Meet Memphian and author Jae Henderson. Here, she answers my questions about her work, her favorite barbecue and the three things she can't live without.

Name: Jae Henderson

Occupation: Writer

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Neighborhood (in Memphis):  Fox Meadows

What are you working on: I am finishing the last book in my inspirational romance trilogy, “Forever and a Day,” while simultaneously promoting my other two books “Someday” and “Someday, Too.”  I am also trying to get the word out about my short story series “Things Every Good Woman Should Know.”

How’s it coming so far? It’s going great. I am grateful for the positive feedback I’ve received. Becoming an author is a dream come true. The dream is even sweeter when people tell you that you’re good at it.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Memphis? Howard & Beverly Robertson. I’ve never met two people who have accomplished so much as a unit and separately. Beverly is the president of the National Civil Rights Museum, and her leadership has made it a national treasure. Howard heads the day-to-day operations of their company, TRUST Marketing. His creative mind never ceases to amaze me. I’ve learned so much from both of them over the years.

Who has the best barbecue? I like Tops Bar-B-Q a lot. I grew up on it. My family actually makes great barbecue but when we bought it, it came from Tops.

If you could bring one thing from anywhere else to Memphis, what would it be? I’d bring the beach. The water is so calming and beautiful to look at. I could stare at it all day.

What three things can you not live without (excluding people)?:  My laptop, shoes, and Chinese food. I’m a writer so my laptop is self-explanatory. I am a Chinese food junkie - I order it at least twice a week. As for the shoes, I’m a woman who appreciates great fashion.

What do you wish that everyone knew about Memphis? The amount of talent in this city is phenomenal. We are a very blessed city in that respect.

What about Memphis has surprised you the most? No matter how much growth we experience, we are still able to keep a relatively low cost of living compared to the rest of the country and virtually no traffic. With a decent salary, you can live pretty well here. When I go to other cities and see what they pay for real estate I think, in Memphis, I could have a house twice or triple that size for that price. Also, what we call traffic is nothing compared to cities like Dallas and Atlanta. For people like me, who can’t stand taking all day to get somewhere, living here is paradise. Yes, we have our challenges. Every city does, but I try not to forget about the things that make living here a wonderful experience.

Complete this sentence - I love Memphis because: the people here have giving spirits. It’s rare that I’ve asked anyone for assistance and they have told me no. They may not have been able to give it to me in the form I asked for it, but they offered me some advice or an alternative. Southern hospitality is real here.