Just like the main character of her latest release, author Vanessa Davis Griggs knows how one decision can change your life.
“Redeeming Waters is a story about a mega gospel recording artist named King d.Avid who meets Brianna. Their paths cross again years later, and you see them both dealing with some things during that time. As with all of us, we make decisions not realizing how deep the consequences of those actions may take us. This story shows how one decision can begin to snowball into something that’s hard to stop as it gains an avalanche of momentum. People will also learn things when it comes to the biblical telling of David and Bathsheba,” Griggs said of her novel, which was recently rereleased with a new cover as a mass market paperback.
Griggs’ big decision came when she decided to leave her job as a BellSouth associate after 18 years to become a speaker, author, consultant, and entrepreneur.
“My first published book was in 1999, and it was entitled Destiny Unlimited,” she said. “I’d sent manuscripts off to mainstream publishers for consideration, but it wasn’t so easy for African-American authors back then. The industry didn’t always care to support positive stories and acted like it was unrealistic to show that all black men weren’t selling and doing drugs or in prison…that there were wonderful black men taking care of their families. I knew there were other sides to the stories they published.”
Griggs who is married with three sons, a daughter-in-law and five grandchildren lives the other sides of the stories daily as she juggles her roles of being an author, wife and mom.
“You know what’s really important, and you do what needs to be done when it needs to be done,” she said of her roles. “You learn not to worry about stuff that really doesn’t matter. You learn to say no to some things because you can’t be everything to everybody and do everything. You think about at the end of your life what things you would most regret and you act accordingly now. When I’m with my family, I’m with my family. I play games with my grandchildren when they are around. It’s being present when you’re present with folks. Put down the cell phones and computers and learn to be with folks when you’re with them. And when I’m writing, I’m writing. When I’m off speaking, I am there with the people to be a blessing to them.”
Since her first release, Griggs has gained a devoted following, and although she has traveled the country, she believes no place compares to home.
“The best thing is that for me, Birmingham is home. I was born in a small town called Village Springs (near Pinson). Presently, I live in Irondale. Other than Alabama, I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else,” she said. “Birmingham for me is like Goldilocks looking for the right bed—not too big, not too small…just right. The worst thing sometimes is feeling like you don’t get the support here if you’re from here. You know what the Bible says about a prophet not known in his own country? But there are some wonderful people here who have and do support, so I’m good.”
Just as she stepped out on faith and pursued her dreams, Griggs encourages others to pursue theirs too.
“I’d like to say to anyone reading this that God has placed you on this earth for a purpose, with a purpose. There’s a wonderful gift inside of you. This gift is for you to leave on this earth. So go for your dreams! No, it’s not always going to be easy. Know that no one bothers to try and stop you unless they feel you have a chance of winning. So when you encounter trials, troubles, and tribulation, smile and take that as a divine sign that someone somewhere is afraid you’re actually going to win. Go even harder. Again, I say: Go for your dreams!”
To learn more about Vanessa Davis Griggs, visit her at www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com.
