Jerald grew up in beautiful San Diego, CA and as it’s a tourist destination, he decided to attend San Diego State University where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering and a minor in Religious Studies. He not only enjoys constructing bridges and structures, but ourselves internally and externally as well. The search for his dreams, the grit and wit of his life contributed to his resilient curiosity about change, the human mind, and our life path. He has studied hundreds of interviews, debates, documentaries, anime, and read countless articles, blogs, books, and anything relevant in which would equip him with invaluable knowledge pertaining to life. His zodiac sign is a cusp of a Cancer and a Leo and he is of house Gryffindor and Stark for all you Harry Potter and Game of Thrones lovers out there.
Stuff He Loves: Basketball, Connect Four, Eating, Music, Ping Pong, Relaxing, Sleeping, Working Out and Working Hard.
Instagram: Jalbritton52 Email: Jalbook52 at gmail dot com
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I have a Civil Engineering degree and a minor in Religious Studies
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
By believing in myself and that whatever occurs in my life I am strong enough to endure.
What scares you the most?
Losing myself to power and corruption
What makes you happiest?
Inspiring, motivating and helping others.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
No, I actually despised writing boring essays in high school and college.
What writing are you most proud of?
My new book, The Obscured Journey Rise from the Fog of Uncertainty
Get the book on Amazon
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
Persevering through my hardships
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
That I was a kind joyous uplifting individual and that I impacted the lives of many.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in San Diego, CA but I currently reside in San Francisco, CA
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Marketing as its easy to publish but difficult to get your book noticed.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
No, I give my book out for free all the time. If your scared too give out your book then you will suffer from anxiety. Have faith that some will love your work and that less will not like it.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
Very supportive. I am lucky to have them in my circle.
What else do you do, other than write?
Basketball, Ping Pong, Relax, Eat, Gym, watch documentaries, tv shows, movies, party. I’m a simply guy and I do what makes my heart content whether that be out adventuring or chilling doing absolutely nothing.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
Bridge Engineer and Civil Engineer
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
Psychology or Philosophy
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
San Diego as there is no place like home.
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
6 hours
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
Well success to me is just getting my book recognized. I don’t have to sell a million copies but if it gets some recognition and changes people lives then that would be a successful writing career for me. No reason to have 50 books if only 2 of them are actually helping others.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
Very vital as there are so many books nowadays and without the right marketing schedule, your book may only be seen by friends and family
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
My new book is about your path in life, that next chapter and being able to comprehend who you are as an individual. I wrote it because millennials like me are walking around so confused and loss. Even the older generation is confused as they don’t know what’s after retirement or if this is what the rest of my life may look like.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
Tupac, Jesus, Trayvon Martin, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Abraham Lincoln, & Theodore Roosevelt
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
By laying in bed watching tv or a great movie.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I hope that people can realize more about themselves internally and that they should only worry about things they can control. As words can deeper than any blade, I hope that my reader feels enlightenment, sadness, anger, and euphoria.
Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read?
Watch the interview live here – set reminder to get the notification and subscribe to our Channel for more useful videos
Tuesdays: Your Next Page-Turner
17th December 8PM CST
Guest: Lissa Oliver, the Chairperson of the Irish Writers Union and the Director of the Irish Writers Centre.
Join us to connect with Lissa Oliver to talk about taking writing journeys to the next professional level and weaving stories that are realistic and relatable.
About Lissa, in her own words:
I am a bestselling author of the No.1 Kindle topper Chantilly Dawns, and a freelance horseracing journalist, broadcaster (TV & radio) and researcher, based in Kildare. I am current editor of RACING CERTAINTY and also write features for THE IRISH FIELD, EBN, EUROPEAN TRAINER, INTERNATIONAL THOROUGHBRED and OWNER & BREEDER, and I am the European correspondent for Australian magazine RACETRACK and Hong Kong monthly BLACK TYPE. I also contribute to THE IRISH RACING YEARBOOK and have contributed to my favourite, PARIS-TURF.
I have been nominated for the prestigious Clive Graham Writer of the Year Trophy at The Derby Awards every year since 2008 and in 2010 secured a Special Commendation. I have twice been a finalist, losing to Alastair Down in 2012 and Chris McGrath in 2013.
