LaToya Lawson, Author of Ma'Sitter

Today we are interviewing LaToya Lawson about her crime / mystery thriller / suspense novel, titled “MA’SITTER.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Chicago, IL but I was raised in Mississippi. I have always loved to write since Middle School in Canton. Once, I moved to Jackson I started writing short stories. I have always been adventurous and not afraid to do whatever I want. I consider myself to be a self-teacher. Because I look in too everything and then teach myself. When I am not teaching myself lol. I love riding my motorcycle, cooking and baking.

Describe the plot of your new book, “MA’SITTER,” in a few sentences.
MA’SITTER is a cross between The Help and True Detective. Many will assume they already know what the book consists of from its title. You will have to read the book in its entirety to grab the concept of the story.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone enjoys a funny realistic read.

Tell us about the protagonist, Victoria.
Victoria is a strong yet naïve young woman.  That has taken on more than she would have ever imagined. She will learn a lot from her new career as a private caregiver.

What is the relationship like between Mr. and Mrs. Lane?
Let’s just say some people marry for love and others marry for convenience.

How do the Lanes view Victoria?
Mrs. Lane’s seems her as a person that is much needed in her life. And I guess we might as say Mr. Lane does as well.

At first, Victoria is impressed with the Lanes’ lifestyle. How does this change as she learns more about them? 
Victoria quickly learns nothing is truly what we see.

Victoria, an honest, hard-working person, finds herself in a world of deceit and conspiracy. How does she handle entering this world?
Victoria becomes sucked in like a Hurricane and tossed around in a Tornado of deceit.
She is doing her best to hold on.

What attracted you to the psychological thriller genre?
To be able to write this kind of book is a dream come true to me. Many people might see this kind of behavior in real life or even think about it. But to have the freedom to write about it is another avenue.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing style?
 I love the writing style of J.K. Rowling and Steven King.

How long have you been writing?
Since the 8th grade.

Who was your favorite character to write?
The Benton’s!!

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
Oh, I can cuss now lol.

Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
Yes, I am taking notes from my first book reviews to ensure the second book gives my reader’s everything that this book might have missed. 

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
To publish more books and become a best-selling author.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
So far nothing but positive feedback!

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Typing!! I would love to lay out on a sofa, close my eyes and tell someone exactly what to type for me. Ohhhh wishful thinking. LOL

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I haven’t had writers block so far (knock on wood) because my mind stays active and switching gears. I am a dreamer and have always been one.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
That’s a secret but its juicy!

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It’s the beginning of a series and you don’t want to get lost by missing the first one. So, PURCHASE IT NOW ON AMAZON!

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon. 
Like the author on Facebook. 
Check out the book’s website. 
Follow the author on Instagram.

Lisa Slaton, Author of Redemption Through Forgiveness: How God Used My Mental Illness To Save Me

Today we are interviewing Lisa Slaton about her nonfiction/Christian/psychology/memoir titled "Redemption Through Forgiveness: How God Used My Mental Illness To Save Me.” 

Describe your book, “"Redemption Through Forgiveness: How God Used My Mental Illness To Save Me,” in a few sentences.
This is a story of how God used the mental illness I developed due to my troubled relationship with my mother to eventually save me from self-destruction. My heart was so infected with resentment and hatred toward my mother that I was unable to understand God’s forgiveness and love toward me. It wasn’t until God challenged me to forgive my mother that I was finally able to realize and accept His love and mercy. 

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Any person who has struggled with feeling unloved and unworthy, or who has had any kind of abuse or trauma in their lives, or who are struggling with hatred or unforgiveness toward another person who has hurt them, will hopefully be inspired to turn to God for mercy and healing.

What inspired you to write about your experience?
In my search for a way to use my experiences with abuse and mental illnesses to share my faith, God inspired me to use my writing talent to try to reach out to and inspire other people.

For people unfamiliar with Multiple Personality Disorder / Dissociative Identity Disorder, can you tell us a bit about it?
This is an incredibly complex disorder during which a person, usually as a child, creates other personalities within themselves to try to cope with abuse or trauma. During the initial stages of this disorder, the person allows the various alters to manifest themselves to function within daily life. The alters can have their own “names” and “mannerisms” so that it appears that there are different “people” existing in one physical body.

