Hello RSJ family,
Happy Birthday to all of the August babies. And before you call me on it I know I’ve been forgetting to wish a happy birthday to the other months. But count it a mistake of my head not my heart. So, Happy Belated Birthday to everyone who had a birthday from January to July. LOL.
Have you noticed how quickly the year is passing? Does it just seem that way because of aging? Hmm. Why am I reflecting on the passage of time you’re wondering. Well, I have a very good answer. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen most of you and I miss your smiling faces. I’m doing everything in my power to see you in a few months but you can’t always do what you want, so we’ll see. And that’s what has me waxing poetic. (not making sense)
I have to start this months interview with a big thank you to Deatri. It never fails that when she puts out the call for people to contact me to be interviewed it works. You guys are scurrrred of her. LOL. That makes me very happy.
Okay, enough of my foolishness. This month we’re talking to Emma finalist Denise Jefferies. Welcome Denise. Would you tell us a bit about yourself please?
Denise: Well, certainly, Dyanne. I’ve written my entire life. Having journaled and penned short stories since I was in grade school, after the prompting of a friend I decided to turn a short story I’d written into a book. My first book, A Walk in the Rain, was published in 1999. I’ve been at it ever since. To date, I have 14 books published. These include four single titles and ten anthologies, some of which my publisher later published as single title novellas. I’ve also had several short stories and essays published. I have an alter ego and her name is Alexis Ke. She writes erotic romance. I am an avid reader of any genre that is well written and it keeps my interest. I love to travel, people watch and just chill. I live in the Tidewater area of Virginia with my hubby Leon.
Dyanne: I love the name of your alter ego. I'm in that kind of mood today. It's the birthday of the birth of our nation. Tell me what kind of firework would you masquerade as?
Denise: I would have to be the very last, major finally firework. The one that goes on and on and one. The one with all the colors in the rainbow. The one where everyone in the crowd say, wow. What a show.
Dyanne: Great answer. I should have asked your alter ego to answer it also. (grin) You have to masquerade as your favorite heroine. Which would it be and why.
Denise: Now why do you have to go and ask that? While I love all of my heroines I must say, I’m in a mood today as well. I recently finished working on a fantasy (and I do mean book) and the heroine is a warrior princess trying to make it to her seat as queen. She’s a take no prisoner type of girl. Just the kind I like. She goes to battle with her soldiers and does not worry about dropping some blood (hers or the enemies). She is also very passionate. Now if you want a contemporary character, it’s hard to say. There are things in each of my heroines that I love. Dominique the cop in Whispers in the Dark, because she is tough and also a take no prisoner kind of gal, Jade the medium in Visions in the Dark because of her softness and wanting to help Hunter and Samantha the CEO/owner in Masquerade because of her self-assuredness and hey, she doesn’t take prisoners. At least not until she meets her match in Elijah. I think, now that I think about it, I’d have to come up with a masquerade that covers them all.
Dyanne:. Okay, so maybe I'm not so subtle with the first two questions I asked you. How about you tell us a bit about your latest book Masquerade.
Denise: I love not being subtle. It’s one of my best qualities or maybe my worse. Masquerade takes place with the backdrop of Sky Pharmaceuticals. Samantha Skylar is the CEO owner. Her stocks are dropping and a virus has been introduced into the USA that has been dormant for ten years. And to make things worse, and even more distracting, she just hired a deliciously handsome new vice president of product development and sales, Elijah McCray. She’s a tough; take no prisoner woman who has given up on love. It’s never worked for her in the past, why should it now. Well, Elijah sees something in her that she can’t see. He sees the woman on the inside. The one no one else has seen in a long time. However, they are both distracted in finding out the cause of the virus and how to stop it. The kicker, though, this virus could bring her company out of a financial slump because it is her pharmaceutical company that holds the patent on the drug of choice for treatment. There are secrets, deception and some good old passion in this book.
I had this idea when we had the anthrax scare after 9/11. What if a company contaminated those envelops to raise the stocks. Greed is a powerful thing, don’t you think. Pretty much the root to all evil, some say. So why not write a book about it.
Dyanne: I totally agree that greed is a powerful motivator. I love that writers get idea from life, the best and the worst of it we see as an opportunity for a story. So, Denise, what's your next project?
