Please
share a bit about your journey to becoming a writer/published author?
I
never truly explored being a writer until I was studying for the bar
exam. It was at first a means to escape the pressure of the exam but
it became so much more for me. It was shortly after that time that
the idea of “the Want Series” came to me. And it’s taken me
five years to get to this point. But I believe that I had to go
through the love/hate relationship I had with this book to make me
realize that writing truly is my passion. Also I promise the next one
will NOT take 5 years to do.
Why
did you choose the genre of YA Fantasy for your first book?
I
love fantasy in general – it’s the only genre that you are not
tied to any particular scenario. Anything can happen. And it’s
having endless possibilities that makes the genre so endearing to me.
Originally this story was going to be an adult Paranormal story but
my main character Katya didn’t feel right being 25. She seemed much
younger. And since the majority of the books I enjoy are YA, it was
only fitting to make this book Ya as well.
Where
did the inspiration for the storyline in Awoke come from? For the
characters you included?
It
was a random night with friends when the inspiration came out of
nowhere. It came from a simple question. “What if the Grim Reaper
was human?” And I became a woman possessed fleshing out the idea
that very night. As for the characters, they came to me as I fleshed
out the plot line. But Katya was the original character I knew I
wanted to have. A black female starring in a fantasy book which is
truly rare.
How
does the writing process work for you - write when inspired,
scheduled time? Was there any research needed?
 |
| Review HERE! |
I
have to schedule writing. So many things are distractions at home
like my husband or my dog. I have tell everyone from such and such a
time I am unavailable. It usually works. There was some research
involved such as some of the names have Latin origins, Gregor’s
Scottish past and the Seven Original sins.
As
an author - what do you enjoy most about writing process? What come
the hardest?
I
love it when people tell me they get sucked into my story. That
fulfills me beyond words. That my words and imagination allowed you
to get lost for a couple of hours into the world I created. And
because so many great authors did that for me, it’s amazing when I
can be considered amongst them. The hardest part is the editing. The
first draft I finished in three months. The editing, aka ripping it
to shreds and perfecting, took the majority of the 5 year cycle.
I
believe this was written to be the first in a series? How many books
do you envision? Have you begun book 2?
Yes
this is a three book series. I haven’t started book 2 but I will do
shortly after the new year.
What
do you most want reader to know about you and the books you write?
I
write these books as though I am the reader myself. What would I
enjoy reading about? Which is why there is action, romance, plot
twists and turns. I hope that by putting myself as a model reader
that I will be able to capture your attention as well.
What
do you do to relax and refresh when not writing?
I
am a sucker for Korean dramas and hanging out with my husband and
friends. Oh I can’t forget my pup too!
Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Comments
Post a Comment