Viral Storytelling with The Story Lady, Ronda Del Boccio

I am pleased to introduce to you the inner world of another Anita.  This time it is Anita Hackley-Lambert, author of F. H. M. Murray:  First Biography of a forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice.  Anita is taking a Virtual Book Tour this month, and it is my pleasure to host her here.

Innerspace Author Interviews delves deep within the author’s inner life to reveal the influences behind the book.  Welcome, Anita!

Blurb/summary of book

F.H.M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice, is the first and only book to highlight Murray’s numerous contributions to American history, like his personal and close relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois, William Monroe Trotter, Booker T. Washington, and other social reformers. It also shed new insight to the segregated life of African Americans in the District of Columbia and Alexandria, Virginia. Murray’s legacy is a fascinating one that proves how much one persona can accomplish in a lifetime, if they are devoted to a cause and a purpose.  

Do you set writing goals and write them down?

Yes and no. Sometimes I set goals and write them down. However, I believe my best writing comes from divine inspiration.

Do you set goals for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life with specific action steps and deadlines?

Definitely. I own several business enterprises, a writers group, a publishing company, and editing company, a web design company, and a newspaper that is coming out in a few months – plus I am an Evangelist. So, I have a daily regiment that includes 2-3 hours early morning devotional, take my vitamins and herbal supplements, have breakfast (most of the time) before plunging into my work schedule. I break for more devotions, reflecting, and a light snack.

Oh, and I drink plenty of bottled water, about 4-8 bottles daily.

Sometimes I only stop working to go to evening church or not until late night or early the next morning. However, I do make it a point to get at least four hours of sleep, when I can. When I can not sleep, I get up and return to work.

Thank God I have a marvelous husband who takes care of me and picks up the slack on my chores when I am pushing to meet a deadline. He is my greatest joy and my biggest fan.

What aspects of your own life are woven into your book?

My personal supernatural encounter with Grandpa Murray. I had to add that to the Introduction. Also, needed to add areas relating to me as a child and the family mysteries that are only revealed in the book.

How do you spark your creativity?

I don’t. God does. He speaks to me in night visions and wakes me up. I grab my writing tablet, still half asleep, and write in the dark. I recall when I woke up one morning, I had written 11 pages of inspiration.

Of course, my current work was inspired by a friend who believes that God told her to get me to write the story about her son. I had to believe her because she kept his birth a secret for 65 years and when she revealed it to me, I found out I had a cousin who walked in the shadows of F.H.M. Murray, the great grandfather he never knew. This was so exciting!

How do you relax?

I can only relax during devotional time, when I read and study the Bible. In fact, the Bible is my favorite book of all time. It contains history that is written in the most beautiful language imagined. I love how it contians stories within stories and lessons within lessons. WOW!

What do you enjoy doing with friends?

Coming together to work on new projects and new enterprises.

What quality do you most desire to develop in yourself as a person?

To become the best person I can so that I can give what I have learned back to another, to inspire and motivate them to fulfill their dreams. My motto is “you can become as BIG as you can dream.”

The interesting thing about my motto is how it relates to what Grandpa Murray said, “Never give up. Never give in. Never stop until you win, win, win.”

What themes and/or issues predominate in your work?

Right now it is how our ancestors overcame racial injustice during a time when many of their race was being hanged because of the color of their skin. For example, Grandpa Murray developed an “enlarged vision model” that enabled him or anyone who applied it to build lucrative empires and live among the elite. The greatest issue of the book demonstrates how humankind imposes or accepts restrictions on him or herself. If the restrictions are disposed of, the individual can sore to deeper depths and higher heights.

What is better about your life now than it was 5 years ago?

I gave up my successful 15 year old IT company to pursue my dream to write and get published. Not only have I realized my dream but I am now able to fulfill other desires of my heart.

What was the most important lesson you learned about yourself as a person during the writing of your book?

No matter how long it takes, never give up on yourself or your dreams. As long as you keep focused on what is in your heart, opportunities beyond your wildest imagination will open to you. I have emerged wiser, stronger, and more determined to live my life to the fullest by serving God, giving back to my community, and helping others.

Thank you, Anita! 

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