Denise: At present time, I am working on book three to my St. Agnes series. A romantic suspense. This is Marcus’ story. He’s Jericho’s best friend from book one. The journalist. The title is Lost in the Dark. I’m having a great time with this one. Haven’t killed too many people yet, but it’s still early. Hehehe. I also have a contemporary romantic suspense/paranormal due out in the fall of this year. Look for Sleeping Beauty.
Dyanne: What mistakes have you made in the writing journey that you'd like to help others to avoid?
Denise: Don’t jump at the deal. When my first book came out, I realized I knew nothing about writing, and my publisher was just as green. Learn the business, learn the market. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We all want that big pay day, that contract, but when it comes, read it a hundred times, sleep on it. Get a lawyer to read it and go with your gut.
Dyanne: Well said, Denise. If you read the RSJ blog at all you'll know that I have the gift of delivering dreams ( not my own) This is your one shot. (nothing noble) What dream of yours would you like fulfilled?
Denise: Readers, readers, readers. I want my readership to be over the top. My dream is to have my readers waiting for the next book and getting mad when it isn’t released on time. Hitting the New York Times best selling list won’t hurt either and did someone say, Emma Award and RITA. And to retire to write full time. Hey you asked, didn’t you? Or was that too noble.
Dyanne: Nobel? Hmmm. LOL. For a writer it was the perfect answer. Turning the table for a moment, what genre do you, the writer, read?
Denise: Any and all. My favorite is romantic suspense. I love the page turners with the love tossed in. It makes a great mix. However, paranormal, scary, certain historical, fiction, nonfiction you name it. If it’s good I can get down with it. I’ve been reading books since I could hold one. I remember winning a book reading contest in the seventh grade. I read more than any other student in my school. I guess it’s ingrained in my blood at the atomic level.
Dyanne: Are there any books you'd recommend that aspiring writers try?
Denise: There are so many great books out there. As I mentioned earlier, always read the genre you are writing, but two must reads are Deb Dixon’s Goal, Motivation and Conflict and Steven Kings Book on Writing.
Dyanne: Any tips for the aspiring writer?
Denise: Write from your heart. You don’t have to keep it safe but you gotta keep it real, at least to you. Don’t let anyone tell you to stop. Listen to the teachers but remember it’s your story, not theirs. The business is just that, a business. Pay attention to the rules. Example, in romance you must have a happy ending. Meaning, you can’t kill the heroine in the end.
We all want to believe once the book is out its smooth sailing from then on out. It’s not. Its hard work every day. You must have a tough skin and don’t give up. And lastly, read, read, read. You must read what you are trying to write. You can’t limit your mind to historical and then set out to write contemporary or vic-versa. You can never have read a paranormal but your book is about werewolves and vamps. It won’t work. And keep it up until you find your niche. You may have more than one. Who knew I would have been a best seller in erotic romance it I hadn’t put pen to paper and wrote a few.
And get a critique partner. Someone you trust to give it to you straight. You don’t want one who is going to change your voice but you want someone to tell you about your writing in a constructive manner. We all want to be the best writer we can be. I know I do.
Dyanne: Thank you Denise, that’s great advice and if only one person pays heed it was well worth it. Where can the readers reach you and will you write them back if they email you?
Denise: I write back to all everyone who contacts me.
My email addie is: dpjeffriesthewriter@hotmail.com
My website is: www.denisejeffries.com
I’m also on my space and face book.
I also have a blog. http://denisejeffriestheauthor.blogspot.com
Follow my blog and you are entered into my monthly newsletter contest each month as well.
I have a yahoo group. Join and win free books and that month you are entered into my monthly contest. Yahoo group: Denise Jeffries the author.
And finally, my monthly newsletter, Shenanigans. If you email me I will make sure you are on the list and you are entered into that months contest.
Dyanne: Thanks, Denise, this was a fun and informative interview. By the way your wish has been granted.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Interview with Author GiGi Gunn
Our next interview is with GiGi Gunn. GiGi Tell us a bit about yourself.
GiGi: I am a native of Washington D.C., born and bred, product of D.C Public Schools and graduate of Howard University which prepared me superbly for my careers in social work and education. I am married with two sons and besides writing, I enjoy traveling, music, gardening and reading.
Dyanne: When did you decide to enter this insane world of writing?
GiGi: When I couldn’t find anything printed that I wanted to read. (When you want something done…do it yourself.) In the expansive symphony that is our experience in America, I was so tired of the “one-note” publishers gave us; rural poor/urban poor. Finally, when given heroines I could recognize, they always dated jerks. So I sat down to write a novel I wanted to read… about women and men I knew. Strong yet flawed women and men who deserved them… men who knew these women were “worth it.”
