Yinesha is a 23 year old self published poet. She has been writing for sixteen years and plans to continue sharing her story through her poetry. She also enjoys song writing, screen writing, and fiction writing. You can follow her on Instagram @ neshasnotebook or email her at neshasnotebook at gmail.com
Describe yourself in five words
Beautiful, Determined, Positive, Creative
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I want to be a professional song writer and I love elephants
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I pray and push my way though
What scares you the most?
Giving up on myself
What makes you happiest?
Nature I love The beach, seeing the beach and being close to the water
Why do you write?
I write because it is my outlet and my only effective way to truly express my feelings
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes, I have been writing my whole life since about 7
What motivates you to write?
My feelings
What writing are you most proud of?
My poem titled Dynamite Doves.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
I am most proud of my perseverance despite the hardhsips I have endured
What books did you love growing up?
I loved any type of poetry
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
That I was a light to the world and had a positive impact on so many lives.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in Baltimore.
How did you develop your writing?
I didn’t like when my writing was developed in school and classes because I feel like it hindered my freedom and ability to express my true feelings with restricting rules and guidelines.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Marketing everything else is easy.
What marketing works for you?
I’m still figuring it out
Do you find it hard to share your work?
Yes, because I was opening up about my personal life
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
Yes, my family and friends are supportive
What else do you do, other than write?
I am a teacher
What other jobs have you had in your life?
I have worked almost every type of job possible in these 23 years
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
Music
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Mauritius
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on paper
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
It is called Heavy Heart I wrote at a time in my life when my heart was heavy and I was dealing with a lot on my plate. Poetry was the outlet I used to get through to the other side
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
Meagan Good I just love her, I always have.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I like to take trips anywhere there is a nice beach.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
David Viau grew up near Seattle, Washington, where he first began writing stories and making films on his father’s 8mm camera at the tender age of nine. After graduating from the University of Washington, he spent a twenty-year career specializing in commercial production. Passionate about stories that move people emotionally, David has written and directed numerous music videos and short films, one of which garnered him an Emmy. SHADOWS OVER STARLING is his first book inspired by the repercussions of a massive airport expansion on his childhood community. David currently lives near Seattle with his wife and two children.
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I was so bad at the trumpet in elementary school that the teacher had to create a unique position for me as a baritone player (a brass instrument more petite than a tuba), even though that particular instrument had never been used in the band. I ended up playing baritone well into high school.
I inject my self-doubts and fears into my characters to give them shape. Each character’s process of overcoming their unique obstacles informs my own personal journey.
I’m happiest when I create—writing, filmmaking, playing music—anything that produces a creative product.
Why do you write?
I write to make sense of what I can’t understand. My character’s struggles are usually my struggles, thinly veiled. In doing this, I hope to make a personal connection with my readers by crafting relatable narratives.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
It’s a love/hate relationship. When it’s going well, it’s fantastic. It can be tedious on the days I have to pull each word out of my brain.
What motivates you to write?
As I said earlier, it’s the need to make things. I have to see the fruit of my labors daily to believe I’m making some kind of difference in the world.
What writing are you most proud of?
Well, I’m proud of my debut novel, SHADOWS OVER STARLING. Other than that, I’ve just finished the first draft of my second novel, which I feel is sharper prose.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
My children. I have a teenage son and daughter who are growing into good human beings (in my opinion). I think my investments in people and relationships will last longer than words on a page.
What books did you love growing up?
DUNE by Frank Herbert, every Louis L’Amour book that I could find, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, several Robert Ludlum novels, but SHOGUN by James Clavell tops the list.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
David Viau loved greatly. He was a student of life, a pupil of creation, a child of God.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing. Tell us where you grew up and where you now live? Well, funny enough, SHADOWS OVER STARLING was inspired by an area close to my home.It all started some thirty years ago when I found myself walking through a neighborhood whose occupants had been displaced by an airport runway project. The houses, dilapidated and overtaken by weeds, had once been the dwelling place of people now long forgotten. I wondered who they were. In thinking about these individuals and families, I heard their voices and saw their children playing in the street at festive 4th of July gatherings. These images triggered a story, a fictional account, the history of the Baker family that is the foundation for my novel’s plot.
