Interviewing Author Lauren Monico-Crews

Interviewing Author Lauren Monico-Crews 

Q1. Tell us about yourself. What are your favorite books to read?

A. I'm Lauren Crews from Jacksonville, FL. I've been married for 29 years and I have three big kids. Two are married and my baby graduates high school this year and will be attending college. I also have two brown dogs who have us well trained. If I'm reading fiction, I tend to pick up historical fiction or mysteries. With nonfiction, I want some meat so I read Lois Tverberg or Robby Gallaty.

Q2. Where did the inspiration to write come from?

A. I've never been interested in writing. I don't journal and although I do write a blog, it isn't a burning passion. I actually enjoy writing research papers. I love the whole research process. So, when I graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with my MD I wondered how I could incorporate that with writing. I was open to writing a book but I really waited for God to show me something interesting nerds like me might be interested in. A friend mentioned that Proverbs 31 was a Hebrew acrostic poem and shared a little with me. Well, that was all I needed. I was hooked

Q3. How did you come up with the titles of your books?

A. My book started as a Bible study, but I had way too much information.  I needed a more precise focus. As I wove together the different ideas, I began encountering women with very difficult life stories. Women who felt they could never measure up to the P31 woman because of their failures. I focused on their strength and dependence on their yoked partnership with Christ.  When we are weak, He is strong. As so I settled on The Strength of a Woman: Breaking the Myth of the Proverbs 31 Woman and Releasing Her Legacy.

Q4. Anything you're currently working in 2019?

A. My book is due to the publisher in April, I'll work on edits after than and it plans to launch in the early fall. In the meantime, I'd like to start on book 3.

Q5. How long have you been writing?

A. It took me one year to write my initial manuscript. I attended a writers conference as a fleece. I went simply asking God to confirm that I hadn't wasted the year. I went prepared, I even commissioned someone to draw coloring books images to accompany each chapter. My idea was to pitch the manuscript and an accompanying coloring book devotional. My manuscript was well received. Although every editor invited me to submit, they didn't like the Bible study aspect. They loved the coloring pages, but coloring books were trending out. I spent the next few months reworking the manuscript into a Christian living nonfiction.

Q6.  What advice would you like to give to other authors?

A. My advice to writers is to be flexible and patient. What I initially thought would be a Bible study changed drastically. I'm pleased with the final product even though it wasn't what I expected. I also saved every version of my work and initial writing. I'm still able to use all everything I wrote in blog posts, devotions, a third book. I even used the coloring pages when I speak. Women love them. Some pages will be used as downloads on my website. Save everything and be willing to imagine new uses.

Q7. Where can we connect with you online?

A. I can be found at www.LaurenCrews.com Facebook - Lauren Crews, Instagram, and Twitter LaurenCrewsA2Z

Q8. Do you plan on writing any more books in the future?

A.  I'll see that the Lord has in store. I can't do this without Him. I pray over every word I write, asking for His wisdom and truth. And then, I wait and wait, and wait....and wait.

Q9. How many books have you written?

A. What started as one book was accepted by a publisher as two. A Christian Living trade-book and a 31 Day Devotional. I'm hoping a third will develop as well as a Bible study or a "meatier" devotional. 

Q10. Did you go to college with the intent to be a writer?

A. I went to college because I want to work in women's ministry. I wanted the degree to validate that I'm willing to work hard for the Lord, do the research and have the credentials some require to take leaders seriously. Writing my book was a calling God used to incorporate all of that into my life and other women of faith. By day I'm an 8th grade English teacher. By night I'm an adjunct professor with Northwestern University, an author and a speaker for women's events and Bible studies. I'm so in awe that God would use me like this.