Your understanding of your condition changed once you viewed it from the perspective of the personalities are Christian alters. Did you always have a relationship with God growing up? Or was it something that developed with time?
I never had any type of relationship with God growing up. My family never acknowledged God in any way. I did not learn about God until I was nearly twenty years old. At that point, a co-worker told me about God.

Author Lisa Slaton.

Forgiving your mother was a major transition point in your life. Can you walk us through your experience with this?
I would not be able to do justice trying to explain it here. It is best described in my book. It was a long and difficult journey that ended in an unexpected way for me.

How long did you struggle with multiple personality disorder / DID before you found your solution? Did you have any success with treatments?
I realized I had something going on when I was a child but did not learn that I had this disorder until I was an adult. I was in mental health treatment for many years and developed a deep level of understanding and appreciation for this disorder through therapy. I had a great amount of success learning to live with this disorder. Having this disorder has enriched my life a great deal. Not only did it help me survive a dysfunctional childhood, God used my disorder to bring me into a relationship with Him.

Did writing the book take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?
Writing this book brought back many forgotten memories and brought me even closer to God than I was before I started the book. 

Do you have any tips for people struggling with mental illness?
There is no shame in using therapy and medication to help cope with mental illness. I have used both in the past, and I still use medication to help with my symptoms. However, God is waiting for those who are struggling to reach out to Him for help. He can heal and mend a broken heart and a broken mind. His love and mercy are endless, and He understands a person’s struggles better than anybody else ever can.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?
I never use an outline; I rarely know what I am going to write until I sit down and actually write. I do not have routines or regular writing time; I just write what I want to write and when I want to write it. I used to have to write long hand using pen and paper, and then transcribe it into my computer, which was a lengthy and tedious process. Recently I mastered the art of writing directly into the computer and eliminating the pen and paper, so now it all goes more quickly for me.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book?
I deal with chronic fatigue and low stamina almost every day, so that hampered my writing at times.
How did the book evolve from the initial idea to the finished manuscript?
It is easy to have an idea for a book, but it took determination and motivation to actually get it done. I prayed before every writing session, and wrote every time I felt inspired to do so.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
This is my favorite question. I hope readers will gain an understanding about how much love, mercy and forgiveness that God has for them, and that my book will give them a desire to build their own relationship with Him.

How have readers responded to your book so far?
I have been blessed with an outpouring of love, support and encouragement.

Can you share how your interest in writing developed? Did you always know you wanted to write or was it something that evolved with time?
I have been writing since I was able to pick up a pen. I believe I wrote my first story at age four. It was a brief story that I wrote for my Grandfather and it was called “The Pumpkin That Saved Halloween.”

Are they any authors who have influenced your writing style?
I read a wide variety of both Christian and secular authors, and they have all influenced my writing style in some way.

In ten years, where would you like your writing career to be?
I promised God that if He would bless me with publication, I would continue to write books that would honor Him until I get to such an age where I physically cannot write any longer.

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
E books are fine for some people, but I prefer reading a regular printed book. 

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
My next writing project is already finished! It is the sequel to “Redemption Through Forgiveness” and I believe my publisher plans to release it in early 2020.

More Information
Buy the book on the publisher's website.
Check out the author's website.

Poet Jennifer Juan | Ol’ Brown Eyes Is Back

Today we are interviewing Jennifer Juan about her poetry collection, “Ol’ Brown Eyes Is Back.”

 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a writer and musician living in the UK. I've been creating stuff since I was a kid.

Describe your poetry collection, “Ol' Brown Eyes Is Back,” in a few sentences.

It's a collection of poems about finding who you are, and trying to get to a place where you can accept yourself and live freely.

What inspired you to start writing poetry?

I always enjoyed creating things, and as I read more poetry, I wanted to do it for myself.

Do you have any tips for young poets who are trying to perfect their craft?

I think the best thing you can do is be true to yourself and find your own voice as a creator. When you're just starting out, it can be difficult to find who you are, because you look at others around you and think that there is only one way to do things, but the great part about doing something creative is that you can do things in your own way, so take advantage of that.

You’re also active in the podcast world. Tell us a bit about that.

