Interview on Writer's Core Podcast Latoya Jackson-Tulloch

My name is Latoya Jackson-Tulloch and I am an author, worship minister, intercessor, Mother of 2 and Wife of One.I grew up in rural Jamaica in a district called New Market, and I went to the Beersheba All Age school and then on to the Black River High School. I am currently pursuing a 1st Degree at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean in the area of Applied Psychology. I grew up with my grandmother and got saved at age 11. Most of my life I have been in church serving in the capacities of Praise and Worship, choir, Women’s Ministry, Preaching, Intercession, planning and writing different pieces for Meditation, plays and Poetry Night.1. Can you share your inspiration behind your specific book and how the idea came to fruition?The book was written based on the story in 1 Kings 18 I saw a lack in the church, where we stopped seeking God the way that we used to and the power that used to be evident in the church was no longer there. I started doing my research and out of this along with a request to speak at church one sunday came the word “Rebuild the Altar. Elijah on Mount Carmel calling a nation back to God - Jezebel and AhabChurch had stopped prayingI had stopped seekingInternal battles (overworked, dealing with rejection)2. How does your personal background or experiences influence the themes and characters in your writing?So even though this is the first book published, this is not the only thing that i am working on.I am working on a book called Ms Jus Granddaughter, where i highlight stories of life growing up in Rural Jamaica. Stories about helping grandma to move the cow, to plant the fields, market day, water day, walking to school and church life. Now the characters in this story would be shaped by my personal background, my experiences and these would definitely influence the themes in that book.Most of my writings are influenced by the experiences that I have gone through over the years. Most times this is how the Lord deals with me…through the experiences and then i am prompted to put them in either poetry form or a story.I grew up in rural Jamaica, where faith, family, and community were central. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of resilience, struggle, and spiritual heritage. My journey—especially my moments of loss, including the traumatic experience of temporary blindness and deep rejection—deeply influences my writing. You won’t find fictional characters in From Ruins to Revival, but you will find my heart, my wounds, and my restoration journey reflected throughout. Every theme—like rebuilding, repentance, and intimacy with God—was lived before it was written. (Get up and Go my personal experience has influenced what i wrote)3. What challenges did you face during the writing process, and how did you overcome them?Self doubt/What am i writing, does it make sense/will anyone read my bookTime constraint/Balancing work/church/family/school/marriageOne of the greatest challenges was emotional vulnerability. Writing a book like this meant revisiting some very painful seasons of my life. There were moments I had to pause and simply weep before God. Another challenge was balancing writing with all my other responsibilities—ministry, work, family. But I overcame it through disciplined time in prayer, accountability, and sheer obedience to the call. God gave grace for every moment I wanted to quit.4. Are there any particular authors or books that have significantly influenced your writing style or storytelling approach?Valentine RodneyNicholas RobertsonT.D. JakesStormie OmartianDefinitely. Authors like Stormie Omartian and Priscilla Shirer have influenced my approach to spiritual writing—balancing scriptural depth with relatable experience. I also admire T.D. Jakes for his transparent yet empowering voice. On the literary side, I draw from the narrative depth of Caribbean writers who capture our culture with authenticity. I try to weave all of that into a voice that feels both grounded and prophetic.5. Can you discuss the significance of the title of your book and how it encapsulates the essence of your work?A life without the hand of God will result in ruins. A nation that moves from the direction of following God’s voice to following idols will end up in ruins.When the place of prayer is broken down, your life will end up in ruins because the place from which you make decisions will be that of self and there is no voice of God to lead you.This book is a call to come back to the presence of the Lord. So often we wander away…sometimes without us realising.When we have realised, we feel as though we have gone too far. But he is reminding us that we can come back to him. The prodigal son went away, but then he came back to his senses…and returned home.Many have been wandering in the dark, unsure of where they are going…but if you would turn around and head back to his presence, you will see your life being transformed as soon as you begin the repairing process. It's not just about revival in a church service; it’s about personal awakening, restoration of purpose, and rekindling one’s first love for God. 6. How do you engage with your readers and incorporate their feedback into your writing process? So when i was writing, there were two persons who were my sounding boards: Nicole Littlejohn and my husband ‘Al’. I would write a chapter and they would read it and tell me if it made sense.Outside of that, I started podcasting with my poems and the responses were very good. I plan to do the same thing with this book…I have already put together the materials to begin the podcast for From Ruins to Revival. Title:  Rebuilding the Altar: A 30-Day Devotional & Prayer Journal. I am also very much on social media, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube.7. In what ways do you think literature and storytelling can impact society or bring about change?Everyone wants to hear the testimonies of others who have overcome a challenge that they are facing. When i just got saved, i wanted to hear how the missionary overcame temptation when she was my age.Its the same thing with writing. People read stories to see how others have overcome. Even if it is fiction, we want to know how the hero won the battle or how the guy got the girl. Everyone wants to hear a story of triumph.Women who have been abused and are still in these abusive relationships, they want to hear how another woman overcame…how did they transition from being a victim to become a victor. So as we tell our different stories and the audience reads, then each story begins to change the very essence of the society that we live in. Literature holds the power to awaken, confront, and heal. When stories are honest and rooted in truth, they give people permission to feel, to process, and to hope again. Especially in faith-based writing, storytelling becomes a ministry tool—it restores faith, provokes prayer, and challenges complacency. In societies like ours where silence often surrounds trauma or spiritual drift, storytelling breaks the silence and invites people back to the heart of God.8. Are there recurring symbols in your work that hold special meaning to you? If so, could you elaborate on them?When i was writing the book, i realise that Elijah did not get new stones to build a new altar. He used the same stones that were scattered from the broken down altar on Mount Carmel. He invited the people to help to repair the altar. It was significant to me because the people had to have a hand in repairing and restoring of what was broken down.Dont expect to be lifted up and taken back to the altar. You have to be willing to come. You have to be willing to repair that which you neglected.God is always calling us back…but we have a responsibility to respond to the call.The Altar symbolised a place of surrender, sacrifice, dying, and a place of Fire…symbolizing revival. The more you engage the altar the more the fire of God will come. 9. How do you ensure the authenticity and accuracy of cultural or historical aspects portrayed in your writing?I write from lived experience, so much of the cultural texture—Jamaican spirituality, our language, and our way of worship—comes naturally. But I also make sure to double-check biblical references and theological concepts through study and counsel. I believe authenticity isn’t just about accuracy; it’s about integrity. I honor my culture and my faith by being careful not to misrepresent them, while still making my work accessible to international audiences.10. What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are looking to embark on their own literary journeys?Everyone has a story to tell. Your story has value. Your story has its place. Your story has its audience. Writing is not always easy…its a journey that takes time, effort, sometimes tears. But just like when you are almost at the end of your journey and there are butterflies in your stomach and that excitement in your steps, its the same thing when you are almost at the end of the last chapter. Be disciplined; make an effort to write everyday even for an hour. Surround yourself with people who are positive and who will encourage you.I wrote a poem entitled Do it Scared…and i will encourage you to write even when you feel afraid and that little voice is in your head saying no one will read your book.You dont know the life that your story can impact…so whatever you do, start writing and keep at it until you have completed the book.