Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.
I Love to have fun by the Waters, and write, and sit on a bench at the Park by the Waters, and look at the Skies, the Clouds, the Birds, and all Loves beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis.
What is your earliest writing memory?
I remember when I was around sixteen I wrote poetry that was usually the negative side of life, like my man leaving me, feelings of being in bondage with un-natural sources of thought. I also found out that my negative issues of my style of poetry back then usually came true, so for a long time, I stopped writing....until positive thought and insight, guided my pen.
Describe your writing style.
My writing styles, vary with my mood or surrounding thoughts, so I don't have the same writing style, but similar writing tones.
Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.
I have two works in progress right now, I am trying to get my children’s book series published, and I am also writing another book of my unique style of poetry.
Poetry can evoke deep emotions for the reader, as the poet, what emotions do you feel when you are creating a piece?
I try to focus of Love all the time, unless I read something that invokes a serious thought for the empowerment of the people.
Give me one to four lines of a poem you wrote that will make us go hmmm.
"Why do you write with such a fervent style?""For it is a gift of the Pen, that I hold before thy sight"
I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say we’re standing at a bus stop and I’ve never read any of your poetry before, how would approach me and persuade me to purchase your book?
I would say to you to purchase, a book of mine, Do you really want to know the real insight to Life? Read this book I've written, it's really a "mind’s eye" opener.
I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What would you do if you received a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?
I would think the critic hasn't obtained to the height level of Love, that I've reached, or the critic is "book whipped" and Love anyway.
What poets/poems inspire you most?
The correct Height, in Love Poems inspires me the most.
If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?
On my road through Publication, I think I would have spent more time researching more traditional publishers.
What advice would you give an aspiring poet regarding publishing?
The advice I would give to other aspiring poets, always think your work is great, and it will be, and the Publishers will think this way too.
Where can readers learn more about you and your book(s)?
Right now I am on BlackPlanet.com, but soon I will have a link on there to go to my own website.
Patricia, thank you fr taking time out to share with us. Many blessing in your future endeavors.
Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.
Well, my name is Peter Ashley. I am thirty one years old. I live in Hampshire, England and I have worked since the age of seventeen as a Roofer. I come from a very working class background, my Father grew up in a poor side of the city, working at the docks of Southampton and my Mother is a country girl who comes from a farming family. I have two brothers, the oldest of whom is an officer in the royal navy.
My siblings and I grew up on a small farm, riding my Mum’s horses and looking after our small army of chickens, ducks and goats – as well as chopping up endless piles of wood for our wood burning cooker that heated our old house.
What is your earliest writing memory?
Ha ha, I think I got inspired to write by an old favorite cowboy film of mine, Shane. I loved the film so much I started to write sequels! I was pretty rubbish at school until my teachers decided to encourage my writing and even gave me a permanent spot on the school wall to show off my stories, then there was no stopping me really!
Describe your writing style.
The most important thing to me as a writer is my characters. I love every one of them, good or evil. I try to make them alive as possible, everything, even the main story takes a backseat to them.
However when I started to write properly, I had no understanding of how a book was set out, especially when it came to ‘points of view.’ So I used a novel by ‘Christopher Colden,’ to teach me about that! So if I have a particular style, it’s thanks to him!
What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?
Actually I feel like I’ve done something wrong! Probably many things wrong. I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to really enjoy reading what I write. I must go into some trance because when I read my chapters back I can never remember writing the words and it really doesn't feel like I wrote them in the first place. But the point is I like it and can't usually see where I’ve gone wrong. This is why I’m actually looking forward to some critical reviews!
Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.
I am so lucky to get published at my first attempt at a novel. I like big stories, so I began to write my own series after all my favorite television shows ended. (I wanted to entertain myself I suppose) I thought up a story and characters that I would want to read about, if that makes sense? I think people who share my taste in movies and TV shows will like my books!
The series is, so far, three books long. ‘A Human Reaction,’ is the first novel of the series and it is due out in the next month or so. I really hope to get the other books out there because I see my writing and the story getting better and more exciting as I go. (Not that the first one is by any means dull, lol)
In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?
That's my favourite question!
My characters', in the way they look, are real people. I have what they look like in my head and just describe them. Sounds really easy doesn't it lol.
