12,000 Views Edition: Interview with Author Shante J.

EA: Creatively Creative has recently reached two milestones. First, my interview with author Lauren Chow became my first post to reach over 1,000 views! A feat that was accomplished in three days! In the midst of that, the blog also amassed over 12,000 views! For the 12K views edition, as well as the last interview for the month of October, I spoke with author, Shante J.

EA: What sparked your love for writing? Was it something you've always wanted to do? 

SJ: Reading urban fiction books by various authors is what inspired me to write. Although, I've written a number of poems and songs, writing books never crossed my mind up until a few years ago.

EA: What authors, if any, are your biggest inspirations?

SJ: Myself, of course. Noire, Sa'Ja Jay, Silk White, Mz. Lady P, Shan, Sasha Ravae, & lot's of others. There's so many dope authors and I hate that I can't name them all.

EA: Do you believe writing a novel is easy?

SJ: In my opinion, no. It isn't easy as it seems. One may think it's as easy as sitting on your butt all day and jotting words down and submitting a novel, but it's so many elements to just writing.

EA: What is the concept of Upgraded by the Connect?

SJ: A 15 year old female who had a rough upbringing. In fear that she may be taken away by child protective services, she runs away from home. As a result of that, she was forced into prostitution and stripping by the hands of her boyfriend. However, she meets the love of her life who upgrades her lifestyle in a major way.

EA: Tell us a little about the titular character, A'Kia Myers.

SJ: A'Kia Myers is a beautiful, loving, caring, courageous and strong-willed woman whose had a hard life. However, despite her circumstances she didn't allow that to define nor defeat her.

EA: What is your main aspiration as an author?

SJ: My main aspiration as an author is to continue to write stories that people can relate to and hopefully make the NY Times best sellers list.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

SJ: First and foremost, hone your craft. Secondly, if you're going to sign to a company, be sure to do your research on said company. Don't sign anything unless you're 100% satisfied with the terms and agreements of the contract. Steer from negativity and drama, and Lastly, always remember professionalism is key.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Upgraded by the Connect is a must buy.

SJ: Upgraded by the Connect is a must buy because the story is relatable. Although it's a fictional story there are many women who deal with similar issues as A'Kia.

Epilogue

My thoughts exactly. People, particularly those on the outside of the literary world, tend to ignorantly think it's just simply writing words on paper, or typing them on the computer. There's so much more that goes into the process of producing books. Like anything else you aspire to do, honing your craft on the subject is a key element. The more you know and learn about the profession-- skills and the business aspect-- the better you will become.

I would like to thank Shante J. for speaking with me today. To sign off, here's a final word from the author:

Something in my Heart: Marrying A Crime King and Something in my Heart 2 are a complete series. Both available on Amazon, Goodreads & Barnes & Noble. Upgraded by the Connect will be dropping soon! I love to connect and interact with my readers, here are ways to reach me.

Author Like Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorShanteJ
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Shante
Author Amazon Page: Shante J
Instagram: authoress_shante_j
Twitter: @author_ShanteJ

Interview with Author Lauren Chow

In the second of back-to-back interviews, I sat down with a writer who started writing her first novel, Chosen, as a junior in high school. She's (currently) the youngest author ever interviewed by EA: Creatively Creative, Lauren Chow.

EA: What inspired you to become a writer? Are there any authors who further inspired you to write?

LC: I have always been a daydreamer. There was always a story happening in my head, whether if it was about everyday life or fantasy. Reading books from different authors such as Shelly Crane, Alexia Praks, Kristie Cook, and Kaitlyn Hoyt, not only increased these ideas but developed them. These daydreams inspired me to write them out on paper. Writing almost seems like my dream diary to me.

EA: Who are your biggest influences?

LC: There are multiple influences in my life when it comes to my writing. A lot of my ideas came from different books I read throughout the years, such as The Prophesized Series by Kaitlyn Hoyt, Dorothy Must Die by Rebecca Elise, and Red Dawn by Alicia Michaels. These books made me think of different plots and stories. The person who really influenced me was my high school English teacher, Ms. Winder. I always loved her passion for English and she has taught me a lot about grammar. In class, we read multiple novels, plays, and myths that helped develop my stories. I wouldn’t have been able to create my stories without her.

