Interview with Author J.S. Hawley

Dyanne: Next up we have an equally fascinating interview with author J.S. Hawley. J.S. you’re up. Tell the RSJ family about J.S. Hawley.

J.S. The one thing about me is that my friends and family are always in my heart. That I still smile at strangers and say good-morning. No I don't know the guy on the cover of my first book Come With Me but the guy described inside is based on a real man. When I knew him ('97-'98) he had long hair, nipple piercings, light skin, and he (let's call him 'Leslie') got me. I'd love to put out a national ad (and reward) and see if I could locate him. So if you know the guy...

Dyanne: I haven’t had a chance to see any guys with nipple piercing but I see anyone matching his description I’ll let you know. LOL. So, tell us, what's the craziest thing you've ever had to happen in your career?

J.S. Getting published. I stumbled blindly and fell in face first. I got very lucky. A friend who had never read a word I'd written, told a friend, who had a friend who was an editor. They harassed me through thick and thin patiently waiting for my life not to be soooo crazy and for me to complete the manuscript I'd been working on for five years. I've lost each of my manuscripts a handful of times. Once one of my 'Cheerleaders' (I was a coach at the time) gave me a magnet when she returned from vacation. I stuck it in my bag and it found its way next to my disk and magnetized the sucker. Another time I was working on the document and we had a power outage. Another time I stuck my hand in my pocket only to fine the perfect little thumb drive sized hole. I also had a fire in my home and a robbery, believe me when I say didn't think the manuscripts would ever get done. However my work turned out to be a solid piece of writing if nothing else. I thank the powers of the Universe that the timing was right. Just shows that sometimes the bad does have a silver lining.

Dyanne: WOW! To me that mean your being a writer was meant to be. How about if now you share your most selfish decadent wish (G-rated)

J.S. Right now I wish I could write the love affair I just ended with my ex. For me he was a very sweet and caring man but I was too busy 'fixing myself' and couldn't commit. Wish I could swallow my pride the way characters do in books and march over there and tell him how I feel and have him feel the same way. You know write our love affair including the HEA ending. Either that or fitting into a pair of size 12 jeans again.

Dyanne: Ahhh, that’s so sweet. The writing the love affair that is. What I wouldn’t give to get into a size 12 again myself. Maybe my third born. (note: I have one child. LOL) What's on your plate for 09?

J.S. With two inter-racial contemporaries on the shelf, I hope to put out a Historical Romance, also with inter-racial overtones, a Romantic mystery, a sci-fi/fantasy/romance, an urban romantic mystery and as many others as I can get to. I'm working on an e-published anthology submission with Isabo Kelly and Tori Anne.

Dyanne: As expected you have a full plate. Congratulations. Last question. J.S. How do you want to be contacted by readers?

J.S. Readers can reach me at J.S.Hawley@hotmail.com, myspace: www.myspace.com/jshawley and even Facebook @ Jae S. Hawley. I've also got a blog up on amazon.com. Thanks for the opportunity Dyanne. Hope to hear from you again.

Dyanne: Thanks Jackqueline/aka J.S. Great interview.

Interview with Aspiring Author Kathy Thigpen

Dyanne: Now we have an interview with an aspiring author, Kathy Thigpen. Welcome Kathy. At this point in the journey do you see your writing as a hobby or as a career you're aiming for? (There are no wrong answers here)

Kathy: Both, my immediate goal is to finish my manuscript to fulfill a pact I have with my nephew. He hands me a college degree I hand him a book. The pact didn’t specify published book so for now writing is my hobby. Long term I am aiming for a career. I see this as one of my part time retirement jobs. My retirement goals are to go back into the classroom and teach management at a HBCU and write (romance and in my academic field of management and organizational development ). By the time I retire in xx years, I’ll be a multi-published author with an agent and big name publisher that loves my work.

Dyanne: I love your goals. Let’s see how hard you’re working to make it happen. How many hours per day do you devote to your writing?

Kathy: I try to write at least one page day except on Wednesday and Fridays when I write for four to six hours. I also have a goal to do something every day to advance the cause. I count everything that relates to developing my self as a writer. Going to RWA meetings, working with my critique group, and I even include reading since now I’m a writer I read differently.

Dyanne: Very good Kathy. Are you actively doing things to take you to the next level? Ex: doing this interview, going to conferences, honing your skills, submitting your work, learning the industry?

