Meet Maranda Evans
Troubled, By Maranda Evans, is a true story based on the life of Maranda Evans. After the tragic death of a few loved ones, she struggles to find her purpose in life over a ten-year period. While losing everything, Maranda forgets what she learned as a child. Abuse, love and scandalous men break her down piece by piece. Will she make it through these struggles and become the woman she always wanted to be, or will her bad decisions ruin her life forever? Get Your Copy HERE.
Interview:
Tell us about your book? What inspired you to write it?
-My book is entitled Troubled and it is the first book I have ever written and published. It was self-published and released on April 21, 2014. Troubled is what I refer to as a “written testimony.” It is 98 pages of every problem I have experienced in my life since I lost my father in 2004 to where I am now. Abuse, love, depression, and all the other things that young women go through when growing up without a father. I decided that instead of letting my past defeat me I would use it as a testimony to start a women empowerment movement.
How did writing this book help you?
-It took me about 2 months to write Troubled. Since I was a young girl I have always kept journals about the things I experienced in my everyday life. I was a depressed child for 10 years of my life. From 2004 to 2014 I wrote down my feelings instead of talking about them. A pen and paper were my best friend. When I finished this book I literally let out the biggest breath because it was as if so much was lifted off of my shoulders. I felt complete, happy, and like I had accomplished something that not many 22 year old women can say they have. It began to become a movement when I realized that there are so many young women out there who struggle with the same problems every day and they give up on life. I’m a graduate student, accounting/marketing specialist, and an author at age 22. If I can do it, they can do it.
Was it difficult to share your personal experiences with others in this book?
-It was more difficult to re-live the incidents in this book rather than writing the contents of the book as a whole. Only God can judge me so even though every word in this book is true and all of my personal even sexual details are in it, it doesn’t bother me what people think of me afterwards. A lot of people asked why I didn’t change my name into a fictional character. I didn’t change my name because I wanted every person that has or will read my book that has had at least one of the situations happen to them to know they are not alone. No one can trust or open up to somebody they can’t relate to. I can’t lead women into a better direction from pain and loss if I haven’t been honest enough to say, “I’ve been there. This is how you become better.”
Was there someone special in your life that encouraged you to follow your passion?
-All of my friends, family, and loved ones support me during this journey. Everyone keeps telling me not to give up on my dream. I have had more people tell me I encourage them to follow their dreams as well. I lost my father in 2004 to murder, my grandfather in 2005 to cancer, and my godfather in 2007 to heart failure. Those three men, even though they’re no longer with me physically, helped me finish something that was just an idea. I promised all three of them when I was little girl that I would be successful and make them proud. I lost sight of that promise but by the grace of God I turned around from that life and created new beginnings. I know that they would be very proud of me and they would tell me, “Keep pushing Randa, you’re on a wonderful path.” My mother raised me alone and I was a very difficult child. The contents of my novel are hard for her to think about but she is my biggest supporter and encourages me every step of the way. She took care of me now it is time for me to take care of her.
What’s next? Is there something you’re working on now?
-I am currently working on the launch of my website that will be finished by the one year anniversary of Troubled, April 21, 2015. Also I am working on getting donations through GoFundMe to raise money to buy books for less fortunate women who can’t afford to purchase them. The donations also will go to gifts, seminars for young women, and anything that will help me get the Troubled brand out into the world. There will also be a website release party/meet the author event where I can invite the community out to learn about the changes I plan to make and the things I plan to do with my book. I am hoping a lot of young women are able to make it to this event. This will be my second event. I hosted a book signing in February and it was great. I’ve been doing everything by myself for a year now while also working full time and going to school full time. There are so many more things that I have planned for my book as well as my movement but nothing is done without hard work, dedication, and money.
What do you hope readers will “take away” from reading your book?
-One thing I want every reader to take away from my book is, “Never let your past determine what your future will hold.” I always hope that my readers see the meaning of the story instead of the words on the page. In other words, don’t read the story just to know what I have done in my life or have a pessimistic view. The story was creating to build perseverance in a world filled with adversity. At age 22, I am at a very good place in my life and I have accomplished many things including getting my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 3.5 years. However, if you read the things that I was doing in high school and college you would never think someone can come out of some of the things I fell into.
Who do you think will benefit most from this book? Who are you speaking to?
-The people I believe will benefit most from my book would be young women who are about to go into college and mothers who have daughters in their teenage years. Older women are more mature and are able to look at my story and say “You need to talk to my daughter” versus a young girl reading my book and saying, “I need to talk to you” or “Can you help me?” They would benefit more because I can be there before they get into a situation that can be avoided. I am a very strong Christian because my spiritual maturity has grown since I wrote this book. I have a few girls that I mentor now and they text me as soon as they have a question, problem, or just need overall support. The more lives I can change and the more young women I can save will make me that much happier. My ultimate goal is to be a leader and I will not stop until that goal is accomplished.
~ Find Maranda on FACEBOOK and TWITTER ~
Blog: http://troubledthebook.tumblr.com/
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