oin me as I have an enlightening and enjoyable chat with wife, mother of three, author, speaker, and consultant, Pamela D. Smith. Let's dive in!

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Courtnaye – Hi Pamela! Welcome to Inside Out with Courtnaye, how are you, Sister?

 

Pamela – I am good! How are you? 

 

Courtnaye – I am good! Thank you. So let’s talk about writing! Woohoo! Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started writing. 

 

Pamela – Well, I grew up in a small country town in Northern Louisiana. Growing up in a small town, all I had to do was read and write. So I did a lot of that! (chuckling) Like most people, I’ve been through my share of challenges of teen pregnancy, anxiety and depression. But currently today, I am a wife of 24 years, mother of three adult sons, one grandson, and two godsons. I’m also a published author. 

 

Courtnaye – Wow! You've definitely experienced life and 24 years of marriage - that’s awesome! Now, let’s go a little bit deeper. Pamela, when did you know that you were called to write? 

 

Pamela – I’ve always been a writer. I’ve loved writing from a very young age. In high school, I was what many called, The High School Writer. When girls had crushes on guys, they would write out their letters but then ask me, “Can you rewrite this, because your handwriting is so pretty and I don’t want to write it sloppy.” I have to say that I never really had a goal of becoming a writer, it was just something that I loved doing that also helped pass the time. However, about 12 years ago, I kind of knew that writing was a part of my calling and that it was going to be used to enhance my ministry. 

 

Courtnaye – I gotcha! Currently, you’re writing books and have created several resources. How is your audience feasting on your work? In other words, how is it impacting and inspiring them?

 

Pamela – Based on the feedback that I’ve gotten from people either through email or text messages, that’s how I knew my writing was a way to minister to others. Sometimes people would ask a question or say something like, “Oh my God! What you wrote really blessed me.” From my last book, I’ve received comments like, “This part really ministered to me” or “This part made me feel like you knew me personally. It had me thinking, ‘Wow! What has someone told her about me?’” So that’s a few ways of how my writing has been impacting and inspiring others.  

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Cournaye – I love it! Now, in what ways do you write and what are you passionate about as it relates to your writing?

 

Pamela - At times, I write prophetically. Sometimes I write practically on how to live a purposeful life. A lot of times, I use biblical promises and principles as a way to encourage and inspire people. I’m passionate about writing and publishing, spiritual development, and prayer. I believe prayer is our lifeline and that it should be the lifestyle for all of us. Regarding spiritual development, I write about that simply because what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul?

 

Courtnaye – So true. I believe that 100 percent! I just love how you live out your passion and pour into others, but you also help people to flow in their gift of writing through consulting. With that being said, if someone wanted to write their story, how can an individual go about embarking upon that? 

 

Pamela – I would encourage them to write their story threefold. For instance, the first component would consist of laying out their struggles or challenges that they may have gone through. Secondly, I would have them consider how did God deliver them out of it. Thirdly, I would ask, what was the lesson learned and how can others apply those lessons in their own lives? Because that is what will make the story relatable and life-changing. 

 

Courtnaye – That is so clear. I love how you have those steps laid out. Like, you know it, just like that, 1-2-3! That is how you write your story, Sister. Now, is there anyone in your life who inspired you to write?

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Pamela – I can’t really say one person in particular, but I will say that several people encouraged me to live my lifestyle in a way that would be pleasing to God and draw others to the Kingdom. That kind of encouragement gives me a second wind. It gives me strength to keep going.

 

Courtnaye – We totally need encouragement along the way as we do what God has called us to do. So, what do you hope to accomplish through your writing and connections as you inspire others on social media, through your resources, and books?

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Pamela – My hope is that others will develop in their personal relationship with God. But also for the person who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, I hope that something that I’ve written or posted would inspire them to make that next step in accepting Him. I also hope that the faith and prayer life of those who follow me and read my books will be enhanced and rise to another level. Lastly, I hope that the authors who follow me can even learn from me and my mistakes to help them in their journey. 

 

Courtnaye – You’re amazing, Sis! Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring others through your writing. Before we close, what scripture helps you to stand strong in the Lord as a writer. 

 

Pamela – Proverbs 16:3 is my favorite! It says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.” I think this scripture encourages me so much, because it humbles and reminds me that what I’m doing is only by the grace of God. He allowed me to do it. He is breathing life on it and it’s not in my own strength or my own talent. This verse helps me to detach from the results. Meaning, I may plant and sometimes the Lord may use me to water seeds, but God is ultimately the One who gives the increase. So I commit my plans to Him and I let Him establish it.

 

Courtnaye – That is so good. I love this verse as well. Pamela, can you encourage the reader today, before we wrap up?

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Pamela – Yes! What I would say to the person reading this is that your life has purpose and meaning. You were put here to help someone else. So don’t get caught up in not being gifted in an area that someone else is gifted in, because it doesn’t mean that your gift doesn’t have special meaning. It does not mean that your gift cannot be used in the Kingdom for God's glory. Just put it out there and help someone else and you’ll see how lives can be changed. And when you do this, you’ll see that it will ultimately fulfill you and give you a whole new meaning to living a purpose-driven life. 

 

Courtnaye – Amen! I receive it and I pray that those reading this will receive it, as well. Again, thank you so much Pamela for sharing this with us today.

 

Pamela – You’re welcome, Courtnaye.

 

To receive Pamela’s books, resources, or to schedule an interview or speaking engagement with her, please email her directly at smith.pamela391@gmail.com. Thank you for reading my feature story with Pamela D. Smith. Continue to be inspired, my Sister!