LaToya: Hi Stephanie, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Stephanie: Hello LaToya, thank you for this opportunity. I am a Florida author who loves creating fun and engaging characters. I am a mother of one adult son and two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. I have written articles for my college. I also interview authors on my blog talk radio show Author Talk 1 with my partner Delon Anoshi Hagood. My second book, Jen’s Heart is published. I am excited about my publishing career.
LaToya: What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Stephanie: My ambitions for my writing career is to get to know my reading audience. I have my first book signing scheduled for next month. I want to travel and introduce myself to my readers. I believe looking a reader in the eye is good advertisement.
LaToya: Which writers inspire you?
Stephanie: My favorite authors are: Maya Angelou, Eva J Brock, Clever Black, Barbara Joe Williams, Adrienne Thompson, Keith Kareem Williams and many more.
LaToya: What are you working on at the minute?
Stephanie: I am working on a murder mystery novel. This will take me some time for research and development of my plot and characters. My fans will love this novel.
LaToya: What genre are your books and why?
Stephanie: Vengeance my first novel deals with domestic violence, Jen’s Heart is a romance novel.
LaToya: In 10 words or less can you create a quote that describes you and your writing?
Stephanie: I will have you laughing, smiling or going hmm.
LaToya: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Stephanie: Coco Jones who starred in Let it Shine
LaToya: When did you decide to become a writer?
Stephanie: In high school
LaToya: Do you write full-time or part-time?
Stephanie: I write full-time.
LaToya: Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
Stephanie: No special time for me to write. My character’s dictate when I will write.
LaToya: Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
Stephanie: I am in a Facebook group. We are encouraged to write at least 1000 words per day. This group keeps me focused.
LaToya: Where do your ideas come from?
Stephanie: Vengeance is based on some friends who were survivors of domestic violence. Jen’s Heart was written by request from a fan. Romance is not my forte. I had to step out on faith and write this book. Then I fell in love with my characters and the book.
LaToya: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you
Stephanie: I cannot use an outline. To me an outline limits my creative flow, so I write and then later edit what was previously written.
LaToya: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
Stephanie: Each book I see my creative development evolves. I am learning less is best when writing.
LaToya: What is the hardest thing about writing?
Stephanie: Advertising is the hardest thing for any author I believe.
LaToya: What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
Stephanie: The hardest thing was me writing a romance novel. I am not a romantic person. So research and talking to my friends helped me.
LaToya: What is the easiest thing about writing?
Stephanie: For me just sitting down with some nice music in the background, candles lit and I can write all night.
LaToya: How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Stephanie: It depends on the characters, the book I am writing now will take about six months to complete.
LaToya: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Stephanie: My dream is to become a New York Times best- selling author. That is where I see myself in five years.
LaToya: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stephanie: Be patient, Do like Jesus did, be quiet and listen to your elders. Take some creative writing courses. Learn how to budget for each book. Set up a goal and achieve it one step at a time.
LaToya: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Stephanie: I would love to meet Michelle Obama. She has accomplished so much in her life.
LaToya: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Stephanie: I guess being the first person to write about nostalgia. I have a book coming down the pipe that is from the past. I believe that will be my best seller.
LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Stephanie: You have to be patient. The first book will not be a hit. It is a learning curve. You can always re-write it later.
Connect with Stephanie:
Facebook: Ladywriter314
Twitter: Ladywriter314
LinkedIn: ladywriter314
Pinterest: ladywriter314
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