Dyanne: Tell us about your first book, the highs, the lows, the unexpected.
GiGi: In the 90s, Everlastin’ Love, one of the very first, AA tearjerkers, was rejected by ALL the major publishers who praised the characterization and writing style, plot but said it did not have enough “angst” and “pathos.” Translation: not enough “anger” and “pathology.” But their rejection validated my stance because that is exactly what I wanted to write; a “normal” everyday novel for African Americans. Why must we black folks always have drugs, murder, abuse, illegal, money-grubbing lines of work, promiscuous and low-to-no morals behavior, loud drama baby’s mama and deadbeat dads as routine plots? Back then it seemed that’s what publishers believed we were and what we wanted to read. There is a place for every type of theme and genre but where was the balance? Where was our choice from an array of bookstore titles? Those seeking something different were met with a constant diet of only the same-o, same-o, which was exhaustingly shortsighted and boring. I knew there were readers out there like me who wanted more, strove and were ready for more options and finally, when released, Everlastin’ Love was so very well received; readers cried at book signings and clubs as they tried to tell me how much they loved that book. Incidentally, the publisher was called and asked if the characters were initially white people. Sad. Shades of Bill Cosby’s Huxtables. As if we can’t be morally upstanding folks who can love ourselves and one another.
Several years later, with CAJUN MOON, a revered romance publisher loved the manuscript but the plot did not fit their proven formula; the hero and heroine did not meet/get together by page 50 for starters. They wanted to restructure the natural arc of the entire book and I thanked them kindly for their interest, time and recommendations and kept my flow as written. When finally published in 2008 by an insightful black publisher, Cajun Moon was rewarded with a wonderful reception and outstanding reviews which I gleefully accepted with a humble gratification that validates a writer who did not capitulate to a publisher/editor or acquiesce to a book that, once released, I would not have recognized. Every writer, neophyte and veteran, has to learn what she will and will not do for her craft and to stay true to her readers, by giving them the best story presentation possible… and the reward is so very sweet!! When you get the emails and accolades from the readers across the country? That’s heaven!
Dyanne: How could your writing best be described genre wise?
GiGi: Initially, publisher’s “problem” with my books was that they did not fit into any established category; the closest was the romance genre, a format which I enjoy since it so thoroughly explores the psyche of a woman, and they have happy endings. However, the formulaic~ boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back is not always the case in a GiGi Gunn novel. Just as mysteries have a crime, suspects and a solving or a paranormal has “other-worldly” aspects, there is a lot of latitude within a genre based on the storyteller. And I take full advantage and use the twists and turns of life as I carve out characters readers seem to love, as well as situations and settings that captivate them within a writing style they appear to enjoy. Thank goodness! So when forced, I describe my genre as the “positive portrayal of black folks” which maybe a romance, maybe historical, maybe contemporary, maybe middle or working class folks. I don’t get bogged down with labels because my main objective is to offer “another note” to that symphony of our experience. I want to offer readers compelling characters that celebrate the “yes” of us, give them a “solid, page-turning read” and, in the end, make them feel good about their world and their place in it. I respect my readers and want my novels to be literarily satisfying and, with the call for sequels on all titles, I am encouraged by the level of reader engagement and desire for more.
Dyanne: Okay, got it. Well put. If you could change one thing about your writing career thus far what would it be?
GiGi: I regret that I was not more serious about writing earlier; I wish I’d honored my imagination and honed my skills in my early thirties. But I’m glad I discovered them now… right on time…
Dyanne: From the serious to…A game of what if. What if you came here from another galaxy. What would be your first words on seeing earth?
GiGi: That would depend where I came from. But probably, I’d think, “What madness is this?” And like “Brother From Another Planet,” I’d head for the black neighborhood. We’re much more tolerant of “aliens” and basic individual uniqueness.
Dyanne: Let's reverse that. You've just stepped foot on another planet (your choice) What do you think your first words would be.
GiGi: Let’s pick Venus… the planet of love. After that long trip and with temperatures of over 890 degrees Fahrenheit, I’d wonder… where is a Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop?
Dyanne: LOL. What words of advice would you give to a new writer?
GiGi: Sit down and Start… Don’t be intimidated by the blank page. Begin and Keep Going! Like anything else (dancing, cooking, putting on false eyelashes, making love) it gets better the more you do it. Writing is re-writing. From “Once upon a time to The End” is such a wondrous and fulfilling journey.