Kathy: First doing this interview, is a big step in claiming my identity as a writer, thank you for the opportunity. I’m the assistant news letter editor for my RWA chapter and I write a column called “Letters to My Unpublished Self”. It’s a public diary that chronicles what I’m feeling and learning on this journey. For my educational goals I plan to take a grammar seminar this year, to brush up on my comma usage. I am also preparing to begin submitting my work in June. And thanks to my participation in contest I have a query letter and synopsis!

Dyanne: I really like the idea of Letters to My Unpublished Self. Kathy, let’s say that I can do just that. I have the power to grant you one wish what do you wish for?

Kathy: Besides the cash? I just need 1 million dollars once. But since you are my literary fairy Godmother, please tap my work-in-progress with your magic wand and make it complete and publishable.

Dyanne: Well now, there are many things your literary fairy can do including tapping your work and making it complete. But I don’t think that would be in your best interest so I won’t. The best part of your fulfilling your goal is the hard work that goes into it. So you will have to do all of the writing. That’s what you are. A WRITER. Do you have a website?

Kathy: I don’t have a website but I do have a blog. http:/signifysoftly.wordpress.comThe blog is primarily for another project of mine but the topic is related to my platform. My blog is dedicated to celebrating the softer side of sisterhood and embracing the power of acting like a lady. In my opinion Steve Harvey is 98% right, he should have titled his book Act like a Lady, Out Think Any Man.

Dyanne: Thanks Kathy. I wish you all the best in your writing. It looks like you’re heading in the right direction. Persevere.

Well RSJ family, we’re still looking for readers to talk. Contact me. Let’s Talk. Until next month I wish all of you the best. Happy Mother's Day.

Dyanne

Interview with Author Leslie Esdaile Banks (AKA L.A. Banks)

Dyanne:

Hello family it’s that’s time again. I do hope you’ve been enjoying the newsletters and our attempts to keep you informed. This month the interviews are with authors Leslie Esdaile Banks AKA L.A. Banks and Michelle Cameron.

L.A.: You may or may not be aware that I write under several names--so many that sometimes the aliases get crazy and confusing (smile.) So, bear with me while I take a moment to introduce my full writing portfolio to you, given that I write various genres under multiple pseudonyms using the names: L.A. Banks, Leslie Esdaile Banks, Leslie E. Banks, Leslie Banks and Leslie Esdaile, simultaneously with five major publishers: St. Martin's Press (NYC), Simon and Schuster (NYC), Kensington Publishing (NYC), BET/Arabesque (NYC), and Genesis Press (MS.). Crazy, isn't it?

Dyanne: Generally I ask the authors to take a couple of lines to tell us about themselves. I’m glad Leslie was able to crunch it down for me. ( smile)

So, Leslie, tell us what's the craziest thing you've ever had to happen in your career.

L.A. My career itself, LOL! I "fell" into this... girlfriends mailed off my first manuscript, dragged me to a writer's conference, and I literally stumbled into a meeting with who would become my first editor at Kensington/Arabesque back then. Talk about the accidental tourist, sheesh!

Dyanne: You do know you have a ton of people wanting to become an accidental tourist, me included. Share your most selfish decadent wish (G-rated)

L.A.:( G-rated burns all my wishes to a quick, BIG GRIN... but a movie deal, TV series, working full time as a screenplay writer with a Harry Potter (or Lord of the Rings) budget on all my films with the best directors and producers... nice to dream!

Dyanne: I’m pretty sure your wishes are going to come true. Carlos belongs on the big screen. With everything you have going on what's on your plate for the rest of 09?

L.A.: Too much, ha ha ha! Let's see... The Thirteenth--which is the 12th and final installment of The Vampire Huntress Legends series, came out in Feb; Undead on Arrival, werewolf book #3, comes out this April, I just turned in werewolf book #4, Cursed to Death--a fall release... and I'm working on a manga script and graphic novel script for The Vampire Huntress Legends series, as well as a young adult follow on to that series which will deal with the next generation. i am also working on a couple of anthology contributions that should be out this year.

Dyanne: What are you up to now that The Vampire Huntress series is over, and tell us a little about the two contest you had recently.

L.A: I'm still working on vampires, just in different media (graphic novels and manga scripts), as well as YA... werewolves have become my newest passion--blended with the Fae (Seelie and Unseelie stuff)... and recently we had a contest to give away an actual replica of my heroine's sword from the Vampire Huntress Legends series. It was a life-sized, anvil forged, six thousand dollar, jewel crusted model of The Madame Isis blade that heroine Damali Richards uses in the series. This was donated by The Devil's Candy Store and created by Hollywood swordsmith, Tony Swatton, to be given away as an essay contest prize to commemorate the formal end of the series. If you haven't seen it, check it out on the blog--it is GORGEOUS!

