Interview with Author & Poet Sheefah Zarma

After a two month hiatus-- seemed longer, to be honest with you-- EA: Creatively Creative returns to speak with a woman who is not only a writer, author, and poet, but is also a motivational speaker, and known by some as the "Queen of Spoken Word Poetry." From Nigeria, I introduce, Sheefah Zarma.

EA:  When did your journey as a writer begin?

SZ: My journey as a writer started in the year 2015, where I did my project on creative writing, personally poetry, where I wrote an anthology of poetry, and my supervisor saw the talent before I even realized I had it in me, so he motivated me to write more, which I did and later had my poems published, where The Silent Noise and other poems was birthed and launched on 16th April 2016.

EA: Describe the feeling of having your written work published across Nigeria.

SZ: The feeling of having my work being published across Nigeria is quite fulfilling and heartwarming; it made me realize the art of consistency and hard work really pays off someday, because when you do what you love, it innately gives you juice. And when the society gives you some accolades for doing what you love doing, then the feeling is of unfathomable euphoria.

EA: What is the concept for your upcoming book, Black Rose?

SZ: It is a collection of prose, poetry and aphorisms which relates to our day to day lives, from the issue of love, hate, friendship, heartbreak, deceit, accusations, slavery, oppression, cultures and so on. The book is segmented into five chapters, which is the petals, thorns, leaves, stem and roots, each category symbolizes a particular thing: the concept is to make it as relatable as possible.

EA: What is the basis, the driving theme of your messages as a motivational speaker?

The basis behind my messages in my motivational clips is to bring more awareness, support, and motivate the female gender. I want a lot of women to realize their strengths and capabilities, to not allow criticism weigh them down and never allow people to define their capabilities in a limited way, and also tell women there is more to just being dolled up, in order to look pretty or sexy. They need to be aware of the fact that, those days are gone, when women stay unproductive; we are in the 21st century and we should have dreams and become leaders of luminious intellects.

EA: In comparison, which would you consider to be the most challenging between writing and motivational speaking?

SZ: Honestly, writing is more challenging because you always have to proofread, do some editorials, revisit your claims and proofread again, you never feel fulfilled, but my motivational speaking just comes from within. I just speak without the thoughts of having any grammatical imperfection. I believe English is a borrowed language, not my L1 but a lingua-franca, so I don't really worry much about my clips.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

SZ: My advice to any aspiring writer would be to always believe in their craft, believe they are worthy of writing, believe they can be writers or even be the best some day. "Belief" is a strong key to success, and doubt is the fire that burns away luck.but nonetheless, they should develop the habits of reading, knowledge indeed lies in between pages of a book, and always be open to corrections and criticisms. That's how you ever become better.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Black Rose is a must-read.

SZ: Well, what I can say is, any human being on earth who has ever loved, been hurt before, being misconstrued, betrayed, feel oppressed, batting with self confidence and uncertainty about one's self- worth should definitely grab a copy of Black Rose, and see his/her reflection in the pages of my book. I promise you! You won't be the same person, after reading this book, because it will heal and give you that push up you were searching for.

Epilogue

2015 was also the year I started writing professionally, in terms of my first published book. Writing, as therapeutic and rewarding as it is, also comes with its challenges, such as the ones Sheefah describes. Belief is a strong key to success in anything that you partake in. That's where it all starts. Without belief in yourself, you won't get very far with your aspirations.

With that, I would like to thank Sheefah for taking the time to speak with me. To purchase Black Rose, click the hyperlink below.

Barnes & Noble: Black Rose

Interview with Best Selling Author Steena Holmes

The second of back-to-back interviews, EA: Creatively Creative sits down with a writer whose work has made her a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She has won awards such as the National Indie Excellence Book Award in 2012 for her novel Finding Emma, and the USA Book News Award in 2015 for her novel The Word Game. Introducing author Steena Holmes.

EA: When did you discover your passion for storytelling? 

SH: I grew up hearing stories all the time from my dad. It’s probably what started it for me. I always loved to read, but honestly never thought I would be a writer, so it’s a dream come true!

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

SH: I have a few very strong women in my life who have held me up when I needed it the most. These women push me to be a better person, a stronger woman, a more loving mother. It’s due to their support that I have the courage to create my own career and make it as successful as I can.

EA: What is your approach to writing?

SH: I always start with an idea. I then play with it for a bit, figure out my characters and then I start to write. The story comes alive while I’m writing. Dedication to sitting down and getting the words on the paper is a must for me - I have a minimum word count I attempt to beat each day.

EA: Tell us, what are some of the genres that you write or would like to write about?

SH: I write in Women’s Fiction and psychological suspense. I’d like to dive more in the the suspense/thriller realm.

EA: Do you believe writing a novel is easy?

SH: The person who believes writing a novel is easy is someone who has never attempted it. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done. Not only are you daily combating your own self esteem, but you have expectation of others to write the best possible book you can. Every book I start and finish is a miracle.

EA: What is concept of The Forgotten Ones?

SH: The concept surrounding The Forgotten Ones is how far will we go to protect those we love? How many secrets can we keep buried before the weight destroys us? I love diving into the whole idea of secrets and how they affect everyone around us.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

SH: Just start. Don’t be afraid of the words you’ve written. Don’t try to edit them while you write - just write. If you don’t start, you’ll never be able to finish.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why The Forgotten Ones will be a must read.