I started Sincerely, Jennifer x in 2017 because I wanted to get used to reading poetry aloud again, for some performances I had coming up, and I thought it would be an interesting way to be able to do that and interact with my audience at the same time. I had no idea at the time that it would end up where we are now, on the third seasons, and reaching countries half way across the world. I'm very grateful to my podcast audience, because they are very sweet to me, and they're a great source of feedback. I tested a lot of the material for my last book with my listeners, by premiering it on the podcast, and I was able to interact with listeners in emails and on social media to see what they thought.

Does writing your poems take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?

I like to write about different subjects to learn a little more about them. I'll sit for hours researching things and watching videos about stuff, and then exploring it further by writing something about it. Writing also helps me to put things I've experienced myself into a new perspective sometimes. It's like I can write my own closure.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?

I don't really write by hand anymore, so I tend to use my phone a lot. I have access to all the projects that I'm working on, with my phone, so I can pick things up wherever I am and write something new, or edit something.

 

Jennifer Juan.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing poetry for you?

I think it can be difficult to let go of something and let an audience have it. A lot of the things I write are taken from who I am, and it can be hard to disconnect and realise that they could mean something different to someone else, who needs that.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your poetry?

I hope that they'll find something that they enjoy. I think that's the most important part of reading sometimes.

How have readers responded to your collection so far?

I've had a lot of emails about book clubs. I talked about this briefly on my podcast, but a few people have emailed saying about how they read Ol' Brown Eyes Is Back in their book club, and enjoyed it, which I thought was super cool. I love that book clubs are still a thing.

Are they any poets who have influenced your writing style?

I love reading Carol Ann Duffy, she's one of my favourite people of all time in general, really. I would say she's probably influenced me a little, but I tried to find a voice that reflected myself and said things in a way that others weren't doing too much, so that I wouldn't be too much like somebody else.

You’ve also released an EP, titled “Wildflowers.” What inspired you to release an EP? Have you always been musically inclined?

I did a lot of music when I was younger, but I stopped when I was in University, because I didn't have time, but I started creating music again in 2017, as I needed some music for a project I was working on, and I just kept creating from there. Wildflowers was the first of a series of Eps that I've worked on and released, with each taking a different idea or theme and exploring it through music. It's a really fun way to try new things and create something new each time. I'm releasing the next in that series, called Sleepwalking on the 30.

In ten years, where would you like your writing career to be?

I'd like to be creating things that make me happy, and that I can be proud of. I'm not sure about the specifics of that, but that's sort of what I'm looking for.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?

At the moment, I'm working on a project for Halloween. It's called '93 The Garden Of The Free Children '94, and it's going to be an interactive horror project with stories, poems and music. It's going to be really fun to share that with people. 

More Information

Visit the author’s website.

Buy the book on Amazon. 

Buy the book on Smashwords. 

Follow the author on Twitter. 

Follow the author on Instagram. 

Like the author on Facebook. 

Robert Kempster, Author of Freelancing: Making Money Online With Freelancing Jobs

Today we are interviewing Robert Kempster about his business / freelancing book titled, “Freelancing: Making Money Online With Freelancing Jobs.”

The book is on a Kindle countdown from August 16th to the 23rd. Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2XkuWBF.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am someone with aspirations and goals - just like everyone out there - I just happen to live in New York. It is easy to get jaded and uninspired, I am lucky to find inspiration from others around me, either in person or over media. I love to travel and I keep working on my flexibility, as you can imagine, flexibility is very close to freedom - so that is my goal. I mostly like to do things that can contribute any little bit to society at large.

Describe your book, “Freelancing: Making Money Online With Freelancing Jobs,” in a few sentences. 
The book is about the idea of the new gig economy, or as some call it, self employment. Although, I think self-employment is the end goal, while freelancing is the way to get there. This book will make you aware of the possibilities out there and steer you in the right direction as to what you need to do to set yourself up and to progress with it.

Who do you think would most benefit from reading your book?
I think anyone who is looking for ideas for making money online or offline will benefit from the book. If you are already making enough money, and have flexibility or "freedom" already. Then this book may be below your needs. Even though there may be some value in a different perspective, but it will not be that pertinent to an experienced freelancer.

What inspired you to write this book?
This book was inspired by a Freelancer I hired from Upwork a few years back, I think when it was called something else. He was doing some marketing for my first kindle book and he suggested that many people would pay for some of the pointers I was giving him. This was finished a while back, but I did not publish it and now I had to update it, so it can finally be published. 