SAINTE BASTIEN is my most recent novel and is available from the same publisher following a wonderful ‘living’ launch at the Newmarket stables of trainer Ilka Gansera-Leveque. Set in the racing yard of the title, Lambourn trainer Nick Marchant fears he has raised a menacingly amoral son, but does he protect the family name or his members of staff now at risk?
My short stories have been broadcast on radio and included in several anthologies, while my non-fiction reference works include a history of Kilmead and various thoroughbred breeding booklets for the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, of which I am a member.
I take an active interest in the promotion of writers and literature and I am currently on the Board of Directors of the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency; Co-Chairperson of the Irish Writers’ Union; a Professional Member and Mentor at the Irish Writers’ Centre; and a member of the UK’s Horserace Writers And Photographers’ Association. I am also a registered ETB tutor and have facilitated writing courses for a number of years.
Clarence Barbee has been writing and performing poetry for over a decade. He has produced 9 spoken word albums, under the pseudonyms Nabraska and Poet402. Clarence is now working on self-publishing books of essays and short stories. In his professional life he has worked with, educated, and supported many children. Clarence believes in keeping an eye on political planes and social occurrences such as changes in world leadership, and social inequalities. These actions of men are a huge curiosity to the author; he believes in writing about them, and discussing them, so solutions can be made. Clarence has taken these experiences and written about them extensively. He asks, who doesn t want to be happy, then goes about the business of finding the answer. Please take some time to join him on this journey as they are set through words, sometimes with music, and always taken with a grain of salt.
Where are you from?
I am originally from Omaha Nebraska. I went to school in Atlanta Georgia, so that’s become like a second home. Currently I am a resident of Aurora, Colorado, just outside of Denver.
Why do you write?
I write for many reasons. I think one of the biggest is to use my voice. We all have a message, or at least we should. Writing happens to be the vehicle I use to get out my message, and use my voice. I think the other reason would be that it’s cathartic. Writing is emotional; coming up with characters, dealing with stuff at work you pen a poem about, writing about the birth of a child, it’s emotional, and cathartic.
What do you write about?
I write what I know, and I know urban fiction, essays, short stories and poetry. This work is purely poetry and focuses on four themes. In the past I have written short stories about urban characters, in urban settings, one such being about youth in a treatment facility.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Some of my obstacles are time. I’m a father of two, (who were under two when I started this book), and I work two jobs. So time is always a factor. I also think inspiration, or the ability to put something down in the voice that you want is an obstacle.
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
I had a reader tell me that some of my poetry was “like Hemmingway on steroids”. I’m still not sure if that’s a bad thing or good, however it was something that made me smile, chuckle and remember.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since the 8th grade. However seriously since about 2000. I was heavily involved in spoken word communities from the early 2000’s till about 2010. Now I’m focusing more on publishing my writing.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
I first realized I wanted to be a writer in 8th grade. The feeling became stronger in highschool. The feelings became stronger after college. But it has only become to feel real once I began publishing work.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
My work schedule and writing schedule collide and steal from each other like siblings sharing a bedroom. I’ve worked two jobs for the last 3 years, and have been trying to write for the last three years. So I’ve learned how to write at work. It’s not always the best method, but many times I’m able to get some lines out, then hash them out at the end of the night just before bed, then come back to them on my weekends/time off
How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)
You know, each book takes different times to produce. With my first work, Chicken Soup, and A Shot of Jack, I believe it took me about 3 months. But I was very focused, and made a schedule, and I got outside the house and went to a coffee-house to write, and I only had one job at that point. My second work Crossroads Decisions and Consequences was a bit different. Some of the short stories had been written, other short stories had to be worked out. I also had a publisher who was pushing me to finish the book. So I believe this took me a bit longer, maybe about 6 months. This last book has taken me roughly 5 months to finish.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
To become a better writer, you must continue to write through the b.s. that will come through your pen. As writers at some point we all write crap–pure unadulterated , not a doubt about it–crap. And we have to be ok with that. We have to say, I wrote that, it wasn’t great, but that was then, this is now, and what’s here before you now, is great. No one can tell you that you’re a better writer, you will know this from time, and things you have written in the past. If you’re not continually writing, then you’re not growing–we grow and get better.
