Author Interview with Sylvia hubbard

LaToya: Hi Sylvia, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Sylvia:  Born and raised in Detroit, I am a happily divorced mother of three children. I’ve been writing since I was six and I stepped out to the Indie Book Market in 2000. In that same year, I also started my online /offline writing and reading network, MotownWriters.com, which helps writers to their literary goal and connect readers to Michigan authors.

LaToya: What are your ambitions for your writing career?

Sylvia:  To just write stories that millions of readers wouldn’t find anywhere else and have the reader walk away with the lesson, be careful what you wish for and there is love out there for everyone.

LaToya: Which writers inspire you?

Sylvia: My shero of all time is Beverly Jenkins. Others that gave me inspiration is Johanna Lindsey, Virginia Henley and Octavia Butler.

LaToya: What are you working on at the minute?

Sylvia: I’m currently working on a blogged story on my site, Three Ways To Pleasure and coming up in October, I’ll be doing a blogged book called The Murderer’s Lover.

LaToya: What genre are your books and why?

Sylvia: They are categorized in Suspense and Romance. Why? Because I like to kill people and hide a lot of things, but in the end I like a good love story. A better name would be Sensual Noir, but that’s just my opinion.

LaToya: In 10 words or less can you create a quote that describes you and your writing?

Sylvia: What’s Zane and James Patterson mixed together? Sylvia Hubbard

LaToya: When did you decide to become a writer?

Sylvia: According to my mother, I’ve been a writer since I was six when I used to lie to her and after my butt whooping she would make me write my lie down. I saw that writing the “story” down was so much better than telling it, I began to write more of my “tall tales” in journals and in notebooks. When I was seventeen, I skipped school to go out to a free woman’s expo and I saw Beverly Jenkins surrounded by her books. I spoke with her for an hour and when I walked away, I knew then I wanted to be a writer.

LaToya: Do you write full-time or part-time?

Sylvia: It feels like full time, but I actually write part-time. I’ve produced over 35 books in fifteen years and I have about seven more to come in this year alone.

LaToya: Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

Sylvia:  I don’t have a special time to write. Due to a 40 hour a week mind draining job, a single mom of three and head of my household, plus running an organization, marketing for myself and others, I rarely have a moment of sleep, so I get in where I fit in to my writing schedule. I keep paper pencils, pens, and even a Bluetooth keyboard in my purse to attach to my phone so I have no excuse not to write.

LaToya: Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

Sylvia:  I try to write at least 2500 to 10,000 words a day.

LaToya: Where do your ideas come from?

Sylvia:  EVERYWHERE! I Literally suck up life and mold it around a story. I’m a virgo so I remember details – lots of details and I love to put those characteristics, situations into my story weaving these elements around each other to bring out the best or the worst.

LaToya: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

Sylvia:  I’m an insane pantser. I hate to outline unless I have a story that has to do with a time table and I want to get it right for me and the readers.

LaToya: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

Sylvia: I’m always a work in progress and I still get scared every time I start a story; even after 35 books, but I believe I’ve evolved into a great writing machine.

LaToya: What is the hardest thing about writing?

Sylvia: Finishing.      

LaToya: What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Sylvia:   Justifying lust. I know that sounds weird, but there was a lot of lust going on in this book and I wanted my main character to come out smelling like a rose. Whew!

LaToya: What is the easiest thing about writing?

Sylvia:  The setting. Most times it’s in Detroit and it’s a city I love and know so well.

LaToya: How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Sylvia:  About three to four months when I put my butt in a chair and write daily.

LaToya: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

Sylvia:  At least doing web series or even getting that sweet publishing deal that works for me, and not for them.

LaToya: What advice would you give to your younger self?

Sylvia:  Don’t stop, no matter what life throws at you.

LaToya: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

Sylvia:  Mary Magdalene. I think her story really needs to be put out in the open so people can stop bad mouthing her.

LaToya: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Sylvia: Pride and Prejudice. To know I wrote the ultimate guide to How to Write a great love story would be an honor.

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Sylvia: Your mess is your message. Put it out there and don’t worry about other people judging you.