What are some of the advantages of doing freelance work compared to a 9 to 5 job?
I think the advantages are quite obvious but, the ones that I find to be important is that it provides:
flexibility in scheduling and lifestyle
additional income or could eventually replace current income
ends up producing more family time
saves commuting costs as well as time
offers low entry cost
produces maximum ROI and efficiency
allows you to do something you love and are good at
the list is quite long and varies from person to person

What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when getting started with freelancing?
The biggest mistake that I see most people make is failing to start small. I think it is important to limit how much work you take in the beginning, so you can study your timing and become realistic in gauging each project. They often also fail to charge the lowest profitable fee - it is very important to start small with service charges as well. It is the surest way to get your first few freelancing jobs. Then you can scale everything from there.

How much time should someone interested in freelancing do research and prepare?
Aha! that is the other major mistake that most people make when starting as a freelancer. They spend too much time researching and preparing. You have to start by doing, so get a plan, do something, then do more, test, retest, adjust, then do more. Repeat..

What are some examples of the type of jobs that freelancers do?
Virtual assistants, online research, data capture, word processing, marketing, writing, social media marketing, social media managers, mail management, the list is so long. Anyway there is quite a list in the book as well as a lot of links to websites for jobs, training, and information

How much time does it take to get established in a career as a freelancer? 
The time truly depends on the individual as well as the nature of the freelancing jobs that the person is doing. Of course how well they do it and how they use others to help them will make all the difference in time.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book?
I think the hardest part was the final edit and publishing steps. You find yourself struggling with wanting to make everything just right.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
I hope hoping that a good number of the people that buy the book will actually use it and be inspired to do something with their skills. That I think will be my greatest reward.

How have readers responded to your book so far?
I have had very few objective reviews at this point, by that I mean most of the reviews I have to date are friends and family - they are always very kind as you know. LOL. The one independent review I received said it was a very good topic - but that does not tell me much.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I am thinking about writing something about personal credit is the USA as well as investing in one's future.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
That the book will only work if you work. Work hard until you figure out how to work smart.

More Information
Buy the book on Amazon.  
Check out the author on Facebook.  

K.S. David, Author of A Promise Kept

Today we are interviewing K. S. David about the romantic suspense novel, titled “A Promise Kept.” 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live on the east coast with my husband and three kids. However, it’s my 90 pound Sheepadoodle that that really runs our home (they’re not supposed to get that big but my dog is unusual). I’m a book lover - obviously. Writing started as a way to relax years ago. I ended up with a collection of stories and decided it was time to publish them. Writing is my therapy.

Describe the plot of your new book, “A Promise Kept,” in a few sentences.
Quinn McGuire is called home to settle her mother’s affairs. Instead, she finds herself defending her brother who has been accused of a horrible crime. She discovers a circle of deceit that goes back decades. The more she digs; the worse things look for her brother and the closer Quinn moves to danger.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
This book is a great read for someone who loves to read a mystery with a little humor in the midst of a blossoming romance.

Tell us about your protagonist, Quinn McGuire.
Quinn McGuire was once a successful defense attorney. She made some bad decisions that had horrible consequences for several people including Quinn. She’s emotionally damaged and she doesn’t trust herself anymore but the circumstances that face her in this novel force Quinn to come out of her shell. 

Quinn has a lot of negative history with Hayden County. Can you tell us about her history there?
Quinn grew up in poverty. Her family has a colorful and notorious history in the county. That history marked Quinn and anyone carrying the McGuire name in Hayden County. No matter what she does, Quinn can’t get past those negative impressions. 

Quinn loses her mother and must return to Hayden County. What was Quinn’s relationship like with her mother?
She didn’t have a very good relationship with her mother. Quinn’s mother was a bitter woman who disliked her social condition. She also struggled with a bad marriage and it was hard trying to raise children on her own. However, Quinn’s mom also worked very hard to give the children a better life. It wasn’t until she was dead that Quinn learns that her mom was actually proud of her.

On a similar note, how does Quinn feel about her father who has a history of crime? 
Quinn loves her dad dearly but sees him almost as a victim of his social condition. She doesn’t condone his actions but believes that he was desperate and lost. 

Without giving too much away, what is Quinn’s initial reaction to the accusations against her brother?
She’s, of course, shocked. She doesn’t believe that her brother is capable of that sort of crime. She more surprised to hear about the named victim.