Dyanne. Good advice GiGi. What plans do you have for the future?
GiGi: To keep writing. I love it and I have a thousand, OK hundreds of stories to tell about our past and present which I hope will entertain (educate and expose) readers way into the future. I’d love to see any or all of my novels on the silver screen. Since three of my novels have already been required reading across the country, eventually, I’d like to teach a college-level elective course in which we’d read the novels and study, not only literary devices, but explore the nuances of my characters speaking their timeless life lessons to younger generations, like “don’t make a man your priority when you are just his option.” “Life works out best for those who make the best of how life works out,” “Don’t sleep where you eat,” “When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences” just to name a few.
Dyanne: GiGi, I have been trying for weeks to find that first quote. I could only remember the first half. Thank you. Where can readers reach you?
GiGi: I LOVE to hear from readers…
gigi@gigigunn.net website is www.gigigunn.net
GiGi: I am a native of Washington D.C., born and bred, product of D.C Public Schools and graduate of Howard University which prepared me superbly for my careers in social work and education. I am married with two sons and besides writing, I enjoy traveling, music, gardening and reading.
Dyanne: When did you decide to enter this insane world of writing?
GiGi: When I couldn’t find anything printed that I wanted to read. (When you want something done…do it yourself.) In the expansive symphony that is our experience in America, I was so tired of the “one-note” publishers gave us; rural poor/urban poor. Finally, when given heroines I could recognize, they always dated jerks. So I sat down to write a novel I wanted to read… about women and men I knew. Strong yet flawed women and men who deserved them… men who knew these women were “worth it.”
Dyanne: Tell us about your first book, the highs, the lows, the unexpected.
GiGi: In the 90s, Everlastin’ Love, one of the very first, AA tearjerkers, was rejected by ALL the major publishers who praised the characterization and writing style, plot but said it did not have enough “angst” and “pathos.” Translation: not enough “anger” and “pathology.” But their rejection validated my stance because that is exactly what I wanted to write; a “normal” everyday novel for African Americans. Why must we black folks always have drugs, murder, abuse, illegal, money-grubbing lines of work, promiscuous and low-to-no morals behavior, loud drama baby’s mama and deadbeat dads as routine plots? Back then it seemed that’s what publishers believed we were and what we wanted to read. There is a place for every type of theme and genre but where was the balance? Where was our choice from an array of bookstore titles? Those seeking something different were met with a constant diet of only the same-o, same-o, which was exhaustingly shortsighted and boring. I knew there were readers out there like me who wanted more, strove and were ready for more options and finally, when released, Everlastin’ Love was so very well received; readers cried at book signings and clubs as they tried to tell me how much they loved that book. Incidentally, the publisher was called and asked if the characters were initially white people. Sad. Shades of Bill Cosby’s Huxtables. As if we can’t be morally upstanding folks who can love ourselves and one another.
Several years later, with CAJUN MOON, a revered romance publisher loved the manuscript but the plot did not fit their proven formula; the hero and heroine did not meet/get together by page 50 for starters. They wanted to restructure the natural arc of the entire book and I thanked them kindly for their interest, time and recommendations and kept my flow as written. When finally published in 2008 by an insightful black publisher, Cajun Moon was rewarded with a wonderful reception and outstanding reviews which I gleefully accepted with a humble gratification that validates a writer who did not capitulate to a publisher/editor or acquiesce to a book that, once released, I would not have recognized. Every writer, neophyte and veteran, has to learn what she will and will not do for her craft and to stay true to her readers, by giving them the best story presentation possible… and the reward is so very sweet!! When you get the emails and accolades from the readers across the country? That’s heaven!
Dyanne: How could your writing best be described genre wise?
GiGi: Initially, publisher’s “problem” with my books was that they did not fit into any established category; the closest was the romance genre, a format which I enjoy since it so thoroughly explores the psyche of a woman, and they have happy endings. However, the formulaic~ boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back is not always the case in a GiGi Gunn novel. Just as mysteries have a crime, suspects and a solving or a paranormal has “other-worldly” aspects, there is a lot of latitude within a genre based on the storyteller. And I take full advantage and use the twists and turns of life as I carve out characters readers seem to love, as well as situations and settings that captivate them within a writing style they appear to enjoy. Thank goodness! So when forced, I describe my genre as the “positive portrayal of black folks” which maybe a romance, maybe historical, maybe contemporary, maybe middle or working class folks. I don’t get bogged down with labels because my main objective is to offer “another note” to that symphony of our experience. I want to offer readers compelling characters that celebrate the “yes” of us, give them a “solid, page-turning read” and, in the end, make them feel good about their world and their place in it. I respect my readers and want my novels to be literarily satisfying and, with the call for sequels on all titles, I am encouraged by the level of reader engagement and desire for more.