Connect with Sylvia:

Website: www.SylviaHubbardcom

Blog: www.sylviahubbard.com/blog

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sylviahubbard

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sylviahubbard1

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/sylviahubbard1

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sylviahubbard.com

Periscope: www.periscope.tv/sylviahubbard1

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/sylviahubbard

Smashwords: www.bit.ly/smashhub

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/sylviahubbard

Purchase Links

www.sylviahubbard.com/fictionbooks

Author Services: LaDonna Marie Books, LLC

 

LaDonna Marie Books, LLC my publishing company was founded in 2011. The purpose was to write and publish books given to me by God to help to encourage others to overcome obstacles they faced in their life journey. LaDonna Marie Books, LLC is also offering publishing services to clients interested in publishing a book.

LaDonna Bio

LaDonna M. Cook is an Author, Writer, Poet, and Motivational Speaker. Born in Mississippi and now lives in GA. She published her first poem in anthology: Whispers with The League of American Poets in 2007. In 2010 she self-published her first book Expressions of the Mind, Body & Soul. She received a Certificate of Congratulation from Congressman Bennie Thompson 2nd district of MS. She was inducted Who's Who in Black Mississippi in 2012.

 In 2013 she released her 2nd book Until Tomorrow Comes. She is a part of the Sibella Poetry Magazine for 2014, and also she is in Anthology: The Gospel According to Poetry. UTC was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2014 Paris Book Festival and 2014 DJ Gatsby Book Club Literary Award in Poetry. She is also a Finalist in 2015 Diva Author / Writer for Divas of Colour International Award. She is a 2015 Finalist for National Indie Excellence Awards and New York Book Festival Honorable Mention for Book Lessons: Shattered Pieces Being Restored.

Connect with LaDonna:

Website

Twitter

Amazon Author Page

Author Interview with Sarah Weathersby

LaToya: Hi Sarah, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Sarah:  Sarah Gordon Weathersby is a graduate of Drew University in Madison, NJ. She holds an MBA from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She is a retired Information Technology professional. Sarah lives in Raleigh with her husband, when they are not traveling from Agadir to Maui, riding camels or bicycles.

LaToya: What are your ambitions for your writing career?

Sarah:  I want to write stories that touch people’s heart and soul. I don’t mind having a negative cash flow. I’m retired and living in the gravy.

LaToya: Which writers inspire you?

Sarah: My favorite authors are Tananarive Due, Walter Mosley, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Beverly Jenkins, Bernice McFadden, Octavia Butler, Leonard Pitts and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I am inspired by many different genres.

LaToya: What are you working on at the minute?

Sarah: I’m working on an outline for a family story. The working title is Being of Sound Mind.

I’m also working on a sequel to Tell Them I Died. The working title is The Bodyguard’s Secret.

LaToya: What genre are your books and why?

Sarah:  I have written two memoirs, one is the total truth (Motherless Child – stories from a life), the other is semi-fictional (Adventures in Blackface). I have written one romance that falls in the Boomer-Lit genre, as all the main characters are over fifty years old. The title is Tell Them I Died.

LaToya: In 10 words or less can you create a quote that describes you and your writing?

Sarah: Sarah writes about things that keep her awake at night.

LaToya: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

Sarah: Angela Bassett and James Pickens.

LaToya: When did you decide to become a writer?

Sarah: I started writing poems when I was eight years old. I wrote them in a notebook that my mother hijacked and sent to Simon & Schuster to publish. Simon & Schuster returned the poems a few months later, with a nice note, which I don’t remember.

LaToya: Do you write full-time or part-time?

Sarah: part-time.

LaToya: Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

Sarah:  I used to write late at night, but I’m getting to be too old to stay up like that. Instead I write early in the morning. It’s better now that we’re into springtime.

LaToya: Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

Sarah:  No. I go with the flow, and sometimes the flow is short, sometimes very long.

LaToya: Where do your ideas come from?

Sarah:  I get ideas from real life situations.

LaToya: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you

Sarah:  I start with an outline and characters and a general idea of who my characters are. Then I let the characters take the reins.

LaToya: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

Sarah:  I have become fearless. I don’t mind writing some risky pieces that some people might not understand. A story doesn’t have to have a happy ending.

LaToya: What is the hardest thing about writing?

Sarah: Getting started.