What drew you to the genre of romantic suspense?
Wow, there is nothing that amps a story up like the backdrop of a steamy romance; two people pushed together in a race against time while passion blooms. Romance added to any fiction genre just makes the story better.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing style?
No, I can’t say there is a single writer that’s influenced my style. I am found of Mary Kay Andrews, Lori Armstrong and Ann Charles. Their stories are clean, crisp easy reads. I like that.

How long have you been writing?
I published my first novel in 2015, but I’ve been writing for years. 

Who was your favorite character to write?
Quinn was my favorite character. I worked hard to create depth and complexity in her character. I also enjoyed seeing her character transition. I think readers will as well.

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I’m learning to remove the extraneous stuff that just bogs down a story. At the same time, I’m learning how to use dialogue to move a story forward rather than depending exhaustive descriptions or POV narratives. 

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I have a few more romantic series that I’d like to pursue, but I’m also looking to move into new genres. I’ve also outlined two novels that will shift me into Science Fiction and historical romance. We’ll see how that goes.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
I’ve gotten a lot of positive responses to 'A Promise Kept.' Readers really connected to the emotional shift that Quinn experiences and, if I may say so myself, some of the intimate scenes leave readers breathless. 

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
The editing process is painful. I go over the story multiple times making hundreds of changes. I pick over a single word, re-writing and revising over-and-over. So, releasing the novel to publish sometimes feels like an exhaustive process but I’m satisfied that when I let it go, I’ve created a good novel.

Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Sure, I think every writer experiences a block. Usually, I will set the story I’m actively work on aside for a few days. I still force myself to write. I may work on a different story or start the outline for a new novel – anything to keep the juices flowing.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I’m working on a stand-alone romantic suspense set in Texas; more suspense, steamier romance.

More Information
Buy the book  on Amazon. 
Visit the author’s website. 

Interview with Poet Tyler Hall about Atop the Bookshelf

Today we are interviewing Tyler Hall about his poetry anthology, titled “Atop the Bookshelf.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
To explain myself would require not just a paragraph, nor entire chapter or book, but a library’s worth of volumes. But here are a few facts about me: As of this interview, I am a security officer with a strong sense of justice and truth. I love cats, Japanese Anime, cosplaying, acting (I have written, directed, and starred in a handful of short films), watching ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos on youtube, drawing, exploring new places and shops in my hometown of Jacksonville. Along with the annual trips to North Carolina and regular visits to Pop Culture Conventions, one could say I am a man of many tastes and interests. 

Describe your anthology of poetry, “Atop the Bookshelf,” in a few sentences.
“Atop the Bookshelf” is my attempt at the poetry genre. While I see myself as more of a novelist, even the best writers cannot limit themselves to one genre or one format. I believe a writer should be versatile in their craft. That is why I have chosen to write in every type of poetry imaginable and in every genre imaginable. Focusing on one type of poetry or genre of fiction is, in my opinion, self-limiting. 

Who do you think would most appreciate your anthology?
Depends on whom I inspire with my words and who desires to read my work. If anything, Atop the Bookshelf covers every genre, and do I mean every genre! If you like adventure, it’s got adventure. If you like fantasy, it’s got fantasy. If you like a little science fiction, I added that as well! For those who enjoy reading religious texts, I have poetry that covers religion as well! I've even added a few comical poems for those who enjoy a good laugh! In short, there is something for everybody in "Atop the Bookshelf"! 

What first got you interested in poetry?
I would have to say my interest in poetry would stem from the brief, yet vivid descriptions of the events and situations of the overall text.

Your anthology contains a variety of styles, from haiku to traditional rhyming. Do you have a favorite type of poetry?
I cannot simply choose a favorite style as every style has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, while Haiku is very vivid in so few words, it is also simplistic. Traditional rhyming is considered to be the “standard” of poetry, however it’s very limiting with the constant rhyming. 

Tyler Hall.

Where do you get your inspiration for your poetry?
For me, inspiration would have to come from everything I like. Be it nature, history, art, or what strange things my mind can cook up! If you could see my fantasies and my thoughts, it would outlandish and farfetched! Oh trust me on that! 