SH: Early reviews are calling this a twisty tale of secrets and suspense. If you give this book a try, I believe you’ll like it!

Epilogue

Usually the ones who believe writing is easy are usually the ones from the outside looking in, those who have never attempted it. Also true is battling your own self-esteem when venturing into writing. I've talked to people who have told me that they've always wanted to write, but haven't due to fear-- well, usually fear of the criticism of others-- but that actually goes back to one's self-esteem, and not being able to overcome what others may think.

I want to thank Steena for speaking with me. For more on Steena and her books, visit her website at www.steenaholmes.com.

16,000 Views Edition: Interview with Author Nance

In anticipation of my 16K views milestone, EA: Creatively Creative sits down with an author whose book Some Love Lost (released in September 2017) has garnered over 50 5-star reviews, and her most recent release, Entrapped by a Hitta's Love has received over 30 5-star reviews. I introduce author and fellow New Orleanian, Nance.

EA: When did your passion for writing begin?

NA: I've always been the kid writing in a composition notebook, but it was just for fun, I wouldn't let anybody read it. People have been telling me for years that I should publish a book, but I would always wave them off, it took for my cousin, Treasure Malian to challenge me one day to write a complete novel for me to get started, I didn't really take it serious or become passionate until July 4th 2016, the day my Uncle Johnny died.

EA: Was writing something you've always wanted to do?

NA: Writing is not something I envisioned myself doing, I've always wanted to be a Pediatrician

EA: Who are some of your biggest influences?

NA: Aside from family, Treasure Malian and Jahquel J, their work ethics are unmatched, they're so multifaceted and their writing makes you feel all different types of emotions.

EA: Would you consider writing to be easy?

NA: Writing is in no way easy, so much hard work and dedication goes into making sure everything is right.

EA: What is the concept of Some Love Lost?

NA: Some Love Lost is about a young woman who's had to endure so much, but she still comes out on top. It's about losing love, finding what you think is love and gaining that love you lost back, all in due time.

EA: Are there any upcoming projects on the horizon?

NA: I'm finishing up the finale to my series It's Only Your Love That Gets Me Through.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

NA: Push yourself to your fullest potential and don't write for no one but yourself because if you don't love it, how can you expect the readers to?

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Some Love Lost is a must-read.

NA: Some Love Lost is a must read because it has a little bit of everything in it. There's lies, abuse, betrayal, love, and hate, all things that happen in real life that everyday people can relate to.

Epilogue

A key thing that Nance stated in her advice is very instrumental as a writer. Make sure that you're writing for yourself, and not for anyone else or following trends, but what you want to write about. Part of my approach as an author is when I write something to consider if this is something I would read or at least considering myself before I begin.

I would like to thank Nance for taking the time to speak with me. For more on Nance, and her books visit her Amazon Author Page by clicking on the link below.

Amazon: Nance

Interview with Author Aahoo Ellie

EA: Creatively Creative kicks off its first interview for the month of  March with an author whose upcoming novel Shakespeare's Promenade is set to release soon. Introducing Aahoo Ellie.

EA: When did your journey as an author begin?

AE: There were many tipping points that led me to have an interest in writing. I'll tell you the very first: When I was in 5th grade, and those old school Macintosh computers existed that, when shut down, did not save your work. Our assignment was to write a five page story, and of course, I procrastinated until the night before. I fidget my foot when I'm focused, resulting in my fidgeting foot unplugging the computer and deleting everything. After my ten-year-old self recovered from a nervous break down, I wrote a story about Dodo birds escaping a pirate ship and received a grade of 105%. That was when I learned that I write best when I'm an emotional wreck (or maybe just filled with many emotions).

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

AE: My mom. Hands down. She's a badass and taught me that 'no' was just a word-not a verdict.

EA: What is your approach to engaging readers when writing?

AE: Engage myself first. If I want to excite readers about my upcoming (or already released) novel/short story, I have to be excited about it too. I want my readers to love my characters as much as I do.

EA: What is concept of Shakespeare's Promenade? Is it a series or a standalone?

AE: It's a four book series (with a four book prequel series). Here's the concept of the first:

Beneath the University of Oxford there is a secluded tube station leading to Shakespeare’s Promenade, a mystical land where the Shakespeare lineage is royalty and only the young and beautiful are gifted immortality. There is but one rule: remain contented, or torture methods will be executed to add the conspirator into Shakespeare’s army of deranged clowns.

Twenty-three year old Roxanna Obelix, who lives alone with her depressed and legless father, believes her mother had been murdered by artists for the last fifteen years. When her father reveals that her mother was actually kidnapped by Roxanna’s estranged grandfather, William Shakespeare, she ventures into Shakespeare’s Promenade and discovers she is a part of a prophecy to begin a War on Art, and murder William Shakespeare--all three of them.

EA: Do you think writing a novel is easy?

AE: No-but it's fulfilling. It's like therapy--which is not easy, but definitely worthwhile.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

AE: Don't seek validation!

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Shakespeare's Promenade will be a must-read.