EA: Would you consider writing a novel to be easy?

LC: Writing a novel does not happen in a day. First, you need an idea, which is easier said than done. There’s so many ideas you would want to write about and it can overwhelm you at times. Once you have an idea, you use it to develop the plot and characters. When I was writing Chosen, it took me weeks to figure out how I wanted a chapter to play out. Writer’s block is a huge issue an author has when writing a novel. There could be plot holes, bad development, or the story can seem unoriginal. I have redone Chosen multiple times so I could make it an original story.

EA: What is the concept of Chosen?

LC: Chosen is about a girl named Clara Evans who was being bullied and harassed by her classmates. She becomes isolated and is known as the “Freak” of her town called Ford, where her foster parents care more about their reputation than her needs. Clara was counting down the days when she would graduate and leave Ford for good. However, things begin to change for her when a transfer student named Jay Woods, joins her school. If things couldn’t get any stranger, when Clara reached her eighteenth birthday, she discovers that she has been chosen by fate to stop a civil war. Fate has then graced her with magic powers to stop the reigning darkness from taking over the world and enslaving the humans. With the help of new friends, Clara trains and prepares herself for the final battle to come.

EA: Were there any overwhelming thoughts or feelings, writing and having your first book published at such a young age?

LC: I started writing when I was sixteen years old. I never thought anyone would read my work. Imagine my surprise when I started to gain fans. It was a shock that thousands of people were reading my work and encouraged me to write. I am forever grateful for their support or else I wouldn’t be here. When Inkitt said they wanted to make a publishing deal, I had to reread my email multiple times to make sure it was real. I was only seventeen years old when they took interest in my story. To me, having my book published didn’t seem realistic for me, especially at my age. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. I still am. However, I am proud of what I have accomplished and I feel like this is my first step into adulthood.

EA: I understand that you're currently enrolled in California Lutheran University, studying to become an art therapist. Would you educate the readers on what that profession entails?

LC: Sure! This profession is for someone who is passionate about art and social science. Art therapy is a therapeutic method to improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Instead of sitting and talking, an art therapist encourages you to draw and paint. It’s a creative process to resolve issues artistically. For an art therapist, their job is to help you find the hidden meanings behind your artwork and help uncover unresolved issues. It helps control your behavior and feelings, self-esteem, and reduces stress.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

LC: If you put the work into your story, you will go far with your writing. Don’t write something you think others will like so your story will become popular, write something original that you want to write about. I learned that the hard way with all of my stories. It takes a lot of time and effort, but eventually, it will all be worth it. Always be proud of your work!

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Chosen is a must buy.

LC: Chosen is a book that relates to everyone, especially teenagers. This book has action, magic, humor, romance, and teaches you to love yourself. The main theme I tried to express is the idea of self-worth. In my story, you see the main character question her potential constantly, even when others contradict her. There are always trials in our lives and I believe we all have questioned our worth. This book can relate to these issues and hopefully send a message to the readers.

Epilogue

Till this day, I constantly envision a story, its characters, how everything is going to play out, and making sure the story makes sense. From Lauren's description of art therapy, writing could be very well be included in that process. Writing is very therapeutic; it is an option where an author can vent and resolve issues, in this case. It can help others who can relate to what the author and/or character(s) is going through.

I couldn't agree more with Lauren's advice. Though it may be tempting for some authors to write what others want to them to write, but I believe that hinders them from a creative standpoint. One of the essentials of writing is not only the therapeutic aspect, but the having the creative freedom to express yourself, and allowing the story to flow the way you want to, not by the dictation of others. Everyone-- even those who have overcome it-- at some point in their lives has dealt with doubting themselves. Faith and persistence is key.

I'm definitely thankful for the opportunity to speak with Lauren. I'm impressed by her maturity, and I can see why she gaining such a fan base. I hope the best for her in her journey as an author and art therapist. For more on Lauren, or to purchase Chosen, visit her author page in the hyperlink below.