I would like to be, for once in my life, the guy who lives in a big palace with a lot of people...a wacky, wizard inventor, a lot of cute girls in legwarmers and oversized t-shirts, a few elves, fairies, ninjas, professional wrestlers, space aliens, a couple of soldiers, cats, super heroes, a robot,, a Christian pastor and a French chef to go along with it...why all this? I do not know! Let's add a library, a film studio, a theater, and a giant kitchen complete with a stockpile of food to go with these people as well! Oh, and did I forget the people in this fantasy live on island which is also its own country among other things? No? Well, now you know! This is just to help you visualize my intense imagination! 

Usually my work does slide between silly; for those moments I chose to be funny, to those moments where I chose to be extremely serious. 

Who is your favorite poet?
I do not have a favorite poet as I am more of a novelist than a poet. However, if I had a number of poets whose works I need to read more, they would include Walt Whitman and Lord Byron. Perhaps there are more, but for the time being, I am going to stick with those two. I also want to read “The Odyssey” in its entirety. 

Does writing ever take you to unexpected places or reveal things you hadn’t thought about before?
Absolutely! There are so places a many writer or reader can visit in words. Perhaps the same can be said about the various peoples, cultures, and nations one can meet in the words of a writer. The sad truth, however, is while these places are amazing, readers and writers alike will never be able to visit these worlds for real. 

And that is not just limited to locales either! Experiences such as meeting someone out of the ordinary or a sentient being who isn’t human! Now that would be an encounter in itself! As I said before about having my life go from mundane to magical, meeting someone like that would be awesome. 

Earlier, I said something about wanting to live in a big house with a lot of unusual characters like ninjas, elves, and a wacky inventor. While something that may never happen to me in real life. In the realm of fiction, however, anything goes. Perhaps I could write a novel about something like that! 

Do you have a favorite poem in your collection?
That’s hard to choose because I love every single one of my poems. If I had to choose which poems were the best write, I would have to choose "Sinking of the Mary Lee" because of its tragic story, "Joker Junction" on account of the hilarious tale behind it, "Sylvester the Firebeard" largely in part of its title character and its events being so life like. (One can feel the heat of the flames and smell the scent of gunpowder!) 

I also enjoyed writing "Tapestries", and "Atop the Bookshelf" (the poem for which the anthology is named for), mainly as they took two seemingly mundane objects and turned them into something worth observing closer. "Sniper", because it depicts a soldier in a battle. "A Man Named Paul", "Judas", and "The Apostle Peter," would have to be listed because they were all in relation to the three men mentioned and their Biblical importance. 

As for "Elizabeth", is a poetic rendition of the Tad Cummins Case. It was one of those poems I knew I had to write because of how the news of that crime affected me. Just as there have been poems and songs written about historical events and people. Which is mainly why I wrote “Orville and Wilbur” as it was about the Wright Brothers’ flight in Kitty Hawk. Lastly, “Aurora Borealis” was written because seeing the polar lights is something on my bucket list.  "A Fan Named Ann" was something I wrote to reflect about a football game where I once provided security. 

Now, the fun poems to write were the haikus and the quatrains. Some were foreboding and others were light hearted and positive. Believe me, those were the best to write! You could see so much in so little words!

I am quite certain there are a number of poems I’ve left out. Time constraints do not allow me the opportunity to explain every poem in Atop the Bookshelf. Yet, I will say that most of my poetry was written because I felt strongly about a topic or something was on my mind.

Now if I had to name one of my poems that had a good premise, yet a poor delivery, would have to be “K’Yakcha”. I wrote it as a means of recapturing the epics of Old akin to “Beowulf” and “The Iliad”. Yet, “K’Yakcha” seems to have missed the mark. Those who read it may say it was reminiscent of those epics, but I just feel it’s not up to par.

Do not get me wrong though, I enjoyed writing “K’Yakcha” because creating a modern day epic was a challenge in itself. However, I feel by its stilted prose, “K’Yakcha” simply doesn’t measure up to the classics. What I will say to my readers is if you are put off by the awkward wording found in “K’Yakcha”, let me just say it helps to think like a translator. Intelligent readers will understand the meaning of my words. 

“Ode to David” was a decent one to write as well. However it is not as good as it should have been. “Oasis”, “Waiting Room”, “A Date with Death”, and various others would also fit in this latter category.  By that, I mean poems that were good ideas, but not the best written. 

