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When
did the "writing" bug bite you?
I
have always liked to write. I actually wrote a short story
in the 4th grade. I'm upset that I was too young to keep up
with the book. We were to do an art journal, and we were
supposed to draw a picture to describe our day, and I can't draw
so I wrote a story instead. (I didn't get a good grade.)
I was in a creative writing class in junior high. Then I
didn't write again until 2001 when I finished nursing school.
NOTHING
LIKE FRIENDS is your debut novel. How was the writing
process for you?
It
was pretty simple for me. I finished nursing school and read
Michael Baisden's Maintenance Man and said to myself,
"I can do this!" and sat down and started my story.
Then I let it sit for three years.
In
25 words or less, make us have to run and pick up a copy of
NOTHING LIKE FRIENDS.
If
you want romance, drama, friendship, love, betrayal, and lust all
wrapped in one, here's the book for you!
What
are some of the topics you tackle in NOTHING LIKE FRIENDS?
The
bond of friendship and the lines you just don't cross and letting
go of the pain that haunts you and makes it difficult for you to
move on are a few of the topics in the book. The process of
forgiveness is also a big part of this book. That doesn't
come easily for everyone. Taking a loved-one for granted is
dealt with in this novel as well as risking what's really
important to you.
Do
you find yourself in any of your four female main characters?
All
four of the women are a division of me. I have felt what
they felt and searched for love like them. It's
loosely based on reality, but I have and can sympathize with all
of them.
In
your creative process, what was the spark that had you creating
this work?
I
just did a cross between imagination and real images. My
goal was to have the characters be relatable, and many people have
told me they felt like they either knew people like the characters
or they themselves were the characters. Being that it
was loosely based on reality, the book wasn't that hard to
imagine.
As
a first-time novelist, what are three most important things you
learned about writing?
-
I
learned that it can't be an overnight success.
-
It's
a good feeling that people find my novel and style of writing
enjoyable and something they can relate to.
-
Writing
the second novel was easier than the first.
Who
inspires you as a writer?
There's
a long list; Michael Baisden, Terry McMillan, E. Lynn
Harris, Karen Quinones Miller are just a few.
Picture
this, you're about to sit down to write...describe the setting
that creates the perfect mood conducive to great writing for you.
Well,
I would have the children at school and then with a babysitter.
The husband would be at work. The house would be quiet, and I
would be at my desk, letting my imagination flow. I would have
something on in the background:
my soap operas. I
love the soaps, and nothing would be able to stop me from that.
Or, it can be late at night, when everyone is asleep, and I
would have nice R&B playing softly. Either way, day
or night, I have to be alone.
If
you were not a writer, what would be your dream career?
I'm
already working in my dream career. I've been a registered
nurse for five years now and I love what I do. However, I
love being an author.
What
projects are you working on now? Are there any conferences or book
signings in the near future?
I'll
be in
Atlanta
Jan 20-21.
Oasis
Books, South Dekalb Mall,
Atlanta
, 1/20/06, 7-9 pm, and 1/21/06, 4-7 pm
Nubian
Bookstore, South Lake Mall, 1/20/06, 4-6 pm
Mood
Makers,
Rochester
,
NY
, 2/18/06, 1-3 pm
There
are a few things that are in the works. I'm blessed to have
things moving at a nice pace for me.
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