I have had the desire to write a book for as long as I can remember. I have not gotten myself to the point of where I am disciplined enough to sit and write for an extended period of time until I can accomplish that task. However, the thought still remains fresh in my mind and I constantly think of new topics and story lines very often. I actually have an idea running through my mind now. But, we all know that an idea has no value if it is never acted upon. That is why I am very proud of knowing someone who had the same trouble as I did with all the thoughts and being able to witness the entire process of becoming a published author. I would like to introduce her to you all so that maybe her work can inspire you all to do the same and follow any unfinished dreams that you may have.
What does your writing process look like?
"I like to write in a relaxed environment. I usually burn an incense or candle to set the mood in my space which is usually in my comfy over-sized chair with my feet up on the matching ottoman. I write with music; I live by Pandora. Once I have the mood set I make a cup (or two or three) of tea and begin writing."
Do you have any strange writing habits?
"I am old school. Unlike so many other writers I’ve met, I like to write on a note pad versus typing on the computer. I know I could probably cut a lot of time by using the computer, but it’s something about having my pages with lined out sentences on lines, arrows all over the paper and words going along the side of the page by the time I’m done. As chaotic as the pages look by the end, it helps me organize my thoughts better."
What/Who has inspired you to write?
"Overall my children are my inspiration. I have a strong desire to do better for them. Though being a single mother is hard, I never want to be a statistic. I want to show my children that they too can step out of the box society sometimes places us in. As far as writing itself, my best friend Angie inspired me. I’d been writing pretty much my whole life but never really gave it a second thought. Seven years again she told me that I should write a book. I laughed at her and slid it out of my mind. It wasn’t until I wrote a short story in February of this year that I realized that maybe she was onto something. Needless to say she was ecstatic when I told her my decision. People see things in us way before we do sometimes."
How did you come up with the story line for your book?
"I know it may sound very simple, but in my mind I’ve been blessed to have a very vivid imagination and am also a great problem solver. When I watch movies or television shows, I always try to figure out the twist and I’m usually right about 90% of the time. So I pulled out my notebook and started jotting down twists, turns, and events that I thought would be attention grabbers."
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
"My Hollywood cast would include Keisha Knight Pulliam as Rayne; David would be played by Laz Alonso; James would be Robbie Jones Randy; Michael Ealy Sky would best be played by Sanaa Lathan."
What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
"My greatest accomplishment is that I finished! I’m a master procrastinator. I’ve started so many projects that still remain incomplete. When It Raynes is a tangible item that I can be proud of. It’s still unreal to me sometimes that I wrote it!"
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
"Within ten years I see myself having at least one best-selling novel. That is the goal I’ve set for myself and I strive for it daily. I set out to be better than I was the day before. I want every book to be better than the one before. I also see myself being part of a great publishing company."
What is the hardest part about writing a book?
"I believe the hardest thing is getting out of your own way. You have to get past the obstacles that you place in front of yourself, because most of them are in our head. It’s so easy to make excuses. Mine were: I don’t have enough time in the day, I have a full time job and I’m enlisted in the Army as a reservist, I have three children, I’m tired, I can’t do this, and who’s going to buy my book. It took a lot of discipline but once I started, the words just flowed and my dream was a reality in a four-month period."
What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
"My advice for aspiring authors is just do it and enjoy the process. It’s not always going to be a walk in the park but stay consistent. Also, always keep a positive prospective. Even if you do not sell one book, know that you have accomplished something that not everyone has the drive, talent, or dedication to do."
What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?
"My least favorite part of the process is the marketing. It is difficult being an Indie (independent) Writer. Without a publishing company backing me, I’ve had to do all of my marketing. It’s going well, but it has been hard, but I always say “Hard doesn’t equal impossible”."
Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy? Why is it harder?
"I don’t think I’ve encountered a “hard” scene to write. I’m all for love, action, and racy; all three are in my book actually. What I do find difficult at times is portraying the emotion into the scenes. I want my writing to feel like they are the character. I want my book to seduce their senses; to see what the character(s) see, feel what the character(s) feel, and so on. Nothing does my heart better than my readers telling me they felt like Rayne and expressing the emotion that scenes evoked in them."
Do you have a team of supporters? What advice would you give an aspiring author without a support system?
"A support team is very important, not only in marketing but also for your mental well being. I’ve had several moments when I doubted my abilities and my decision to write. I was blessed to have a few faithful supporters along the way to give me that pick me up. Once you publish, it’s important to have a support team to help you with circulation. You have to reach out of your comfort zone to be successful at selling books. Unfortunately, family and friends will let you down. Don’t get me wrong though; they are happy for you, your priority is your priority and your priority may not always be their priority. The reality is that other people’s lives are going on around your book."