How did you develop your writing?
I feel like I’m still in my infancy as a writer. I read a lot, write a lot, absorb interviews from other writers, and take classes. So, I can’t claim I’ve fully developed. I’d put myself in the category of “aspiring” when it comes to craft.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
I think that writing is the most challenging. To shape a narrative uniquely, give it depth and breadth, and write good dialogue—the bar for literature in our time is so high that it’s tough to stand out. However, I believe that publishing will follow if the writing is exceptional and the story is captivating. Unfortunately, marketing has a lot to do with timing and what is happening in society at any given time.
What marketing works for you?
I’m kind of old-school, so television commercials still hook me from time to time. I’m also a sucker for high production quality. So, if a commercial looks like a film, I will usually watch it.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
I won’t share my work until I feel it’s ready to be published. When it’s at the point where I don’t see any mistakes, then it’s ready to be shown to “beta readers.” But at that point, I’ve read the words so many times I need a second opinion.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is generally supportive. They are supportive as long as my writing doesn’t interfere with my familial responsibilities—smile.
What else do you do, other than writing?
Sadly, writing is not my full-time occupation. My day job is as a Creative Director working on branded video content. Yes, marketing (ironically).
What other jobs have you had in your life?
Paper Boy, Lifeguard, Shuttle Driver at an airport, Illustrator, Designer, Video Editor, 3D / VFX Artist, Director of Live Action (to name a few).
If you could study any subject at university, what would you pick?
I would go for a Master’s in Creative Writing most likely. I’ve been told this degree is worthless, which would make it all the more fun. Not having to stress about converting schooling directly into a return on the investment would be pure bliss.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I have a picture of my alter-ego as a tanned, muscular Adonis-like figure, living in a place where the water is crystal-clear and the sand is white.
How do you write – laptop, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
Sometimes on a pad of paper, mainly at a desk on a laptop in a basement laundry room.
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
8 hours +. I am a firm believer in sleep being the key to a stable mind and body.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
I dedicated the book to my family. That includes my nuclear family, wife, son, and daughter for their support, as well as my extended family. It’s my mother who encouraged me to write. She was an English Lit major and is currently still a voracious reader. She is also a great editor I’ve partnered with on several projects. Her tastes are incredibly high. My goal is to write something at her reading level eventually.
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is; what does success in writing look like to you?
At the moment, I’m a self-published independent author. Many authors in that category have notable career stories that would be wonderful to emulate. Like everyone else in the world, I’m not immune to big dreams. However, the truth is that I’ve been making art all of my life and have never made money at it. With all of the content available to people these days, it’s very hard to shine. It’s the lucky few who make a living as an author of fiction. So, I write for myself as much as I do for potential readers. I enjoy the process of creation. Ultimately, I would love to write a book that people just can’t put down. That would be my idea of success.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing; tell us about your marketing campaign?
I’ve already promoted my book to the small group of social followers I’ve acquired throughout my career, and that’s given me some sales. I have also made a book trailer which has been seen and shared. I plan to spend the next year marketing and am still looking into options.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
SHADOWS OVER STARLING is a complex family saga set in the fiction town of Starling, USA. The bulk of the story takes place in 1984, where we find 17-year-old Chris Baker and his dying mother Kathryn living in a house that’s in the way of the Jones County Airport runway project. With the final eviction notice comes the return of Chris’s older brother Jake from the military. The brothers reluctantly promise their mother to let her die in the house despite the house’s demolition being only two weeks away. The plan that Chris and Jake conceive and execute stirs up a hornets’ nest of unseen forces that inevitably plot to destroy them.