What do you think makes a good poem?
I think a good poem is honest and slightly murky when written, but clear as Windex when spoken. So let me clarify. I think when you read a great poem, there are metaphors or similes that leave you thinking “did the writer mean this…or maybe that…or maybe….” The structure of the poem lend a lot to that–so that bit of mystery I think, is a key to writing a good piece. However spoken word poetry is different because the delivery is part of the poem. And one must be clear in that your listener is there in front of you. If you’re not clear, they will look confused, and it’s a very immediate response that may or may not throw off your performance–does that make sense?
What does your family think of your writing?
When my parents were alive, they liked the fact that I wrote, but didn’t see it being stable enough to be a “career” Now that they are both passed, a piece of my soul is kinda free to be me. As far as my wife and kids…it’s weird. The kids are two and 11 months, so they’re not really reading. And since I don’t do kids books, they don’t hear Dada’s stuff, and Dada doesn’t share stuff right now. The last poem in the book is a dedication to my wife, and it was such a last minute add-on. I initially texted to her for “approval”, but she never responded. And I haven’t shared the manuscript with her. So maybe she’ll read it, and maybe she won’t. Let’s just say she might support me, but she’s not my biggest fan 🙂
Do you see writing as a career?
I do see it as a career. However, because I seem to work better as an indie author, writing is only part of it. Its the editing, and promoting, and typesetting, and getting the cover design done. It’s being independent, which means working harder, but it being damn worth it!
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I share my work. I may think that an idea sucks or that a poem is shaky, and I’m nervous/scared about it. So I’ll go to an open mic and workshop it. Sometimes I’ll give the audience fair warning, sometimes not. But I can not afford to be scared, or fearful. I do doubt myself, but I refuse to allow that to stop me from my dreams. So yeah, you can tell me no, but the strong part of me will keep on truckin’.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
I’d like to thank my family. They gave me experiences for writing this book. I’d also like to acknowledge the State of Colorado where I work, they also gave me experience for the book
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
This book has really been about 10 years in the making. In 2013 I published two chapbooks, e-book, on lulu. They were Shattered and On The Brink. 2013 was a difficult time for me personally. Both my parents had recently passed, I made some difficult life choices, I was mad with my sister. And I had just recently finished a stint with being homeless. So I published these two e-chapbooks with a lot of poetry from 2008, because I hadn’t done a lot of writing in 2012/2013. And last year, early this year, I looked at those chapbooks and was like, those books were/are crap! I was mad at myself after reading them. And then I looked some more, and some weren’t so bad, but still overall–crap! I wanted to do something about it. And it’s like I said earlier, there must be growth to be a good writer. So I wanted to prove to myself that I could do better. I also wanted to chronicle my “writing life” better. I wanted to chronicle the fact that this is the first work of me as a writer, and as a father, and husband.
So Fire Molten & Ash is about all that. Sometimes you have to go through the fire, with some parts coming out as ash and fly in the wind. Fire is rebirth, becoming something anew. There are four themes of self-reflection, fatherhood, politics, and family values. These were also big themes in the previous two chapbooks. Fire Molten & Ash is the death of a former life (burned it), rebirth (reborn of Fire), and seeing what the growth is.
What else do you do, other than write?
My first job is working with mentally ill patients. My second job is teaching high school students. I also love to cook really great salmon, and play saxophone really badly–lol
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I want people to challenge themselves. I want people to look in the mirror and say, I’m ok, but I can be better. I think many of my poems speak to that. This is not all “feel good poetry”–this is “honest, get off your ass and do better poetry.” I need for people to feel better about themselves whoever they may be, but more importantly challenge themselves to do better, walk through the fire and come out on the other side.
