Interview with Gaváta Smith, author of Get Yourself Together First

Author’s Bio: Gaváta Smith is an author, mime, motivational speaker, and Christian educator who is an active member of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, in Washington, DC, under the leadership of Archbishop Alfred A. Owens Jr. There she serves on the Intercessory Prayer Ministry, “The Greater” Magazine, and as the Vice President of the Silent Witnesses Mime Ministry. She holds a Leadership in Ministry Degree with Teaching Credentials from Evangelical Training Association. Currently, she’s studying at Calvary Bible Institute to advance her academic and ministerial gifts while seeking her Degree in Ministry under the Greater Mount Calvary umbrella. Gaváta ministers in Mime at various Christian Faith-Based Organizations under her individual ministry entitled “Mym4Christ”.

Aside from her church activities, she is an Executive Administrator and Human Resource Specialist, who also volunteers with Catholic Charities in her spare time by mentoring women reentering society from incarceration. After writing her book, Get Yourself Together First, she has made it her life’s mission to speak near and far, encouraging the reunification of families torn by the scars of addiction.

DL: What inspired you to write your book?
GS: Growing up as a child of an addict was hard and embarrassing. Being tormented and teased by your peers because of the daily life of your mother was painstaking. Receiving empowerment from my Grandparents and Aunt coupled with embracing faith in God, helped me through. And then the change came, when my mother “Got Herself Together First.” I was able to forgive, something many children of addicts have not yet embraced.

DL: Describe your writing process? Do you use an outline or let it flow organically?
GS: I began by just remembering and writing. I never wanted the book to be a lie, so I didn’t try to lock it down to timelines. I simply remembered various incidents of familiar feelings and categorized the stories as such.

DL: What do you think makes a good story?
GS: Dramatics and details, makes a story interesting…. It is those same details that made you both remember it and want to share it.

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
GS: I love the detailed accounts and wordiness of TD Jakes writings. But I likewise appreciate the painting of pictures in simplicity that James Patterson and Stuart Woods exhibit.

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?
GS: TD Jakes, James Patterson, and J.D. Mason.

DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
GS: I’d say the following:

a.      Self-Passion
b.      Motivation and Drive
c.       Networking
d.      Innovation and Out-The-Box Thinking
e.       Relentless Electronic Communication

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?
GS: This is your job. Work it like your own company. Believe that your livelihood is dependent on your promotion of it.

DL: How about sharing an excerpt from Get Yourself Together First?
GS: Here you go:

About halfway through Delegate Norton’s speech, Gaváta looked up towards the alter/pulpit. Lo’ and behold, to her amazement, coming through the exit door behind where the ecclesiastic body sat, was none other than her mother. Regina’s mouth was twisted, she was bouncing, her face was flaking from dry skin, and the word ‘high’ couldn’t even equate the dimension in which it seemed that she was on.

   “….And, I just want to give special accolades and honor to Bishop McCollough’s granddaughter who maintained Honor Roll status in spite of being a teenage mother. She somehow saw past her obstacles and pressed forward to be successful and to achieve what life has for her. Today I call forth, little Ms. Gaváta Smith.” This is a summation of the introduction given by Delegate Norton. Gaváta got the micro- phone and began to verbalize her appreciation for Aunt Sissy, Uncle Buddy, Grandma Madam, and Aunt Maude (Uncle Buddy’s Wife). She then went back to talking about how much Sissy did for her to help her with the children, sitting up night after night to help her with her homework and also she spoke about how much Sissy did to support her financially though all of these difficult times. Without looking back into her mother’s face, Gaváta could feel her mom’s eyes burning the back of her head. So with almost the faintest of a whisper, she simply said, “… and I’d like to thank my mother, Regina, for her love and support.” As Gaváta went to take her seat and the crowd began to clap and whoop, close friends and family got in line to hug and congratulate her. Yet, through the noise, she could hear her mother repeatedly saying, “That’s my daughter. That’s my baby.”

DL: What’s on the horizon for you?
GS: In a couple of years I am considering doing a workbook and workshop but I am working on my Ministry Degree first.

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and your book?
GS: They can learn more about me and book here:

· Website: www.gavata.org

· Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/GET-YOURSELF-TOGETHER-FIRST-Events-ebook/dp/B07L8Y66JH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=gavata&qid=1571501207&sr=8-1

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gavata.smith

https://www.facebook.com/GavataMym4Christ/

· Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gavata1

· Book Buy Links:

o https://www.walmart.com/ip/Get-Yourself-Together-First-Paperback/575063992

o https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/get-yourself-together-first-gav-ta/1129783275?ean=9781545649060

o https://www.amazon.com/Get-Yourself-Together-First-Gavata/dp/1545649065/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1540498363&sr=8-16&keywords=gavata

o https://www.target.com/p/get-yourself-together-first-by-gavata-paperback/-/A-78161403

o https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Get-Yourself-Together-First/Gavata/9781545649060?id=7715019990323

o https://www.bookdepository.com/Get-Yourself-Together-First-Gavata/9781545649060