As far as they're personalities go, that's where my imagination takes over. I can't think where I got their personalities from, perhaps they are part of my own character - how I imagine I would like to act in their shoes or maybe some could be inspired by heroes or villains I have encountered before in book or in films, but I honestly couldn't say where they definitely came from - except one, she is inspired from a character I have loved in a show, but I’m not going to tell you who it was!
I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say we’re standing at a bus stop and I’ve never read any of your poetry before, how would approach me and persuade me to purchase your book?
I think the people who would buy my book are those who are into big stories, something to sink their teeth into. Those who are into character development and twisting plot lines. Readers who like their villains/heroes not to be just good or evil, but torn between the two. It has strong love stories, even between the ‘baddie’ characters. It deals with conscience, spiritual belief, personal ambition and personal freedoms through several very different perspectives.
I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What would you do if you received a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?
It’s funny, ever since I started writing my series I’ve been looking for criticism! I’m not university educated, I have never been to a writing class and I just don’t believe you can learn more about your work until someone who knows can tell you.
Friends won’t say anything is wrong with it, nor my publisher but I am enjoying my editors’ corrections! So I say bring on your honest opinions – I can take stick – I’m a roofer!
If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?
I wish I had a better grasp of grammar for one! Before when I started to pitch my work, I didn’t even know what an indent was!
I think I followed all the basic rules of submission. Although I’m now told I should have approached a literary agent before a publisher, but I’m quite lucky in the way my publisher can answer any kind of questions I have.
I really didn’t flood agents or publishers with my work, I was of the attitude that if it happens it happens, I love writing and I have the rest of my life to get published. Saying that I’m both overjoyed and gob smacked that it did happen for me!
What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?
I wouldn't say any author influences my writing dreams, unless I count myself! Of course I would like as many people to buy and read the book as possible, but my main motivation is to hear what my readers think of my stories. I want people to enjoy my work as much as I have enjoyed other peoples.
What books would you recommend on writing?
The only one I read was so helpful and yes I would definitely recommend it, I was a complete novice, yet got published with its help. The book is, 'The craft of novel writing,' by Dianne Doubtfire. I really must thank her!
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
I would make sure you send your work to the kind of publisher who deals with your style. Make sure it’s very presentable and reads easy. I think it might help if you have a market strategy, if you tell someone why and how it might sell.
But above all, if I had been completely obsessed with getting published, I really would try to make a friend in the business, isn’t it all about who you know?? lol
Where can readers learn more about you and your book(s)?
The first novel of my series, called 'A Human Reaction,' is being published by L-L publications, you can find out when its scheduled for release on their website which is http://www.ll-publications.com It will be available direct from the website catalogue, on amazon.com and you can order it at most bookshops. I really hope you do, I’d love to know what you guys think!
Peter, thank you for taking the time to share with us. Many blessings in your future endeavors.
Ready To Publish Friday presents you with another good article found on the net.
The Finer Points of Punctuation
by Kristy Taylor
Perhaps the best way to illustrate the importance and effect of proper punctuation is to imagine reading a piece of writing without it. Supposing you were to read this entire article – all 900 words of it – with absolutely no punctuation. Not just the obvious periods and commas, but no colons, dashes, exclamation marks or question marks.
Punctuation hasn’t always been a part of writing. It evolved over time, as the printing process itself evolved. Prior to the development of printing, punctuation was almost non-existent and when William Caxton first printed books in English, he used three basic punctuation devices, mainly to indicate pauses and sentence endings.
Throughout the 17th century, more punctuation was devised, the most recent being the quotation marks. Eventually we had punctuation as we know it today, consisting of at least a dozen different punctuation devices (depending on your definition) – although some people would have difficulty naming all of them.
Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.
I AM A PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND JOURNALISM AT NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN GARDEN CITY, LONG ISLAND. NCC IS THE SECOND LARGEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE COUNTRY. IN ADDITION TO TEACHING, I SERVE AS CO-COORDINATOR OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN AT NCC, WHICH IS A PART OF A NATIONAL PROGRAM THAT TAKES PLACE ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH. I ALSO SIT ON THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMMITTEE WITH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAMMING EACH YEAR. I CO-ADVISE A STUDENT CLUB FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN. I SERVE ON SEVERAL OTHER COMMITTEES AT THE COLLEGE, BUT THIS IS GETTING TOO LONG! IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, I AM THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR OF THE LONG ISLAND WRITERS PROJECT FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF HEMPSTEAD. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE UNIONDALE COMMUNITY CENTER. I AM THE SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO, AND I'VE LIVED ON LONG ISLAND FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS.