Amazon Author Page: Lauren Chow

Interview with Best-Selling Author Sam Hunter

Following up on the 11K views milestone, EA: Creatively Creative, in the first of back-to-back interviews, sits down with best-selling author Sam Hunter.

EA: When did you discover your desire to become a writer?

SH: I always liked the idea of writing but it wasn't until after my master's degree, in about 2008, when I was stuck by an idea I just couldn't drop. It consumed me and it wasn't like ideas I'd had in the past where I'd lose interest. So, I set about completing it. And published Book One, the first novel in the Makaveli's Prince series, in 2012.

EA: Are there any authors who influenced you?

SH: I don't know about being influenced, but as a kid I enjoyed quite a few classic books like Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson. Well, maybe they did influence me - I've always fancied being shipwrecked on a tropical island. I've moved on a bit since then but probably still favour the more classic books, at least at the top of my favorites list. I love Alex Haley's work. Malcolm X is a great book and the story of how he collaborated with Malcolm X to write it really inspires me to work with other authors. Roots is great too, but Queen captured my imagination just a little bit more.

EA: What is concept of the Makaveli's Prince series?

SH: So, it's based on the idea that Tupac had a daughter that no one knew about, not even him. The story charts her journey of self discovery, mirroring many things about him, until she finally discovers her link to him. Meanwhile, forces are at work to silence her. She finds herself caught up in the same conspiracy that ended his life. She ends up fighting for her own survival and to get the truth out.

EA: Aside from Urban Fiction, are there any genres that you write or want to write?

SH: I love urban fiction and fell into it because I'm a big fan of Tupac, and more generally hip-hop. My master's thesis was on hip-hop's historical origins as a culture. But, I'm also into military and tech thrillers, as well as a bit of sci-fi. Once I wrap up the Makaveli's Prince series I have a few ideas I'm working on and might draw in a few ideas from those other genres. For anyone into sci-fi, I recommend the Doc Harrison series by Peter Telep (of the Tom Clancy books). I was lucky enough to have him ask me to do the final proof on the first book and I really enjoyed the story.

EA: Would you say that writing a novel is easy?

SH: No. Ideas can be easy. But the commitment required to do everything needed to complete your story and then publish a book - well it's tough. My first book took four years to get right. I'm now on year five since that got published and I've not yet completed Book Two. Okay, I've written three novellas in the in-between, but what I struggle with is getting it just right. I feel I owe something to the story, to the characters to tell it just right. But to anyone out there doing it, or thinking about doing it, keep going. The satisfaction alone is worth it.

EA: Describe the feeling of being a best-selling author.

SH: The few times my titles have hit the top ten of various Amazon categories, I've always been pleased. For me, though, the best feeling comes from interacting with people who are reading my work. Particularly the few who live tweet me - a lot - during their reading. That's always a laugh. It's great to know what I've written has brought enjoyment to others.

EA: Tell us about your website urbanfiction.org, and what it has to offer.

SH: I want there to be a space where urban fiction authors and readers can get together, collaborate, and generally grow the genre, and each other. You see some space for this on the main social networks, but everything else there is so distracting. UrbanFiction.org is a space dedicated to urban fiction and its advancement as a genre.

I see so many authors out there trying to make it work, they hustle hard, and I just thought if we could come together in a more focused way, we could help each other to achieve more. The urban fiction genre is on the cusp of doing to reading what hip-hop did to music.

Maybe it sounds a little idealistic, but that's just me all over. If anyone comes to me for help, I'm going to try to give my all to them. I won't turn anyone away. Right now, for example, I'm working with Kim Carter and in turn Robert Booker Sr. He's been incarcerated for years but is determined to turn his writing into a career when he gets out. This is a guy who writes with paper and pen because he has no other choice, and literally cuts and pastes his work in the edit. So look out, we've got a review of one of his books dropping on the site soon, and also an exclusive interview with him. Fingers crossed for more exciting stuff in the pipeline from him.

UrbanFiction.org also has a community forum where all sorts of things can be discussed. Right now we have a writing competition going with two prizes up for grabs. A $50 Amazon voucher and a book deal. It's free to enter: https://www.urbanfiction.org/writing-competition

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

SH:  Don't quit on your dream. Dream big and come on over to urbanfiction.org!