As I said earlier, I imagined that the Baker family lived in the abandoned neighborhood near my childhood home. I asked myself: What if the people who lived in one of the houses decided to fight the runway project? How would they have done it? SHADOWS OVER STARLING (though highly dramatized) is one possible scenario.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
If we’re speaking in literary terms, I’d have to say John le Carré (David Cornwell), who unfortunately passed away in 2020. I believe that he was one of the greatest dramatists of our time. Though he wrote in the Espionage genre, he was Pulitzer Prize level and could capture all aspects of the human condition like no one else. In his interviews, he always struck me as a genuinely kind person.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I mentioned reading, but I also enjoy exercising, playing music (guitar and bass), and spending time with my loved ones.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I’d like to move my readers emotionally. To have them laugh at the comedic parts, cry at the sad parts, and root for the Baker boys. I hope that people find Starling as real as I do and enjoy spending time there. More than anything, I want the words to disappear so that the act of decoding them becomes effortless. That way, the story will be immersive, the experience cinematic.
Robin Brooks is a new writer, and author of the gratitude series Attitude of Gratitude: 30 Day Gratitude Journal. An educator at heart, Robin has spent the last several years researching the importance and benefits of gratitude, mindfulness, and happiness. Robin has enjoyed reading self-help books for years and began creating journals and habit trackers three years ago. Robin lives and works in her hometown of Washington, DC, and spends her free time traveling and researching. If you are interested in making gratitude a daily habit, look no further, Robin’s journals are sure to help.
Where are you from?
I am from Washington, DC.
Describe yourself in five words
I am funny, thoughtful, genuine, smart, and kind.
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
A fact about myself that would surprise people is that I am a homebody. I enjoy relaxing around the house and creating crafts or writing.
What do you write about?
I enjoy writing self-help books. Gratitude and mindfulness are my areas of interest. Both gratitude and mindfulness can have a long-lasting impact on one’s life by improving our emotional health and physical health.
Why do you write?
I am a new writer. I realized last year after losing my grandmother that I wanted to pursue my passion for writing. I’ve just begun to self-publish books beginning with gratitude journals.
How long does it take to write a book?
It takes me about a week to write a gratitude journal. I like to take time and be thoughtful about the journal content.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My interesting writing quirk is that I like to appeal to everybody. I have gratitude journals for women, men, and children.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I work through self-doubts and fear by being completely present in the moment. I do a lot of positive self-talk to combat self-doubts and fear. I’m big on speaking things into existence, so I say a mantra or set an intention for myself.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I do my best writing on my laptop at a desk.
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
I need about 6 hours to be at my best.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
I would like to thank my family and friends for their support. No matter what, they are always in my corner and rooting me on. I love them!
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
My latest book is a gratitude journal for pregnant people. I wrote this journal so pregnant people can take note of the moments that they are most thankful for during their pregnancy. A little something to help them receive a positive mindset for themselves and their baby.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I want people to take away that my journals were designed to be simple and yet thoughtful. They were designed to serve as a self-exploration tool to make you feel more thankful and build a new outlook on life. These journals are perfect for oneself or as gifts.
Have you ever wished you could run away and leave your life behind? Born on the “Day of the Wanderer,” Lisa Dailey has always been filled with wanderlust. Although she and her husband had planned to take their family on a ’round-the-world adventure, she didn’t expect their plans to come together on the heels of grief, after losing seven family members in five years. Square Up shows us that travel not only helps us understand and appreciate other cultures, but invites us to find compassion and wisdom, heal from our losses, and discover our capacity for forgiveness, as well as joy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Lisa Dailey started travelling with her family after losing 7 loved ones in only a 5-year period. She started the journey with her husband and two sons after quite a bit of contemplation, due to her grieving and anxiety. The family cover many months of travel from one country to another, some without pre-planning and with little preparation. Part of the reason they couldn’t pre-plan all of their travel is because they travel mostly via miliary air travel, as her husband is in the military. Along the way, her husband reminds her to trust “The Force” and over time, Lisa begins to trust The Force that is taking care of her and her family. She also learns to deal with the grieving better. |She learned to reassure herself that she will find her way back to herself. I like how the visit to a temple in Singapore was an eye-opener in Lisa’s life, and many other visits taught her invaluable life lessons. The family also educated their children on life as a whole, and their experience is something we all could relate to, especially when we are missing travels post Covid.
