Author on the 'Hump' Wednesday : DjaDja

Hump Day is that special day in the middle of the week, where we try to figure out whether the week is just beginning or about to end.  So, I've decided to use Wednesdays to catch up with some other writers.  

So I spoke with Author DjaDja about his extensive writing career.

1) How long have you been writing?  

About several years or so. 

2) Do you remember the very first story/ piece that you wrote?  Please, please share with us!

I remember a piece I did in elementary school, so I guess the answer to number one has to be much more than several years. The piece involved some elements of horror and sci-fi, I can not recall too much...I just recall the forced smile on the teacher's face when she said 'You are a talented writer.'

3) What is a typical working day for you?  When and where do you write? 

Freelance looks like all day work and play filled with food, exercise, chi-kung and other elements of a villainous nature (did I forget to mention that I was the Arch Super-Villain of Afro-Futurism?) 

I write on the train (not graffiti), in bed, in the park, wherever I receive my psychic impressions...maybe I said too much.

4) What book (or series) are you known for? 

RENPET - An inexperienced inter-dimensional being is thrust into the chaotic lives of a group of reckless young adults who survived the globally cataclysmic changes of The Great Year.  With barely enough skill to keep herself from being swept by their psychologically and spiritually crippled minds...Can she keep them together long enough to realize the true cause of the dramatic transformation of the world's population into one heavily pigmented race?

5) So, we’ve seen that you’re very prolific, even as an author.  If you were being interviewed two years from now, here on my blog, what great accomplishments would have happened for your book series?  How many books would you have published? 

The results of two years from now would be: A webseries, an anime in the works, three new Afro-futuristic stories including the one I am working on now, a villainous afro-futuristic line of clothing and a film in the works...something like that.

6) Do you ever see yourself as one particular character in your novels?  If so, which one?  BTW, are any of your characters based on family or friends? (….just asking….) 

In my first novel, Renpet, I see myself as the character Mike. Certain aspects of his character remind me of myself. All writers draw from their environment so I am sure there are elements here and there in my stories that reflect characteristics from friends and family. My second novel, N Eternity Reclaimed, does in fact involve a great deal of my girlfriend's personality within the main character, Neith...that was intentional.

7) What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview?  How would you answer that question? 

We see that your standpoint for writing Sci-Fi comes from an Afro-Futuristic perspective, can you tell us a bit more about Afrofuturism and how readers can best support your work?

Sure, in short, Afro-Futurism is one of the best attempts to explain the importance of the perception of sound and images within the fields of Afrikan/Nubian  entertainment and literature and its impact futuristically on a global scale. Besides the obvious purchase of my works and word of mouth, my readers can best support me by referring like minded individuals to my site as well as engaging me directly in dialogue. As well as bringing to my attention events that my be in alignment with my work.

8) Are there any spoilers that you want to give to the readers?

Watch out for my next novel Rising Depth to learn about agendas leading to the mass gentrification of a popular city in the Americas.

9) Alrighty now, just to wrap it up, one last thing.  This is the trademark of this blog. What's your favorite bedtime drink? Cocoa, soda, wine?  Inquiring minds want to know, please.  (Don't worry, you can answer 'water,' if you don't want to say (lol). 

Usually do not drink before bedtime it confuses your chi(internal energy), so I would have to say water...

Thank you, DjaDja, for stopping by the blog!

Late night book release!

Late Night Book Release!

#TheShelf is NOW AVAILABLE on http://Amazon.com 

Debut deal for .99 cents!!

Author on the 'Hump' Wednesday : R.A. White

Hump Day is that special day in the middle of the week, where we try to figure out whether the week is just beginning or about to end.  So, I've decided to use Wednesdays to catch up with some other writers.  

So I spoke with Author R.A White about her extensive writing career.

1) How long have you been writing?

I've been working on books for about ten years, but as a teen and even pre-teen I was creating worlds and telling stories or writing them down.

2) Do you remember the very first story that you wrote?  Please, please share with us!

When I was in maybe fourth grade I remember writing a story on that blocky three level writing paper they provide for little kids in school. It was about a dragon, a princess, and a castle, which seems stereotypical, but in this case the princess was rescuing the prince from the dragon instead of the other way around. I didn't have room on the paper and I ended up writing on the back in tiny little letters to make it fit. It still didn't. I should have realized then that I was going to be  a novelist.

3) What is a typical working day for you?  When and where do you write?
I write mostly when my three-year-old is sleeping or out with my husband on his day off. I can't concentrate when my son is awake. He's just too distracting, and honestly, I hate to miss out on time with him anyway. He'll grow up and my ideas will still be in my head if I don't have time to put them down now.

4) What book (or series) are you known for?

I'm writing the Kergulen Series. I don't know if I'm known for it yet, but I hope that some day I'll be in the grocery and some strange lady will start shrieking, "It's R.A. White! I can't believe it, it's R.A. White!"

5) So, tell us your fave genre all around, in writing?  What genre do you prefer to read?

 I write character driven fantasy, but I read more suspense type novels like Dean Koontz. Really I care more about loving the characters than I do about the genre.

6) Do you ever see yourself as one particular character in your novels?  If so, which one?  BTW, are any of your characters based on family or friends? (….just asking….)

There are bits of me in most of my characters, but I think I'm most like one of my jerky male characters. We have the same personality type. I strive to be more like Rima (the heroine) in many ways, but I don't know if I have it in me.

7) What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview?  How would you answer that question? 

Question: Would you sign this contract for a million dollar movie deal with Universal?

Answer: Hm, let me get back to you on that after I discuss it with my agent.

8) Are there any spoilers that you want to give to the readers?

Spoilers? No, no spoilers! If people find out the main character dies they won't want to read the book!

