What happens when someone chooses to be unforgiving over and over again? Michelle Lindo-Rice addressed this question with her series Nothing but the Truth. Lie to Me (Brown Girls Faith) is the second installment in Michelle’s three-part series that delves deep into the lives of her characters and examines what transgressions they have held onto. Michelle shared with us about the inspiration behind her series, guidance from the holy spirit and also what she hopes readers can take away from her books.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE “NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH” 
SERIES?
The Nothing but the Truth series stemmed from my own personal experience with the destructive poison created from being unforgiving. I had faced deep personal hurts and I held onto that pain instead of casting it in God’s hands. That pain festered and grew until it morphed into a mass that I couldn’t manage.
I created Sydney, a woman with strong spiritual beliefs who struggles with forgiveness, to mirror many other believers I know with the same challenge. Sydney’s journey in Tell Me Lies made many readers consider themselves, search the word and above all, mend fences with others in their lives. Readers wanted to know more of her and other characters so the Nothing but the Truth series came to be with the sequel, Lie to Me. I have plans for the third and final installment that will release in the fall of this year.
DO YOU BASE YOUR CHARACTERS ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW – OR ARE THEY TOTALLY MADE UP?
My characters are formed through experiences, news events, a picture and sometimes a conversation. I am also an avid reader. Reading gives me fuel. The more I read, the more I get to know striking characters. I strive to craft characters and allow them to drive the story. So, I would say, my characters are a morph of myself, my family, friends, and other characters from stories and television.
MOST WRITERS HAVE ALL KINDS OF IDEAS — THE HARD PART IS FOCUSING 
ON THE STORY YOU’RE WRITING. WHEN YOU HAVE LOTS OF IDEAS, HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHICH STORY TO WRITE?
I write all my ideas and thoughts and then save them with a tentative title. When I’m ready to write, I scan and see what captures me. Reader demand plays a huge role but the characters determine my next book. If that person talks to me and show me their story, I become inspired and I have to follow their lead. I start with one word. Then another. I continue until their story is told. But I always begin with prayer.
WHAT DO YOU WANT READERS TO TAKE AWAY AFTER READING ONE OF YOUR “NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH” BOOKS?
I want readers to finish Tell Me Lies and be driven to examine themselves. I want them to reach out to anyone who has hurt them or who they have hurt and seek forgiveness. I hope they are drawn closer to God and develop a deeper relationship with Him. I also want them to be entertained and ready for the next book and the next crazy ride!