EA: Finally, tell the readers why the Makaveli's Prince series is a must read.

SH: It's got thrills, action, conspiracy, drama, and romance. But most of all, it's fresh and socially conscious. Looking at what's happening with the rise of the political right at the moment, this story is relevant. At the time I wrote Book One President Obama had just been sworn into office and the world had a hopeful outlook. Book One ends on a dark note and while I've been working on Book Two things have only got darker in the real world. It's been one killing after another of innocent black people by police. The election of a racist president. And his support for the Nazi terrorists running people down in the streets. I worry about the outlook and that probably comes across.

I plan on releasing Book Two soon. I hope that the fictional series (yes it is fiction - a few people have asked me that) helps people see, understand, process what is really going on in our world today.

Epilogue

Wow. I'm not particularly a fan of hip-hop nowayears, but I enjoyed the old school rappers, such as the one I'm about to mention shortly. Sam's mentioning of police-- basically thugs with badges and guns-- gunning down unarmed people of dark (or lighter) hue, reminds me of something KRS-One  said in a chorus: "You were put here to protect us, but who protects us from you?"

However, I prefer to save that for my social/political commentary in my Social Eyes View blog, where I discuss these types of issues in full length. I do agree that accumulating ideas for stories is easier than trying to get it down on paper or a computer. Like confidence, not giving up on whatever it is you aspire to do is a key element.

I would like to thank Sam for speaking with me. For more on Sam, check out his profile on his website at www.urbanfiction.org/community/profile/sam.

11,000 Views Editon: Interview w/ Awarding-Winning Author, Poet, & Publisher LaQueisha Malone

Vastly approaching 11,000 views, there couldn't be a better way to reach that milestone than speaking with someone as this accomplished young lady. She works as an Education Administrative Assistant; her literary works has garnered her several appearances on radio broadcasts, magazines, and blogs.

She won 2015 Poet of the Year at the AAMBC Literary Awards; her poetry has been published through The International Library of Poetry, from which she has also won awards. She's the founder of the publishing company Strawberry Publications, as well as Strawberry-Lit Magazine. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce LaQueisha Malone.

EA: When did you start writing?

LM: I began writing when I was very young. I was born in the 80s so I’m one of the rare breeds who remember the Gold Spine Books from Disney. LOL! Maybe I shouldn’t have told my age like that, but it’s true. I would take my favorite books from those Disney books and re-write them and mail them to my grandmother. I would explain to her why I loved the books so much, and how it related to some current situation in my life.

I may have been 8-years-old or so. From then on, I would write on anything…paper, napkins, pictures, inside other books, my hand; whatever I could use to get my ideas or thoughts out of my head. I tell people that my pen and paper were my best friends growing up. You never saw me without them and I was always writing something. It was a coping mechanism for me.

EA: What writers, if any, inspired you to become an author and poet?

LM: Wow! There are so many people I could put on this list. I remember being in elementary, maybe 6th grade, and back then every week you would have go to the library and spend a class period. The rule was you had to check out a book to read and if you found that book before class time was over you would sit at a table and read. The first book that caught my eye was I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou. I can still feel all the emotion I felt as I read that book way back then. It was the first book I read that made me cry. I was so young and connected to it. I was already writing, but I wasn’t a writer. That book gave me a new purpose of wanting to become a writer…an author. Some other writers I would say is Nikki Turner, Carl Weber, Rhonda McKnight, & Rashonda Tate-Billingsley. Those are just a few.

EA: What is the concept of the Sex, Lies, & Church Anthology?

LM: Sex, Lies, & Church Anthology is an anthology I was apart of from the MEP Publishing Company. I had just finished the Love, Marriage, & Divorce Anthology with Shar-Shey Publishing, and one of the ladies who read it and reviewed it had someone to get in contact with to get on her project. She said she really enjoyed my story in the Love, Marriage & Divorce Anthology. I agreed, of course, and the concept was to write a book about two rival churches from three different authors' perspectives.

