Rhonda McKnight Gives Readers Faith, Forgiveness, and Hope

Keywords

Black women writers, maternal health, storytelling, resilience, healing, community, awards, writing journey, racism, faith

Takeaways

• Black and Indigenous women face alarming maternal death rates.

• Rhonda McKnight has written 29 books, focusing on complex characters.

• Celebrating achievements is crucial for personal growth.

• Writing can serve as a therapeutic process for both the writer and the reader.

• The importance of community in literary events cannot be overstated.

• Racism plays a significant role in healthcare disparities for Black women.

• Stories can provide healing and connection across generations.

• The dual timeline in ‘Bitter and Sweet’ reflects historical and contemporary struggles.

• Therapy is essential for addressing generational trauma.

• Readers should always be at the forefront of a writer’s mind.

Summary

In this episode of Black Writer Therapy, host Ella Shawn engages in a heartfelt conversation with author Rhonda McKnight, exploring themes of maternal health, the healing power of storytelling, and the importance of community among Black women writers. Rhonda shares her journey as a prolific author, her experiences with literary awards, and the significance of addressing racism in healthcare. The discussion also delves into the dual timeline of her latest novel, ‘Bitter and Sweet,’ and how writing serves as a therapeutic outlet for both the author and her readers. Throughout the conversation, the importance of celebrating achievements and the need for connection within the literary community are emphasized, making this episode a rich exploration of resilience, faith, and the power of storytelling.

Sound Bites(upcoming merch)

• It’s healing time, y’all.

• I want readers to feel good.

• Grief is hard; it ages you.

Chapters

00:00 The Alarming Statistics of Maternal Mortality

02:15 Celebrating Literary Events and Community Engagement

04:14 The Journey of a Prolific Author

06:28 The Impact of Awards and Recognition

09:04 Writing as a Healing Process

11:53 The Importance of Reader Connection

14:33 Exploring Themes of Faith and Resilience

17:29 The Role of Therapy in Writing

20:10 Cultural Legacy and Historical Context

23:16 The Healing Power of Storytelling

25:52 Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Health

46:07 Listening to Women’s Voices in Healthcare

48:46 The Importance of Self-Care and Connection

51:15 Celebrating Personal Growth and Resilience

55:49 Generational Grief and Healing

01:03:46 Reclaiming Personal Space and Identity

01:10:42 The Power of Storytelling and Connection

01:16:35 BWT OUTRO.mp3

Connect with Rhonda McKnight

Rhonda McKnight is the author of 29 books. Bitter and Sweet and the 2024 Christy Award Finalist and Emma Award winner, The Thing About Home, are her latest releases. She has also written several other award-winning bestsellers, including An Inconvenient Friend. She is the winner of the 2015 Emma Award for Inspirational Romance of the Year for her title, Unbreak My Heart. She has been nominated thrice for the African American Literary Award. She writes inspirational book club fiction and Christian romance stories about complex characters in crisis. Her goal is to touch the heart of women with the themes of faith, forgiveness, and hope. Originally from a small coastal town in New Jersey, she writes from the comfort of her South Carolina home.

Connect with Ella Shawn