Interview with Author Jaqueline Stone

In the second of back-to-back interviews, EA: Creatively Creative speaks with horror author, Jaqueline Stone.

EA: When did your journey as an author begin?

JS: First, I would like to say thank you so much for having me, I really appreciate the opportunity! I would have to say my journey as an author began in 2014, when I first started writing my first novel, Fallen. But my journey as a writer began shortly after I was born. I’ve always had an active imagination, and my mother would fill the room with stories about how I “went to work” on her old typewriter at the age of 2. I’ve always been great at creative writing and short stories. In high school, I started writing college essays for my older family members that were in college. But even though I subconsciously knew about my talents, I did not know I wanted to be a writer until a few years ago.

EA: What is the concept of Order from Chaos?

JS: Order From Chaos is an original 8 series crossover consisting of characters from the Red Ink universe. Aminah Iman, Omega, and I took our worst villains and our best heroes and set them against each other. The Order (good guys), is an organization comprised of spiritually gifted men and women that have been charged to cleanse the world of unholy abominations. They were brought together by Mary Magdalene and Peter after the death of Christ. Over the years, the Order has eliminated many evil threats determined to bring evil into and/or end the world.
After their fight with Lilith (the first woman ever created), they now must recruit gifted soldiers to join them in their fight against the Vamperial. The leader of the Order Micah then seeks out the help of Gabriel the Nephilim from my series Fallen, Sari the huntress from the Chronicles of Sari, Liam from Hit List, Erin the assassin from Catch, Alcaeus the Spartan from The Unusuals, and Alaric the beast from the Delacrux Saga. With their help, the Order might be able to put an end to chaos.
 On the other end, The Vamperial is also preparing for battle as they assemble their army of chaos. The Vamperial is made up of the ancient queens of history such as the Queen of Sheba, Nefertiti, Cleopatra, Queen Candance, and Jezebel, all of which follow the command of Lillith. With the help of the demon of greed, Jaq the Ripper, The Reaper, and their descendant, the Vamperial is now ready to bring chaos to The Order, then the rest of the world.

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

JS: I love mythology, so I think I’m going to stick with that and explore diverse cultural folklore. I also want to try my hand at sci-fi, along with historical fiction. But despite what I write, I can’t help but add a sprinkle of horror into the mix.

EA: Who are the biggest influences in your life and career?

JS: The women in my life have the biggest influences on my personality and career. I am always inspired by my mother and my fellow queen of horror Aminah Iman, these are women who encourage me to write and push forward with new ideas (no matter how crazy or weird) they may sound. They’re blunt, honest, and care for my well-being above all, they would never lead me astray, and they would kick my butt if I did. That’s hard to come by.

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

JS: Oh no, I always compare writing a novel to childbirth. Each pregnancy is different, and each child develops at their own pace. You're always excited at first, anxious for your creation to be born into this world. But at the end, you’re tired, exhausted, sweaty, and glad that it’s over. But there’s always a sense of pride and strength, knowing you put your all into something and have it be your purest form of expression.

EA: Are there any upcoming projects for Jacqueline Stone?

JS: I’m always doing a project. I’m like an extreme hobbyist if that’s even a thing. Next year I will be releasing a series of short stories of different genres and mythologies.With that, I’m also starting a vlog where I talk and review books, blogs, short stories, and of course, horror. I also have an online store I’m working on, which features handmade jewelry and monthly blogs. I would love to gift you with some of our merchandise. That being said, it is proving to be a busy new year.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

JS: Write for yourself, do not let others tell you how to write our what to write. So what if someone doesn't like your ideas, or doesn't acknowledge your efforts. Know that you are special, and express yourself truly and the story will tell itself.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Order from Chaos is a must buy.

JS: Order From Chaos is so much more than horror, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry. It makes you feel! You can’t help but feel drawn to the characters unique personalities and backstory. It flows and keeps your eyes glued to the page. It’s historical fiction and horror at its best, and it’s something that hasn’t really been done before.

Epilogue

A very profound analysis and analogy on novel writing by Jaqueline. I've never viewed writing a novel that way, but then again, I'm not a female. Lol. In response to her advice, I say: "Exactly!" For me, personally, there are certain genres I tend to stay away from, but overall, creative control and freedom is a must. Yes, you want to create a product that intrigues, entertains, and informs readers, but at the end of the day, write for yourself.

I definitely want to thank Jaqueline for speaking with me. To purchase Order from Chaos, visit the hyperlink below.

Amazon: Order from Chaos

14,000 Views Edition: Interview with Best-Selling Author Bonita Van Gerve

In my first of back-to-back interviews, EA: Creatively Creative sits down with a writer who released her debut novel, Tough Girl last week, which was ranked as an Amazon best-seller, and is currently in the top 10 for Urban Life genres, 11th for Romance. Introducing from Johannesburg, Gauteng, author Bonita Van Gerve.

EA: Tell us about your journey to becoming a writer.