There were three subjects: Sex, Lies, & Church. I was given the subject Church, so my story would be at the end. I choose to write a story I titled Love For Thy Neighbor which takes an individual that’s neutral who helps these two churches heal from their rivalry and see that we should all do God’s greatest commandment: Love Thy Neighbor. It revolves around Nailah, Priscilla, Krystal, and Marcus Randolph II as my major characters. There is a past secret that is revealed that shows why the rivalry started, and there’s a secret wedding that shakes everything up, but at the same time brings it all full circle.

EA: Would you consider writing to be easy?

LM: Writing is easy. Making my visions I see in my head plain enough for the reader to grasp is my challenge. That’s where I have to consult my Writer Critique group of authors, editors, and reviewers on helping me figure out the open-ended questions I need to fill in any gaps.

EA: Which is more challenging in comparison? Writing novels or poetry?

LM: Wow! That’s a tough one to answer. I started out writing stories, and I found it was easy for people to know who I was basing my stories from. So, I turned to writing poetry to try and hide who I may have been talking about. It was so crazy because even though I was writing a poem sometimes when I was finished I would look at my paper and see that I started out writing poetry, but it quickly turned into a short story. Therefore, I would have to say writing poetry is challenging because sometimes I want to just tell a story, you know, with the characters and details.

LaQueisha, 2015 AAMBC Poet of the Year.

EA: Describe the experience of winning the 2015 Poet of the Year at the AAMBC Literary Awards.

LM: The experience was a total shock. For about three years I promised myself I would enter their awards, but I would back out every time. But at the end of 2014 I hired a publicist, and she entered me without me knowing for the 2015 entries, and called me screaming I was nominated. I couldn’t believe it. She built this huge campaign and I got the invitation to attend the event. I went to the event with the expectation of not winning, because no one really knew me, and I was up against some names who had been published longer than me. Needless to say, Shay Johnson called my name and I was in shock. I remember NeNe Capri was sitting beside me and was shaking screaming “You won! You won!” I was so nervous I couldn’t walk. My dad had to hold my hand as I accepted my award. I was shaking so bad I thought I was going to fall. After that event it gave me drive like no other and now I’m being honored for another award in 2018. So, it’s been a great experience. I’ve meet a lot of great connections from that event.

EA: You launched your publishing company, Strawberry Publications in 2013. Was the process difficult? What services does Strawberry Publications offer?

LM: Launching Strawberry Publications was/is a very difficult process. I created my company from a bad publishing experience I had with my first book. I thought about all the things I would have wanted to happen, and I had a lot of people supporting me so I went for it. The most difficult thing was building the following for it, because the industry is so saturated with publishing companies you have to decide how to make yours stand out and find out what’s unique inside. I wanted a place where authors like me could publish their book and would instantly know 100% more about the business than they did before coming in, and would automatically receive a different set of marketing and promotional plans set in place for long term. My motto is “A Ripened Experience for Authors!” I wanted an author to get their book published and enter the publishing industry as if you’ve been doing it forever. Like you were a professional at it. I was surprised to see my first signed author distribute over 4,000 e-book sales within a 3-day span and was in the top 100 ranking on Amazon for 4 months straight and in the top 5 for the first 2 weeks of the release.

Some of the services provided besides a guaranteed published book is marketing and promoting support. Radio interviews, target audience building, lots of coaching and mentoring, marketing plans, and lots and lots of promotion. Strawberry Publications guarantees the author 100% of their rights & royalties, which makes room for lots of marketing and promoting strategies. For more information visit www.strawberrypublications.com.

EA: Along with the publication, you also started a magazine, Strawberry-Lit. Would you tell us more about Strawberry-Lit, and what it offers?

LM: Strawberry-Lit Magazine is a magazine covering all things literary and of the arts. I wanted a magazine dedicated to just us authors that would offer tips, resources, and advice as well as games, contests, and prizes. I wanted to hear authors talk about their journey and career as an author more than just about the book, but also ask those questions that all aspiring authors want to know. The magazine offers interviews, giveaways, advertising space, quizzes, resourceful information about how to get free reviews, marketing advice, book reviews, and more. For more information visit www.strawberrylitmagazine.com.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors and poets?