AE: Shakespeare's Promenade is a crazy twist on the "world" of Shakespeare as we know it. The citizens inside each have an evil and good side to them, so it has the reader guessing until the very end--who's a clown? Who's a spy? How much do they know? Roxanna is a sassy and determined character who is easy to root for, and Ed and Matt make great acquaintances (not to mention Ed makes a terribly great love interest). All in all, it's one hell of a world to get lost in.

Epilogue

Most writers, I being one of them, will tell you how therapeutic writing is. It can also be a way for some to express themselves in ways that they usually can't. Aahoo's concise advice reminds me of one of the principles that I've shared with someone, and have learned to live by: don't put your self-esteem-- or work, for that matter-- in the hands of people. Don't give people that kind of power of you. 

I definitely want to thank Aahoo for speaking with me. For more Aahoo and her literary works, visit her website at www.aahoo.xyz.

Amazon: Aahoo Ellie Pourang

Instagram: @aahoo_

Interview with Author Elise Noble

After another brief hiatus, mostly promoting my books among other things, EA: Creatively Creative returns with an interesting international interview. From England, I introduce author, Elise Noble.

EA: What sparked your desire to become a writer? Where did it all begin?

EN: Why did I become a writer? There were two reasons. Firstly, I’d read a bunch of really ropey books on Kindle and figured that surely I could do better. Newsflash—I couldn’t. Writing was actually a lot harder than I thought.

Secondly, at that time, I was working in a beautiful old manor house, and I figured it needed a story. I began my first book in my lunch hour. The building didn’t make it through editing, but I’ve since written another book about it—a paranormal romance that’ll be published towards the end of 2018.

EA: What is approach to writing your books?

EN: I have a big list of books I’d like to write, spread over seven series at the moment. Once I’ve picked what to write next, I do the initial research and write a loose outline – usually about two thousand words. Then I sit down and write the story, mostly on my iPad mini. I like to write between two and four thousand words a day, going faster towards the end of a book, and that gives me about a novel a month.

EA: Who, would you say are the biggest influences in your life and career?

EN: Life in general? My parents. They taught me the importance of working hard, being a good person, and living within my means.

In my writing career, I’d have to say my readers. A lot of them have been with me since the beginning, when I was posting my hot mess of a first draft of Pitch Black on Wattpad. I chat with them every day in my reader group, and they help me to shape my stories.

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

EN: That depends. My first novel took me the best part of a year to write, and at times I almost threw in the towel because there were plot holes everywhere and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. But I’m stubborn, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you talk to, so I persevered.
But once I learned how to write, and more importantly, how I write best, it got a lot easier. Thirty-seven books on, writing a novel isn’t so difficult anymore.
But publishing a novel? That’s a different story.

Writing is the fun part, and then the real work starts—liaising with my beta team, editing, more editing, even more editing, coming up with cover concepts, writing a blurb, formatting, proof reading, marketing, organising my ARC team, accounting… I’ll stop there because it’s just depressing.

TLDR: Writing a novel is easy, publishing a novel is not easy.

EA: What is the concept of the Blackwood Security series?

EN: Blackwood started with one woman—Emmy—an assassin who has a nervous breakdown after the murder of her husband. I was sick of reading about weak heroines, and I wanted to write a bitch. Emmy’s smart, streetwise, and funny, but she’s still a bitch, and she’ll always be my favourite character.

The first three Blackwood books tell her story, and after that, I carried the series on with interlinked standalone novels about her friends. She knows a whole bunch of interesting people.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

EN: Work out why you want to write. Do you simply want to hold a book with your name on it, or do you want to make money? If it’s the latter, you need to treat it as a job. That means putting in the hours and paying attention to admin, finances, and marketing from the very start.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why the Blackwood Security series is a must-read.

EN: I’d actually describe my Blackwood books as a bit Marmite— you’ll either love them or hate them. I think I’ll hand over to one of my readers to elaborate…

“If you don’t like strong women, don’t read this. If you can’t stand books so funny that you laugh out loud, don’t read this book. If you don’t like characters you can quote, don’t read this book. If you don’t like twists and turns, don’t read this series.” – Amazon reviewer

Epilogue

A couple of points Elise made that I want to touch on: from my personal experience, the writing process, though not rocket science, can be challenging, particularly if or when you have writer's block, not to mention the editing, and so on, but the most challenging of it is marketing/promoting, getting the books into the hands, kindles, or book apps (i.e. Kindle Kobo) of readers.

For me, I write for the love of it, and the money as well-- I won't lie about that. However, having a passion and dedication for what you do should overcome the money aspect, that's where things such as research and doing your due diligence comes into play.  I would like to thank Elise for speaking with me tonight. A final word from Elise:

If you’d like to find out more about me or try one of my books, here’s where you can do that:

FREE books: https://www.elise-noble.com/free
Team Blackwood reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Blackwood.EN
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EliseNobleAuthor
Twitter ramblings: https://twitter.com/EliseANoble

15,000 Views Edition: Interview with Author & Model Philandis Stovall

The second of back-to-back interviews, and commemorating my blog garnering 15K views! (Special thanks to my readers and supporters) EA: Creatively Creative had the pleasure of sitting down with a woman who is not only an upcoming author whose debut novel is set to release soon, but is also a model. Introducing Philandis Stovall.

EA: What inspired you to become an author?

