Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Barbados, which is located in the Caribbean. I also lived in the United States. Previously worked in the banking industry and subsequently in Administration in Government. Though a graduate of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, specifically a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, deep within me there has always been the desire to gravitate toward the Humanities as I am a people’s person. I have learned that my interest in people in general and the various situations that can and do occur can truly be demonstrated and accomplished through writing. This is my first book and I do intend to continue writing fiction.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my Book is Growing Up In Barbados. It is a coming of age tale where the fictional character is molested as a child, and details the challenging and ominous situations that occurred as a young woman, due mainly to that unfortunate childhood experience. In terms of inspiration, I am also a graduate of the Institute for General & Development Studies, which is a Division of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados where I obtained qualification in Gender Studies. My Thesis/Paper for that program was on Dysfunctional and Deviant Behavior in teens. To get an accurate assessment, I interviewed a specific sample of girls and a slightly smaller sample of boys who displayed such behaviors. Unfortunately, the majority of them had been molested over a period of time during their formative years.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure if my habit is unusual, but writing fiction, placed my brain in ‘over drive’. I would be consumed with these different thoughts particularly late at night, and would literally jump out of bed rush to my Study, to scribble/add my thoughts, and formalized them the next morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like Danielle Steel. The influence would be to be able to write at least one third of the books she has written so far. I find that is so amazing! The same can be said about James Patterson also.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am simply working diligently on getting Growing Up In Barbados ‘out there’ to the entire world. It not only speaks to the effects of molestation, but it highlights my country Barbados in a very positive way.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As I said earlier, it is one book. My website http://www.bajanlass.com for sure, has all the details. My publishers website is http://www. Xlibris.com. However a page on my website leads directly to Xlibris Publishing. They are also promoting my book Growing Up In Barbados in five countries, namely the U.S.A. Canada, the U.K. Australia and New Zealand. I am hopeful that it would be a positive outcome for me, and my thanks and appreciation to them. Of course I am on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SeretaWB. Then there is Amazon, everyone knows of Amazon! The link is https://www.amazon.com/dp/1479786128/
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My only advice would be that they remain focused. There will ultimately be an end once that approach is taken.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The one that stands out for me, and I quote Mahatma Gandhi “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” And that’s how I live my life. I must do something constructive at all times. When I am finished with one ‘project’, I must move on too another – which might be totally unrelated to the one I have just completed. It amazes me when I see people – for example some young men in my country just ‘liming on the block’, day after day. I consider that a total waste of precious life.
What are you reading now?
I have started Emancipation Day by Wayne Grady and The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud.. I must admit my progress has been restricted. As alluded to earlier, my focus right now is on my book promotion.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My ultimate goal is to see Growing Up In Barbados on the big screen. I have recently completed a Screen Play adaptation of this book, which was very time consuming, but I am hopeful that this will become a reality. I would love to get the opportunity to share it with Producers ‘out there’ for their consideration.
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?
My first pick would be The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I congratulate and salute Ms. Hawkins on this achievement. I would take Journey by Danielle Steel. Excellent work every time as I alluded to earlier. The third one for me believe it or not would be Growing Up In Barbados. After I had written this book, I literally shed tears for the main character Louise. It was very surreal! Sadly there are many more similar situations.
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