Author Joylynn Ross who writes as E. N. Joy is on a mission to give readers joy despite their pain.
“In preparing to write my stories, I like to connect to what is going on in and with the world—what is resonating with people, mainly my target audience, which is African-American women? As part of my preparation I record CNN specials, episodes of Law and Order and ratchet TV, a.k.a. reality television,” she said.
“Whether we want to admit it or not, there is something about these reality shows that is resonating with the viewers. It’s the guilty pleasure of both men and women, young and old. It seems to be an addiction. Folks have started and are members of social media groups that discuss the weekly episodes of these shows. So in watching the recorded episodes, I asked God to show me exactly what it is about the reality show cast members that viewers connect with…that compels them to tune in every week. Ironically, God planted one word into my heart: pain. That’s when I realized that God had me putting in print what folks across the map are watching on television.”
In her latest novel, E.N. Joy continues to examine this pain.
“One Sunday at a Time forces readers to ask the question, ‘What does crazy look like?’ Well, if you let the main character, Deborah, tell it, it’s the reflection that looks back at her in the mirror. She has a career she loves, two beautiful children and a handsome and successful husband. Her life seems to be the blueprint almost every woman she knows would kill to live. But working full-time, being a full-time mother, full-time wife and a full-time Sunday-only Christian seems to be taking its toll on her. With all the scheming and shenanigans Deborah orchestrated to get this lifestyle, she might have to come up with a whole set of new ones to maintain it.
E. N. Joy believes the story can serve as an inspiration for women, moms especially.
“Like the main character, Deborah, in One Sunday at a Time, and like myself, women are constantly working hard to keep their family intact, their career intact and doing what they need to do to ensure the possibilities of their dreams coming true. But unlike Deborah, you gotta just let some things happen. Sometimes you just have to step back and get out of your own way, but more importantly, get out of God’s way. He’s got this! He’s got you! There is no other blueprint or science to it. You just have to let God have His way and meet Him at the promise.”
Visit E.N. Joy online, via email, or on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.