, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization.
Lacresha is also a teacher and a consultant/grant-writer, serving as VP of Christian Consulting Company.
Lacresha is married to Pastor Lensey C. Hayes. They have one son and currently reside in Arkansas.
If you'd like a press release for any of the my books, please email me at lacresha.hayes@gmail.com. We'll get it out to you within 48 hours.