LM: My advice to an aspiring author or poet would be to never give up, don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible, and everyday find something that will bring you closer to your dreams. If you want it, research it, study the craft of it, and get around like-minded people who are where you’re trying to go.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why the Sex, Lies, & Church Anthology is a must buy. Sex, Lies, & Church Anthology is a must buy because it is three talented authors coming together writing stories about the things that we all can relate to at some point in our lives, and it’s just a fun and beautiful read.

Epilogue

I, too, am an 80's kid, and I remember the Gold Spine books as well. Talk about a trip down memory lane. I can relate to writing the majority of my life, but not being a writer professionally at the time. I've mentioned before that writing was my first love before I took an interest in anything else.

Writing is very therapeutic, and is a great coping mechanism. You can express a diversity of emotions through your stories and characters. Excellent advice, as far as having the determination to pursue your goals regardless of naysayers and other obstacles. Do your research, hone your craft daily, surround yourself and interact with like-minded people, specifically, fellow authors.

I would like to thank LaQueisha for taking the time to speak with me. It was definitely a pleasure. For more on LaQueisha, and her books, or if you want to connect with her on social media, you can do so by visiting the links below.

Connect with Me:

Website: www.laqueishamalone.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorlaqueishamalone 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/laqueishamalone
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorlaqueishamalone 
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/laqueisha-malone   
Facebook Group: www.bit.ly/TeamLovely 

Interview with Author Iisha Monet

Tonight, I had the opportunity to speak with up-and-coming author Iisha Monet.

EA: What is the concept of What It's Like To Love A Heartless Savage series?

IM: The concept for What's It Like To Love A Heartless Savage is the love story of two sisters who are the complete opposites. I wanted to show what women experience when it comes to loving the opposite sex from the good to the bad. The heart wants what it wants and sometimes when we follow it, either something beautiful can come from it, or it can be a disaster.

EA: Will there be other installments for this story in the future?

IM: Yes. It's actually a three part series. Parts one and two are already available, and I am currently working on part three.

EA: Tell us a little about the titular characters, Shiloh and Sachua Williamson.

IM: Well Shiloh is the oldest of the two. She's 24, college graduate, works in human resource and is a virgin. She has no experiences with the opposite sex until she meets Landon. I wanted her to showcase the pure and innocent side of a woman. Sachua is the youngest, she's a young mother, her baby father/ boyfriend is abusive. Serial cheater. Pretty much a fuck boy and she's battling what her heart wants and what her mind is telling her. There's plenty of women who can probably relate to her story. As the series goes on, both of these ladies grow in ways that mold them to be better.

EA: Who are your biggest influences?

IM: My biggest influences to write? I will have to say Jennifer Weiner and Miss Candice.

EA: Urban/Street Literature usually isn't well received by most audiences. What's your take on the perception of Urban Fiction/Street Literature novels?

IM: I think Urban literature gets a bad rep because everyone thinks it's all about guns, drugs and hoes when it's not. Don't get me wrong is it somehow mentioned in most books? Yes. However, some of the BEST books I've ever read were urban fiction. They're relatable. They're raw. It's honestly a perfect way to exercise freedom of speech even if it is in a book that's fiction. It's our platform to get our voices heard in a way.

EA: What can readers except next from Iisha Monet?

IM:  Honestly just more books. I'm already brainstorming my next series. I haven't established a fan base as of yet, so I'm pretty much just proving myself.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

IM: My advice is to just shoot for it. It doesn't hurt to try. If writing is your passion don't let anyone take that from you. Follow your heart. I wanted to be a journalist after high school and my mother said there wasn't any money there so I got discouraged. Literally 10 years later I'm published thanks to Miss Candice. I told her I wanted to write, and she encouraged it, and here I am. Sometimes you just have to do it. Believe in yourself enough. Be confident.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why the series, What It's Like To Love A Heartless Savage is a must read.

IM: What's It Like To Love A Heartless Savage series is a MUST read because I literally am pouring my soul out. Every emotion you read on those pages is real. I connect with my characters and you'll be able to recognize that. It's a love story. A relatable love story. Anyone who reads it will be drawn in from the very first page. Just take a chance and give me a chance, I promise you won't regret it.