Read one his books on kindle
How do youwrite – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
This is such a funny question, and I love it. It really depends on my mood, where I’m at, and what I’m writing. When writing poety, I love paper, and a pencil. My favorite pens are the TUL pens, but not the gel one, just regular ink and fine point. I could write about TUL and ink and pens and journals or notebooks all day! But if I’m working on short stories I’m at my desktop. Sad story, the laptop I created my last two books on sadly died earlier this year. So now I’m on my imac desktop thing that I used to use for recording. Things change, we have to be ok with that. And because time is limited, I write everywhere except in the bed, the bed is for two things and two things only, and neither of those things is writing! (lol)
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
It is vital to get maximum exposure. Since the genre for the is book is poetry, I have started contacting spoken word podcast, and others because I know many book readers are used to hearing the word. I’m contacting an insane amount of bloggers because I know many people love to read really good poetry as well. And of course I’ll do some Twitter ads because that’s my social media of choice. I have to create a whole new Facebook, so I’m like beefin’ with them, and not really into FB right now. However I am on Instagram. In-fact, I created a whole new account just for this journey. Below is all the social media where I can be found. Currently my website is being updated, and may not occur till the end of December
Currently ranked world #11 on the peer-rated survey “The Giants of Backgammon” and Grandmaster 2nd class by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB), Robert Wachtel has been one of the game’s elite players for the last 40 years. A chess master, Doctor of Philosophy and an options trader, he is the author of two prior backgammon books, In the Game until the End (1993) and In the Game until the End Vol. II (2014), and more than 40 journal articles. Robert was the editor of the US Backgammon Federation’s flagship magazine, PrimeTime Backgammon, from 2011 to 2019. He is the author of The Language of Backgammon: A Player’s Dictionary, a companion volume to The Backgammon Chronicles.
Your book is called The Backgammon Chronicles, and it is the story of your adventures on the pro tour. Can you give us some background about backgammon itself and explain how you became a player?
Backgammon is a very ancient game––some forms of it have been found at archaeological digs of the civilizations of Egypt and Sumer––and perhaps the most popular board game in the world to this day. In the Middle East everyone––young, old, male, female, rich, poor––plays.
Backgammon was also well-established for centuries in Europe and America (checkerboards customarily had a backgammon board on their flip side, and feisty backgammon games in inns and taverns were always a favorite theme for European artists) but in the 1920s the Western game was revolutionized with the invention of the “doubling cube”: a feature that, as in poker, allows players to raise the stakes in a game in progress. “The cube,” as it is called, makes this already-excellent game even faster and more skillful. The only problem is that it has proved difficult for it to gain acceptance among the real backgammon masses: the traditional players of the Middle East.
I learned backgammon in my late 20s after emerging from graduate school with an advanced degree but few immediate employment prospects. I was good at it (I had been a bright prospect as a young chess player and the skill carried over); and I discovered to my delight that it allowed me the opportunity to travel, make money, and have just as much mental stimulation as in academia––and a lot more fun––matching my wits with other players.
You say in some of your promotional material that your book is unique because it fills in a gap in backgammon literature. Can you explain?
All gambling games are intriguing, especially for the majority of people who have conventional jobs. The subcultures––underworlds actually––that support that lifestyle have a similar fascination. For example: a 1930s New York City version of such a subculture is brilliantly depicted in the short stories of the journalist Damon Runyon.
Among gambling games, backgammon is one of the very best: as I state in the Preface to my book, “Its unique luck/skill structure––combined with the more recent addition of the doubling cube––generates breathtaking accidents, outrageous turnabouts, and amazing escapes.”
Yet (for various interesting reasons) the last 40 years of backgammon literature has lacked this vital element. When it first became wildly popular in the USA in the 1970s, backgammon was all about the glamor and romance of travel and risk-taking; but since then (to again quote my Preface) “a curious public has mostly been offered a Spartan diet of manuals, quiz sets, and textbooks.” The Backgammon Chronicles is the first book to recapture the sizzle that the game deserves.
I have heard people say that backgammon is a dice game and therefore is all luck. If that is true, how could anybody hope to be a professional? Just by having better luck than others? And by the way, is it true that some people are luckier than others? Please explain.
Backgammon does indeed (like life itself) have a big element of luck. A beginner can beat an expert––and it happens all the time! But it also has a very significant skill element, which means that in the long run––and most of the time in the short run as well––the expert will come out ahead. This feature gives the game an inbuilt “hustle”––for unless you are yourself a skilled player, the luck factor looks as if it is all that matters!
