Mother, minister and local author Tina Jackson hopes her story will inspire others to begin a journey toward healing, self-love, forgiveness and understanding. In her book Go Deeper, Jackson invites readers into her personal journeys of love: the ones that caused her pain, the ones that made her grow and the ones that continue to feed her spirit.
Tell me a little bit about yourself. What inspired you to start writing?
I am a mother, grandmother, sister, friend, confidant, spiritual guide, and I love to uplift and encourage others. As a child I was an extreme introvert. I didn’t speak much unless it was absolutely necessary, but I was in tune with life and things around me. I began writing poems and short stories around the age of 10 and continued off and on as I became an adult. Writing for me began as an escape from my reality and blossomed into a love affair that has helped me navigate many rough times in my life. I began writing from a place of pain and confusion; I now write from a place of healing and encouragement.
Where did you find inspiration for your book, Go Deeper?
Go Deeper is a book that took me approximately 44 years to write. It is a snapshot of the hurt and pain I endured as a child and well into my adult years. Go Deeper was inspired by the many women and men I witnessed living a life based on the pain others had inflicted on them rather than tapping into their own strength and living a life that has purpose. I wanted to share my experiences and show others that even in the midst of pain there is a brighter side and a better day ahead.
What do you hope people who read Go Deeper take away from the story?
I want people to understand that no matter how hard things get and no matter what they go through in life, if you have breath in your body, you have the ability to turn it around. My ultimate (hope) is that people will begin to be more compassionate toward one another and understand that we all have a story. I also want people to begin to forgive those who have mistreated them and done them wrong. Forgiveness is the key to moving forward and creating a new and positive way of life.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
The one thing I always tell them is if it is really their heart’s desire or their passion to publish a book, they have to be in love with the writing process. I tell them to just write. Don’t be so focused on format or the overall concept initially. Just write. I let them know that if they are going to be writing from a personal perspective, they must be prepared for the emotions that come along with the process. Sometimes we think we have gotten over things and that we are healed from the pain, but when we begin to revisit those areas, there are times when those old wounds are reopened and the pain is just as intense as it was when the pain took place.
For more information or to purchase Go Deeper, visit thetinajackson.com.
