Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I married my boyfriend of 10yrs in March 2019 and I have 3 nieces that I help raise. I’ve always been praised for my writing growing up, have always been the hype-woman for my friends, but I never imagined myself publishing a book. I’m a millennial, so I’ve definitely considered jumping into the world of blogging, but writing an actual book caught me completely by surprise and so far, I have written over 5 books, two of which are currently published on Amazon.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
20 Day Motivational for the Habitual Procrastinator & Non-Completer, is the name of my latest book. I’m a self-proclaimed chronic THRIVING procrastinator with the attention span of a gnat haha. But I have a lot of things to say and it’s ultimately my friends and family that inspired this book as they are always telling me how encouraging I am. 365 days of motivations sounds great and has been done, but remember, I have the attention span of a gnat haha. But I figured, I could do anything in or for 20days and it’s short and sweet enough to read all at once and store all the motivational words in your mind to carry with you throughout the year. So, that’s how that happened.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m really just finding my voice as a writer and to me it’s pretty straight forward. Nothing too fun or quirky just yet. But a friend of mine pointed out something about my writing that I hadn’t realized. It’s the fact that majority of my books are “moral stories”. It was in reference to several children’s books I wrote that have not yet been released.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Wally Lamb, Zora Neale Hurston Jodi Picoult and Zane (oops, did I say that one out loud? haha). I also love and appreciate the works of Michelle Alexander, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Bryan Stevenson.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my confidence to really put myself out there to promote my books, 20 Day Motivational for the Habitual Procrastinator & Non-Completer and my children’s book, I Raise My Hand. I’m also brainstorming ways to package my group of Moral Stories. But in all honesty, I would like to break even on the first two books before releasing more books.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t done much promo for the children’s book just yet. But for my book on procrastination, mostly word of mouth and through my Instagram, Thriving Procrastinator. I hope to make a website soon for all of my books to be advertised.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t worry about not having a complete story all worked out in your head. Start with what you have now and put it in a Google Doc. Major emphasis on creating a Google Doc. It helped keep all of my ideas in one centralized place that goes wherever I have an internet connection.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The best way to get ahead is to start”. That was the best advice for me to actually commit to seeing my books all the way through.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading “Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color”. Not reading it everyday like I should, but when I do, the message is always right on time.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m not sure what’s next for me as a writer. It has really awaken something in me that’s so empowering and liberating. So, I’m kind of just riding that high right now and seeing where it takes me.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh wow…um one of the 3 or 4 books would definitely have to be something on survival hacks on a desert haha. Other than that, I would say, the Bible and Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea Handler. That book is hilarious and I’m going to need a good laugh at some point in that crappy situation haha.