A live interview of Lisa is coming up on the 6th of Feb on Facebook. Watch out this space
When did the Human Relations Indie Book Awards begin?
The Human Relations Indie Book Awards was founded in 2016.
What is the purpose of the Human Relations Indie Book Awards?
The purpose of the Human Relations Indie Book Awards is to recognize indie authors who have written books with a human relations focus related to various interactions among people in different settings such as work, organizations, school, home, family or in personal lives.
When is the deadline for the 2022 Human Relations Indie Book Awards?
2022 Human Relations Indie Book Awards final deadline for entry is April 1st, 2022- but earlier entries are encouraged to allow more time for judging the book entries.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced in May 2022 when judging is completed.
Where can I get information about the Human Relations Indie Book Awards?
The characters set in the fitness center in this sitcom are completely hilarious and entertaining, while also reflecting the current situations like the Covid-19 and the new normal of wearing masks. This sitcom is a page turner and I find it very well-written with witty characters entertaining the readers all the way. Highly recommended if you are looking for a relaxing and enjoyable leisure read.
Why did you write the book? What was your motivation behind it?
This book is an adaptation of a screenplay we did for the first season of a sitcom. We wanted to write something edgy and clever—something where we could poke fun at current political issues in a non-obvious way. In fact, some of the issues are so well hidden that some people miss it. This is exactly what we wanted.
How do you see this book being relevant today?
The book addresses current issues in a humorous and non-offensive (to most people) way. Issues such as Qanon, claims of stolen elections, gender perplexity, conspiracies, “Karens,” and more.
Plus, the readers will encounter common themes they expect in good stories, such as love and disappointment.
Why do you think you are the right person to write this book? How do you think your qualifications or experience make this a better book?
As a social psychologist, I have a unique insight into human behavior. This helps me to write from an apolitical standpoint and poke fun where fun is deserved without political bias getting in the way. Both the extreme right and extreme left can be extremely ridiculous, and worthy of mockery.
How did you come up with the idea for the book?
Spending time at gyms since I was about 14 years old. I found myself saying quite often about fellow gym members, “they would make a great sitcom character!”
Anything else you want readers to know?
This book is also available in audiobook, where you can hear me do over 40 different character voices 🙂
As a Husband and Father of 4, I desire to bring a unique style to writing, speaking, and coaching to keep all age groups engaged and equip you with the right tools to help you achieve and sustain the life you desire to have.
As a child, I strived to be one step ahead of his peers in his mannerisms and dreams for his future life. I desired to be a servant leader everyone would look at who demonstrated the ability to make the right decisions, making others’ lives around me better.
By the age of 11, I had to become that leader in his single-parent household, which began to prepare me for life as an adult. With no strong male presence in my life, it didn’t prepare me for life with his own family. I didn’t know how to be a true man of the house, and Brick-by-Brick was simply an idea masked by misdirection and misplaced identity. There was always a motivation to be better than the family generation I had seen come before me. My environment led me to believe that money was the cure to living a whole, happy life. Except, the older I became, the more that ideology seemed to be flawed.
I have spent the past 14 years learning how to become the man I desire to be, but I never witnessed-learning how to continue being a better Father than the one I never had. Brick-by-Brick has come to life, as I share how each of us can create a solid foundation in our lives regardless of the traumatic experiences we have encountered or the environments surrounding us. Reshaping our minds, putting away the shovels and not being defined by holes they have made in our lives.
I strive to lead my family with the utmost integrity and honor and truly exemplifies the benefit of what a strong foundation can do in your life. I have taken the Brick-by-Brick mindset and impacted others’ lives as you can see the evidence, first, in my leadership at home then, in business and the community around him. When I’m not helping others change their lives, I spend my time with my family, volunteering, and excelling in my career as an Engineer.
I love to exercise, cook, and have a generous heart focused on making everyone else’s life better.
How do you see this book being relevant today?