PS: Well, I started writing at a very young age. My mother used to have my siblings and myself write in daily journals about anything. I would create stories off the top of my head, from imaging how I felt and/or things happening around me. I would write short stories, plays and songs. My mom even wrote a story about me when I was hit by a car and pronounced dead at the age of two and that inspired me as well.

EA: Is writing something you have always wanted to do?

PS: Yes, writing has always been a big part of my life. I’ve always felt it was apart of my purpose of having a story/stories that need to be heard.

EA: Who would say are your biggest influences?

PS: My biggest influences are The Lord, my children, my parents, my family-friends who never give up & who stand in their uniqueness and keep pushing.

EA: Was the process of writing this book easy?

PS: The process of writing my book was very easy. I literally wrote my book in two weeks.
I cut myself off from the world in order to get my book completed. I wanted to be focused with no distractions of the internet, hanging out, etc. I set a goal for myself and I got the job done.

EA: What is the concept of Even Through the Storm?

PS: Even Through the Storm tells a story of how in life we are faced with different obstacles. Many tests, trials and tribulations beyond our control, but we have to maintain our positive thoughts, trust God and get the positive out of whatever situations and/or circumstances we are presented from day to day.

EA: I understand that you've also worked as a model. Describe what the experience was like.

PS: Yes, I have worked as a model. The experience is lovely! It's owning who you are in your walk, demeanor, and way of style. It’s a silent way of saying, 'This is who I am. Embrace it or not.' Unapologetically! I love it. It is another form of telling stories but silently with your body, your clothing or no clothing.

EA: Are you still involved in modeling? If not, is it something you will consider again in the future?

PS: Yes, I am still involved in modeling. I just walked in a fashion show on January 28, 2018 for Meraki Muse and Stop Shop & Print Presents their 1st Annual Peace, Love and Fashion Showcase. Also, I had a photo shoot scheduled recently but had to reschedule.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

PS: I would tell aspiring writers to love what you do wholeheartedly. Be authentic. Ignore the naysayers. Be creative. Stand firm on what you believe in and feel. Your vision is yours and it’s yours for a reason. The best writing is from inspiration; so don’t force! No matter how long it takes to get the story out keep trusting and believing in your process.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Even Through the Storm is a must-read.

PS: Even Through the Storm is a memoir to inspire and help the healing process. It’s authentic, it’s full of faith, it will give you a new perspective on and about life. This story will encourage you and remind you that no one is alone in this world. Everyone deals with something. We are all on different levels of our personal walks and some of us have learned how to deal with things better than others. Some have gained a sense of seeing the entire picture, and this doesn’t make you less. We are all still growing. There is no negative impact on your life that you can’t handle. And Even Through the Storm will make you say, “wow!”

Epilogue

Oh my goodness. I couldn't put those words of advice any better myself. Albeit, I may articulate or convey it in paraphrases, but these words are basically what I try to communicate to not only aspiring authors, but anyone who is aspiring to do anything in life. Writing from inspiration, however it may come to me, is one of the staples of my approach. I don't believe in forcing the issue. As much as a writer may want to get the story out there as quickly as possible, it's best to take your time, craft and write your story thoroughly, versus rushing it.

I want to thank Philandis for sharing a part of her life with us. To overcome a near tragedy, among other obstacles along the way, and continue to stand is awe-inspiring. For more on Philandis, visit her author page on Facebook in the hyperlink below.

Facebook Author Page: Philandis Stovall

Interview with Author RaJean Anderson

Kicking off my first interview for the month of February, EA: Creatively Creative introduces author, RaJean Anderson.

EA: What started you on your path to becoming a writer?

RA: When I was in high school my friends CiErra and DeAsia Garrett read books constantly. It was like our own little book club. Our senior year in college we made a pact for all of us to write a book and we did. What I came to find out later on through the process of me writing my book is that I have a love for writing and creating stories.

EA: What writer(s), if any, would you say are your biggest influence(s)?

RA: Nicholas Sparks is a big one. I like to think of myself as a romantic and he brings so many emotions through the romance books he writes. One of the biggest reasons why I love Nicholas Sparks romance books is because of the tragedy that always comes with the romance.To me, that brings a stronger dynamic to the story and makes it feel more realistic because nothing in life is happiness always. We all go through something and that what makes us who we are.
When it comes down to erotica authors, I have read many, but one that got me back to reading like crazy in college was E.L. James. The reason that I love the trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey so much is because the book had a great story-line along with great sex scenes throughout it. It had multiple genres such as erotic,BDSM, romance, and suspense. The book brought a lot to the table which creates a lot of emotions in the reader. These are some of the authors I received encouragement from through reading their books.

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

RA: If one enjoys creating stories and have a heart for writing than writing a novel is easy, but if one does not have a true desire for it, complacent, or don't know what they like to write about concerning genres than it can become challenging.

EA: What is the concept behind Sex Crazed?

RA: Sex Crazed is a book I wrote for my followers on social media who ask for more material from me to know more about my writing style. Sex Crazed is a book about a young lady name Toya who has a three year old daughter name LaToya. LaToya is the only thing that keeps Toya from living life on the wild side. Toya has a deep love for sexual activities and at many times can't help herself to indulge in those behaviors. Due to the sexual cravings that Toya has, she interacts with the wrong man and jeopardizes her changes of losing her daughter.

