When and why did you begin writing? I’ve been writing since I
learned how to spell incorrectly (smile). I have so many stories and
characters in my head, if I don’t write them out, I’ll have to be
treated for paranoid schizophrenia.
Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way? My main
influence was my sister. When we were kids, she’d make up stories to
entertain me. She was always more entertaining than the television. Or
she’d read to me—again more entertaining than television to me. She
reads all genres and has exposed me to so much. I’m a richer writer
because of her.
What question do people ask you most?
How can I be an editor and author when I am Dyslexic. There is a lot of
misinformation about Dyslexia out there and other learning disabilities.
Most people do not believe that I am Dyslexic or they think I grew out
of it.
What genre are you most comfortable writing? I can actually shift
genres easily. I think that’s because I was raised on all genres. I do
love to mix and match them or do things that “break the rules” in a way
that folks do not realize the rules have been broken.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? My titles
tie in directly with the stories. In Caught Up (Feb 2006) there are
several characters who are running from their past, which is quickly
catching up to them. In Ebony Angel (Feb 2007) Ebony, the main
character, is always trying to save the people in the neighbor hood she
lives in. For Whisper Something Sweet (Spring 2007), the heroine,
Sweetie, has been participating in late night phone chats where lots of
sweet things are whispered. In Beauty and the Beast (Winter 2007) people
consider the heroine a beauty and the hero a beast.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
In each of my novels, I have a few messages. For my present novel,
Caught Up, the main characters fall into hard times because they did not
deal with issues from their pasts. You can’t just ignore serious issues
and hope they go away. You have to be proactive, find a solution and put
it into action.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
Because the novels incorporate part of who I am, my experiences and the
essence of people I meet are often in the novels.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Evelyn Palfrey. She is very active in the writing community and is so
giving of her time. She’s just an all around beautiful person.
What are your current projects? I’m presently deciding which
novel I want to start next. I’m leaning toward a mainstream since I have
three full length romances and am part of a romance anthology coming out
late 2006 through 2007. I don’t want to be type cast into romance. I
write it all.
Name one entity/person that you feel supported you outside of family
members.
LaShaunda Hoffman who is the editor of Shades of Romance online magazine
http://www.sormag.com. Quite often she runs FREE workshops
and conferences for authors that are very helpful.
How do your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing
venture in general?
Oh, they LOVE it. It’s been fun for all of us.
Is there anything additional you would like to share with your
readers?
Keep on reading! Visit my website at
http://www.deewrites.com I’m a professional fiction
developmental editor, so on my site I have writing workshops. I also
have short stories and information about my upcoming books, contests,
and appearances.
I’d like to thank Sistah Circle Book Club for affording me this
opportunity.