What is your earliest writing memory?
WHEN I WAS IN SECOND GRADE, I SELF-PUBLISHED A BOOK! IT WAS INSPIRED BY THE NURSEY RHYME "THREE BLIND MICE" AND DETAILED THEIR ADVENTURES. BECAUSE I WAS THE ONLY BLACK CHILD IN THE CLASS, MY TEACHER DID NOT SUPPORT MY CREATIVITY AND INITIATIVE, BUT MY MOTHER WAS QUITE PROUD OF MY LITTLE HANDMADE BOOK AND ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ME TO KEEP WRITING.
What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?
I AM EXCITED BECAUSE I AM FREE TO WORK ON THE NEXT BOOK!
In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?
MY CHARACTERS EBONY AND WANITA ARE FICITIONALIZED VERSIONS OF ONE OF ME AND ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS. WE ARE WELL-EDUCATED SINGLE PROFESSIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WHO ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT A NUMBER OF TOPICS BESIDES MEN AND ROMANCE. I WANTED AMERICA TO GET A GLIMPSE OF WHAT WE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN THINK AND SAY ABOUT A VARIETY OF IMPORTANT TOPICS WHEN WE THINK NO ONE IS LISTENING.
Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.
CURRENTLY, I AM REVISING A PLAY I CO-AUTHORED CALLED DIARY OF A MAD BLACK FEMINIST WHICH SHOULD GO INTO PRODUCTION WITH SHADES OF JADES THREATER COMPANY EARLY NEXT YEAR. I PRODUCED AND STARRED IN THE PLAY PERSONALLY FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, BUT I AM READY TO TAKE ON NEW PROJECTS, SO WHEN PRODUCER MIKE GREEN APPROACHED ME ABOUT THE PLAY, I WAS ECSTATIC. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT A PROFESSIONAL THEATER COMPANY CAN DO WITH THE PLAY WHICH DEALS WITH CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES FROM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE PERSPECTIVE. I EVEN TOOK AN EXCERPT FROM MY NOVEL EMALES AND USED IT IN THE PLAY.
I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?
WHY IS IT SO TEMPTING TO READ SOMEONE ELSE'S EMAIL? MY NOVEL IS A CHANCE TO YIELD TO THE TEMPTATION WITHOUT GUILT! EMALES IS AN INTIMATE GLIMPSE INTO WHAT AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN THINK AND SAY WHEN THEY THINK NO ONE ELSE IS AROUND.
I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?
REVISE! AS AN ENGLISH PROFESSOR, I'D BETTER LEARN TO TAKE IT AS WELL AS I GIVE IT. I CONSTANTLY MODEL THE CORRECT BEHAVIOR TO STUDENTS. I SEE CRITICISM AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MY WORK BETTER!
What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?
MAYA ANGELOU--BECAUSE OF HER CLEAR, STRAIGHTFORWARD WRITING STYLE. DESPITE MY EDUCATION, I NEVER HAVE BEEN A FAN OF "BIG WORDS". ANGELOU'S WRITING SHOWED ME THERE'S A QUIET POWER IN THE SIMPLEST WORD.ISHMAEL REED (MUMBO JUMBO)--BECAUSE HE INTRODUCED ME TO BLACK SATIRE, WHICH IS STILL LARGELY UNEXPLORED TERRITORY FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITERS. YES, WE HAVE MORE BLACK SATIRE AND PARODY, BUT THE PUBLIC IS SIMPLY NOT AS AWARE OF IT. REED ENCOURAGED ME TO USE MY SENSE OF HUMOR TO MY ADVANTAGE.
What books would you recommend on writing?
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I WOULDN'T! AS A PROFESSOR, I AM STILL SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT WRITING TEXTBOOK. I MOSTLY USE MY OWN ORIGINAL MATERIAL. I'D RECOMMEND THAT WRITERS WHO WANT TO GET BETTER AT THEIR CRAFT WRITE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND TAKE A GRAMMAR CLASS!
If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?
I WOULD HAVE PROOFREAD MY PDF FILE MORE CAREFULLY BEFORE PUBLICATION. BECAUSE I DIDN'T, HAVING ENTRUSTED THIS TASK TO ANOTHER PERSON WHOM I PAID, I HAD TO REPRINT A CORRECTED VERSION.