LaToya: What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Sarah:   I took a risk and ended with an unresolved ending. I received some 5-star reviews, but OOSA said they were bamboozled, and gave me three stars.

LaToya: What is the easiest thing about writing?

Sarah:  It becomes easy once I know my characters and allow them to do what they do.

LaToya: How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Sarah:  My first book took 40 years. The next one took four years. The last one about a year.

LaToya: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

Sarah:  Hopefully above ground.

LaToya: What advice would you give to your younger self?

Sarah:  Stop being afraid of what people think.

LaToya: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

Sarah:  Rachel Maddow. She is smart and fearless.

LaToya: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Sarah:  The Black Rose by Tananarive Due, tells the life story of Madame C.J. Walker. Alex Haley did the research for this book, but died before he could write it. Haley’s estate (and his family) selected Ms. Due to take that research and craft it into a book. It’s an amazing story.

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Sarah: READ, READ, and READ some more. Find an author whose work you love and while you’re captured by their stories, understand what it is that makes a captivating story. You can’t write unless you read.

Connect with Sarah:

Website: http://www.sarahweathersby.com/

Email:  sarah@sarahweathersby.com

Blog: http://sarahweathersby.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraphen

Twitter: @saraphen

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahweathersby/

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1Oa5nSA

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/weathersbypub

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/saraphen/

Purchase Links http://amzn.to/1Oa5nSA

Author Interview with Ey Wade

LaToya: Hi Ey, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Ey:  Knowing me as a writer and author is like cracking an egg’s shell in the air and wondering how far the splatter will spread. Wait, that’s kind of like knowing me as a person. I’m like all over the board and always working on three to five projects at a time. I have no favorite spots to work and my view tends to be pointed at the keyboard. When an idea comes into my head I just flow with it. I haven’t been able to conform my writing to any specific pattern. I am more than often working on one story and the characters from another will just be dying to get my attention and I have to go into their world.

I tend to write in various genres from nonfiction, thrillers, romance, coming of age, women's fiction, to picture books. Using pen (same one for the past sixteen years) and paper, laptop and as a newly favorite the word program on my cell phone. I have found I can write anywhere with that little contraption and my focus is intent. Has to be with those tiny keys, right? And then I just email to myself and copy past into my manuscript.

Before becoming a self-published author, I followed the rules. Wrote outlines, character back stories, did the word counting, queries and everything. I even had an agent once. Unfortunately, he was a horrible choice. Directed me away from Ballantine books (wish I would have known who they were then) who wanted The Perfect Solution and straight into the corrupt hands of Publish America. What a crock. After that fiasco I was so humiliated I couldn’t write. Fought and had my rights returned and now, I am back. I tried the querying again, but became frustrated when it seems the agents’ rules are so varied, too confusing for me. Not to mention the rejection letters can be soul crushing. I received a lot of positive reviews for The Perfect Solution when it was first published and yet when I began querying one agent informed me no one would like the book and yet it deals with negligence in the child care system.  So, off I ran on my own. I have put three novels, three picture books and a creative non-fiction book into the systems. I think eBook publishing is one of the greatest inventions God has given to the world. I would advise any author to go that route when they have something they feel strongly about. 

Most recently, I’ve left the small publishing company I joined and returned to being an independent publisher. I am extremely happy with this choice. I was lost not having full control and being totally in the mix.

Oh, and to let you know I do have a stable life…I am the (always single) mother of three daughters who are all grown now, and I home schooled them on a string and a prayer. Though it may seem as if I am a bit scattered brained I was able to school them into college by the age of seventeen and sixteen. TheI am the drooling proud ‘Lovey’ of a little boy named Jett Parker Ellington. Before being destroyed by Hurricane Ike, I lived in a nice home and owned a home-based childcare center and that’s me and my writing life in a nutshell.

LaToya: What are your ambitions for your writing career?

Ey:  My ambitions are to have the American multi-racial history book, Beads on a String-America's Racially Intertwined Biographical History I've written to make some sort of impact in society. Plus, I would love to be able to write full time and make an income from it.

LaToya: Which writers inspire you?

Ey: The ones who are making it and are going out of their way to share what they have learned with newbies and those of us who just need to constantly learn.

