What inspired you to
become a writer, and how did your journey begin?
My journey started with a
spark of creativity that ignited my imagination and led me to pursue writing as
a form of expression and communication. I wrote my very first book when I was
eight years old. The name of the book is Dawn and Her Mom. The
book was about Dawn, going to a local grocery store with her mom, seeing a
shoplifter, and devising a plan to stop the shoplifter in his tracks. Dawn
foiled the shoplifter, he was arrested, and she was rewarded for her heroic
act. I look back and have always had an eye for social justice and helping to
make the world a better place. My second book, It's Time to Shine:
A Guide for Professionals On How to Advance In Their Careers, was
published in August and designed to inspire readers to achieve self-fulfillment
in their lives and careers. My third book, Preparing for a Career
in the Legal Profession: For High School and College Students Interested in
Becoming Lawyers, was recently published and designed to encourage
middle school, high school, and college students to pursue the field of law. I
have a passion for empowering readers.
Can you describe your
daily writing routine? How do you structure your writing day?
My daily writing routine
involves a three-prong approach. First, I must get to a quiet place to collect
my thoughts. Second, I must outline my thoughts and concepts. The writing
process requires me to dedicate time to focus on my craft. I structure my writing
day by outlining my goals, creating a conducive environment, and immersing
myself in the creative process.
What is the most
challenging aspect of writing, and how do you overcome it?
The most challenging aspect
of writing is when I feel stuck, and the creativity needs to flow. Though it
can result in frustration, I overcome it by staying encouraged. I do this by
listening to upbeat music and daily affirmations. Sometimes, I must go outside
for a walk or go to a place where I can spark my creativity, such as seeing a
good movie. I must stay disciplined so the challenges do not overcome
me.
Which authors or
books have influenced your writing the most, and in what ways?
Authors like Maya Angelou,
Toni Morrison, and Isabel Wilkerson have influenced my writing through powerful
storytelling and profound insights. Their work has inspired me to delve deep
into identity, resilience, and social justice themes.
How do you approach
creating characters, and what makes them resonate with readers?
Creating characters involves
delving into their backgrounds, motivations, and emotions to make them
relatable and authentic. Crafting complex characters with depth and growth
resonates with readers and evokes empathy and connection.
Are there recurring
themes or messages in your books? What are you hoping readers take away from
your work?
Themes of empowerment,
resilience, and self-discovery are recurring in my books. I hope readers take
away a sense of inspiration, courage, and hope from my stories, finding
strength in the characters' journeys and messages of empowerment.
What advice would you
give to aspiring writers who look up to you?
I advise aspiring writers to
stay true to their authentic selves, embrace vulnerability, and hone their
craft through practice and perseverance. Trust their instincts, seek feedback
from trusted friends and advisors, and never stop learning and growing as
writers.
How do you handle
feedback and criticism of your work?
Feedback and criticism are
critical tools for growth, improvement, and advancement. I approach them with
an open mind, learning from constructive feedback and using criticism as an
opportunity to refine my writing and storytelling skills.
Can you share an
example of a significant change you made to a book based on feedback or during
revisions?
An important change I made to
a book based on feedback was adding a chapter to my book that was not
originally there. I shared a draft of my book, It's Time to
Shine, with a friend. She told me the book sounded too
pollyannish and recommended that I add a chapter on overcoming setbacks and
disappointments. The revision helped to complete the book and the story. That
added chapter is the one I received the most feedback about, as it is very
helpful to the reader.
Are you currently
working on any new projects? Can you share something about what's coming next?
I am passionate about helping
the next generation. I have written a pre-law guide for the students and next,
plan to create pre-law workbooks that children in elementary, middle and high
school can utilize to help them be inspired to become lawyers.
What are you
currently reading, and how do you choose the books you read?
I prefer books based on
diverse genres, authors, and themes that challenge and inspire me. I am reading
Sheila Johnson's book Walk Through Fire, a unique
story about an African American female billionaire who overcame roadblocks,
setbacks, and challenges in her personal and professional career. It's an
incredible journey of how she amassed success as a WNBA team and hotel chain
owner through resilience and perseverance.
How do you want to be
remembered as an author? What impact do you hope your books will have?
As an author, I aspire to be
remembered for my ability to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and inspire change
through storytelling. I hope my books leave a lasting impact, sparking
conversations, fostering empathy, and empowering readers to embrace their inner
strength and shine brightly in the world.
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