BVG: Honestly, I used to hate reading and writing. We always had essays in school and my marks used to be always low and a lot of fault finding. Tough Girl is one of my oldest creations, I always had it in my mind but never took the opportunity to put it on paper. And just one day I started writing down all my ideas (stories) and found a free website (Wattpad) to post my stories. I did struggle at first to get fans and readers but I continued to write and invent stories. And before I knew it, I actually started falling in love with writing and my characters. Inkitt advertised a writing contest and I thought that I would take a risk and entered Tough Girl. And 3 months later, I got an email telling me that they want to publish my book.

EA: What is it about writing that you enjoy it more than a movie or a TV series?

BVG: The fact of creating a character, you share the emotions and you pretend to be the character. Movies and TV series doesn't make you connect with the characters; books have their way where the reader connects emotionally with the character.

EA: Who are the biggest influences in your life and career?

BVG: Cleo Peitshe. I got a free copy from her Dangerous Man series. It was an adult book, but the way she created her characters and how you feel herself living into her books made me want to write like her. Have some romance, humor, and small cliffhangers.

EA: What is the concept of Tough Girl?

BVG: Tough Girl is based on me. The reason why I connected so easily with her character is that I share the same pain. Low self-esteem.
Alex Anderson is described as a Tough Girl who used to be a professional cage fighter but retired at the age of 18. The 23-year-old Alex runs her own bakery still with the old her stuck somewhere deep within her. She is a girl with a low self-esteem because of one man who hurt her emotionally and now she believes that she is not worthy or even beautiful to find love again But then fate turns the tables and she meets the one guy that had a big influence on her life. The famous Ryder Cane, who carries the title of being the heavyweight champ in MMA. He makes her see what she can be capable off, he brings out the girl that has been dying on the inside and turns her into a confident woman. Alex is not just a tough girl because of her history of being a fighter, but it is her everyday battle with herself that makes her the tough girl.

EA: Tough Girl has recently become a best-seller on Amazon. Describe the feeling of your first published book becoming a best-seller.

BVG: I am ecstatic. Shocked and scared at the same time. I have never thought I would ever get to this point of publishing a book. My friends always encouraged me and told me that I should go for it because of all my followers on Wattpad.

EA: Do you think writing a novel is easy?

BVG: Definitely not. Writer's block does really exist and it is terrible and pushing yourself can lead to an unsuccessful book. You have to connect with your characters, you have to be them. And sometimes what you write, not everyone understands what you are trying to say. And well, I am from South Africa. I was born and raised in Afrikaans. My English classes consisted of reading and writing essays and of course, spelling. It never helped me to develop my English. I used to be terrible at speaking English. I made some progress along the line purchasing books and reading them. Listening to readers as they point out my grammar mistakes.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

BVG: Never stop believing. Miracles do happen and if you keep on pushing and continue writing you will also get a day where you will get your book published. Never doubt yourself. You do get critics, but they just help you along the way to write a better book next time. They are the honest ones that help you see your mistakes, and help you fix them.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Tough Girl is a must read.

BVG:  I know there are a lot of boys and girls out there that has the same dream as me, like meeting your idol. This book gives you the chance to believe in miracles that everything is possible if you keep on believing in yourself. I write from experience and I know Alex will help all of those girls who share the same emotion as she can make them believe they are beautiful and capable of anything.

Epilogue

Going back to the concept of Bonita's story, I, too, struggled with low self-esteem for many years, particularly as a teenager. It's an internal fight to overcome, but what helps me get beyond it is the importance of encouraging myself, believing in myself whether others believe in me or not, and a profound statement I heard a few months ago: "Don't put your self-esteem in the hands of people. Don't give people that kind of power over you."

It's funny how I find myself starting to talk to more authors who actually hated reading/writing growing up. For me, it's about how compelling, well-developed, and believable the character is. If he or she meets or exceeds those expectations, I can connect with them whether it's a movie, TV, or a book. Finally, they are two types of critics: the ones who will offer constructive criticism to help you become a better author, as Bonita alluded to, then there's the ones who are spiteful and want to undermine your work, just because they can. Both can used as a source of inspiration, it depends on how you respond to them.

I would like to thank Bonita for speaking with me. To check out  Bonita's Tough Girl, visit the hyper link below.

Amazon: Tough Girl

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Interview with Author Shay Renee

EA: Creatively Creative introduces author Shay Renee, whose debut novel, Deron and Nariah: A Tarnished Tale of Love released on Monday.

EA: What sparked your desire to become a writer?

SR: I was inspired by mother Lady Lissa. I also used to write short stories and participate in short story challenges. Once the readers began asking for a book, I decided to pick up the pen, and write one for them.

EA: What were your thoughts before and after publishing your first book? Did you feel overwhelmed at some point?

SR: Before I published my first book, I was nervous and felt as if my work would go unnoticed. Coming into an industry with so many amazing authors can be overwhelming, but I managed to do it successfully. Once my book was published and I saw all of the love and support that I was getting, I was ecstatic. I felt welcomed and blessed to part of the industry.

EA: Who are the biggest influences on your life and career?

SR: The biggest influence on my life and career would be my readers. If it wasn't for their encouragement, I don't think I would have ever went through with putting out a book. I could never thank them enough.

EA: What is the concept of Deron and Nariah: A Tarnished Tale of Love?