LaToya: What are you working on at the minute?

Ey: I'm working on quit a few books in various genres, but the ones I'm wanting to have out by Mother's Day are two romance novels that deal with pregnancy, father's rights, abortion/ late term abortion, infertility and IVF. The first is titled Ribbon's & Belle with a companion novel Ismet's Honor.

LaToya: What genre are your books and why?

Ey: I write in several genres. From preschool picture books to nonfiction history. I tend to write what I feel and there is no limit to the topic or the people I want to reach.

LaToya: In 10 words or less can you create a quote that describes you and your writing?

Ey:  Ey Wade- Entertaining Your World and Designing Eternity

LaToya: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

Ey: Hmmm, I really don't know. Haven't thought about it too hard. Well, not at all.

LaToya: When did you decide to become a writer?

Ey: I've always wanted to be a writer. Pushing to become published was when I was homeschooling my daughters and doing research for Black History month. We wished for a book that included all races/ethnicity and so I wrote one.

LaToya: Do you write full-time or part-time?

Ey: Full time.

LaToya: Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

Ey:  Nothing special. I try to get at least an hour or so in before I check email or other social networks.

LaToya: Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

Ey:  No. I just take it as it goes.

LaToya: Where do your ideas come from?

Ey:  My ideas tend to come from life and those around me. Everything is fodder

LaToya: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

Ey:  I tend to go with the flow which is why I keep a tablet in my purse or type in the Word program on my cellphone.

LaToya: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

Ey: I believe I have. I no longer have any fear on what's taboo.

LaToya: What is the hardest thing about writing?

Ey: Hmmm, that would be the inability to type as fast as my characters tell there story. When it gets too bad, I go old school, pen and paper.

LaToya: What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Ey:   My last book, When Clouds Touch is about a Japanese-American girl with Albinism, a few physical ailments like heart problems and a sucky immune system, but the biggest deterrent in her life are her over protective parents. I had to research the language and all about her challenges. It's gotten some pretty nice reviews.

LaToya: What is the easiest thing about writing?

Ey:  That would have to be coming up with topics.

LaToya: How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Ey:  Depends on what my goal is. I finished When Clouds Touch within a month and have taken up to a year to finish others. And doesn't count the ones I've put on the sidelines.

LaToya: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

Ey:  I haven't tried envisioning that far. Right now, I want to see myself into two months, finished republishing my books after recently leaving my publisher and having three brand new novels on the market.

LaToya: What advice would you give to your younger self?

Ey:  Believe in you.

LaToya: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

Ey:  I would love to meet Obama. One because he was lucky enough to have been born on my birthday and Two, because I would love his opinion on my history book.

LaToya: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Ey: That would be The Giver. I love that book. The idea of how a society that controls its eole so much that they cant even see color… I'm impressed.

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Ey: Believe in yourself, learn your craft, and never believe you are so good, so talented, that there is nothing or anyone that can teach you something.

Connect with Ey:

Website: http://wade-inpublishing.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/eywade2 http://bit.ly/love-Ey (fan group)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jumpouttheboat

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/eywade

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/itsmeeywade

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/eywade

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/writerswrite

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/EyWade

Purchase Links

 Kindle, Smashwords , Sony or Kobo, Scribed

Barnes & Nobles and iTunes 

LaToya: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

Ey: Thank you for having me

Book Spotlight: Disloyal by TN Jones

***SNEAK PEEK~~LATRICE***

As my mind went back to our first night encounter, there was a knock at my door. I tied my housecoat and informed the individual at my door that I would be there in a moment. When I opened my front door, I didn’t see anyone, but I saw an envelope with my name on it. I picked it up and tore it open. An ultrasound picture was inside the envelope; the name was blacked out. My mouth dropped open and tears fell down my face. Either someone was being an asshole by bringing up the baby I miscarried for JP, or it was someone that JP gotten pregnant. Either way, the picture was too much for me. I hurried to my cell phone to call his ass. As I was getting ready to press the send button, a call came through, and I answered it.

“Hello,” I spoke aggressively.

“Is this Latrice?” a female voice asked.

“Yes, it is. Who is asking?” I replied in a white girl voice, with my hands on my hips.

