This month I had the opportunity to get to know Shivonya Jefferson! She's another one that hits close to home because she's a friend of fellow blogger, Jenn D.! Shivonya was a contributing author on Awaken Your Inner Warrior and this inspiring book is sure to spark the warrior in everyone!
What branch of the military are you affiliated with?
- My husband and I were both in the United States Air Force.
How long have you been a military spouse?
- I served 3 years and was a spouse for over 15 years.
What is your favorite part about being in a military family?
- One of the most rewarding aspects of military life was the opportunity to forge strong, lasting connections with fellow airmen. Being a spouse in this environment also had its advantages; notably, the chance to travel and immerse myself in diverse cultures. Additionally, I cherished the opportunity to provide my husband's troops with a sense of family during the holidays, especially since we spent a significant portion of his enlistments stationed overseas.
What would you say is your biggest challenge being in a military family?
- One of the primary challenges faced during active duty service is the separation from home. For military spouses, creating a sense of home at every new duty station becomes essential. Additionally, the process of forming friendships can be daunting, as it often requires stepping out of one's comfort zone, which may not be an intuitive experience for everyone. Engaging with others and building a support network is crucial in navigating the unique lifestyle associated with military life.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with our current military families?
- When traveling to a different country or simply another state, it is beneficial to explore the area and seek out new friendships. Establishing a local support network can be invaluable, especially during challenging times such as deployments or temporary duty assignments (TDYs). Having a reliable outlet not only helps ease the burden of these experiences but also enhances overall well-being and makes life considerably more manageable.
How or why did you decide to become an author?
- I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. It's always been a way for me to relieve stress. But I decided to share my stories because I believe my life experiences might resonate with and help others. It’s also been an important part of my own healing process.
What book has been your favorite that you have written so far?
- Not Even Thirty it was released in 2010 under my pen name Precious Jenkins currently not available but hopefully I will do a new release soon.
Do you have more books planned for the future?
- I truly hope so but only time will tell.
What author inspires you?
- My favorite author of all time is Langston Hughes. But currently I really like Tabitha Brown's writing style.
Book Titles:
- Awaken Your Inner Warrior (contributing author)
- Not Even Thirty (currently unavailable)
I hope that this inspires you to grab Shivonya's newest book so you too can spark the fire for your own internal warrior! Something that is super awesome for Shivonya's book is that when you click the links for her book, it will take you to a doc to fill out your information and there will be a payment page as well. Shivonya is going to personally sign every book that is purchased through the links we have here in the post and get them sent out quickly! Thanks so much Shivonya for this bonus upgrade that you are offering to our members! We appreciate you!
Explore More with My Military Lifestyle and Our Book Nook!