What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)
Currently I am pursuing my MBA and completing works on my next book scheduled to be released this year. I live in North Carolina with my husband and enjoy writing, traveling, visiting museums and art galleries.
What is your favourite food?Seafood is my favorite cuisine. However, I always enjoy trying other diverse foods representing many different cultures.
What is your favourite colour?
Purple is my favorite color.
What is your favourite sound?
I actually am torn between two: The sound of crashing waves and a rain shower.
Who is your favourite person?
This is an impossible choice because I have many, very special people who affect my life in a myriad of ways, personally, professionally, spiritually and familial. The one person I miss the most is my mother who passed away in 2003. She had an instrumental influence on me becoming a writer.
What is your favourite place?
I have many favorite places that I visited, but I find that a tropical oasis, or venue surrounded by calm waters and blissful tranquility are the places my spirit connects to the most. When I am unable to travel, the deck at the rear of my house overlooking the facets of natural habitation in my own backyard is my personal escape.
What is your favourite memory?
I have so many wonderful memories, that it’s hard to pin down only one. Memories, whether challenging or victorious shape our character and help us to examine our lives every day. As a writer, musician, dancer or artist, memories invoke creativity of the now. They teach us valuable lessons that will enable us to help others. I have a favorite and significant memory at different stages of my life, so it’s hard to choose between when I was baptized at 12, when I got my driver’s license at 16, when I visited Hawaii at 41, the place where I married my husband or where I was when I received the first, professional hardcopy of my book.
What is your favourite article of clothing?
I am fascinated by the artistry of vintage Hollywood jewels found predominantly in old black and white films. Accessories such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, rings, pins and scarves are must have accoutrements in my wardrobe repertoire. However, I think that the right shoes can compliment and add a touch of finesse to any outfit (like the way that little red caboose at the end of a freight train stands out).
What is your favourite word?
Vision. Purpose is the key to creation manifested through vision.
What is your favourite writers' quote and why?
I have many quotes that are very significant to me, but this quote by Mortimer Adler, a philosopher and author is encouraging: “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies can continue growing as we continue to live.”
What is your most favourite quality about yourself?I believe that I have a nurturing and compassionate spirit. I embrace my visions and encourage others to do the same. I dislike complacency and slothfulness.
What is the least favourite quality about yourself?I tend to procrastinate more than I care to.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Oh gosh, I have so many places I would like to visit, but I think Australia is one of my preferred destinations that would be a wonderful escape if I had the opportunity to go right now. However, I would love to return to Maui, Hawaii where my husband and I honeymooned.
What inspires you to write and why?
Many segments of creation and life inspire me to write. Such segments include, but are not limited to celebrations, victories, overcoming challenges, nature, the evolution of life, the diversity of personalities and cultures, and finding solutions to adversities.
What is your favourite book and why?
The Holy Bible is my daily source for hope, increased faith, trust, comfort, encouragement, inspiration and a master blueprint to pattern my life by. It contains the principles for living and servanthood.
What is your favourite genre and why?
I am intrigued with mysteries, short stories, poetry and many non-fiction varieties. However, my forte is in inspirational, non-fiction and poetry genres.
List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?
Maya Angelou – She is prolific and a great storyteller who touches your heart and spirit with the fluidity of her written words.
Ernest Hemingway – His work was required reading in high school, but you become emotionally involved with his compelling narratives.
Toni Morrison – She has a mystery behind the stories she tells. At times, her work seems hard to grasp right away, but I think that’s a part of her literary genius.
What do you think makes a writer successful?
I believe that some of the major ingredients that help writers stay on the path of success include openness of mind, passion, vision, observation, continued learning and perfecting your craft, along with perseverance in submitting! You have to have a hunger to want it, visualize it, work on it and then, Make It Happen!
What is it that makes you successful as a writer?
Although I haven’t reached the pinnacle of being a financially successful writer, as I would like to be, through my passion, vision, perseverance and making a positive and influential impact on the lives of those my writing touches, makes me feel successful.
What are your goals as a writer?