EA: Would you tell us about the upcoming release, The Dark Beginning?

RA: The Dark Beginning is the very first book I wrote. It is about a woman name Leveta who leaves Chicago to go to a completely different state looking for a fresh start. She meets a man who seemed perfect, but start to bring back the negative perspectives of the life she once had in Chicago. She tries to run from her past, but she found herself running in circles; revisiting old feelings in new situations. During Leveta's journey, she gets tangled up in lies, deception, sex, religion, romance, two lovers, death, and hard decisions to make. She is trying her hardest to let the past go, but it continued to revisit her in forms of flashbacks. While a person from the past is trying to re-enter her life, Leveta becomes trapped in her past where she is now blind to the exceptional future that awaits her.

EA: Are there any other genres that you write or want to write?

RA:  The genres that I will be writing if not already writing is erotic, romance, suspense, urban fiction, action and drama.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

RA: Don't give up! If you believe this is what you want to do no matter how hard it seems and no matter the people who give negative feedback, keep writing and stay consistent. You will eventually find your audience.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Sex Crazed and The Dark Beginning are must-reads.

RA: The book Sex Crazed is a must read for those who love erotic and drama. This book is a quick, easy read. The book has a very interesting story line about a young lady who is trying to take care of her daughter the best way she can, but she is being controlled by the sexual desires that she have on a consistent basis. This book will keep your attention from the beginning to the end. It is definitely a page turner! The book The Dark Beginning is a must read because this book as so many strong dynamics. It's a woman who has been through the unthinkable, but she finds a way to make it through. She fights to have what she believes she deserves. This book will make you feel many emotions and tie you into the book where you have to finish it up to see how it ends.

Epilogue

To pick up from RaJean's advice, I recently thought of an analogy when venturing to achieve an aspiration: I liken the process to drips of water on a surface. What I mean by that is the first few drops of water may not do much, if anything at all, but over time, if the water continues to drip on that surface, eventually it will break through. Whatever goal that you set out to accomplish, have the same determination of dripping water, if not greater.

I want to thank RaJean for speaking with me. For more on RaJean, check out her website and social media by visiting the links below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRaJean/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorrajean 
Instagram: author_rajean 
Snapchat: cocoadrop

Website/Blog: https://authorrajeananderson.wordpress.com/

Interview with Best-Selling Author Lisa See

Today, EA: Creatively Creative has the privilege of speaking with a woman who is having a decorated career. She has wrote multiple books that has made the New York Times bestseller list, among being an honoree in the Chinese American community. I would like to introduce author, Lisa See.

EA: When was the beginning of your journey as an author?

LS: I knew three things about myself when I was growing up. I never wanted to get married, I didn’t want to have children, and I always wanted to live out of a suitcase. I took two years off from college to travel in Europe. The whole time I was wondering how I was going to make my life work the way I envisioned it and how I would be able to support myself. One morning, when I was living in Greece, I woke up and it was like a cartoon light bulb had gone off in my head. I thought, 'Oh, I could be a writer!' But clearly I didn’t know myself very well, because I also got married and had children.  I still spend an awful lot of time living out of a suitcase though!

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

LS: I adored my paternal grandmother.  She probably was the greatest influence on my life.  She loved to travel. She wasn’t very conventional. (She married a Chinese man when it was still against the law.) My mom, Carolyn See, who was a writer, was also a huge influence on my life as a woman and a writer. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the writer I am if not for her. Bob Dylan has also been an influence, not that I know him or anything.  (Hey, Bob, if you’re reading this, give me a call!) Lastly, I’d have to say Wallace Stegner.  I used a line from Angle of Repose as the epigraph for On Gold Mountain: “Fooling around in the papers my grandparents, especially my grandmother, left behind, I get glimpses of lives close to mine, related to mine in ways I recognize but don’t comprehend. I’d like to live in their clothes a while.” I didn’t realize when I used those lines that the sentiment would continue to influence me and my writing to this day.

EA: What's the concept of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane?

LS: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane has three main elements:  the mother/daughter relationship, the history of tea, and the Akha ethnic minority of China. For the mother/daughter story, I wanted to write about a woman who gives up her baby for adoption in China, the woman in California who adopts her, and the girl herself. Tea --specifically Pu-er -- provides the historical backdrop. Tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water.  The people in China that I wrote about are Akha. They have truly unique customs that I wanted to hare with readers.

EA: What is your approach to engage readers?

LS: The two most important things, it seems to me, are relationships and emotions. Each of these relationships—friends for life, sister-wives, and actual sisters—is very different. At the same time, they are uniquely female. A woman will tell her best friend things she won’t tell her mother, husband, or children. That particular intimacy is wonderful and a true blessing, but it can also leave you open to betrayal and hurt. Women being married to the same man—whether in China or with Mormans or with whatever group anywhere in the world—is also unique and rife with jealousy and rivalries, but this relationship can also be the basis for great friendship and comfort. 

As for sisters, well, the sibling relationship is typically the longest we’ll have in our lifetimes. Our parents will die before we do, our children will outlive us, and often women outlive their husbands, right? A sister can be your closest friend, someone who is almost a stranger, or even an enemy. What’s the difference between sisters and women who say they are “closer than sisters”?  A sister is for life. I write about these relationships because I’m a woman, because I want to connect to women, and because women’s stories still need to be told.