And to answer the second question: yes, of course some people are luckier than others. How could it be otherwise? But that doesn’t mean that luck is something they own, like a designer gown.
You also describe backgammon as a “sport.” Is this really fair? Should people who play games be given the same respect as real athletes?
I think so. Mental competition requires no less dedication, training and talent than its physical counterpart, and produces dramatic episodes that spectators experience with as much joy and excitement as well. Nor are mind sports (though this has only been appreciated recently) purely cerebral; to excel at them for any extended time, a competitor must attend to his or her physical condition with care and discipline, striving to maintain the premium shape which they will require, just like a physical athlete, to be able to execute.
Can a non-backgammon player enjoy your book?
Yes, because it is primarily a memoir, a travelogue, and a storybook. Most of the stories and essays, it is true, incorporate backgammon positions and analysis, but you can understand them perfectly well without the nuances. And the book features hundreds of photos—so if you like, you can just look at the pictures!
Can you tell us about the dictionary of backgammon that you will be publishing this month to accompany your book?
Sure. I would like Chronicles to reach a wider audience than the few thousand hard-core backgammon players who attend major tournaments and who have studied the game for thousands of hours. But when I was writing the book I began to realize that an outsider might find some of the terminology that is second nature to me confusing or even intimidating. So I decided that Chronicles should include a glossary. But once I’d started on that, I couldn’t see the point of not taking the next step and creating a proper dictionary for the game. In the dictionary, called The Language of Backgammon, I’ve tried to strike a balance between the new and the old by clearly defining the statistical ideas that have enabled contemporary players to analyze the game with unprecedented depth and accuracy, while retaining a lot of the slang that that links backgammon to its naughty gambling origins.
Dan Bar was born and raised in Jerusalem. Creativity was an essential part of Dan’s life early on, with music being the focus during teens and young adulthood and writing thereafter. After serving in the military and phase I of higher education, Dan Bar moved to the US. Dan Bar has co-written the film “Falling Star” (AKA “Goyband”), a romantic comedy, featuring Adam Pascal and Natasha Lyonne and “Brooklyn, All American,” a coming-of-age sports tale. The Thirty-Six Watchers is Dan’s first novel.
Describe yourself in five words
Creative, musical, individual, humorist, foodie
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
When I sit down to play the piano
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
With positivity, friends and family,
What scares you the most?
Death
What makes you happiest?
Life
Why do you write?
I have a vivid imagination, I keep coming up with stories
What writing are you most proud of? .
The 36 Watchers
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
The bonds with my friends and with my students.
What books did you love growing up?
LOTR, With fire and sward, To kill a mockingbird, Catch 22, Tai Pan, The name of the rose
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
That I enriched people’s lives
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
Jerusalem and New York, the two most exciting cities in the world
How did you develop your writing?
By reading, writing times infinity.
What else do you do, other than write?
I teach music, write and record
What other jobs have you had in your life?
Military, moving, business consultant
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
History
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Right here in New York City
Tell us about your family?
My parents and older brother live in Israel, My sister lives in New Zealand,
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
Lap top, desk
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
In a perfect world, sell enough books so everything else I do is because I want to, not have to.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
It has been in the works for a long time, I had to wait until the beginning came to me, one night on a balcony, overlooking the beach in Tel Aviv, Israel.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
Play my piano, good book or movie, drive around with the top down.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I hope for people to take interest in the 36 Watchers universe and find themselves in it.
About The 36 Watchers: “It is said that at all times, there are 36 special people in the world, and that were it not for them, all of them, if even one of them was missing, the world would come to an end.”
We’re going live on Facebook to interview author Carlos Murray who will be sharing his experiences on film-making, imprisonment and his writing journey. Do catch us live at 8PM CST 12 November 2019. Here’s where you can watch us live on screen https://www.facebook.com/InternationalBookPromotion/videos/545583059559853/
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About the Author:
Born in Gary, Indiana, May 13, 1973, Carlos Alexander Murray definitely became a product of his environment. Plagued with the ghost of three’s, Carlos has survived the passing of 3 siblings; an older brother, Torriano ‘MC Scoop’, and 2 younger sisters, Lakeesha and Cashmere. Being a native of these venomous streets of the Murder Capital, he spent his teenage years heavily engaging in going to church, selling drugs, pimping, and playing basketball.