Epilogue

A lot of times, people fail to realize the importance of the basics when doing or venturing into anything, and confidence is one of the major basic components. It's going to be difficult to accomplish anything if you lack confidence and belief in yourself.

I'll admit that I'm not one who is quick to read that particular genre, but the two that I've read in recent months, I must say that looking beyond what critics would consider glorifying stereotypes, the first one I read (The Stripper Diaries: Diner Diva), in particular, was art imitating life. The other (The Teflon Queen), I had no idea it was Urban Fiction until I started reading it. The assassin aspect of the story is what drew me to it.

No matter the genre, I believe all stories give authors the opportunity to freely express themselves, sometimes in ways that they aren't able to verbally. I would like to thank Iisha for speaking with me tonight. Check out her What's It Like To Love A Heartless Savage series in the links below.

What's It Like To Love A Heartless Savage

What's It Like To Love A Heartless Savage 2

10,000 Views Edition: Interview with Author Robin King

In anticipation of reaching the 10,000 views milestone after this post, I want to take the time to thank the individuals who allowed me to interview them. They could've easily declined, but chose to oblige, and I am thankful for that. Now, EA: Creatively Creative introduces teacher, author and BYU alumna, Robin King.

EA: What inspired you to create the Remembrandt series?

RK: I hated writing growing up. I hated being told what to write and how to write. That being said, I was still a good student and even went to a state writing competition because of a story I wrote in grade school. But I never really wrote anything for me. When I was about twelve, I began writing in a journal. Once a week I would write about what was going on in my life and how I felt about it. It became an emotional outlet and the beginnings of my creative writing career. After I graduated from college, I had a particular student that was a struggling reader. She was in 6th grade with a reading level closer to a 3rd-4th grader, but liked young adult books. I remember thinking it would be nice if there were more YA books that were easy and fun to read, with a bit of romance and action, but all PG rated. A few months later, I started Remembrandt.

EA: Tell us a little about the titular character, Alexandra Stewart.

RK: Alexandra is the kind of person you'd want around if you were ever in danger or needed someone to have your back. She's seventeen and has an eidetic memory - meaning she can recall everything she's seen in movie-esque. This makes for a great asset as she's attending school, but not so great when memories of a haunting event of her past plague her mind. Luckily she meets a handsome new running partner to distract her. When she solves an impossible puzzle for her Russian professor, Alex is catapulted into a life of cryptic codes and covert missions, and unexpected love.

EA: I thought the artist-related word play in the books' titles were interesting. The first being Remembrandt, followed by Van Gogh Gone, and most recently, Memory of Monet. Will there be another story for this series?

RK: I had planned on Memory of Monet being the last book in the series. But, my publisher has given me the go-ahead to write a few novellas to continue the story. I have yet to start because I'm in the process of getting a fantasy series published, but I'm hoping once I've snagged the publisher of my dreams, that I can sit down and continue the Remembrandt story.

EA: Who would you say are your biggest influences?

RK: That’s a hard question! When I was a kid, I would have said The Babysitter’s Club author, Ann M. Martin. As an adult, authors like J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyers got me back into reading after college. Now that I’ve been published and had the opportunity to meet many more, authors I’d say my biggest influences are James Dashner, Ally Carter, Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, and Brandon Sanderson.

EA: Would you consider writing novels an easy task?

RK: Parts of writing come easily to me. I rarely find myself stuck and writing dialogue is my passion. I love to come up with new characters and stories. But finding time to write everyday can be hard. That's why every year I participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). During the month of November, you commit to writing 50,000 words of a novel. I've done this 4 times already and plan on starting my 5th next month. It's difficult to press forward and not take too much time editing and revising or getting distracted with marketing or publishing of my other books. Some nights I'll stay up until past midnight getting my words in for the day, but the accomplishment of having most of a novel written is priceless!

EA: Besides writing, I understand that you wear many other hats as well, teaching being one of them. Which is more challenging in comparison, writing or teaching?