This book was written for today! What I did was intentionally write this book for future experiences from past experiences and research I spent six years studying. I studied and made it an effort to understand how to create consistent success in our lives, and it wasnÕt until I almost lost it all that I figured out what it was that caused everything to explode. 2020 was a year that impacted everyone Ð but I donÕt think people realize how much of an awakening it was for this generation of our reliance upon everything else around us to tell us who we are as a person. ThatÕs why I start with that year Ð and push and pull the reader into their own thoughts, imagination, and experiences to bring this book to life!
Why do you think you the right person to write this book? How do you think your qualifications or experience make this a better book?
People who come from very little and still experience exponential hardships Ð donÕt usually follow similar stories as myself or end up with a passion to impact the generation that I have. The uniqueness in my situation and experiences in my life have made me the perfect person to write this book about creating sustainable habits for consistent success! ItÕs honestly what makes this book so much better than other motivational books Ð because it places you not only inside of my experience, but it walks you through the lesson the was learned and contributed into the success I have achieved both personally and professionally.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
It was the year my 5th grade teacher, challenged me the very first night of student orientation. I remember walking into the classroom and my mother was speaking with the teacher about how I need to be challenged because I struggle with maintaining focus if IÕm not challenged. Little did I know he was a Marine veteran who knew exactly how to challenge young men like myself to be better in all areas of life. That night I remember him creating a complex math equation on the board and he asked me to solve it. I had never seen this problem before, but he started walking me through the problem with just his voice and it challenged my brain to think differently. From then on it was this constant use of his language to push my brain to do things I didnÕt think it could do Ð that I learned that language you use has the power to change someoneÕs thinking! ItÕs what started the journey of me learning how to do the same and do so through my writing.
How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?
IÕve read so many motivational/self-help books in my life that I grew tired of the writer making demands on the reader that required imitation. I donÕt want TO BE like you, I just wanted to THINK like they did so I could produce those results inside of my own life. I took that philosophy and put that info my writing as the only demand I make from the reader is that they be wiling to challenge the norm of what they thought was possible and what they believe was possible for their life in the introduction! The rest of the book is me delicately demonstrating the problem with one form of thinking Ð and unearthing the solution to their life problems and challenges that exist in changing their focus. They learn how to do that for each major area of THEIR life Ð not trying to become me or imitate mine.
What kind of research did you do, and how long did you spend researching before publishing this book?
I spent 6 years crafting and designing this book. Asking every question to anyone who would offer to mentor me or give me guidance. I never rejected advice Ð I listened and tried to make it better. It wasnÕt about challenging their idea or entering into senseless debates. I was focused on their perspective because I knew they were either older and had more experience, or similar in age but had a different story to tell. I then took what I was reading and practiced it over those years to see which ones led to sustainable growth and repeatable outcomes not just one-time success.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I read ALL my book reviews! I think listening to those to paid you with their time and money Ð deserve your humility to read what they wrote about your work. ItÕs a great moment for reflection and indication if your writing produced the intended message to the intended audience! IÕve not received a bad review yet, but I believe itÕs because my book was written to get your brain to generate actions you should take for your life and not teach you how to imitate mine. If I get a negative review, IÕll treat it the same way as I do the positive ones. Ironically, people donÕt like to critique themselves as opening as they do others, but either way, IÕll learn from it and continue to get better! TheyÕre entitled to their opinion as long as itÕs not slanderous or offensive. Those will always be removed.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
There arenÕt really ÒsecretsÓ but there are things that if you read too fast Ð you will miss. The reason I wrote the book 72 pages was not because I wasnÕt a strong enough writer, it was intentional. I believe that we all only need to make the smallest changes in our lives that will make the biggest impact on our future. I wanted you to use my book as a guide that will help you regardless of the season of life but available for each aspect of your life that creates the solid foundation you would be creating or building from.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
If I could do something differently, I would probably have started writing sooner and reading a lot more outside of my school assignments. I think reading is what really makes a great writer Ð and while I developed the habit earlier on, I stopped reading for fun as I got older. I certainly have reunited with my love for reading in recent years, but I wish I utilized the time I had when I was younger to explore possibilities and push my brain to make better decisions. I donÕt regret anything, but I think if I had sought after some of these books IÕm reading today (that were published during that time period) it couldÕve allowed me the opportunity to be more creative. IÕm happy to continue the journey and continue getting better but using my words to create change in others.
