Author’s Bio: Daryn Carl Ramsey is CEO of
Diamond & Light Publishing, LLC. He is the author
of BOLD & CRAZY FAITH: The Inspirational, a book that inspires
Christians to increase their faith and overcome obstacles during their
Christian journey. Daryn is the founder of Ramsey’s Corner, his blog that
focuses on all things inspirational. On Ramsey’s Corner, he inspires people
through faith and planning.
Ramsey is a member of the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and
writer with Speakers Magazine. He has been featured on IBelieve Radio,
Baltimore’s Hottest Gospel Station to speak about becoming an author,
entrepreneur and mentorship. Daryn Carl Ramsey is an ordained deacon at the New Psalmist
Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland.
DL: What inspired you to
write your book?
DCR: God.
Over a very long period God would periodically but consistently speak the word,
“Faith” to me. After having countless amounts of conversations with Him and
pleading that I didn’t understand why He would whisper and sometimes more
emphatically speak the word of faith to me I finally said to God, “God you know
I have faith, I talk to people about faith, I teach people about faith, you
know that I have faith, in fact I have CRAZY FAITH. Right after I said, CRAZY
FAITH, the word BOLD just came down, just drizzled down as if it were coming
from heaven. I said whoa, “BOLD,” “what is BOLD God?” “BOLD CRAZY FAITH, what
is that?” There was silence.
So, after thinking and
trying to figure out what God was telling me about BOLD CRAZY FAITH, out of
frustration I said to God, what is this BOLD CRAZY FAITH? What is it that you
want me to do with this “Faith” thing? His reply, “Talk to the people about
“Faith,” Teach the people about “Faith.” My answer was God you must really want
me to reach a lot of people with this word of “Faith,” and then out of nowhere
I heard, “How to reach the masses?” So, I say, how to reach the masses. How do
I reach the masses? God do you want me to write a book? After asking God this I
had a confirmation of peace. The kind of peace that is almost unexplainably but
understood by those that have experienced this amid making a decision or
hearing from God. After the peace, my question to God became a statement and
confirmation to God. “God you want me to write a book!”
DL: Describe your writing
process? Do you use an outline or let it flow organically?
DCR: I usually brainstorm ideas by
either emailing them to myself, creating a word document, Excel spreadsheet or by
jotting them down on paper or post its. I’m trying to get better with
journaling although I’m not sure I will ever fully implement that into my
writing process. Journaling can be convenient at times, but for me it can be somewhat
restrictive because I know I will not carry a journal with me everywhere.
Yes, I do use an outline.
Once I have my ideas scattered or somewhat organized on one of the writing
tools listed above, I begin to formalize my writing. I formalize my writing by
placing it into a detailed outline, breaking out the flow of where I am trying
to go with my writing.
DL: What do you think
makes a good story?
DCR: Transparency, details and
creativity. Everyone likes the truth, authenticity and realness. Details are
always important to provide a picture that goes beyond a general description
and provides more clarity to the reader. I love creativity. I like to question
myself by asking, “How can you tell this story in a different way.” Uniqueness
ranks up there as far as making a good story. However, you don’t need to be
unique to be creative and tell a great story.
DL: Is there any
particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or
as an adult?
DCR: There are various books that have
influenced me. Of course, for me, number one is the Holy Bible inspired by God
with a plethora of co-authors. God is the original author. He is the author and
finisher of our faith. But also, there is one book that comes to mind that
influenced me tremendously, No More Excuses, by Tony Evans. This book
inspired men to get up and off the sidelines and into the game of this thing
that we call life. It inspired men to be the man that God made them to be. It also
inspired men to lead, participate and make a difference. I read the book as
part of a small men’s group at church. It was just the book that I needed at
that time in my life. That book lit a fire in me, was a positive influence and
catalyst that led to me being where I am today in life.
DL: If you were hosting a
dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests?
DCR: God, my pastor Bishop Walter
Scott Thomas Sr. and Charles Stanley.
DL: What are the keys to
success in marketing your book(s)?
DCR: Social Media | Social Networking
for sure. Social media gives people the opportunity to get to know who you are
and what you do. Especially for those that choose to self-publish. The advance
in social media technologies such as live, stories, events, hashtags, emojis etc.
has given me more of an opportunity to express my personality and give people
more of an inside look at who I am. Although they may not get to know the
personal details about my life it gives me a better opportunity to market
myself as I am my brand.
Additionally, these
advances have improved social media and has made it more so a social networking
experience which is a deeper dive into marketing and connecting. You see you
can use social media to view and as entertainment or you can use it as a social
networking tool to connect, form relationships, get leads and sales.
DL: What tips would you
give to aspiring writers?
DCR: Do your own research and find a
mentor! This is very important. First do your own research so you have a better
idea of what you want to do and how the writing profession is run. Talk to
other writers, authors, and publishers about the creative and business aspects
of writing and becoming an author. After you have done that, search for and
choose a mentor that is successful and you either have a good repoire with or strongly
believe you would have a great mentor | mentee working relationship.
Chemistry is key because
you will spend lots of time communicating during the process of becoming a
writer. I was fortunate to have two good mentors that have been highly
successful and established as writers and publishers for a very long time. I
would like to note - a mentor’s time is precious. Most mentors want to work
with people that have already done the research and are serious about wanting
to become a writer. Also, writing associations are great resources of support
such as the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland of which I am a member.
DL: How about sharing an
excerpt from BOLD & CRAZY FAITH: The Inspirational
DCR: Here you go:
Every Sunday while I was in Germany, I
tuned in to our live streaming worship service at The New Psalmist Baptist
Church in Baltimore, MD. On the first
Sunday that I was in Amberg, Germany watching and
listening to my pastor Bishop Walter Scott Thomas Sr., he preached a sermon
that was so relevant and dead-on to what I was feeling and experiencing at that
time. Bishop Thomas preached about how so many people in our congregation had
been blessed above and beyond what most of us ever thought was possible. He
said, “some of you have been so blessed that you now have high-powered jobs
that fly you across the country and all around the world.” He went deeper
and said, “Imagine the level of trust that your employer needs to have in you
for that kind of responsibility.” I lost it, right there in my hotel room in
Amberg!! I began jumping up and down and praising God at the top of my voice, “THANK
YOU, LORD”!! I remembered thinking for a second that the other guests might
hear me, but I didn’t care because I was that blessed, and I knew it.
DL: What’s on the horizon
for you?
DCR: My plan is to write another book,
speak about faith and planning, provide services and consult on the various
aspects of publishing and expand my blog by bringing on contributing writers
and guest experts to provide tips and advice to inspire people. As part of my
business agenda and strategy I am seeking to co-author and collaborate on the
right inspirational book or project. Also, I have a few projects that I have
been working on that I would like to come back and discuss later if you would
be kind enough to have me Dee!
DL: Where can readers learn
more about you and your book(s)?
DCR: They can find more information
about me and my book here:
·
Website:
www.daryncarlramsey.com
·
Facebook:
@daryncarlramsey and @daryncarlramsey1
·
Twitter:
@daryncarlramsey
·
Blog:
ramseyscorner.com
·
Book Buy
Links: https://www.amazon.com/Bold-Crazy-Faith-INCREASE-ABUNDANT/dp/173356070X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
It’s been a pleasure
having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you
and your work.
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