RK: When I think of the act of writing versus the act of teaching, I would have to go with teaching being more difficult. Teaching is hard because there are so many students that you want to help, but there is only one of you. My favorite kind of teaching is when I'm tutoring one-on-one because I'm finally able to give that person the attention they need and make them successful.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

RK: Start now and don't give up. I can't tell you how much I wished I'd started writing novels when I was a teenager. I know they would have been awful, but to have that experience then would have made me so much better now. Also, being an author is a finicky profession. It's not all about skill. It's not all about who you know (though that can help). It's not all about how creative you are. I would say it comes down to persistence. Writing is like a lottery. You buy into it and just hope when all is said and done that they pull your number. You could send the same query letter to the same agent with the same manuscript and they don't choose it one year, but eat it up the next year. It's really 10% skill and the rest is just good ol' fashioned luck. BUT the more tickets you buy, the greater your chance to be chosen. So keep on writing.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why the Remembrandt series is a must read.

RK: If you've ever enjoyed a show like Alias, Covert Affairs, or White Collar – you'll for sure like Remembrandt. My favorite thing about Remembrandt is that it has something for everyone. There's espionage, art history, romance, foreign countries, friendship, and family. And Alexandra's adventures keep getting better in Van Gogh Gone (a heist at the Louvre!) and Memory of Monet (an undercover operation in Mexico!).

Epilogue

How ironic to hear a writer say he or she hated writing at one point in their life. I can relate to Robin's hatred of being told what to or how to write-- specifically, the latter. To me, a component of art, whether it be literary, performing, or otherwise is about liberating, and creative self-expression. Also, I thought that was an interesting use of metaphor when it comes to the business aspect of writing.

I would like to thank Robin for taking the time to speak with me. For more on Robin, and her novels, you can visit her website at www.authorrobinking.com. Also, for a limited time, Robin's first book, Remembrandt of the Remembrandt series, is available for only 99 cents! Offer ends November 8th.

9,000 Views Edition: Interview with Poet Imani Tracy

Kicking off my first interview for the month of October, EA: Creatively Creative sat down with poet Imani Tracy.

EA: How long have you have been writing poetry?

IT: I started writing poetry in middle school around the age of 12. There was a lot going on at the time, but I discovered an outlet one day in English class when we were assigned to write a poem. From then on, I never really stopped writing poetry. Poetry is my escape.

EA: What inspires you to write?

IT: Honestly, anything can inspire me to write. It could be an emotion, a topic, or an object. It all depends on what calls to me in that moment. I get a certain feeling when I need to write and I just go with that feeling. Whatever comes from my pen is unknown to me, until I stop and read it.

EA: Who are your biggest influences?

IT: This one is a tough one. I don’t have just one person that influences me. Different writers influence me as I go along. It is usually writers that aren’t well known, but they still have their own following who loves their work. I admire these writers because regardless of the sales and followers that they have, they keep writing. The passion that they exhibit with their work is what renews my drive to keep going.

EA: What are the biggest challenges, if any, of writing poetry?

IT: I believe the biggest challenge of writing poetry is sharing it to the world. Poetry is your innermost thoughts coming to the light. Sometimes, it can be joyful, while other times it can be scary. By choosing to share that with others, it is like you are opening your soul up to anyone who reads it. They’re learning a very personal part of you that you may not even share with your closest friends and family. You are completely exposed to the world.

EA: Are there any upcoming projects?

IT: Yes. I am playing around with writing a verse novel. It started out with one poem that I wrote last year, but recently it has been turning into a series of poems. A story has been slowly coming to creation as I add more poems to the mix. It looks like it is turning into an urban fantasy.

EA: What's your main aspiration as a writer?

IT: To create experiences that will make the readers feel the emotions that I felt when I was writing.

EA: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring poets?

IT: Develop your own style and don’t be afraid to be different. Being different is what brought readers amazing stories like Harry Potter, Bridge to Terabithia, The Unfortunate Events, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Epilogue

It can be difficult to share your innermost thoughts with family or your closest friends, nevertheless, with the world. Imani's spontaneity of inspiration reminds me of my saying that creativity can be found under a rock, or creative people can find inspiration under a rock.

I would like to thank Imani for speaking with me today. For on Imani, you can visit her website imanitracy.wordpress.comimanitracy.wordpress.com, or check out her Facebook page in the hyperlink below.

Facebook: Imani Tracy