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

LS: God no! It's very hard work, both physically and emotionally.

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

LS: This isn't something I ever imagined happening to me. When it did, I cried. It's strange when something you think is impossible -- that you aren't even working toward or have as a goal -- happens. All the books since Snow Flower and the Secret Fan have become NY Times bestsellers, which I find very humbling. But maybe even more miraculous was when On Gold Mountain went onto the New York Times bestseller list after 17 years! How crazy is that?

EA: You were honored as National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese-American Women in 2001; you received the Chinese-American Museum's History Makers Award in 2003, among other accolades. What do these accomplishments mean to you?

LS: I'm so glad you asked this, because my answer will help put my previous answer into perspective. The awards I've received from the Chinese American mean so much more to me than a bestseller list. They mean that my work is accurate and that I'm portraying Chinese and Chinese Americans in a truthful way. I would say that the greatest honors of my career were to be a judge in the Miss Chinatown Pageant and later to be the Grand Marshal of the Los Angeles Chinatown New Year's Parade. These things probably wouldn't mean anything to another writer, but I remembered when my uncle was a judge for the pageant and later a grand marshal. The entire family was proud of him. When I got to do these things, my family was proud of me too.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

LS: Write 1,000 words a day, five days a week, before you do anything else. At the end of a week, you’ll have twenty pages—a chapter. If you do it first thing in the morning, then you won’t get distracted by all the things that tempt you not to write.

So much of writing happens, I think, in the editing process. I tell aspiring writers that they should listen to criticism—whether it’s from a teacher or an editor—and then look at it three ways. About a third of all editing suggestions are right, a third are absolutely wrong, and a third are things you have to look at, consider, and play around with.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is a must read.

Do you think it's right for an author to tell someone why her book is a must-read? I think it's better if someone else does that. What if instead I tell you about the initial inspiration for the novel?

I’d been thinking about writing about China’s One Child policy and transnational adoption for something like twenty years, but I hadn’t been able to figure out my way into the story. I was going to the movies with my husband and I saw up ahead of us an older white couple walking with their adopted, teenage, Chinese daughter between them. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and, as it swung back and forth, I had a vision of her as being like a fox spirit. In Chinese tradition, fox spirits can be naughty and mischievous. They’re always doing things like sneaking into a scholar’s study late at night, where he’s preparing for the Imperial Exams, and then having sex with him. See what I mean about naughty and mischievous? But in a fox spirit’s best moments, she has the ability to bring great love and help create families. 

So, when I saw that fox tail swinging back and forth, I thought, 'yes, this girl is like a fox spirit in the sense that through her presence she’d brought great love and helped create a family.' That was the moment when I knew what my next novel would be. It turned out, though, that the Akha ethnic minority doesn’t have fox spirits in their culture. That was a big disappointment! Everywhere I went, I kept asking Akha people if they had some type of spirit that had a long tail, but no. In the end, I could only carry the inspiration of that fox spirit in my heart.

Epilogue

To answer Lisa's question, of course, I think it's right. While I agree that it's better if someone else speaks highly of one's work, there's nothing wrong with confidently speaking of something that you gave your all to. So, the answer is yes. Very interesting and practical advice. I think writing first thing in the morning is a good strategy to prevent you from the distractions throughout the day that may cause you to procrastinate.

I thank Lisa for taking us on a journey on who inspires her and what motivates her to become the author that she is today, to her humbling acception of the awards and honors bestowed upon her over the years. 

Interview with Author Bridget Bundy

It's been a long time, or it sure seems that way. Due to undertaking various projects, I've been on a brief hiatus. Nevertheless, EA: Creatively Creative returns after a quiet December and (most of) January. She's the writer of books such as the Women of Privilege series, introducing author, Bridget Bundy.

EA: How did your journey as an author begin?

BB: As with most authors, my journey began with a dream. I wanted to be an author ever since I was a kid. I don't remember who exactly inspired me, but I knew that's what I wanted to do. My first book, Fragile but Strong, was published by Authorhouse in 2001. It was a pay-to-publish deal, not exactly what I wanted to do, but I was excited for the chance to finally have my book available for sale. I was really proud of that moment.

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

BB: My family has been so wonderful and supportive. My husband paid to have my first book published. He practically made my dreams come true. My daughter has read some of my books. She's very honest with her reviews, has great ideas, and I turn to her for ideas sometimes. My mom is my biggest champion. She's read all of my books and wants me to keep publishing. My sister is always asking what I've written lately and when will it be published. She gets more excited about what I write than I do. As you can tell, I've got plenty of cheerleaders and a solid foundation, and I'm grateful to them.

EA: Your Women of Privilege series caught my attention. Would you tell us the concept behind it?

BB: Women of Privilege is a soap-opera like series about wealthy women who live in an upscale neighborhood in Georgia. They're all neighbors and somewhat know each other. Told in first person, the stories are meant to fully bring you into their lives. Gia, the first book in the series, is after the man she always loved, and she does a lot of things to try to get him. She's also very dangerous, conniving, and hotheaded. In the second story, Rachel is a trapped woman in a loveless marriage, doing whatever it takes to survive. The next book is Joslyn. She's the homebody, the busybody, the want-to-be in control type of woman. Everything she does is for her family, but in her story, she runs a huge risk of losing it all. Her son was kidnapped. Her husband was almost killed. She risks a lot to save them.

