Honey Thomas Interview Published on: 18, Mar 2020

I was born and raised on the west side of Chicago, IL. I am the eldest of 3 children. I am a mother of 3, and grandmother of 2. I have a bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science, I’m also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. As a teenager I became an avid reader after getting a hold of my mom and aunts urban literature book ‘Dope fiend’ by Donald Goines. From there I fell in love with books and being able to escape into the words on the crispy pages! This also prompted me to want to write. I would write for myself as a teen, but life happened. Although it took me this long to write a novel and self- publish it, I’m just glad I never gave up on one of my dreams.

The environment I grew up in prompts the stories that I’m dying to tell via books.

I honestly don’t have a favorite author, per se. I love new and seasoned authors alike.

I’m very thankful my first book flowed freely from my mind to my laptop. My motivation came from me wanting to get the story out and finally tap into one of my goals, which was to become a published author.

I was inspired by other authors at a book fair, who were young, vibrant and determined. I felt if they could do it so could I. Check Mate Bitch, tells the story of a couple who met in high school and fell in love. They married at a young age and quickly became pillars of the community. They had everything going for them until the sins of their family and 4 of the 7 deadly sins changed life as they knew it.

Lol, in grammar School I had a teacher who would say checkmate anytime he got the class in order. I thought and still do think it was quite funny and I would sometimes use the phrase (in my mind) if I put someone in their place. I added the word Bitch on the end for dramatics. It worked because if nothing else, people love the title.

I think book covers are important, most people are visual. My book covers were created by Antonia A. Mcman-McCline.

Different men I personally know inspired the character of Russell.

Jill Scott as Sheila, Angela Bassett as Mama Shan, Columbus Short as Russell, Delroy Lindo as Big Irv, KeKe Palmer as Ava & Curtiss Cook as Uncle Bodie.

“Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

Being an avid reader has equipped me to perhaps grasp different forms of writing and conclude why a writer chose a certain word or phrase, or why they write in 1 st person instead of 3 rd . It has also taught me to “just write” and slow the story to flow from the depths of my mind without holding back.

The woes of life. On any given day anything can happen that could suck the life out of us. Ways to overcome this would be: get an accountability partner, set writing goals and stick to them as close as possible, self-care is a must to keep the creative justices flowing. Last but not least…lots of wine!

I love to of course read, pamper myself at the hair & nail salon, hang out with family and friends, listen to music and spend time with my grandchildren!

I have a new 120 blank page Journal Notebook on Amazon (THINKING OF A MastHER PLAN). I also have a new novel (CONFUSION) set to release on Amazon March of 2020!

I like the connections/networking, I absolutely love the staff support, the book cover contests and the mock-ups. The only suggestion I have for your website is to keep doing what you’re doing!