What is your favorite childhood book?
My favorite childhood book was The Lord of the Flies! I learned so much from that book itÕs unreal! The amount of psychological education of the human brain illustrated in that book was the best I have seen since I read the book ÒThe Hatchet.Ó It painted a prime example of how capable we are as human beings to trigger survival instincts that we will literally do anything to survive, and these were just kids! ThatÕs how I knew there were adults who also had this survival instinct and will do anything to survive Ð which is why my book focuses that drive and focus on ourselves because once we change our mindset -the things around us can begin to change too!
Have you written any other books, or do you have any books planned for the future? Tell us as much as you are willing to share!
There are plans for another release which will probably be the best book I have ever written! The title will be 20K Mindset: 5 Principles for Sustainable Life Leadership! The release date will likely be in 2023 as we gear up for an amazing year of speaking, workshops, and conferences across the nation. The next big release will be our eBook series where we provide 60 jammed packed pages of ways you can maintain success in your life! Subscribe to For the Youth Podcast on Apple or Spotify to stay up to date on book releases! To learn more about me or if youÕre interested in my hosting an event in your area visit shawnthespeaker.com!
Pete A O’Donnell is the creator and writer of the children’s story website Illadvisedstories.com where kids can listen to free and funny adventures.
He is a graduate of Queens University and a member of the society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. He works as firefighter and EMT, and has a deep interest in history.
The Curse of Purgatory Cove is his first book. It started as a short story when he was a kid but after reading about the pirate ship Whydah, recovered with its treasure off of Cape Cod, his short story about a paperboy became something more.
Author Live Chat with Fans Tuesdays: Your Next Page-Turner 11th January 2022 8PM CST on Facebook page (International Book Promotion)
Author Pete A O’Donnell
Survival of Characters in a Bizarre Place Full of Secrets
Where are you from?
I’m originally born in Texas but was raised in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US.
Why do you write?
Telling stories has been a passion since I was a child. I love fiction, creating worlds from my imagination. There’s also a part of me that pushes towards writing because it doesn’t come easy. I’m dyslexic and had a tough time learning to read. Writing seemed to be the one thing many teachers couldn’t see me doing.
What do you write about?
My first love is science fiction but I’ve also written a historical novel set here in my home state about our pirate past. I writer children’s stories as well for a podcast I do called Ill-advised stories
Do you have a specific writing style?
I like my stories to move quickly, but I also like them to have a sense of humor.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
I’m a fulltime firefighter/emt and a dad so as I imagine many would say, life itself becomes an obstacles, however I’ve tried to bring my kids into my work, creating the podcast with stories that were first written for them.
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
It’s happened more than once now that a child has told me how much they loved my middle-grade pirate novel. One kid even called it his favorite book.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been creating short stories since I was a kid, but I started pushing towards creating a catalogue of them around the time I was fifteen. My first novel I finished after college where I studied journalism.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
When I told my uncle a story about a forest full of trees that could talk to each other. I would’ve been 7 at the time. I had him locked into the tale and when I saw that power at work, I was hooked.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I’m an early morning writer. Usually starting around 5:30
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I leave words out when I’m typing. If you went back and read something I wrote before I got to fix it, it would make no sense.
How long does it take to write a book?
I’ve finished seven novels and published four and each one has taken a different amount of time. The pirate book, The Curse of Purgatory Cove was fifteen years with rewrites. Of course, I worked on other things in between.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
It’s an obvious one but I would say reading. Go as wide as you can with it too. Read everything, classics, modern works, poetry, nonfiction, graphic novels. Consume as much as you can and treat each piece of work like an opportunity to study. I once heard that the reason dyslexic people read so slowly is because we read every word. We can’t skip along like some readers do but to be a writer means to worry and fret over every single word, to pick that perfect structure to a sentence. You can only pick that up by studying what others have done.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? Head space is the biggest problem, having time with my own thoughts. When you’re engineering an entire universe, you need space to put your thoughts together.