Each story can be read as a standalone. I tried not to have any cliffhangers, but there are twists at the end of each book. Women of Privilege is one of my favorite series. I'm not sure if it's complete yet, but the women's individual story lines will not be continued.

EA: Do you think writing a novel is easy?

BB: Writing a novel can be daunting. Details are important. Keeping them straight is even more important. Homonyms can be tricky. Trying to stay consistent when it comes to past tense and present tense can make you a little crazy. Then there's keeping track of the little quirks of the characters, the scenery, the weather, time of day, time of year. The list is endless. I guess my answer is no, Edward, a novel is not easy to write, but I loooove it!

EA: What can readers expect next from Bridget Bundy? Are there any current or future projects?

BB: Great question! I'm excited to announce that I've completed my next story in the Seeker Series. It's a fantasy about an African American witch who searches for lost charms and solves mysteries. I won't announce the title yet. Expected release date will be July 1, 2018, unless I feel the manuscript isn't ready. Also, I plan on writing the final book to the Tanie Howard Series, working title will be The Last Stand. It'll bring closure to that series. I'm also thinking about writing under a new pen name and submitting my work to a vanity publisher, but that goal is farther down the road.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

BB: First things first. Travel, go to places you haven't been. It can be anywhere or any place. Paris. Egypt. Sydney, Australia. Visit a museum. Go to Disney World. Take a cruise. Go fly-fishing. Do some skydiving. In other words, get out there and discover what you can bring to the paper.

Read books you wouldn't normally read. Find those exceptional authors who knows how to pen a story. You'll know them when you read them.

Keep a notebook on you at all times and write down ideas and outlines. Then when you start writing, don't confine your work to that outline. Think outside the box.

Write. Write. Write. Read. Read. Read. Live and learn. Learn and live.

After you finish your book, edit your work. Re-edit your work. HIRE AN EDITOR. I have reviews where readers are angry because I didn't hire an editor. I know you're excited to get your brand new book out to the public and say you're a 'published author,' but you've got time, God willing. Just don't publish shotty work. BE PATIENT, BE VIGILANT. Readers can tell when your book is rushed. They can tell when it hasn't been edited. They can tell when you just want a quick buck. Take the time with your craft, and make sure it's your best before you publish it.

Find someone you trust, be it an editor or proofreader or beta reader, and ask them to read it and be completely honest about your writing. There are some who can't bear to say your work needs improvement. They love everything you do, no matter how many errors they've seen. Don't let them read your book before you publish. They're not helping. You need a reality check. Find someone who gives constructive criticism, not harmful or hateful critiques, and get back to work to improve your project.

Lastly, blaze your own path. Don't do what everyone else does. Don't write the same old story. Write smart. Write sassy. Find that something new under the sun that no one else has thought of.

 EA: Finally, tell the readers why the Women of Privilege series is a must-read.

BB: It's all about the ladies. In all their faults and triumphs, you get to see what makes them tick, what's important to them. Gia is about love and money. Rachel is about survival and learning self-worth. Joslyn's heart is family and fighting with every atom in her body to save them. Readers might identify with all of them or just one of them, but these ladies are all fighting for their lives, one way or another. And, like I wrote before, each story has a twist. I hope the readers won't be able to guess.

Epilogue

In-depth advice from Bridget. I absolutely agree; I've said in similar words myself that writers should blaze their own trail, instead of emulating other writers, or going with the trends. I do believe that if one takes the route of getting a test reader, it's important that it's someone who will give honest, fair critiques, not butter up the author, telling them what they want to hear, but not destructive, spiteful criticism either.

One should take their time when crafting their work. At some point, you want to be done with the project, so that you can relax and take a break, or move on to the next project, but my philosophy is creativity shouldn't be rushed.

I would like to thank Bridget for taking the time to speak with me. Here is the link to the entire series on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076H5W23W/ref=series_rw_dp_sw. (eBook only)

Interview with Author Shaquanda Dalton

For my second interview of 2018, EA: Creatively Creative sits down with romance novelist, Shaquanda Dalton.

EA: When did your love for writing begin?

SD: My love for writing started when I was nine years old. I saw a cartoon and decided to make my own version of the story on paper of what should have happened instead. It was about 9 pages long and was called ‘Little Miss Meane.’ I was really excited and told my whole family about it. Lol.

EA: What does it mean to you to be a writer?

SD: It means freedom. It means an entirely different world that I can create with just my mind. I could do anything. Say anything and anything could happen. It is freedom from the real world for a while. It’s my exact and my happy place.

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

SD: My mom is the biggest influence on my life as a person and who I am today. In terms of my writing career, this amazing woman named Joanna Penn from the creativepenn.com has pretty much gave me the advice, the courage, and the knowledge to actually start publishing my books online and how to make it into a career for myself.

EA: What is the concept of Desires?