“That’s not important. What’s important is the message you received today on your doorstep,” the female voice laughed. 

“Don’t be coming by my house, dropping off a damn thing. That shit wasn’t cute. If you want to address me, do it in a womanly manner!” I screamed, before hanging up the phone. The phone rang again, and I sent the caller to voicemail. Soon after, the female sent me a text message from the same number she called from.

954-555-0990: You ain’t the only one he’s gotten pregnant. This is my fourth time being pregnant for him. I like how cute y’all be at your nana’s house. I’m forever gonna be in his life. Tell my baby daddy I said hello, and I can’t wait to see him. The jokes on you, lil silly trick!

***SNEAK PEEK~~JANICE***

“You need to leave Domic alone, before you end up like me or worse,” he said coarsely, as he walked off. I walked behind him and pulled his arm, so that he would be facing me.

“What does that mean, John?” I asked quietly.

“Let’s just say, your man isn’t who he says he is. You’d better get out of that relationship while you still can. Are you and Nicolette still best friends? If so, tell her I said hey and I miss her. Are you still working as a DEA agent with Domic? Is Agent Larson still y’all boss? Tell everyone I said hello. Make sure you keep in touch, okay? It was nice chatting with you, Janice,” he chuckled as he walked away. 

His actions and statements blew my mind. I wonder why in the hell he was asking me all those questions. As I walked to the deli side of the grocery store, I was dumbfounded as I rehashed the entire conversation that took place between John and me. I was even more eager to learn why he was sent to prison. I wanted to know what he knew.

***SNEAK PEEK~~NICOLETTE***

I was shaking badly when I hung up the phone. I had to calm my nerves; therefore, I walked to the liquor cabinet by my desk and pulled out the bottle of Jack Daniels; taking a shot of Henn wasn’t going to do anything for me at this point. I popped the top and took a long swig. I hope like hell Janice didn’t start conversing with John on a regular basis, because he was not the type of person to deal with. As I took another swig of Jack D, my business phone started ringing. I put on my professional voice and answered the phone.

“House of Beauty, Nicolette speaking,” I said happily into the phone. 

“Ohhh, Ms. Nicolette. How are you, darling? How’s the baby? Oh yeah, you didn’t have it!” a cold, creepy voice pronounced slowly, while laughing.

“Who is this?” I asked.

“No need to worry about that. Do you have something that you need to give me or tell your closest friend about?” the cold voice stated sternly.

“No, I do not. John, don’t you dare open your fucking mouth about shit!” I exclaimed.

“John? Damn, how many people did you fuck over, Nicolette? I think you have a lot to tell, but you are frightened to do so. Don’t worry. I am going to take pride in destroying you, your best friend, your little boyfriend, Dennis, and anyone else that gets in the way. All your secrets are going to come out, and you can’t do anything about it. In due time…Nicolette…in due time. The funny thing is that you are racking your brain, trying to figure out who I am. You will never get the answer right, because you have fucked over so many people, especially your best friend, Janice. Oh, how is she, by the way?” the cold voice retorted. 

I didn’t waste any time hanging up the phone. I stared at the wall, while I thought about who would be out for me. I had no idea who in the fuck it could be, but I knew one thing, they were going to have a hellava time trying to destroy me. I had to get my ducks in a row, because shit got real after the caller said, all your secrets are going to come out.

***SNEAK PEEK~~DOMIC***

That lil mutherfucker was itching for me to fuck her up. I can’t deal with her shit at times. All I wanted was some head, but the best dick sucker in town was playing games with me, and I didn’t like that one bit. As I turned on my Xbox 360, my personal cell phone started ringing. I hopped on it because I knew that was my lil head giver, calling me back to tell me to come over. When I picked up my phone, I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered anyways.

“Yeah,” I said boldly.

“I’m coming for you with open arms…Joe,” the cold voice said.

“You got the wrong number,” I said nonchalantly.

“I got the right number, my friend. I bet your beautiful girlfriend doesn’t know who you really are,” the cold voice chuckled.