Perhaps it is best if I let my readers decide which poems were my best and which poems were my worst.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?
I love writing at night. I do not know why, but there is something about its tranquility that appeals to me. The same can be said about writing on a rainy day. Another tactic which helps is listening to music and ambience to help with visualizing a scene or dialogue.  

What was the most challenging aspect of writing poetry?
The most challenging part of poetry is showing the most with the least amount of words. I've had to remove words which felt out of place. Another challenging aspect of poetry is the plot, theme, and subject matter. I've even had to remove poems from "Atop the Bookshelf" because I felt they were not good enough. 

What do you hope readers will gain from reading your anthology?
That would ultimately depend on what my readers desire from my words. Some of my readers are probably seeking entertainment. Others are most likely desiring a deeper meaning. 

How have readers responded to your anthology so far?
Sadly, there have not been many readers. One of the many tragedies of being a writer is not having any readers. More than fame and riches, a writer should be more concerned with gaining readers FIRST and FOREMOST.

In ten years, where would you like your writing career to be?
I would like to have at least some of what I desire to create to be published by this time. Believe me when I say that would be a major advancement in my career.  

As of this interview, I am working on creating my facebook fanpage so fans of my work can congregate and keep up with the latest about my work. 

How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I am divided on the issue of ebooks. For me it is a two-edged sword with its pros and cons. For the pro side of ebooks, they are environmentally sound in reducing the consumption of resources. However, when it comes to the cons, one of the most upsetting attributes of ebooks is how they are reducing the concept of brick and mortar book stores. 

For me, going to a physical location for books and tests is more appealing than computerized ebooks. I say this because of the personal interaction with fellow readers and aspiring authors. 

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I cannot further disclose much about what I have in the works. The reason being is I have learned it is best not to announce your plans or goals. It is mainly because if I were to do that, I would be less motivated! For any future projects I have in store, one will have to wait and see!  

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your anthology?
I choose not to disclose that as I would rather let my readers discover for themselves. To say much more would ruin it for my readers.

More Information
Buy "Atop the Bookshelf" on Lulu.

Dennis Davis, Author Brethren of the Black Spot

Today we are interviewing Dennis Davis about his sci-fi / adventure story, “Brethren of the Black Spot.”

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a man with a great and wonderful imagination I have been an entrepreneur for the most part of my life wanting to do it my way. My last business lasted 26 years in the flooring and construction business with a product I developed from my garage until bad times hit in 2008 when so much construction stopped. I have written poetry for many years just to understand life and myself. I am not a young man but very seasoned. This is the first book I ever wrote.

Describe the plot of your book. 
Brethren of the Black Spot is a book stepping back in time about navy SEALs on their way to another important mission in Jamaica. They encounter an odd-looking fog then go through it, finding themselves back in time in 1692. The six navy SEALs encounter unexpected badass pirates in a tavern as they are trying to find out where they are. The story is also a love story when one navy SEAL falls in love with the governor’s daughter while trying to rescue her and her two friends from the pirates. The story takes place in Port Royal Jamaica, a real city back in 1692 called the wickedest city on earth. The navy SEALs end up in a number of battles with the worst of the worst pirates on earth, using their weapons against the pirate’s weapons of the day. The worst earthquake did take place in real time in 1692 that totally destroyed Port Royal Jamaica.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I believe anyone who loves to read about adventure and science fiction and a love story.

What inspired you to write a story about Navy Seals transported to 1692?
I just finished a book about Navy Seals and their adventures. (my favorite subject) I started to read a book about pirates and their adventures. I got the bright idea why not combine the two that could be an interesting plot and story. 

How do the Navy Seals react to being transported back in time?
They are flabbergasted, and surprised not believing in time travel in the first place. 

Are the Navy Seals able to use their weapons and tactics effectively against the pirates? Or are they so outnumbered they struggle?
Please understand that Navy Seals go against all kinds of odds against them and succeed. The interesting part is when modern day weapons meet the pirate weapons you will have to read about that. That was one of my favorite parts to write about.

Can you give us a feel for the time period, what it was like in Port Royal, Jamaica in 1692?
I researched information about Port Royal, Jamaica (it did exist) before I wrote my first words down. The town was very interesting and called the most sinful town in the western hemisphere. Thousands of pirates made up most of population with shops great jewelry stores and so many bars and taverns. In my book I describe the town to a tee it had no sewer system and murders took place every day it was a lawless town.