SD: Desires is a romance erotica novel. The main character Desires has sworn off relationships with men ever since her last relationship. Then she met her match when she meets another man who also appreciates the non-commitment sex life. The man is not like any she’s ever slept with so she must guard her heart from falling before she ends back down the wrong path again.

EA: Do you believe that writing a novel is easy?

SD: It is harder than anything I’ve ever done in my life. But it is a labor of love.

EA: Would you tell us more about your website, and what it has to offer?

SD: My website is Learnasyouwrite.com where I help new writers with dialogue, creativity, and character development. My goal is for new writers to have a good foundation when it comes to story telling especially when they are just starting out. Practice is everything, but having a few tips couldn’t hurt.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

SD: Never give up. I felt lost when I wasn’t writing and sometimes I would sit at my desk when I was in class and I wouldn’t know what to do with my hands. I realized that I just wanted a pen to feel relaxed. Writing no matter what genre gets easier the more you do it.

Another tip would be reading. You learn to write well by reading well-written stories. If you, as an aspiring writer, can fall into the world that another author has created it’s more likely that you’ll be able imitate that skill if you practice.

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

SD: Desires is a must buy because it’s deeper than any erotica book with a love story twist. It goes into depth about relationships, what love is and how many forms it can take. It also mentions relationships that appear to be good from the outside, but unstable behind closed doors. It’s definitely worth checking out.

Epilogue

I'm sure other authors can relate to Shaquanda's statement about freedom in writing as well, but I can't stress enough how imperative it is for me to have creative freedom/control when I write. Creating stories where the characters pull the readers into their world, so to speak, is one of my major goals when writing. I share the same sentiments as an author.

I do see where reading the works of others can be beneficial to a writer. It can give you an idea of how you want to construct your story or create certain characters, particularly if the book is well written. I thank Shaqunda for speaking with me tonight. If you would like some tips on how to become a better writer, and create compelling characters/stories, visit Shaquanda's website at learnasyouwrite.com

Interview with International Best-Selling Author Willow Rose

My first interview of 2018-- my second straight with an author who either writes strictly or mostly horror-- is with one who is an Amazon #1 best selling Horror author, and an Amazon All-Star who has sold over two million books. EA: Creatively Creative introduces the "Queen of Scream," Willow Rose.

EA: When did your journey as an author begin? 

WR: I published my first book ten years ago. It took me two years to finish the first book. Now I write several books a year.

EA: What's your thinking when you write? In order words, what motivates you? 

WR: Anything and everything. People inspire me. And situations. The stories come to me when I least expect it. It always starts with what if… then when I sit down and write. I usually have the entire story ready in my mind and all I need is to write it down. To me writing isn’t a job. It is something I have to do because it makes me so happy.

EA: What is your approach to keeping readers intrigued? 

WR: Making likable characters. Too many protagonists are unlikable, and I believe people get tired of them quickly. I write about real people that you care about, and if you care about someone you will want to know what happens to them. No matter what it is. 

EA: Two of your titles, Umbrella Man, and Girl Divided caught my eye. What is the concepts of those books respectively? 

WR: Umbrella Man is the idea that what if dreams weren’t just dreams? What if we actually travel to a different universe, a parallel world where things are close to being the same but they aren’t really. And what if someone found a way to kill people through their dreams?

Girl Divided is a futuristic tale in a world divided into race. A girl is born who is neither black nor white. She’s both. She’s the daughter of an African god and a Finish goddess and her face and body's split in half, one part white, one part black. She is also the only one who can save the world. 

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

WR: Stephen King and Anne Rice in my career as a writer. My husband in life. 

EA: Describe the feeling of being not only a best-selling author, but Amazon's #1 best-selling Horror author.

WR: It is amazing. Of course it is. I have dreamt of being able to live off my writing since I was a teenager. And now I am doing it. What’s not to love?

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

WR: Write every day. The more you write the better you get. And read as much as you write. Reading gives so much inspiration. And have patience. Nothing is slower than the publishing business. It’s a marathon not a sprint. 

EA: Finally, tell the readers why the Umbrella Man series, as well as Girl Divided are must buys.

WR: Umbrella Man will scare you… a lot, so if that’s your thing, then go for it. You might not be able to sleep again, ever.

Girl Divided is an important book. It is the scariest book I have ever written because it feels so real, so close.

Epilogue

Judging from the synopses and backstories of her titles and characters, I can definitely see where Stephen King has a great influence on her writing. The synopses in the titles I've mentioned in this interview jumped out at me like horror characters, so to speak. Girl Divided sounds very Stephen King-like, and would be a very controversial, but interesting movie. I wouldn't be surprised if that book makes the transition to the big screen in the future.

I can relate to anyone and anything being sources of inspiration of my writing. I've said for years that a creative individual can find creativity and inspiration from under a rock. I thought the advice was sound; to give an example from her statement of reading providing so much inspiration, there was a character in a book I read a few months ago that rekindled a story I had in mind a year or so ago, but was close to casting it by the wayside. I agree; success in this business, like life itself, is not a sprint, it's a marathon, so patience is of the essence.

Finally, I too have the same aspiration to make a living out of my writing, and Willow, among others, is living proof that it can happen. I want to thank Willow for speaking with me today. If you would like to try some of the Queen of Scream's selections, visit her author page in the hyperlink below.

Amazon: Willow Rose