Being a member of Roosevelt High School’s 1991 State-Championship, basketball team, a scholarship is what saves this young man’s life. Graduating from Central College in McPherson, Kansas, Carlos finishes his 3rd year attending Elmhurst College in Illinois.
Taking a turn of greatness or some may say a fall from success, Carlos A. Murray starts various businesses, along with his own record label which was first established by his older, deceased brother. As the music scene begins to take off, Carlos also stumbles on the set of the Big Screen which welcomes him into an acting career. Making his debut, Carlos co-stars in the motion picture ORIGINAL GANGSTERS which was filmed in Gary/East Chicago. He then began taking acting lessons at Act-One Studios located downtown Chicago while also modeling for BODY & BODY Swimwear.
Caught by a snag of the Federal Government, Mr. Murray’s life is put on pause with a 5 year sentence of incarceration. Here, he takes a stand to carve his future and set his own destiny. Here, he spends the majority of his hours writing. These writings thus became the voice and source of relaxation by all eager to read his creative thoughts. “My writings helped me get through it all as most had abandoned me…”
Now faced with a new start of life after being attracted to film and entertainment, Mr. Murray transfers his own visions into creative sparks of literature in which he currently has over 20 works-of-art completed ranging from Urban, Sci-fi, to Drama and Action. Carlos welcomes all to enter into his World of Imagination. Mr. Carlos Alexander Murray divides his time between Illiana (THE MIDWEST) and Atlanta, GA.
Describe yourself in five words: spirited, merry, hardworking, easy going
What
fact about yourself would really surprise people? That
I write books now completely different from what I was doing career wise.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear? I confront my fear head on and surrounded myself with people who are positive who will not feed my fear.
What scares you the most? Getting old without publishing all the books I carry and those I have written.
What makes you happiest? Apart from writing it would be goofing around with my children
Why do you write? Creative writing has always fascinated me since I was child
Have you always enjoyed writing? Yes
What motivates you to write? Experiences and a wild imagination.
What writing are you most proud of?Celestial City Travellers I published it when I was facing some serious health challenges.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?My children
What books did you love growing up? Enid
Blyton especially Magic of the Faraway tree
What do you hope your obituary will say about
you? Here lies one of the
greatest children’s book author whose writing impacted a generation
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live? I grew up in Bulawayo before we moved to Harare Zimbabwe
How did you develop your writing?I was writing for my oldest son so he had something more challenging to read and supplement what he was bringing home from the school library.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? marketing
What marketing works for you? Email marketing, facebook ,amazon ads
Do you find it hard to share your work? no
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? Very supportive couldn’t have done it without them. Have always written but was too lazy to publish and they encouraged me to get published.
What else do you do, other than write? Run
a gaming cafe so I am always surrounded by children
What other jobs have you had in your life? Accounting by profession
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick? Child psychology
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? It would still be Zimbabwe
Tell us about your family? Am a mother of four. Have two boys and two girls the oldest now 18 years and the one I started writing books for.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in
bed, at a desk? I
am faster with pen and paper
How much sleep do you need to be your best? Four hours of uninterrupted sleep
Is
there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? Debra,
Heather, Jason, Mrs Collins and Brian
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? Getting a couple of book awards and getting sales even after you are gone.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign? I got a launch team of children who will spread the word to their peers. They are more well versed with social media. Plan on doing some school visits to have the book in school libraries.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it? Realm of Uncertainty is a follow up to Celestial City Travellers. Its a story of friendship, loyalty and overcoming one’s fears. I wrote it to show children sometimes struggle to find true friendships and they have fears they have to deal with on a daily basis that adults can be unaware of.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? Enid Blyton
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? Gaming, reading children’s books or watching movies
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel? That they are entertained, refreshed and look forward to see the book turned into a movie.
Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read?
Author L. A. Davis earned her Doctorate of Education Degree with an Emphasis in Organizational Leadership and Development in 2018. She focused her dissertation topic on the Blind or Visually Impaired and their perception of gaining employment. She was born on the island of St. Thomas USVI but resides in the United States. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Where are you from? I was born in St. Thomas USVI. I lived in the historic area of Savan.
