This Author Is Writing to Increase the Number of Strong WOC in the Mystery/Thriller Genre

Gracia Rich is a writer, poet, journalist, and author of the soon to be released thriller, Handkerchief. The Rains, South Carolina-native has had years of experience writing poetry, short stories, devotionals, and romance, with her debut novel, “Homecoming” being published by Amazon Kindle in 2013. She creates strong, relatable female characters with an edge and endings that are completely unexpected.

Gracia is a co-author of the 2018 Bestselling Anthology, “Letters to Our Daughters”. She is a featured writer and contributing editor at Formidable Woman Magazine as well as a recurring contributing writer for Today’s Purpose Woman Magazine and has written devotionals for OurBibleApp. You will also find her blogs on many sites including godandglowing.com, dearshorthair.com, and thebestiecode.com. She is also a co-host of the Glambitious! Podcast.

The mother of four is also the founder of the Broken Dolls Initiative, an organization whose goal is to encourage and empower women to find their best selves and to assure them that there is life in second chances. She has always had a passion for women throughout her life and knows that it is her God-given purpose to share her story with them so that they will understand that perfect does not equal power, it’s the potential that makes the possibilities.

By day, Gracia moonlights as a Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation Paralegal. You can learn more about her below.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Gracia, Gracia?

Gracia: I would describe my swagher as “classic with a twist.” What makes me, me is the fact that I am perfectly fine with being different. Growing up, I was always labeled a ‘nerd’ or “different” because I never quite conformed to what people around me thought of as “normal”. But truthfully, I was okay with not being “normal”. I accepted the fact that I was not like everyone else, and I’ve carried that same mindset into adulthood. We don’t have to be like anyone else. Being yourself is enough, even if you don’t know it yet. There is a place for everyone in this world, find yours. And if you can’t, create it.

Fancy: What sparked your interest in writing?

Gracia: I have always loved to write. Journaling has always been a part of my life. When I was younger, it started with poetry and progressed into short stories and anthologies and finally novels. Writing for me is a release, both creatively and emotionally. I write things that I feel people can relate to. I also create worlds that I want to be a part of or characters that I don’t get to see in books on the shelves today.

Fancy: Do you have a writing routine? If so, please share it with us?

Gracia: My writing routine varies from day-to-day. I write in the mornings when I have free time before my actual 9 to 5 or after. I also try to get in as many hours as I can on the weekends. I’ve tried to create a hardcore writing routine or schedule for myself and it never really works. If I’m able to get down a few paragraphs on the page a day, I feel accomplished.

Fancy: So, you will soon be releasing your thriller, “Handkerchief”, can you give us a summary of it?

Gracia: I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!! “Handkerchief” is about a millionairess who is also a murderess. My protagonist is rich, powerful, beautiful and kills because she feels she can get away with it. She feels that her status will protect her. She soon finds out that is not the case. It’s called “Handkerchief” because of a monogrammed lace handkerchief that is a recurring item at various crime scenes. Does she eventually get caught? I won’t say. You MUST read to find out!

Fancy: What’s the inspiration behind this book?

Gracia: The inspiration behind this book is my love of the mystery/thriller genre and the fact that I never see strong, African American women in these types of books as the protagonist. I decided that I wanted to create a main character that was unexpected, someone you would not think about if you were picking up a thriller. I think the mystery surrounding her is a great as the story itself.

Fancy: Now you’re also the founder of the Broken Dolls Initiative. What is it that fuels your purpose of helping other women?

Gracia: The Broken Dolls Initiative is a work that was born out of several dark places in my life. Like many women, I am a woman who has experienced many of the traumatic issues that affect our gender. I have been a victim of sexual and physical assault. I have been an unwed, teenaged mother. I have been married for 20 years, but now divorced. I have suffered the loss of a child. I have been all of these things and many, many more. Each one of these issues breaks you and changes the way you not only see yourself but the way you relate to other people.

I created The Broken Dolls Initiative because I knew that I was not the only one who had suffered in this way and that fueled me to want to help other women. The Broken Dolls Initiative is a forum for women who would like to rebuild the broken pieces of their lives. We provide a safe space to meet and discuss our issues with other women who have either experienced the same situations that we have or others that affect women as a whole. We want to bring healing and release to women who are battling these types of issues, be it with others, or just within themselves. There are so many women out there dealing with emotions and situations that we would never know based on their outer appearance. We offer them a forum to reflect, relate and release all that is within them so that they can move on to becoming the very best versions of themselves.

Fancy: How do you balance your work and family?

Gracia: For me, balancing work and family is not really an issue. I have four children, but my three older ones are adults and my youngest is in high school. They are all very self-sufficient. One of the best things about being a writer is that it allows for time to be with family. And at any time we decide that we are going to get together, I will always bring my laptop or at least a notebook along in case inspiration strikes.

Fancy: How do you practice self-care?

Gracia: I am not as big on self-care as I should be. I admit that. But when I do have downtime I like to read, listen to music, watch classic movies and catch up on my sleep because I have early mornings and late nights.

Fancy: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?

Gracia: Coming up in 2020, I am a co-author of the” Glambitious! Guide to Winning” due to be released on January 1, 2020. “Handkerchief” is to be released within the first quarter of the year. I am also the chief editor on an upcoming, brilliant anthology, “The Race to the Ring. The 7 C’s of a Successful Courtship” to be released in February 2020. You can also find me as a features journalist and contributing editor of Formidable Woman Magazine.

Connect with Gracia below.

Website: www.graciacrich.com

Facebook: @Gracia Collins Rich

Instagram: @beautifullynaturalgeek

Twitter: @Gracia1113