The Life of an Author: 4 Questions with Blog-in-the-round

FOUR QUESTIONS AND PASS IT ON: I love this idea of the blog-in-the-round. The lovely and talented, Trisha R. Thomas, author of the wildly popular, Nappily series, picked me and passed the literary baton my way. Thanks a million, Trisha! I’m honored to participate and share my experiences. Happy Reading!

What am I working on/writing?
It’s a great thing when a writer can say they’re working on something…anything…because this is a tough industry. I feel very blessed to be working on several projects this summer. My sixth novel, Troublemaker, will be released July 29, and I’m currently working on the promotional campaign to launch the book. I’m also on a tight writing deadline to complete my seventh novel (which will be released next year) by the end of the summer. In addition to my book work, I recently launched a new blog (which you’re reading now!) called Fabulous Southern Belle. FSB is a culture and lifestyle destination that pays homage to my Southern roots while providing nuggets of helpful information that make life fabulous!

How does my writing/work differ from others in its genre?

Like every author, I like to believe I have a distinctive voice with the stories I write. I work hard to make my characters relatable, authentic, and believable. My storylines always contain colorful secondary characters who warrant a book of their own. I’ve recently begun to set my stories in small, sleepy southern towns, as opposed to the big cities and foreign countries that is often the setting of many women’s contemporary fiction books currently on the market.

Why do I write what I do?

This is a very good question! I write because I love the adventure of creating worlds out of whole cloth, filled with interestingly complex characters who face challenges and dilemmas.  I think most people believe that writers write about themselves or people they know, and many do, but I’ve yet to be that specific in my work. However, I do impart pieces of myself into the characters I create and I definitely draw upon what I observe in everyday life. I also write what I like to read about, which is—love, family, intrigue, romance—and those elements help me create compelling stories that people can relate to.

How does my writing process work?

My writing process is pretty simple, in that I can write anywhere as long as I have uninterrupted time. I can write in my home, at the library, on a train, in the airport, etc., just as long as I have a long stretch of uninterrupted time that will allow me to get into the minds of my characters. I’ve also started outlining my chapters, which helps me write more efficiently.


I ONCE AGAIN WANT TO THANK MY FRIEND, Trisha R. Thomas, for inviting me to join this wonderful effort which supports, encourages, and highlights authors and the work we do. I’m passing the torch to two very talented writers; Karla Brady and Lutishia Lovely, who will be posting their Q&A in the next two weeks.

Karla Brady is one of the sharpest, wittiest authors I know, and her skill draws you into the wonderful characters and plots she creates. Lutishia Lovely is a powerhouse in the literary industry, whose pure talent and amazing work ethic have made her a national bestseller book after book after book. I can’t wait to read what these ladies have to say!

As always, enjoy life and be fabulous!!