What books do you remember reading during your childhood?
Of course there was EVERYTHING Judy Blume and Donald J Sobel, but I also remember Ms. Piggle Wiggle and Alvin Fernald series. My mother insisted on authors JRR Tolkein and CS Lewis, but then school pushed Lord of the Flies. I started early reading Jane Austen and Maya Angelou before I was twelve as well.
How did your childhood influence your current attitude towards work ethic?
Readers are voracious feeders so I know as an author, I have to continue to produce.
How did your partner review your work?
My husband has been a wonderful support system in my life helping me hash out ideas, encouraging me to publish and assisting when he can on the technical side of marketing.
What inspired your first original story? Did you share the tale with anyone?
My first “real” original story came about when a girlfriend insisted I tell her a story. We had to spend several days together and I came up with this awesome psychological romance suspense that I wrote down when I could and kept it with me for years until I published it as my second literary work.
What did you learn while working to promote and encourage emerging writers in Michigan?
To never stop learning. In order to be a Master, you must continuously be a student, strive to understand so you can rise above and think outside the box.
What challenges did you face while independently publishing your first romance novel in 2000?
Not having the knowledge about publishing. Back then the big publishers hoarded all the secrets and there really were no books out to show you how to get your book in readers hands. I had to reach out of my literary circle to the business world to understand how products reach customers and how small business work to understand what I needed to do to get a customer (reader) and keep a customer (reader)
How was the Black Family Series started?
Angry vengeance. I personally wanted to get back at someone and invented Ethan Black. A man whose wife cheated on him and he would go to the furthest reaches of evil to make everyone pay. Then there was his brother, James. From there, they had cousin’s because I realized crazy people needed love too. And finally there was the last and my current book Black’s Innocence where Tyler Black, Ethan’s half brother comes full circle and gets the darkest vengeance on the unsuspecting Lauren.
Who inspired the character of Dorian Zane in "Ravenous: Taking Care of Him"?
A good friend, who just doesn't know how to be nice. Can’t say nothing nice, can’t be pleasant to anyone and is always in a bad mood, but when he really likes someone, he’s about the sweetest person in the world - just don't tell him that. This is Dorian Zane and Chon has the unfortunate pleasure of capturing his heart.
How did you come up with the plot of your book, Beautiful?
I wrote Beautiful as an ode to my daughters. I wanted them to understand looking for beauty in all the wrong places, will only lead you to a life of unhappiness and loss. Madison thinks she’s found her beautiful in the arms of two brothers, but ends up getting her life’s works stolen and her credibility ruined. Beautiful is about having to start all over and learning to love the beauty within, no matter how messy it looks.
What other things, apart from writing do you enjoy doing?
Watching movies and reading. I’ve just picked up gardening and found it to be cathartic, especially when I’m feeling frustrated in my literary journey.
What is your ideal setting to write in?
Whatever puts my fingers on a keyboard. As a single mother, I learned you can’t ever plan for the perfect place to write, you gotta make a way out of no way and learn to write around the chaos.
Having published over 50 books, what do you think makes a book successful?
Good writing, great distribution and consistent marketing techniques
Who was the first reader that reached out to you? What did they say and how did you respond?
A woman who ran a book club from out of state found my book through a friend and really loved it. We talked for a while on the phone and she said I’d love to introduce your book to my book club, but we only read black writers. I had to check the mirror because I thought I was a black writer. I told her this. She was quiet for a moment and then asked, “You’re african-american?” I responded, “since I was born.” She apologized because she said when she read my work it felt more like literature and not urban contemporary. I was honored -- a little, but she did introduce my book to the book club and they enjoyed the book as well.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
The next book I’m working on is The Trouble With Gabrielle. This is a standalone that’s been rolling around my head for a while. During the pandemic as I was gardening, I found the perfect poison for my story and finished this book in a short amount of time. It’s due to be released September 7th, but it’s available on Amazon as a pre-order. You should get your copy early because the price will go up after release.
Are you enjoying your experience with AllAuthor so far? Would you recommend this platform to your author friends?
I love the graphics, the promotions and the wonderful encouragement, tips and tricks AllAuthor provides. Mockups are so on point! Yes, I would recommend it!