What do you think makes a good story?
Characters come first. If you a reader doesn’t care about the people in your story you’ve got nothing. The next most important thing is tension. There has to be a constant pulling in every scene, even in the small moments.
What does your family think of your writing?
They’re very supportive reading everything I write.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, but it’s a passion first. I have to tell these stories, first and foremost. What happens to them. If they reach a wider audience is the career part that I’m attempting to get a hold of.
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
These stories that I write are the stories I want to read, the worlds I want to dive into and they’re amazing and layered with characters I like spending time with. I would like to welcome the readers to them, to dive in and enjoy the stories the way I’ve enjoyed writing them.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably when I started producing short stories consistently in high school. Not many have read them but I can still picture every scene vividly.
Brittany is a special needs mother and a law enforcement wife. She manages a poetry blogging website by writing poems for adults and children for the public at no charge and writes for Hubpages. When Brittany is not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and walks on the beach. Brittany is currently working on a picture book about children with autism spectrum disorder.
Describe yourself in five words. Introverted, creative, motherly, shy, simple
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I have a gene that can cause autism and other disabilities that I passed onto my son (who is autistic).
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
This is a challenging one for me. I’ve always struggled with self-confidence. I tell myself to take everything one step at a time.
What scares you the most?
Being rejected and alone. As a writer, these are silly fears. Rejection is part of the business world.
What makes you happiest?
Being in the mountains and near the water.
Why do you write?
I enjoy creating stories, and writing helps me to express myself in a positive way with other people. I’m not a big talker, so writing comes naturally.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes. However, when I was a child, I wanted to persue a career in music.
What motivates you to write?
My family, experience, and inner creative juices.
What writing are you most proud of? .
My poetry collection, “Poetic Poetry: A Short Collection of Poems”
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
My immediate family. They help me through everything.
What books did you love growing up?
I read a lot of self-help spiritual books. I think personal growth is important no matter what career you choose.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
Brittany was a special needs mother and writer who was loved by her friends and family.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in the city (Dallas, TX). I now live near a beach town in South Carolina. I think the simple paced life helps me to slow down and think of possible story ideas. The view of the ocean helps, too.
How did you develop your writing?
I started writing on a poetry blog. I eventually decided to self-publish a poetry collection and start submitting work to online magazines. I’ve even written a children’s picture book, which I plan on submitting to literary agents soon.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Marketing has always been the most time consuming, and having a special needs kid makes it challenging to put effort into that.
What marketing works for you?
I typically use social media or paid gigs.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
I used to, but now I find it easy to share my work not that I have somewhat of an audience.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
Absolutely! I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.
What else do you do, other than write?
I enjoy reading, going to church, and taking walks on the beach.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
I’ve worked for a day-care center and have been in retail.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
Creative Writing
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
The North Carolilna Mountains
Tell us about your family?
My husband is a patrol officer, my daughter is in middle school who takes honors classes, and my son is three who is on the spectrum.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
Usually my laptop, but sometimes I use our personal computer.
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
I do best with at least seven hours of sleep. However, my son does not always sleep well. There are many days where I feel like we’re still in the baby stage because of his needs.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
My friend, Jeff, who has helped me format my poetry collection.
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
I’m proud of the small accomplishments I’ve made, but I’m looking forward to seeing if I can get traditionally published.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
Again, marketing isn’t my forte. I feel it’s important to have the right niche so people will be naturally drawn to what I write.
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
I initially wrote it as a hobby, but the more writers I connected with, the more I realized I could self-publish my work. I wanted to become a part of that community.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
Jesus and my old friend who passed in a car wreck.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
On the couch with a good book and a cup of coffee.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I’m hoping the reader will feel everything that I write and take that with them. I also love showing imagery so the reader can visualize the scene I am writing. I enjoy presenting realistic situations and giving the reader a positive outlook.
International Book Promotion 