To continue honing in on making my writing better. By continuously learning and being an inspiration and a catalyst of encouragement to others through my writing and speaking engagements, I believe that financial success will follow. Constantly trying to improve and make my writing better and comprehendible is a driving force behind my daily commitment to write copiously and speak fervently.
What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?If you are truly passionate about your writing, then never give up reading, learning, polishing and refining your work. Write, submit, then write and submit some more. Attend seminars, conferences and take continued education classes on various genres of writing, no matter how advanced you are. Do not be discouraged by rejection notices or slips, because they can be helpmates. If you read the history behind many successful writers, you will be amazed by the amount of rejections they received, but they refused to give up. If you believe in yourself, then do not give up on your dreams.
What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?
Empowerment, encouragement, inspiration, self-evaluation and transformation.
List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).
Writer Gazette
www.writergazette.com/FundsforWriters
www.fundsforwriters.com/Writing for DOLLARS
www.writingfordollars.com/If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).
I am extremely excited about my book “Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit” that was published by Outskirts Press in 2009. After researching several publishing houses to find the best value and services that would suit my publishing needs, I decided on Outskirts Press. Although my self-publishing investment was a little more than that of several of my colleagues, I must commend my author representative and design team for guiding me through every phase of the process that resulted in the final “quality” product that I have today.
My book can be purchased at the following online retail sites:
http://www.amazon.com/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/outskirtspress.com/w ... 1432730420How long did it take you to write your book(s)?
I am always journaling and never know where my compositions will lead. I actually compiled “Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit” in a couple of months, because my content came from pre-recorded writings documented in my journals over the previous years. The organization and editing was the most obstinate part of the process.
What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?
Now that I understand the process of publishing, I will be better prepared the next time because I know exactly what my publishing house expects, in order to avoid any delay in the production phases. My author representative was extremely patient with me and walked me through my initial process to deter a lot of undue stress.
What have you learned about the publishing world?
The publishing world is definitely a horse of a different color. With little success to get representation traditionally, I wanted my self-published book to have the look, feel and content of those that you find distributed and represented by traditional publishing houses. Presentation really makes a huge difference when you want your voice to be professionally represented and taken seriously through your written work.
Before, during and after I published my book, I looked at the final product produced for a few authors by several self-published companies I was considering, and was not very impressed. Some of those books, aside from the cover, looked as if they were printed directly from the author’s word document. Although you may be anxious to see your manuscript in book form, take your time and do your research. Regardless of the amount of money you invest in your book’s production, marketing and promotion, insist on quality and professionalism. It may be a little more time consuming, but you certainly want to put your best foot forward. I have a voice in where my book is distributed and still get royalties. It is a very competitive market and if you want things done professionally, you have to have patience, learn to listen to constructive critique assessments, and respond like a true winner!
This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?
I authored hundreds of articles and several manuscripts. The morning hours are the best moments for me to pray, meditate and write. I found that writing while the ideas are fresh and flowing is the best thing to do, so I always keep a pad and pen with me. Worry about editing later. If you edit as you write, you will retard the progression of completing your project. You must designate time to write if you are truly passionate about taking your writing to a higher level than a hobby.
When you are a writer you can never stop writing. When you are a singer, you can never stop singing. When you are an artist, you can never stop painting or sculpting. When you are passionate about a craft, talent or hobby, that passion creates your success. I usually travel with my personal writer’s survival pack (my journal or notepad, a couple of nice writing pens and my dictionary). You have a hunger to see your vision and dreams come to fruition. Therefore, with a dollop of encouragement and a cupful of passion you can create a dynasty.
What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?
Writing comes from the depths of your heart and spirit. When you pause, observe and compose, the flow never seems to stop. I have oodles of journals that hold a myriad of emotions, experiences, dreams and observations. When you have that burning desire to live your purpose through a natural God-given gift, then the sky is the limit and I am pushing towards excellence.
If you don’t know, then research and learn. Be your best. Strive for excellence.
“No one can see your visions and dreams as clearly as you can. Purpose is the key to creation manifested through vision.” 