“Who the fuck are you?” I spat in the phone, but low enough that Janice couldn’t hear me.
“I’m your worst fucking nightmare!” the cold voice yelled in the phone, before hanging up.
I called the number back repeatedly, only to listen to a recording saying that the voicemail to the phone wasn’t setup. I instantly became pissed, because I wanted to know who in the fuck was calling my phone with some shit. I grabbed my work phone and checked it to make sure that no one texted or called it. To my surprise, no activity had taken place on my phone. Within moments of me placing both phones on the entertainment center, my laptop dinged, indicating I had a message. I walked over to my laptop, clicked on my Gmail account, and opened the message. As I looked at the thirty-six photos, I became weak at the knees. I read the messages and became instantly upset. You’re a pussy pie punk. You think you are living in an untouchable world? I am going to have fun destroying YOU, NICOLETTE, AND JANICE. I BET JANICE DOESN’T KNOW ANY OF THIS, NOW DOES SHE?

Meet Author TN Jones

I’m thirty years old; I fell in love with writing at an early age. I am a mother to a beautiful girl, Ja’Calin. I read when I’m not working on my own projects. Ole Alabama is where I reside. Traveling, swimming, cooking/baking, spending time with family/friends and enjoying motherhood are a blessing for me. I’m a college graduate from University of Phoenix. I’m easy to get along with, but I hate people that try to get over on me. In the near future, I want to start a movement where authors start donating money to rare diseases.

I don’t have a favorite genre; I read all types except Christian fiction. I’ve read books from James Patterson, Wahida Clark, Kiki Swanson, De’Nesha Diamond, Brenda Jackson, and etc. I was tired of losing jobs due to my illnesses of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis; I have been suffering with HS since I was fifteen years old; I was born with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, but the signs and symptoms didn’t show until I was seventeen. After the loss of several jobs, I decided that maybe writing novels would be a better fit for me and my daughter. Plus, the idea of having people reading my work across the world was a great thing for us. I would bring awareness to different diseases throughout my fictional world. I read to ease my mind, body, and soul. Reading aids me in escaping my own life for a brief second; I’m able to find peace while reading.  

Connect with Author TN Jones

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/tnjones6dmp/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TNHarris6

Amazon Author’s Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/tnjones666

Email: tnjones666@gmail.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14918893.TN_Jones

Author Interview with W Parks Brigham

LaToya: Hi W Parks, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

W Parks:  Hello La Toya, thank you for inviting me.  I’m a retired educator of 35 plus years with two adult daughters.  I’m fortunate to come from a family of college graduates, so there was no doubt I too would get a college education. This was instilled in me and my six siblings while growing up. Naturally, it was passed on to my daughters and my brothers and sisters children. 

I live a simple and happy life in Houston Texas where I received my education in the neighborhood schools. As a matter of fact, I bought a house across the street from where I grew up. I watched this house as a teenager and now it’s all mine.  I still attend the church I grew in, Cloverland Church Of Christ where my brother is the minister. I’ve been an active member teaching Sunday school, Bible classes, mentoring and encouraging young sisters in fulfilling their Christian walk.

In my younger days sewing was my passion until I began to suffer from arthritis.  Due to my size, I began making my own clothes because I wanted to look like the other girls. Later, I designed my clothes so I wouldn’t look like everybody else.  I’ve also designed and made some of the most beautiful wedding and prom dresses.  I also made little girl dresses with matching socks and bows. Now I use my creativity with writing which has become my passion. I do enjoy old school ballads, old sitcoms, and working word search and Sudoku puzzles.

LaToya: What are your ambitions for your writing career?

W Parks:  My ambitions are simple and two-fold.  One, I would like to continue writing sweet romance for young to older adults.  Two, I would like to attract as many readers as I can who enjoy reading stories with just enough drama, suspense, twist and turns, tasteful intimate scenes, and of course romance. 

LaToya: Which writers inspire you?

W Parks: I am inspired by many seasoned writers whom I was blessed to meet, such as Francis Ray, Brenda Jackson, Eboni Snoe, Donna Hill, J California Cooper, just to name a few, as well as the young writers.  Their determination and enthusiasm has been my inspiration in itself and has kept me motivated.

LaToya: What are you working on at the minute?

W Parks: Really, at this very minute, I’m working on two stories. One is entitled A Second Chance featuring a couple in their mid-thirties and the second is called I’ve Been Here All Along, featuring a couple over 50 which will be the second book from my series The Golden Years.