Dyanne: Leslie, I for one am thrilled that you’re still going to be working on vampires. By the way I saw the sword and I’m still salivating. I know you barely have time to breathe, so thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Last thing: How do you want to be contacted by readers?

L.A.: They can hit my contact pages at http://www.vampirehuntress.com/ or http://www.leslieesdailebanks.com/ or http://www.crimsonmoonnovels.com/

Interview with Author Michele Cameron

Dyanne: Hello Michele, Thank you for doing the interview. Can you tell the RSJ family a little about yourself please?

Michele: I'm Michele Cameron, a high school English teacher in Orlando Florida. I am the author of the novel Never Say Never released January 2, 2008 and the family sequel titled Moments of Clarity... released October 7, 2008. My third novel titled When Lightning Strikes! will be released August 2009 and the fourth Unclear and Present Danger, an interracial novel will be released February 2010. I was named the New Face among authors January 2008 by Romance In Color and was featured on the cover of Affaire de Coeur for the September/October issue of 2008.

Dyanne: Michele, what's the craziest thing you've ever had to happen in your career?

Michele: My ex-loser boyfriend asked me if in my novel the fine, good looking, wealthy, male lead was patterned after him.

Dyanne: I’m guessing your male lead wasn’t patterned after him. How about sharing your most selfish decadent wish (G-rated)

Michele: I would like to eat anything I want, anytime I want, and remain healthy and have an hour glass shape.

Dyanne: LOL. I think most of us have the same wish. What's on your plate for 09?

Michele: My third novel titled, When Lightning Strikes! will be released August 2009 through Genesis- Press, Inc. I will be attending the Romantic Times Conference in Orlando, Florida in April 2009 and also the RWA conference in July, 2009 in D.C.

Dyanne: Congratulations and I wish you continued success. Last question: How do you want to be contacted by readers?

Michele: My website is http://www.michelecameronblog.com/

Reader Interview with Louise Brown

It's time for our Reader Interview, the one no author or aspiring author can ever live without. This month our interview is with Louise Brown. Louise was with us last year at the Chicago RSJ and plans to attend the cruise.

Dyanne: Hello Louise. Thank you for being a big part of this and for participating in the blog.
First tell me briefly a little about you, age, and marital status if you want. Job, where you live.

Louise: My name is Louise Brown and I live in Stone Mountain (Atlanta, Ga). I am married and we have 2 daughter ages 27 & 21.

Dyanne:What kind of romance stories are you most interested in?

Louise: I’m most interest in AA romance but I began reading Erotic Romance. It’s now a strong second.

Dyanne: Louise, why are you a romance reader?

Louise: Reading Romance novels is a way for me to relax when I have had a hard day at work, and it also let me live through the characters.

Dyanne: Since you’ve been to RSJ, What’s your opinion?

Louise: Yes, I attended my first RSJ last year and had the best time. I would recommend it to anybody who loves to read or write.

Dyanne: Louise, if you could go to an event that featured dozens of your favorite romance authors at an affordable price even if you can't go soon would you like to?

Louise: Yes, without a doubt.

Dyanne: Are you a reader of only paper books or do you read ebooks as well

Louise: I prefer paper or hardback book, but I will buy ebook.

Dyanne: Thank you again, Louise. Take care and see you in 2010

Interview with Aspiring Author Karen Dakuginow

Dyanne: Now we have our aspiring writer Karen Dakuginow. Forgive me people if I’m beginning to sound redundant, but I’m sure you want to know the same things about each of our interviewees. It’s what gives us a sense of the person. With that in mind, Karen, tell us about yourself.

Karen: My name is Karen L. Dakuginow The L is for Leslie. I just turned 60 Jan 1.
Marital status: pending. Job: I work with children mostly k-5 although I have
worked with older students including college age. I live in Henderson Nevada, which is about fifteen minutes away from Las Vegas. However the two cities are like night and day.
As an aspiring writer, I see myself as more than just Karen. I see myself as the pseudonym I chose to write under. I took my brother in law's first name Naran, with his permission. The last name I've changed a few times and am still looking for just the right fit. So as Naran, I take on a cynical, sometimes out right brutal, angry, unforgiving personality; yet on the upside an extraordinarily vulnerable side comes into play as the equalizing stabilizer aspect. That may appear to give a bipolar back drop, but actually lends a disciplined vain that is shared with each character, allowing them just enough humanity to be believable. Ex.: the person you would hate to meet in a dark alley, but is capable of compassion, and gentleness and an unconditional love that spans time itself.