Dyanne: Okay, got it. Well put. If you could change one thing about your writing career thus far what would it be?
GiGi: I regret that I was not more serious about writing earlier; I wish I’d honored my imagination and honed my skills in my early thirties. But I’m glad I discovered them now… right on time…
Dyanne: From the serious to…A game of what if. What if you came here from another galaxy. What would be your first words on seeing earth?
GiGi: That would depend where I came from. But probably, I’d think, “What madness is this?” And like “Brother From Another Planet,” I’d head for the black neighborhood. We’re much more tolerant of “aliens” and basic individual uniqueness.
Dyanne: Let's reverse that. You've just stepped foot on another planet (your choice) What do you think your first words would be.
GiGi: Let’s pick Venus… the planet of love. After that long trip and with temperatures of over 890 degrees Fahrenheit, I’d wonder… where is a Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop?
Dyanne: LOL. What words of advice would you give to a new writer?
GiGi: Sit down and Start… Don’t be intimidated by the blank page. Begin and Keep Going! Like anything else (dancing, cooking, putting on false eyelashes, making love) it gets better the more you do it. Writing is re-writing. From “Once upon a time to The End” is such a wondrous and fulfilling journey.
Dyanne. Good advice GiGi. What plans do you have for the future?
GiGi: To keep writing. I love it and I have a thousand, OK hundreds of stories to tell about our past and present which I hope will entertain (educate and expose) readers way into the future. I’d love to see any or all of my novels on the silver screen. Since three of my novels have already been required reading across the country, eventually, I’d like to teach a college-level elective course in which we’d read the novels and study, not only literary devices, but explore the nuances of my characters speaking their timeless life lessons to younger generations, like “don’t make a man your priority when you are just his option.” “Life works out best for those who make the best of how life works out,” “Don’t sleep where you eat,” “When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences” just to name a few.
Dyanne: GiGi, I have been trying for weeks to find that first quote. I could only remember the first half. Thank you. Where can readers reach you?
GiGi: I LOVE to hear from readers…
gigi@gigigunn.net website is www.gigigunn.net
A few words from Host A.C. Arthur
Our last word for the month comes from A.C. Arthur. AC, what’s the word on Baltimore and a hint of what you have planned?
A.C. : Baltimore, a city that’s proud of its culture.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture is the largest African American museum on the East Coast. The Lewis brings Maryland to the world through its large permanent collection, and the world to Maryland through its dynamic and educational special exhibitions.
The museum is named after Reginald F. Lewis (1942-1993), an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Baltimore who served as chair and chief executive officer of TLC Beatrice International, the largest U.S. company owned by an African American during his lifetime.
A part of the many sights to see when visiting Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the Lewis is a journey through our history and our culture. Just one more reason to visit the great city of Baltimore!
Dyanne: Thanks AC.
Okay family that’s it for now. Authors remember to contact me for interviews, as Dee said, it’s free promo. Also get the word out on your upcoming books. Let us know about your books. We can’t help to promote you if we don’t know what you have coming out.
Dyanne Davis
http://www.dyannedavis.com
A.C. : Baltimore, a city that’s proud of its culture.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture is the largest African American museum on the East Coast. The Lewis brings Maryland to the world through its large permanent collection, and the world to Maryland through its dynamic and educational special exhibitions.
The museum is named after Reginald F. Lewis (1942-1993), an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Baltimore who served as chair and chief executive officer of TLC Beatrice International, the largest U.S. company owned by an African American during his lifetime.
A part of the many sights to see when visiting Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the Lewis is a journey through our history and our culture. Just one more reason to visit the great city of Baltimore!
Dyanne: Thanks AC.
Okay family that’s it for now. Authors remember to contact me for interviews, as Dee said, it’s free promo. Also get the word out on your upcoming books. Let us know about your books. We can’t help to promote you if we don’t know what you have coming out.
Dyanne Davis
http://www.dyannedavis.com
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