Describe yourself in five words – Compassionate, No nonsense, Intelligent, Tenacious, and Introvert.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?I face it and do it afraid.
What scares you the most? We all have things that scare us. I don’t like putting my fears out into the atmosphere but If I had to pick one thing, it would have to be being a vagabond.
What makes you happiest? Being around my children.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?Earning my Doctorate degree.
What is hardest – getting published, writing, or marketing? Getting
publish would be the hardest if I was looking for a traditional publisher. Since
I self-publish, it has to be marketing barnone.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? My family members are very supportive and so are many of my friends. I’ve learned that no matter how many people support you, there will always be that one person who is secretly wishing you to fail.
What does your family think of your writing? I’m not sure, I have to ask them.
Whydo you write? Writing has become my hobby.
Whatdo you write about? I write about anything that pops into my head and nags me until I write it. That is a frustrating thing. I have a coloring book and fiction nagging me right now. I have no idea how I will develop them yet.
Do you have a specific writing style? No, but so far all of my stories came from some aspect of my life. I’ve done nonfiction, historical fiction, romance, and after this book, poetry and a few coloring books for my grandbaby.
Whatare obstacles that come in the way of writing? Writer’s block is something I get a lot. The owner of my publishing house told me to write something else when I get writer’s block, so I wrote romance and poetry at the same time. I watched an advertisement on YouTube and the author said when you get writers block, get some paper and start writing anything that comes to your mind even if it’s junk because it’s still writing. I really love that advice because I don’t have to worry about how my writing sounds or if I have the correct punctuation. Writing like that can promote good ideas.
What’sthe most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? I had a student download my first book when I offered it for free. She emailed me to tell me how much it helped her, and she left a review. I also had someone mail me a card from Florida and told me she loved my second book. I so appreciated that kind gesture.
Howlong have you been writing? I started writing in 2015 but didn’t publish my first book until 2018.
Whendid you first realize you wanted to become a writer? Hmm, I never wanted to be a writer. I was forced to become one when I realized that I was being academically hazed. I hated my university and my chairperson. Yes, I know hate is a strong word, but I have to be honest with how I felt. I needed a way to share my journey, so I used all of that negative energy to write something positive. Once that happened, then came book numbers two, three and soon four and possibly five and six. I never intended for this to happen.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I don’t have a set schedule. I write when I have something to put on paper. Sometimes it happens when I am doing something in the house, when I’m talking to someone and they say something that catch my attention, or when I’m sleeping.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I have to get my manuscript formatted before I can finish writing my book. It never fails. Some people can write the entire transcript, then send it out for formatting and editing. I’ve not been able to do that.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?The first thing that comes to me is the title and then the cover idea. The most challenging part is trying to figure out how the story should flow. I write until I hit a wall and then I walk away for as long as I need too. When I’m ready, I go back and repeat the cycle until I feel I can’t go anymore. Then I send the book out for formatting to see how many pages the manuscript is. I can gauge if my book is long enough or I write until my story is finished. There is something about the formatting that helps me finish my stories.
Do you see writing as a career? No. Self-publishing doesn’t fill up that bank account. If I have the potential of selling my books like Michelle Obama, Stephen King, or a large publishing company want to work with me, then I would consider it a career. Outside of that, it will be a hobby.
