Hard Conversations Book 1: Breadcrumbs To The Past by- BJ Communicates

August 24, 2021

Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a two-month book tour and $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway For Hard Conversations: Book 1: Breadcrumbs To The Past by BJ Communicates. The book tour will run Sept 6-October 29, 2021.

Genre: Urban Fiction

ISBN-978-1098380953

BJ Communicates, aka Dr. Brad Johnson, LSSBB, CSM, is a Kingdom writer, a communication practitioner, and an influential Bible teacher. Given the assignments of assisting urban believers in articulating their stories, finding resolution, and gaining the language of the Kingdom, BJ continually creates and releases inspirational media content that highlights their stories and experiences. “The Holy Spirit is constantly giving me things to write; sometimes it’s a book, sometimes it’s an article for a Christian publication, sometimes it’s something for my blog site or social media, and sometimes it’s a song for me or another recording artist, I’m just the pen in His hand,” says BJ. In addition to faith-based media creator, he is the owner of Communic8 Life Consulting, a communication consulting firm that specializes in assisting couples, families, and business teams in improving their interpersonal communication skills; and is the co-pastor of the urban cafe church Transformed City in Richmond, VA.

Sometimes it’s the conversations not had that do the most damage to the people in our lives. Hard Conversations is a collection of short stories detailing the lives of five urban people who are standing at the intersection of their past and their potential. Sensing that something is still off in the lives that they have built, each has to make the crucial decision whether to address their secrets long buried, or to continue living in the uncomfortable matrix they created. Only they can decide what their future will bring.

Our gifting often becomes our prison. I wrote this book to pull back the mask on our experience in the hopes that it compels us to confront our learned ability to white wash our pain with our talent and giftings. We are often taught that the greatest value that we bring to the world is solely present in what we do, what we earn, or how well we play. In reality our greatest value is in the stories that we can articulate to those we influence once we have reached the other side of trauma. Trauma that tried to silence our voice, trauma that caused a part of us to die in the fight, and trauma that threatened us to stay silent after our experience with it because we should just be grateful that we made it to the other side.

How do you see yourself in your character’s story, if at all?

I always says that the stories of the characters In my book are no one’s story, but everyone’s story. I see myself In the most simplistic way as a person who has had to have some difficult conversations to heal from things that occurred In my childhood. There were people that loved me but because of their pain, they made decisions that cause deficit and confusion In my life. Those situations stopped me from being happy and thriving In life; and even though I had forgiven them, I still couldn’t move on without having a clarifying conversation to fully articulate my experience of them. The conversation wasn’t for their apology, It was for my freedom. As humans we aren’t meant to carry burdens, we are meant to cast and release them. In articulating my experience I Invited the opportunity for deeper understanding, the extension of grace, and the possibility of reconciliation In relationships.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

It would be a tie between when I got married to my wife and when our son was born. They both were life defining times. My son being born was even more amazing because a year before having him we had another son who died shortly after birth. Our 2nd sons birthed changed me and healed me in a way that I wasn’t expecting.

What are you reading right now?

I am currently reading It’s Happening by William McDowell. It is a book on the need for and the power of revival available for believers. It is a powerful book that I got into because a word I received from the Lord about revival being released to the American church. My church is whole heartedly focused on it until we see the physical manifestation of it.

What is your current work in progress?

I have a new communications manual/workbook coming out during the first quarter to give people new perspective on the power of effective communication and processes to become a better interpersonal communicator. Shortly, I will start working on Hard Conversations Book 2 to continue the journey of the individuals in Book 1. There is a song inspired by each book that will be released simultaneously with the project like “You’re Real” was for Hard Conversations: Book 1.

What would be your dream vacation?

I love the tropical climate so probably a 10 day cruise to Aruba or the Dominican Republic, in a non Covid climate, would be the best vacation. I love being by the pool and would love to jet ski for the first time in some crystal clear blue water. No cell phones and no responsibilities for the moment.