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
READ THE CLASSIC WORKS OF LITERATURE AND TAKE AS MANY WRITING CLASSES AS POSSIBLE. POLISH YOUR CRAFT! TOO MANY OF US WANT TO TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT AND JUST WRITE A BOOK AND PUBLISH IT WITHOUT PUTTING INTHE TIME AND EFFORT IT TAKES TO BE AN EXCELLENT WRITER. BUT WITH THAT SAID, I'D SAY DON'T BE SO CRITICAL OF YOURSELF THAT IT DESTROYS YOUR CONFIDENCE. YOU CAN ALWAYS HIRE A COPYEDITOR, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOMETHING ON PAPER FOR THE PERSON TO EDIT! JUST WRITE YOUR BOOK. THE REST WILL FOLLOW.
Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
READERS CAN GO TO MY WEBSITE http://www.emalesonline.com/ TO PURCHASE A COPY OF MY BOOK. IF THEY WANT TO PITCH AN IDEA FOR A BOOK, THEY CAN FIND THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR MY COMPANY AYA PRESS AT http://www.ayapressbooks.com/
Thank you Marcia for taking the time to share with us. Many blessing in your future endeavors.
Ready To Publish Friday is bringing you another helpful article found on the net. Hope you enjoy!
Editing Made Easy by Lee Masterson
So you've finally done it. You've finished your prized manuscript - the one you've spent months creating - and the temptation to pop it into a postal package and ship it off to a welcoming editor is tugging at you mercilessly.
I urge you to resist that temptation. For now, anyway.
After spending so much of your time and effort in producing what you have so far, it would seem a shame to rush things at this crucial stage in your manuscript's life. Once the first draft is done, almost every writer realizes that an edit or partial rewrite is going to be a necessary task.
There are almost as many different ways to edit and rewrite as there are writers. Some prefer to edit as they go. There are those who prefer to chop and change storylines midway through the creation process. Others seem to race through the first draft and spend time polishing it up once they're done. I'm one of the latter.
It makes no difference which technique you prefer, as long as it works for you. The point is to end up with a professional manuscript which an editor will hopefully buy.
So let's take a look at 12 polishing techniques that could mean the difference between a sale and a rejection.
Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.
Well, I love to read -- books, magazines, online blogs, everything. I love listening to music, esp 80's rock, R&B, some hip-hop. I also have a large DVD collection, and go see a movie in the theater as often as I can, but not nearly often enough. My favorite TV shows right now are Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance.
What is your earliest writing memory?
Thinking that maybe writing is something I should pursue, after my high school english teacher told me my writing was really good.
What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?
Wow, that is a great question. On the one hand, I'm glad to finally finish the thing. But at the same time, I know that's not the end. It's actually the beginning of something bigger. Then I take a short vacation from writing, before I dive into the next one LOL.
In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?
Well, the idea just came to me one day, for a cop that saves the life of a big-wig. I started the story at that scene, and the story just grew from there. I don't really remember one thing causing me to think of the idea. It just popped out of my head one day. *smile*
Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.
Well it's about a police officer who, as the story starts out, loves his life, his job, his friends, he even has a girlfriend. But then he saves the life of a prominent local business man who's doing a speech announcing his run for public office. Now the cop finds himself facing a lot of temptations -- like money, and the politician's wife, who is a gorgeous soap opera actress. So the whole story is about this one guy sticking to his morals and coming out the other side. It's also a detective story, as they try to figure out who's trying to get this business man killed.
I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?
It's about a business man, his wife, and the cop who saves his life.
I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when if received a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?
Well, in the past, with a website like Fallen Angel Reviews, I asked for another review. *smile*
What authors influence your writing dreams, goals, and aspirations?
Tom Clancy, Eric Jerome Dickey, Elmore Leonard, Ben Bova, Isaac Asimov, Terry McMillian, Micheal Crichton
What books would you recommend on writing?
"How To Write For Comics" by Peter David. Yeah, I know its for comic books. But it has many lessons to glean.
If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different? Knowing what I know now, I would have gone to a different
publisher, for the reason that the niche I write in, and the style I write in, is more compatible with some publishers than others.
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
One, to practice every day, even if it's just a sentence or two, or even just a few words. And two, read as much as you can from as many different sources as possible.
Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
….and that is a responsibility that GiGi Gunn takes seriously. She enjoys weaving a richly textured tapestry of believable, complex but flawed characters in familiar and unusual situations. Crafting characters and events which evoke a myriad of emotions; happy, sadness, shock, confusion, disappointment, regret, empathy and most of all, love—of self, family and friends, community and world, is an undertaking she relishes.Whether writing under a pseudonym, the veteran novelist’s fiction has enjoyed critical acclaim and been required reading at the high school and college levels, or penning anew, the caliber of the novel remains consistently engaging.From the first page to the very last with plots twists and surprises sprinkled in for spice, the author, seeks to captivate, challenge, inspire, provoke thought and expand the world views of the people who populate her narratives. She savors women who defy the odds and are not defined by others but pursue their own paths even when they are unsure of the outcome. If the author can entertain, educate and touch the humanity in us all, demonstrating that, despite race and class, we are more similar than we are different -- all the better.
To read the rest of this wonderful bio visit Gigi Gunn's site here.
Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.
I am native Washingtonian, born and bred, a daughter, sister, wife, mother, product of the DC Public School system and graduate of Howard University. I established a career in social work and directed educational programs, focusing on the adolescent and young adult. I love lunching with friends, gardening, traveling, music and movies . . . good movies and look forward to mentoring high school students this fall.
What is your earliest writing memory?
Besides “scribble-scratching” my autograph at a young age? ;-)
The Pink Castle” was an answer to a Freshman English writing assignment at Howard U, where I described my “dream home” on Colorado Avenue across the street from the famed Carter Baron where we spent our leisure time seeing artists, like Johnny Mathis or later the Temptations, and learning how to drive. Professor Hermance read from my paper noting my writing skills; word usage, visualization, sentence structure, imagery, metaphors and similes’. Prior to those “embarrassing” compliments, I had never thought about writing as either an art form or a career option. Just goes to show you how well-placed praise can open up another entire world of possibility for a young person.
What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?
Ecstasy!Sheer, unadulterated bliss followed by anxiousness at wanting to see it in print—immediately, and having readers enjoy it. It’s like birthin’ a baby! I celebrate with a pint of Amazon Valley Reserve Ice Cream and bask in the glow of accomplishment and relief.Until the next all-consuming project . . . until characters from the other manuscript(s) jockey for your attention.
In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?
CAJUN MOON was inspired by the Randy Crawford song of the same name.“You took my baby, now you’re gone. Cajun moon.”I love that song. Inquisitiveness caused me to wonder, “How does a moon take your lover?What did the Cajun moon shine on?” Nosiness is what whet my appetite and spun my literary wheels. So there had to be a heroine, Sassy Crillon, who came upon what the Cajun moon was shining on. . . Roux Robespierre, her fiancé--and what was he doing?I was hooked.
Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.
RAINBOW’S END will be released this December ’08 and it is totally different from CAJUN MOON.For me to engage the reader, I have to be engaged first.
In this materialistic world, Pop Diva Dylan Pryce is richer than “monies mammy” and can buy anything her heart desires. She has it all but an “authentic” man to share it with her. A man who can love her. . . plain old Dylan Renee Pryce from Hampton, Virginia.
On a self-imposed hiatus she meets Caleb Walker, who owns the Walker Horse and Cattle Ranch in Socrates, Texas. With female companionship on an “as needed” basis, he is content with his life until Dylan comes to town and turns his life upside down. But Brenda Faye Savoy intends to be Caleb’s wife and the more she tries to drive a wedge between Caleb and Dylan, the closer they become. Unknowingly, Rueben Jenkins, Dylan’s manager, is complicit in Brenda Faye’s scheme to win Caleb’s heart.
Although the singer and the cowboy come from two different worlds, can’t they be after the same Rainbow’s End?Will they get the chance to play it out and see if their life together is meant to be or will their love fall victim to mettlesome manipulators?
I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?
CAJUN MOON is about choice and second chances.The novel opens with a quote, “At any given moment, your life is the sum total of all your choices.”
Sassy Crillon catches her longtime fiancé, Roux, in a compromising situation.She chooses to react by taking the “high road,” cuts him loose and embarks on her road of self-discovery and possibility. The last thing she wants or needs is another man, but into her life comes a wonderful man named Aidan, who seduces her with his caring ways and tenderness, freeing her to chance loving again. But Aidan has a secret, and a redemptive Roux wants Sassy back. Which man is best for her? Choice. Who she chooses says a lot about her . . . “tell me who you love and I’ll tell you who you are. . .”