Of all my in laws Naran became my friend and won his way into my heart as the big brother I never had. We've always had a common connection in our personalities that allows us to better get along with each other than with anyone else. We have a safe unspoken meeting ground that allows an understanding of inner and outer beliefs that would otherwise complicate a relationship. Without realizing it, he sometimes becomes the crux of my heroes that I eventually have to tone down, lambasting their cynical humor to behave themselves.

Dyanne: Karen when were you first bitten by the writing bug?

Karen: Probably about twelve years old when I wrote my first love letter. It gave me theopportunity to use my imagination while creating images of my feelings in ways I hadn't before.

Dyanne: At this point in the journey do you see your writing as a hobby or as a career you're aiming for? (There are no wrong answers here)

Karen: I see it as neither. It's always been a part of me both as a hobby and a way to save my sanity. Saving my sanity is a career in itself. Sharing it with outsiders is still up for grabs. I adapt my stories around my friends and family members and enjoy their reaction when they're able to identify with my characters. The idea of actually publishing scares me, because of the inevitable rejection that comes with it. I've had so much rejection in my life, I don't know if I could handle it on the regular basis that comes while dealing with total strangers. Up until now, whenever I'm rejected for my accomplishment in life, I've learned to simply walk away without looking back, thinking it's their loss.

Dyanne: How many hours per day do you devote to your writing?

Karen: Here lately, hardly any. I think I have what is known as writer's cramp, but in this case I think it's a good thing. I'm observing closely what's going on around me in preparation for future stories. Before I would sometimes go six or seven hours a pop without a break if the story flowed. Normally, I would try to keep it down to a max of two hours, then go back and edit in the days following.

Dyanne: Karen, are you actively doing things to take you to the next level. Ex: doing this interview, going to conferences, honing your skills, submitting your work, learning the industry?

Karen: I did for awhile, but got frustrated at all the leg work involved. However I am now peaking in that direction again and have been lucky enough to hit pay dirt when discovering Dyanne, the first author who actually took the time to write back and say, "Welcome to my world. Come on in and sit a spell. There's a treasure of sights, sounds and aromas in here, I bet you didn't know existed, did you?" Well, not those exact words, but she did give me the confidence that is lending me the exuberance needed to climb toward that next step.

Dyanne: Okay, Karen, your check is in the mail. That leads into my wish to grant wishes. ( LOL) Let’s say that I can do just that. I have the power to grant you one wish what do you wish for?

Karen: To help point me in the right direction of possibly getting published, if it's in the cards. However, if it never happens to remain accessible to people like me who will be allowed to walk around in a make believe/ real world . . . which is called making wishes come true by simply being there.

Dyanne: Karen, thank you for entertaining us. I’m sure we’re all going to be hearing much more from you in the future.

Now, family was that hard? Come on, write me, tell me lies and let me put them in the newsletter. Share your thoughts on RSJ, on the weather, whatever. Just write and we’ll figure it out late.

Dyanne

Interveiw with Natalie Dunbar

Dyanne: Natalie, tell us about you:

Natalie: I'm a multipublished author who writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. I've loved writing most of my life and have been published since 2000. My work has been published by Silhouette Books, BET Books, Parker Publishing, and Genesis Press. My current effort is "The Wolf That Wasn't" in the Vegas Bites Three of A Kind anthology published by Parker Publishing.

Dyanne: What's the craziest thing you've ever had to happen in your career?

Natalie: I guess what's considered crazy is a matter of opinion. The craziest things I've had happen are things like being mistaken for bookstore staff and being asked for directions to the bathroom, and showing to sign books at the big RWA booksigning for charity and discovering that my publisher did not send the books.Dyanne: Nat, how about sharing your most selfish decadent wish (G-rated):

Natalie: World Peace? And an end to the current recession? If I have to focus on just me, I'd like to write for NAL.

Dyanne: Then I’d wish that for you also because I have the same wish. LOL. What's on your plate for 09?

Natalie: For 2009 I have a novella coming out from Parker Publishing in April titled Knight A Jetski in the What White Boyz Ride anthology. In late 2009, look for Live, Love, and Laugh, an African American Romance anthology that I co-edited that features several well known authors. I even got the chance to write a science fiction story for it.

Dyanne: Thanks Natalie for agreeing to be interviewed. Now for the last question. How do you want to be contacted by readers?

Natalie: This was fun. Readers can reach me by email: Natalie@nataliedunbar.com

website: http://www.nataliedunbar.com/

Address: P.O.Box 626
Royal Oak, MI
48068

I love to hear from readers and what they think about my books.