Tell me about yourself! How old are you, and where are you from?
My name is Sequoya Griffin. I’m 29 years-old from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Give us a summary of your book!
My memoir is titled Goodbye, SaraJane: A Foster Child Writes Letters to Her Mother. It’s a story into the eyes of a frightened foster child and adoptee. Her biggest wish in the whole wide world is to be reunified with her biological family. She has immense love, respect and admiration for her biological mother who no one will ever be able to replace. This story isn’t your typical rainbow and unicorns adoption story that most people want to hear, especially about transracial adoption. It’s the story of a child with a vivid memory and warrior strength, which causes her adoptive mother to detest her and begin torturing her.
What inspired you to write this book?
Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been writing songs, poetry and books. When I was 12 I spent the whole summer writing a teen novel on paper. I felt so accomplished. Being a foster child who witnessed and experienced a lot of trauma, I needed an outlet to process everything what was going on. I couldn’t hold it in. I felt I was abnormal and others needed to see what was taking place. Is stuff like this supposed to happen? Why are there so many questionable things happening in foster care? Why isn’t an adoptive parent’s background thoroughly cross-examined before an adoption can take place? Why do people regard me different just because I’m a foster child? I started writing my story when I was 19 years old.
If you could pick one song to describe this book, what would it be?
“O-o-h Child” by the Five Stairsteps
Have you written any fiction novels as well? If not, would you and what genre?
I wrote a novel when I was 12, about three classmates on a hunt for a stolen Easter Egg, haha. It wasn’t published, at least not to my knowledge. In fact, to keep it real, my adoptive mother stole it and she never gave it back.
I do plan to write fictional books. Coming of age Young Adult novels…including situations with bullying, frenemies and drama in high school. I have plenty of experiences to draw upon in that area, with a solution on how to truly handle the problem that many children face.
What are two of your favorite books? Least favorite?
Two of my favorite books are “They Called her Mrs. Doc” by Janette Oke and “Wheep No More, My Lady” by Mary Higgins Clark
I don’t have a least favorite book because a story, no matter how it’s written, no matter what genre, is the gifted artistic expression that writer gives to us.
Do you have any other hobbies, or businesses that you would like to share?
I founded a publishing company, Key Purpose Books LLC. Books, music and periodicals will be published. It runs as both a publishing and music licensing company. I’m also a contemporary Christian singer/songwriter and I’m excited to soon share the volumes of music I have. I say “volumes” because God has developed me privately for 29 years, which has resulted in a lot of work accumulated.
Do you have any upcoming book specials/giveaways or events?
I have a Q&A book signing in Upstate NY on May 11th. I might possibly have a book giveaway sometime this month 😊
How can readers keep up with you? Post your social media usernames!
Amazon: amazon.com/author/sequoyagriffin
Facebook.com/GoodbyeSaraJane
IG: @keypurposebooks
Anything else you would like to share?
I want to encourage everyone to be diligent and patient as God prunes and ripens your gifts. He gave you those gifts for a reason. If He says yes, no one and no thing can take it from you! Tell your self-doubt, “It’s a no for me!” and keep pressing forward! Your gifts will help transform you for better, while giving praise to God and helping others at the same time.
Check out her book on amazon! https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Sarajane-Foster-Writes-Letters/dp/0999232509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509752160&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye,+SaraJane
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