About the Author
Professional
For 24 years, Brenda has employeed her communication skills and Agriculture Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia through a variety of writing experiences that encompass several facets of the publishing industry from book editing, magazine layout and graphic design to public speaking. She promotes organizations and their events, tells stories, covers the news, and shares her faith through press releases, newsletters, newspapers and trade magazines. Her news and feature articles consistently appear in the The Midwest Cattleman and Missouri Beef Cattlemen magazines, and have been featured in The Missouri Ruralist and the Progressive Dairyman, as well as community papers throughout the state.
Brenda's devotional articles are featured weekly in her column "The Word's Out" in the Nevada Daily Mail. God's Word for Today has highlighted numerous devotions and Chicken Soup for the Soul - Grieving and Recovery selected one of Brenda's most touching stories for its 2011 release. A member of the Heart of America Christian Writer's Network , Brenda is a two-time award winner in the HACWN writer's contest.
An editorial column "Outside the Box" appears twice monthly in the Butler News Xpress. Brenda frequently addresses current topics with a positive and humorous point of view her readers have come to expect and appreciate.
As a speaker, Brenda relates to a wide variety of audiences. She is most appreciated for her genuine, personal delivery that conveys sincerity and plenty of personality. Oral presentations often include slide shows and one or two musical solos.
Brenda now has three books available. She co-authored "I Stand - A miraculous journey from paralysis to praise" with gospel music recording artist Pam Morgan, documenting Pam's miraculous recovery from a near-fatal and debilitating car wreck. A story of hope, romance and amazement! See the stories behind "I Stand" in the *Nevada Daily Mail * Butler News Xpress * Adrian Journal . Enjoy"Were You Born in a Barn?" - a collection of original devotions featuring humorous and heart-felt stories of farm animal parables. Here's a lighter approach to solid Scriptural truths that will leave you more in tune with the Lord and all the other barnlot dwellers in your life.An adorable child's story book - "Cowboy Pete" takes both parent and child through a day of fun-filled adventure and invites playful and musical interaction. Hard-cover, glossy and full color illustrations.
Personal
As a preacher’s wife, mother, home school teacher, former parent educator, country girl with a journalism degree, auctioneer, and even professional rodeo queen, Brenda draws upon a wide array of experiences to relate to readers. Writing for individuals and businesses along with the need to fulfill editors' deadline demands has helped Brenda develop efficient time management and practice productive creativity. She has learned to be a good student of human nature and has honed a sense of humor! This combination of life experiences, an appreciation for excellent writing and great organizational skills sets the stage for a professional, yet personal style uniquely her own.
Brenda's Bio
Brenda Black is first a Christian, then a wife, then a mother who happens to also be a speaker, singer and award-winning writer. She and her husband, Alan, make their home in rural Deepwater, MO. They have two sons, Austin and Cooper. The family enjoys learning together, riding horses, raising cattle, making music and, most of all, ministering the love of Jesus to everyone!
Many of her works and presentations are designed to entertain as well as challenge the reader or listener with conviction, encouragement and truthful information. Humor and heart felt sincerity are always key ingredients.
In her spare time – Brenda enjoys reading, outdoor exercise especially if it includes a walk down the road with her black Labrador, Chloe. She hunts with the boys, but never carries a gun and always totes a camera. She volunteers as a high school Sunday School teacher and serves as the Missouri Cattlewomen's President. Brenda was appointed by the U.S. Sec. of Agriculture in 2011 to serve as a member of the Cattlemen's Beef Board for three years. Currently she is part of the Joint Public Relations Subcommittee.
Brenda sings with the radio, stays up too late, cries at the movies, drinks tea, not coffee, prefers spring and fall to cold winter or hot summer, adores baby animals and loves to laugh – she knows it to be good medicine.
Her delight is to take the mundane things of life and help readers see it in a new and interesting way that brings a smile or lifts the spirit. And she enjoys relating the best in people by telling their stories with tasteful honesty.