Getting to Know Brenda Willis

Dyanne: Thank you, Brenda, for heeding the call to serve. So, you’ve chosen the writing path. What put the bug in you to write?

Brenda: I wouldn’t say it was so much a bug, but God placing the right person in my life telling me I was a writer and to write. I truly believe that there are no accidents in this life. It was merely my being put on the path that I was meant to be on.

It was a relief to realize I was a writer and not crazy, well not completely. I wondered what I was going to do, having spent the last 25 plus year raising my three children. My daughter was entering her last year of high school. And I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. Well now I know. Thank you, Dyanne.

Dyanne: Brenda I’m old and slow. I didn’t get the last part of your comment until this moment. I agree that God uses people who allow themselves to be used. But considering that I’ve been reading your writing and am blown away by your talents all I can say is no thanks necessary. Deciding to write is the first step toward fulfilling your dreams. Can you tell us as an aspiring author what you've done so far to move your career toward the path you want it to go?

Brenda : Well I started a blog, I attended RSJ/08. Had a blast by the way, I was disappointed to hear that it was canceled for 2009. I was looking forward to seeing and reconnecting with all the talented writers I met in Chicago . I joined this really wonderful supportive group of ladies called R.I.C.H writers group.

I write ever day. I’ve even submitted some of my short stories for publication. Got my first rejection, went home, had a little pity party, got over it, and got back to writing.

Dyanne: Congratulations Brenda , you’re a writer. Rejections are only temporary stumbling blocks. I’m so proud to hear you say you had your little pity party and continued writing. That’s the absolute right thing to do. Now, can you tell us briefly what things you read and what kinds of stories you're writing?

Brenda : An avid reader since childhood, I’ve always had a love of books and reading. When I was a teenager I was fascinated with history. I loved reading biographies of famous and not so famous people. Which really wasn’t cool growing up in the 70’s for a black girl to know who Ivan the Terrible was or why spaghetti westerns are called a spaghetti westerns. But I digress. I’ve amassed quiet a collection of books over the years. They range from contemporary romance/literature, Christian, mystery/suspense, erotic fiction/romance, to paranormal.

I don’t read for pleasure anymore, simply because now I write. At this moment I have about ten WIP. Three of which I’m currently working on. My charters are just ordinary people who find love in the most uncommon or where you would least expect two people to come together places.

Dyanne: Brenda , you mentioned that you have a blog where you’ve posted some of your work.Can you give readers the info on that?

Brenda : Sure, come on over to my blog at www.amwells.blogspot.com. All comments are welcome. Oh, did I mention I write under the pen name of A.M. Wells .


Dyanne: Thanks Brenda , also I’m glad that you mentioned you’re using a penname. By RSJ 2010 all will know you. I wish you the best of luck in your career and have a very Merry Christmas.

A Little Chat with the Paperback Diva, Andrea Jackson

Dyanne: First I want to thank Andrea Jackson for the goodies that your group provided for each and every bag that was given out at the 2008 RSJ. Thanks also for doing the interview. Christmas is coming soon and you're Santa. (Seriously) Where will you go first and where might you skip altogether?

Andrea: First I'll go someplace warm! I hate cold weather. The Southern US, California, Hawaii, Caribbean, Tropical Africa. And I'd be awfully tempted to skip places like Iceland and Scandinavia. LOL. Good thing the real Santa doesn't feel that way!

Dyanne: LOL. I didn’t think about just going to warm climates. I love it. Now, your life has taken a turn. You're now Andrea and Santa didn't stop at your house. Can you tell us why?

Andrea: Oh, my gosh! Did Santa find out what a witch I've been this year? I could have been nicer to my husband, and tried to understand my kids better. And spent more time with my mother. Santa may also have found out how little writing I did this year! I couldn't seem to finish anything.

Dyanne: You’re the paperback Diva so we all have great faith in you that you’ll finish all of those projects. Besides, I know you’ve been busy. This takes me to the next question. Even though you haven’t finished anything, you’re a writer and that means you’ve been writing. Tell us what you're working on now and your future projects.

Andrea: All those projects I've begun need to be completed. There's a contemporary novel about a woman who's struggling to get custody of her deceased sister's two young daughters and no way is she going to be distracted by the sexy guardium ad litem who's been assigned to the case. I'm working on my first shapeshifter, a novella for Samhain. A paranormal about a world where warriors are delectable, protective alpha males.

Dyanne: See MS. Paperback Diva, I knew you had a lot going on. Now tell us where can RSJ readers look for you?

My website is http://www.pbdiva.com/
My blog is Proud to be a Paperback Diva, http://www.pbdiva.wordpress.com/
I'm also on Twitter daily. www.twitter.com/pbdiva

Thanks Andrea. I can’t wait to read all three of the novels you’re working on.