Did you have to do much research to capture the time period?
I enjoyed the research I did; I wanted my story to reflect the truth and feeling about the place.

A horrible earthquake took place in Port Royal, Jamaica in 1692. How did it affect the region?
Yes, the earthquake really affected the region with the destruction it created an 8.2 earthquake. That is a very important part of my story. Port Royal sunk into the sea and no more pirates were there again.

The book seems to transcend genres with elements of science fiction, adventure. Did you always know you wanted to include these elements in the story? Or was it something that evolved as you wrote?
I thought about the story for about 2 years and read a number of books on the subject before I began to write it down I wanted the story to be logical, interesting, and believable. When I started writing of course things changed that is what is so interesting and fun about writing fiction.

We wanted to say that the cover of the book is perfect and reflects the story perfectly.
Thank you.

Is there an author that had a major influence on your writing?
Yes, his name is Richard Marcinko he was a Navy Seal one of the best and started Seal Team 6. Meeting him would be a dream come true.

How long have you been writing?
I started writing my first book in 2009 I’ll tell you it is a daunting process. I have been writing my poetry since 1976 I understand it is not the same process. Since then I have written 13 eBooks and two more science fiction books and working on my fourth book. 

Who was your favorite character to write about?
I would say the main character of the story Lt. Darren James he makes everything flow together.

What are your goals as a writer for the next 10 years?
To tell you the truth I do not see myself writing stories in 10 years so many things will change for me. I am so proud of what I have written though.

How have your readers responded to the book so far?
I would have to say very positive and their comments mean everything to me. All I really want is for people to enjoy what I have written.

Is there any aspect of writing you really like?
I really like the challenge of looking at a blank page and filing it with my thoughts. Like a painter that looks at a blank canvas and then paints a beautiful picture.

Have you ever had a writer’s block?
Yes, I have that is part of writing just except it do something else and the thoughts will begin to come into your head again.

Is there anything else you’d like potential readers to know about your book?
I would like you all to know my stories come from my imagination and my soul when I write my hope and pray you will enjoy my writing.

Is there any advice you would like to share with writers?
I will tell you this you never write alone I can feel a spirit around me when I write helping me to tell an interesting story. Take time to listen to the voice it is there to assist you it may be your guardian angel or maybe even God. Write your story making it interesting to you first.

More Information
http://www.brethrenoftheblackspot.com/

https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/796980-brethren-of-the-black-spot

Keisha Sheronia Campbell, Author of Party in the Sky

Today we are interviewing Keisha Sheronia Campbell about her kid’s book, titled “Party in the Sky.” 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Keisha Sheronia Campbell and was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica. Attending school as a young girl I loved telling stories. I migrated to America where I attended high school in the Bronx. I love to travel, music and food. I'm just a laid back person trying to enjoy life.

Describe the plot of your new book, “Party in the Sky,” in a few sentences.
The plot is about a young boy's fear of nature's wonder and the story told by his Aunt Stacy to help him not to fear such wonders, basically.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
This book is geared towards mothers, grandparents, teachers, daycare employees, etc. and ofcourse the kiddies. Also for adults who might just want a cute short story to imagine.

What inspired you to write a story about a young boy’s fear of nature’s wonders?
I wrote this book on behalf of my niece and nephew. When they were younger the sound and sight of the lightening and thunder was scary, so I came up with a cute little story of what is going on in the sky during those effects of the weather as a way to ease their minds

What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
My goal is to continue writing children's book and beyond. I have a creative  mind and will love to share the stories of said mind. Lol. 

Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
I would say didn't like just a bit challenging. You are your own nightmare when proof reading, going back and forth with changes. There is always something to add, delete, etc., which makes it feel like you will never complete the book lol but you will have to just hope for the best respond because you know you did your best. 

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I am almost complete with my next project which is called "Cupcakes and Teamwork Built Us a Treehouse" about a diverse family and a little person boy named Silas. The title says it all, hopefully will have out before Thanksgiving. Stay Tuned.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It's a great short story for the kiddies and family all around.

More Information
Buy the book on Barnes and Noble. 
Buy the book on Amazon. 
Check out the book on Youtube.