LaToya: What genre are your books and why?

W Parks:  Because of the story elements in my books, they are a mixture of women fiction and contemporary Christian romance.  Why, first of all that’s what I like to read and second, my stories consist of couples with real life issues which includes just enough drama, suspense, twist and turns, tasteful intimate scenes, and of course romance to grasp and hold your interest.   

LaToya: In 10 words or less can you create a quote that describes you and your writing?

W Parks: Stories are sprinkled with just enough of my sweetness.

LaToya: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

W Parks: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR LOVE… I would like to see Debbie Morgan or Jennifer Lewis for Delana Crawford and Dennis Haysbert or Blair Underwood for Charles Johnson.

LaToya: When did you decide to become a writer?

W Parks: When I became tired of reading stories where the heroine was always a size eight or smaller. If I was tired surely there were others. Therefore, I decided to pen my first novel featuring a plus-size heroine and the rest is history.

LaToya: Do you write full-time or part-time?

W Parks: I write full-time.

LaToya: Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

W Parks: I like to write at night. It seems my creative juices flows better during that time. Of course since my retirement, if I have  

LaToya: Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

W Parks:  No, I do not put a limit or time frame on my writing.

LaToya: Where do your ideas come from?

W Parks: My ideas can come from anywhere, my vivid imagination, songs, real life issues, family, and friends.

LaToya: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

W Parks:  I write with a plot or an idea in mine and sometimes both allowing the story to unfold with the characters having full reign at times.

LaToya: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

W Parks: That’s a hard question.  I think I can safely say my creativity is still flowing with a fresh new twist here and there. So for the moment, I’m good.

LaToya: What is the hardest thing about writing?

W Parks: For me, it varies…it could be getting started with a snappy beginning, an unforgettable cute ending, and trying not to over do it with my details.

LaToya: What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

W Parks: My last book was very easy. I made up in my mine from the beginning it was going to be short and sweet.  

LaToya: What is the easiest thing about writing?

W Parks: Coming up with the idea, or plot, characters’ names, and the location and setting of the story.

LaToya: How long on average does it take you to write a book?

W Parks: It takes anywhere to three to six months. However, the story I’m working on now is taking longer than any of the others. While writing my current story I’ve had to stop and write notes on three others. I’m way over do!

LaToya: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

W Parks:  I would like to reword this question a bit and say I pray to God that I am still with the living. Next, I would like to see myself doing what I love and enjoying doing alone with giving a helping hand to other aspiring authors. Maybe have my own Blog page and on-line book club.

LaToya: What advice would you give to your younger self?

W Parks: Don’t stop writing! Figure out how you can write, teach, and take care of your girls.

LaToya: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

W Parks:  I would love to meet The Obamas because I think they are a beautiful couple and wonderful role model for all families. They have me so proud.

LaToya: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

W Parks: Waiting to Exhale, simply because of the money!

LaToya: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

W Parks: Read the genre you are interested in writing and start writing! During the process interact with groups and authors to guide you in the right direction for promoting your work. By all means, don’t get overly anxious and make common mistakes that most of us have done that could have been avoided.

Connect with W Parks  :

Website: http://www.wparksbrigham.com/

Facebook: Author W. Parks Brigham

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com./-/e/B00G4IPAMU

Purchase Links

Destined To Be..http://amzn.com/B00G4JDF26

Promises http://amzn.com/B00F9JI65S

Who Am I Suppose To Love http://amzn.com/B00Q7X23OU

Surviving The Storm http://amzn.com/B00W4QV9XK

Allanville Matchmakers Series

Book # 1 You Were Meant For Me… http://amzn.com/B00MCWKZEA

Book #2 You Belong To Me A novella … http://amzn.com/B00Q7XXNMG

Book # 3 No Strings Attached… http://amzn.com/B00U0NZQDI

Book # 4 You’re The One For Me… http://amzn.com/B016APUOLS

Book # 5 We Belong Together…http://amzn.com/B0181L5PO0

It’s Never Too Late For Love… A novella from The Golden Years Series Book #1

http://amzn.com/B019WUNJ38