SR: The concept of my book is to show that you never truly know a person like you think you do. People tend to have hidden agendas and secret lives, so that is what I am trying to depict in my book.

EA: Is this a standalone, or will it be a series?

SR: This book is part one of a series. Part two should be dropping this month as well, but if not, it will definitely be dropped in January 2018.

EA: Do you think writing a book is easy?

SR: Writing a book is easy if it is your passion. To me the only thing that makes it a little difficult is having to remember dates and times, and making sure your story flows in a way the reader will understand.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

SR: The advice that I would give to aspiring authors would be to always follow your heart. If you love writing and it is something that you truly want to do, don't let anyone or anything stop you from doing that. You are your biggest supporter. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Deron and Nariah: A Tarnished Tale of Love is a must read.

SR: This book is a must read because of the two lessons that it teaches. Never put anything past anyone, and always follow your gut instinct. If you feel like something isn't right, then nine times out of ten what you're feeling is true. The emotion that I put into this book will allow the readers to feel what I am saying.

Epilogue

To follow up on Shay's inspiration for writing this book-- speaking from my life's experiences-- I know all too well about people not being whom they seem. You think you know someone, and they burn you, but that's another story. Keeping the story at a certain flow and pace where the readers can understand and remain intrigued, is one of the many challenges a writer faces.

Very simplistic, yet powerful advice, you must be your biggest supporter. Regardless if others believe in you or not, you must always believe in yourself. I thank Shay for taking the time to speak with me. You can follow Shay on social media and check out her debut novel, Deron and Nariah: A Tarnished Tale of Love by visiting the hyperlinks below.

Amazon: Deron and Nariah: A Tarnished Tale of Love

Facebook: Shay Renee

Facebook Author Page: Authoress Shay Renee

Twitter: @ShayReneeBabe

Interview with Best-Selling Author & Speaker Chelsea Ellis

Today, EA: Creatively Creative speaks with a woman of many careers. She's the Vice President of Jim Reynolds Asphalt Sealcoating, LLC., the hostess of her own talk show, a business coach, motivational speaker, and not to mention, a best-selling author. Introducing Chelsea Ellis.

EA: How did you get started in your careers as business coach and motivational speaker?

CE: I always knew I wanted to teach in some way or form, but never knew exactly how. I started business coaching and motivational speaking once I started reading and studying about the power of your mindset and the law of attraction. Also, I started learning a lot about internet marketing which caused me to want to teach to others the things I was learning about and was helping my business.

EA: Who would you acknowledge as the biggest influences in your life and career?

CE: My father Samuel Ellis is my biggest influence. He has been an entrepreneur for over 30 years so I was able to grow up in a household that allowed me to see first hand what entrepreneurship consisted of. He has always been such a hard worker, and since I was young, he would always be open with teaching me everything he has learned! He's a great father, friend and mentor!

EA: I understand that The Chelsea Ellis Show is set to debut in the near future. Would you tell us when it makes its premiere, and what the show is all about?

CE: Yes. January 2018 will be the premiere of the second season of The Chelsea Ellis Show. You can find the show on thechelseaellisshow.com. The show was created to showcase entrepreneurs and allow them to tell their story of how they have become successful throughout all of their trials and hardships! Also, just to give advice to any upcoming entrepreneurs and let them know that it is possible.

EA: What is the concept of your best-seller, Fail to Success?

CE: Fail to Success was created to teach people how to never lose the desire for success when failure comes their way. A lot of times people stop striving for their goals when they make mistakes or things get hard, so the book Fail to Success is just to help people realize failure is apart of the process.

EA: Was the process of writing this book easy for you?

CE: The process was easy for me due to the fact I was already blogging daily, and also I love to write but, I realize that the process isn't as easy for other people. That's what made me create a product that helps people through the process of book creation.

Link to Book Creation Product: http://bit.ly/2jkahHM

EA: What's next on the horizon for Chelsea Ellis?

CE: My goal is to continue to coach more people on entrepreneurship. I want to help 100 people become millionaires through entrepreneurship and I won't stop until that goal is passed!

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors, as well as others venturing out to accomplish their goals?

CE: Set strategic goals for yourself and allow the book to open up doors for you. Being an author is a great accomplishment because it proves you can start and complete a task, as well as it brands you and the subject you write about. So use your book to help you open up other doors whether it's you wanting to be a speaker, consultant, writer, etc.

EA: Finally, tell the viewers why Fail to Success is a must read.

CE: Fail to Success is a must read because no matter who you are or what point in life you are at, this book can help you take your life to the next level!

Epilogue

It is my hope that those who are striving to achieve their goals, whatever that goal(s) may be, will read Chelsea's testimony, and gain the inspiration to go for it, and the motivational wisdom that-- through faith and persistence-- they can get it done.

I want to thank Chelsea for speaking with me today. For more on Chelsea, or to follow her on social media, visit the links below. To learn more on how you can become an entrepreneur through Chelsea's guidance, visit www.thechelseaellisshow.com/services.

Website: thechelseaellisshow.com
Facebook: Chelsea Ellis Fan Page
Instagram: Chelsea A. Ellis