I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?
Wow! Excellent question. I would consider the source and if there is viable, meaningful and/or helpful criticism, consider it and move on.I savor all the five star, positive reviews I receive and apply the same reaction--read them, smile, and move on, satisfied that I’ve pleased readers. But there is nothing, good or bad, you can do about an already published book except learn from comment and move on. I feel if you read and believe the good critics, then you are obliged to do the same for the “less than average,” so I’d try to keep them both in perspective.I try to stay on point, true to my storytelling and intended audience, and find solace in the fact that everyone is different and entitled to their opinion regarding any written piece.
What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?
I liked the writing styles of early Maya Angelou, and Gloria Naylor, the way she took the classics and reworked them to be relevant to our experiences: Bailey’s Café, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.Linden Hills, Dante’s Inferno etc. I liked James Michener, the way he took his time unfolding a story and his use of words.Often I can read and re-read an author’s passage if it’s beautifully written . . . so it can take me awhile to finish a really well-written book!
Dreams, goals and aspirations? Like Michener or Mosley, I’d love to see my novels grace the silver screen. “Based on a novel by GiGi Gunn!” ;-)
Or direct like Kasi Lemmons did “Eve’s Bayou,” one of my favorites.
What books would you recommend on writing?
While many authors probably suggest reference or instructional books, I recommend any books that will expand your world view. Books that are outside of your orbit of familiarity. Books that stretch and expose you to things beyond your comfort zone, that challenge your point of reference. I came up in an era when we diagramed sentences and underlined words we didn’t know and looked them up in the dictionary later.That’s how we improved our vocabulary even if we were mispronouncing them. You can master the musical scale but that doesn’t make you a good musician anymore than knowing all the colors of the spectrum will make you a great artist. There’s the feeling and aptitude-for, improvising and creation that can’t be found in a book. You learn by doing and the more you do it, the more comfortable you become and the better you get.
If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?
Start earlier. I was too busy living life with no designs on writing beyond letters and a monthly magazine column. Writing a novel was a daunting “back burner” activity.
But then, once I decided that I wanted to write a novel, I would have made more of a commitment to it earlier. My career positions had a large degree of responsibility, supervising others, mind-numbing meetings and no time to write while working or after work, which usually included work-related nocturnal duties, as well as wifely and motherhood obligations. I would have taken my craft more seriously and set aside time to consistently and diligently work on it and not taken a number of years’ hiatus in the middle. I so admire my writing colleagues whose novels are in the double digit count. What a stunning accomplishment!
Like anything worthwhile, if you intend to pursue it—commit to it—respect it. Do it!
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
To write.To commit to writing.To commit to learning the craft then expanding your outlook. If you don’t sit down and write, then there is nothing to submit, or re-write or publish.You have to do the work.There will be missed phone calls, dinners out, dates and parties, but that’s part and parcel of the commitment. You choose what’s important to you. You choose where you want to spend your time and energy.
Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
I invite readers to visit me at www.gigigunn.net and my novels are available at amazon.com, Borders or any of your favorite bookstores.
Thank you for sharing with us Gigi. We wish you much success in your future endeavors.
JC Martinis an aspiring author, a mother, and a wife. She has been reading books as far back as her memory will allow her to remember. She has always used books as an escape from her everyday life. Her passion for words became evident to her English teacher in the eighth grade. Since then Jennifer has been writing non-stop, but it was not until 2006 when she finally realized her passion. She reviews books because she truly loves reading, and wants to spread the word to more than just the people she knows.
DJ Frazieris an Ohio-born, spoken-word poet who has composed poetry since she was able to hold a laddie pencil. As reviewer for A Place Of Our Own (APOOO) and aspiring novelist, she dabbles in the literary scene from all perspectives. She has been published on www.thebacklist.net, interviewed on www.blogginginblack.com, and is currently submitting fiction manuscripts to publishers while juggling daughterhood, sisterhood, wifedom, parenthood, and of course, writing. Outside of family and all things literary, Darnetta overindulges in Hip-Hop, dabbles in computer graphic design, and creates handcrafted cards, candles, and jewelry.
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