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? First I would like to say thank you so much for loving me enough to read this interview, and thank you for purchasing my book, I hope you enjoy reading one or all of them. I hope my book gives courage to those of you who want to write but feel too scared to take that first step. Writing is hard, but it’s so much fun. When you open that box and see your book for the first time, you will want to write more.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?I love this question and I will always answer it the same. I would have a dinner party with my ancestors. Every single one of them. I want to tell them how much I love and appreciate them. I want to know where I come from and what makes me so unique. I would like to know what their experiences were, what they did, what they enjoyed, and the sacrifices they made for me to have this opportunity. I would also like to have just one day alone with all of the women so I can see if any of them are just like me. I call myself the blue M and M because I am so different. I love to do daredevil stuff also. It had to come from somewhere. I would love to meet the person to blame for it.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? I would like to thank God first and foremost. I would like to thank my family, my friends, my editor, and publishing house. I would especially like to thank my first publisher Dr. Cecilia Dennery of doctrine 101 publishing. I would like to also thank the people that buy my book for their support.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it? My next book is, When I Kiss Em, They Stay Kissed. I decided to publish it in the month of love because that is such a tough month for so many people due to Valentine’s Day. I talk about my experience with my first kiss and how it shaped me. The book is not about kissing techniques but of giving a kiss to others whether it’s your children, family member, lover, friend, spouse or a greeting and how filling your kiss with powerful intentions can leave a lastly memory. I give an idea in the back of the book as to how you should do it. The book also touches on some interesting areas that might make some people upset, feel nostalgia, make them cry, and help them have hope after heartbreak. I talked a little on how my own heartbreak helped me to accomplish my personal goals. The book touch on almost every aspect of love. When I re-read the manuscript, parts of it mad me happy, parts of it made me sad, and parts of it made me laugh. Others parts reminded me fondly of romantic situations I had in my life.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel? Well the first thing I hope is that they like my writing and that they leave good reviews. Those always help but more than that, I want people to always feel like they are in the story with me. In my first book, I take the reader on a bus ride with me, the second book I take to reader on a ride inside a hurricane and a slave ship, my third book I want the reader to get on board the love train with me, and my fourth book, I want my reader to have some café au lait with me. My books are feel-good books. We need that right now don’t we? Each book I write teaches the reader something.
Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read?
Hi, I’m Nikita Gupta! I’m a Business Executive (MBA) who became a SAHM, author, serial entrepreneur, and blogger. This multicultural lifestyle blog is dedicated to discussing interracial/intercultural dating and marriage, multicultural parenting, food recipes, and much much more! Welcome to Growing Up Gupta!
Where are you from? I grew up in the Midwest, US but now reside in the
Southeast, US.
Why do you write? I write and blog to bring awareness to
interracial/intercultural dating and marriage, multicultural parenting etc.
What do you write about? I am the creator of the
multicultural lifestyle blog, Growing Up Gupta (www.growingupgupta.com). The
blog openly and honestly discusses the joys and challenges of
interracial/intercultural dating and marriage, multicultural parenting, fusion
recipes and more.
Do you have a specific writing style? My writing style varies based upon what I’m
writing about and my audience.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? Time.
Whats the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your
work? There have been so many memorable
things said to me by my readers. Here are some of the most impactful.
“I can’t thank you for your blog. Keep doing
what you do!”
“Your blog helps us see we are not alone. “We
go to your blog everyday to read it because it is helping us navigate our
interracial relationship. “
“I have not come across any articles that
speak to the kind of relationship and marriage I am in until now.” Thank you
for your blog! I wish it was around when we were dating but it is helping so
many now and that’s what matters!”
“Your blog is helping my significant other and
I stay together and stand together.”
How long have you been writing? I have been blogging and
writing books consistently for 4 years.
When did you first realize
you wanted to become a writer? I have actually always been a writer. When I was in the 4th grade my
teacher told my parents that I need a journal because I have so much in my head
that I should be putting down on paper.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing? It is ever changing because I’m also a wife
and mom.
How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one
-published or non) It depends on the
book. My husband and I wrote two books together prior to this book and they
took about 9 months to write. Our newest book is a children’s book called I
love masala me and it took 4 months.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Read and write everyday.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your
story? With our children’s book, I love
masala me. I had to rely on my husband to make sure the Hindi was accurate
because it is a bilingual children’s book too.
What do you think makes a good story? A good story has an exciting opening, a
fantastic plot, great character development, and a meaningful ending.
What does your family think of your writing? They love it.
Do you see writing as a career? I believe writing
is a career for many.
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
Join us at growingupgupta.com. We hope you love our newest multicultural children’s picture book called I love masala me. It has been a labor of love to create a picture book for multicultural and bilingual/multilingual families. Find our book on amazon in paperback format.
It is also available for pre-order on kindle
Connect with us at www.growingupgupta.com. Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest @growingupguptas, on Twitter @growingupgupta, and on facebook @growingupguptablog
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