9) Alrighty now, just to wrap it up, one last thing.  This is the trademark of this blog. What's your favorite bedtime drink? Cocoa, soda, wine?  Inquiring minds want to know, please.  (Don't worry, you can answer 'water,' if you don't want to say (lol).

Well, usually it's water, but when I have a cold like I do now I like a finger or two of Calico Jack. It's such a smooth rum that just a little orange juice makes it potable for me. Sometimes I get in the mood for tea before bed, but that's usually a day time drink for me.

Good luck with your book promotion!  Hope to hear from you soon!

Thank you, and thanks for having me on your blog. It's been a pleasure!

And thank you, R.A., for stopping by the blog!

Author on the 'Hump' Wednesday: Khadija Craddock

Hump Day is that special day in the middle of the week, where we try to figure out whether the week is just beginning or about to end.  So, I've decided to use Wednesdays to catch up with some other writers.  

So I spoke with Author Khadija Craddock about her extensive writing career.

1) How long have you been writing? 

I actually started writing fiction in 2011, but I've been writing 
poetry since I was a freshman in high school, or was it 8th grade. 
Lol My memory has become very hazy the older I become. 

2) Do you remember the very first story/ piece that you wrote?  Please, please share with us!

That's a very good question. Unfortunately, I wish I remembered, or at least, had it written down. I do still have some poems from high school that I've written and even published in my school's art and literary magazine that I was co-editor of. Here is a little peak. Now remember I wrote this in high school so don't judge me. I'm sensitive.

Sentimentally Ill
...I stutter my life,
I live for the fight,
I die for the peace,
that way I'll never get sleep.
Until my soul is happy,
until my spirit causes divine intervention
between this equilibrium lack,
subliminally sublime,
consciously demonic
like my grandfather's tonic,
incarcerated in the house of diabolic.
Hate seduced me with it's luscious lips....

It goes on a little longer lol. 

3) What is a typical working day for you?  When and where do you write?

If I'm not substitute teaching in Newark, NJ, I'm busy being a mother of two girls. The oldest is in kindergarten, and the youngest is at home with me. I also help out with my father's online retail furniture and appliance store Mypriceforyou.com. I do that from home. I don't usually get to write until the kids and their father are asleep. I also get to write when I sub during my breaks. Sometimes I take a nap in the evening once everyone is asleep and wake up around 2am to write. I sit write in the bed and put a dent in it while the laptop warms my blanket. 

4) What book series (or series) are you known for?

Awakened is book one of the Wak Series and is currently available on most media devices. Descendants book 2, will be available late 2014. 

5) So, we’ve seen that you’re very versatile when it comes to putting out writing works.  Tell us your fave genre all around, in writing?  What genre do you prefer to read?

My favorite genre is paranormal because I can still kneed in figurative language, the best part of poetry. I still love to write poetry but I feel I can create another world outside of reality with fiction, especially paranormal. I like to read a variety of genres but I prefer paranormal romance.

6) Do you ever see yourself as one particular character in your novels?  If so, which one?  BTW, are any of your characters based on family or friends? (….just asking….)
This question makes me laugh. The more I think about my characters, the more I see my self, my friends, and my family in their characteristics and life style. Alaya ran track, I ran track; Alaya goes against the grain, my twin sister goes against the grain. Alaya is a fashionista, and obsessed with all things vintage. My sister and I had a clothing line in college and an online clothing boutique. We still appreciate the art in fashion just like Alaya. She only has one female best friend and my twin sister and I actually share the same best friend.  My sister/cousin and my brother has beautiful dark skin and Ive been in love with dark skin, unlike my medium/light brown skin, since childhood so it was only befitting to also have Alaya's skin be dark. Amina and Tori are influenced by my best friend's confidence and quick wit. The list is perpetual. 

7) What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview?  How would you answer that question?

How has being a substitute teacher influenced your writing?

I sub at the high schools in Newark, NJ. The students give me a first hand insight to their idiosyncrasies, teenage drama, mental disposition, style, values, and hardships. Teenagers in the inner city have a lot of concrete to wade through and that's inspirational enough. 

8) Are there any spoilers that you want to give to the readers?

One big spoiler for Awakened readers is in regards to Alaya's best friend, Tori. If readers haven't already figured it out, Tori is really the Companion of a Lyse. I won't say who. She is human, but she is a spy sent by her Companion to sift out Waks. Tori naturally betrays Alaya and attempts to capture her.

This one is really on the hush. Alaya is really a Wak princess, direct descendant of Great Woman, she is also the last princess, and the youngest Wak. Shhh...pst come closer, Alaya didn't really kill her mother. Don't tell anyone. 

9) Alrighty now, just to wrap it up, one last thing.  This is the trademark of this blog. What's your favorite bedtime drink? Cocoa, soda, wine?  Inquiring minds want to know, please.  (Don't worry, you can answer 'water,' if you don't want to say (lol).

Lol, it's definitely not water; not that I don't drink water before bed, which is a good way to hydrate the skin over night, but water is not it. lol. I have two favs, okay three: yerba mate tea with turmeric, nutmeg, ginger, raw honey and almond milk, beer (preferably Red Strip), and wine. 

     Thank you, Khadija, for stopping by the blog!

NEW BOOK RELEASE DATE !!!!

NEW BOOK RELEASE DATE
March 15, 2014....The Shelf  
(Teen Paranormal/ Horror)

(It's worth waiting for....)

Some people are born into a family fortune.  

Bri has just entered into a family curse…

…I don’t want to die…was what Bri’s best friend said only days before.  Never having believed in curses, Bri dismissed Aeryal’s claims and assured her friend that she would live.  Assured her that all the near-death incidents were just coincidence. 

Then came her funeral.