We thank Monica for sharing with SCBC and readers...!

-SCBC, Inc.

Where are you from?
I grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.


When and why did you begin writing?
My first conscious memories of being and wanting to be a writer date back to the fourth grade. Mrs. Pollard had us work on a book as a class, and that was a lot of fun. I also participated in essay contests... Winning a few contests goes to your head - makes you think you have it going on. And from there, the fantasy came. And now, thankfully, I've managed to make it a reality.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I've always considered myself a writer - oh, I do hope that doesn't sound conceited or full of myself. It's not meant to be. It's just that I've never imagined myself as anything else.

How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
Well, for one, I was on LOCK DOWN growing up. My parents were pretty strict and didn't allow us to watch television or to go out that much. So books were my reprieve. And I suppose I picked up style, word choice, even pacing from the books I read. I read an array - Richard Wright, Margaret Mitchell, Sydney Sheldon, Maya Angelou, Danielle Steele, Johanna Lindsey, etc. I "discovered" contemporary African American writers when I was in college and thought, "wow, I didn't know they had these people out there." Truly eye opening.

How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?
Everybody's waiting for the Oprah show.... (sigh).... so I just say, hold on.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My community has been tremendously supportive. My column readers have given me encouragement, as have people at my newspaper. The support really means a lot.

Do you have a specific writing style?
Conversational.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?
African American. Relationship fiction. Women's fiction.


What do you do to set the mood for writing?
Sit down at the computer.

Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career?
Writing is life.
 

Do you feel more African Americans are reading?
Certainly. We've always read, folks just didn't count on us to read. Now, folks are looking for us.

What books have most influenced your life?
I can't think of one book that influenced me the most. Lots of them did - whether I was conscious of it or not. One of my favorites, when I was in high school, was Gone with the Wind. I know that may seem strange for a black person to say so, what with all the slave themes, but I loved the book because of the fantastic love story between Rhett and Scarlet. At the time I read it, I was just fascinated by the drama and the tension between those two. As I high school kid, I don't think I really "got" the other ideas in the book, those about slavery and society.

I also love most any of Maya Angelou's works. They speak to me, both because of the style and because of the substance.

What are you reading now?
Reading now, let's see. Good in Bed, by Jennifer Weiner. (Oh, I do hate to say that, because now you think I'm a sex fiend. But really, it's not a book about that.) I also have Eric Pete's Someone's in the Kitchen and a host of other authors' works that I've been trying to get to but haven't had time. Not because the books aren't good, but just because I can't sit in one place long enough. But never fear, I will!


How do you feel overall about self-publishing?
As a self published author, I think it's a boon. It's a wonderful opportunity for a writer to become an author. I think though, that not everyone can self publish. It's about more than having a story to tell. It's about having a marketing plan, having a distribution plan, having a business plan.

Would you encourage or mentor someone to become self-publish?
Yes, to both. I try to share self-publishing knowledge (even though I'm relatively new, myself), with those who inquire. I share because I do believe we are all here to share, to grow, to learn. It would be such a wrong for me to hold inside all that I've learned about this thing, because so many people have helped and continue to help me.

What are your current projects?
My current project is As If Nothing Happened, which was released in August. I'm out promoting it at events and book signings. The next one up is Sacrifice the One, which will be out at the end of 2003 or beginning of 2004. Besides that, I write a weekly column for The Times newspaper in Shreveport, La. (shreveporttimes.com) and another weekly column for soulsistasunite.com.
I like to have my hand in a lot of things.

About "As If Nothing Happened", how much of the novel is realistic?
It's all real-life situations, though not necessarily based on my real life. But those are situations that definitely can and have happened to someone.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
A hodge-podge. Some are loosely based on reality. Some are made up. But isn't all fiction?

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
As If Nothing Happened celebrates sisterhood between three dynamic African American women. They each have their own challenges and imperfections - challenges and imperfections that make them human. If there is one thing I want a reader to take from the book, it would be that we can all relate. We all have friends. We all have secrets. We all do dumb things. Whether you are a man or woman, black or white, I think you'll find there is something in the book for you. Or at least, that's what my readers tell me.

If you had to do it (self-publishing) all over again, would you change anything?
Hard question to answer. But knowing me and my personality, Nah.

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
Thanks for the love! Many thanks and appreciations. And oh, yeah, please tell your mother, your sister, your cousin, your, well, you get the idea. Tell somebody about As If Nothing Happened.
 

Visit: www.rootskypublishing.com