Q:  When did you decide you wanted to write?

A:  You know, Shay, it wasn't a conscious decision. I've written since before I was a teenager, starting with poems in junior high, and short articles and essays in high school. During my ten-year stint in radio, I wrote my own news, entertainment and sports reports, and magazine articles. Sex In The Sanctuary was my first attempt at novel writing. For me, words have always come easy, I consider this a God-given gift.

Q:  How many novels in all have you written?

A:  Let's see, I'm working on book number six in the Hallelujah Love Series and my alter-ego Zuri Day's fourth romance. Before my book deal, I worked as managing editor and senior writer of a holistic magazine while also ghostwriting two memoirs, a self-help book and one book of fiction. Whew! Gurl, I'm glad you asked that question, now I know why my brain feels fried! :) By the end of this year I will have written umpteen articles, blogs, and fifteen books in six years!

Q:  Do you have a favorite?

A:  When it comes to my books I always say my favorite one is my next one!

Q: How long did it take you to write your first novel?

A:  It was like having  a baby, took me just about nine months to finish the first manuscript draft. And then there were the rewrites. 

Q:  Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?

A:  I grew up in church and am a PK (preacher's kid). So I guess it was natural that my first  attempt at novel writing carried a religoius theme. One of the first rules of writing is to "write what you know." Gurl, if I know anything, I know church folk! LOL...

Q:   Are the characters based on real people?

A:  Some of them are...and that's all I'm gonna say about that!

 Q:  After writing your first novel, did you self-publish?? If so, how was that experience?

A:  Yes, after reading E. Lynn Harris's success story, I decided to follow in his footsteps and independently publish my novel. It was probably one of the most grueling, yet one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. It was a trial by fire, but when I came through it, I knew quite a bit about the publishing industry. This knowledge helped me negotiate my book deal a year later, before I got an agent but with the invaluable aid of the Author's Guild, of which I'm still a member.

Q:  What feedback have you received from fans?

A:  Some of the best! I absolutely love hearing from fans. About 98% of it is positive, especially now that people are familiar with my writing style. But in the beginning I did have a few folks questioning whether or not I knew Jesus! :) Just for the record, we are best buds and more...

Q:  What authors do you admire? Did one of them inspire you?

A:  Over the years, there are so many authors who I've admired, and continue to. One of the first was probably Dr. Maya Angelou (if you don't count Dr. Seuss!). Alex Haley is a legend, his Autobiography of Malcolm X was immensely inspiring, not to mention what he did with "Roots". I remember reading Richard Wright and James Baldwin, two of the first I read who wrote about "us". Today, I consider Donna Hill and Gwynne Forster mentors, those women are amazing, and so giving with their experience and advice. Reshonda Tate Billingsley makes me laugh out loud, as do new writers Trice Hickman and Deidre Berry. I admire Mary B. Morrison's honesty. Christine Feehan makes me long for a Carpathian male while Westcoast Biz, Wahida Clark and Nikki Turner helped me gain an appreciation for street lit. Those hustlers are on their grind! And like I said above, E. Lynn Harris's amazing hustle story created the path of my journey. I could go on and on...

Q:  Is writing your only passion?

A:  No, I have a passion for life, and for all things spiritual. This thirst is what took me on a journey from religion to spirituality and took my understanding of God to a whole 'notha level. I'm passionate about good food, good wine and great conversation with equally great people. About staying in shape and being the best person I can be. I'm passionate about friends, family and believing that the best isn't waiting to come to me, but that it is here...right NOW.

Q:  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A:  At the premiere of yet another Lovely novel-turned-movie, box office blockbuster! Oh, and I'll probably have written 15 more books by then!

Q:  What advice would you give aspiring authors?

A:  Take the time to learn this craft; writing is not as easy as it looks.

Q:  What would you like readers to learn from your stories?

A:  That one's experience with Spirit is personal, and that anybody trying to judge you because he/she thinks they know the mind of God...don't know much! I want readers to learn about unconditional love, and self-love. I want them to be inspired as well as entertained.

Q:  Are you working on another novel? What is it about?

A:  There are seven books in the Hallelujah Love series and I'm working on book six. It focuses on Mama Max, King's mother, who helped his wife Tai when she and King were having problems in Sex In The Sanctuary. Now Mama Max is having problems with her own husband, and he's seventy years old! As for Tai, her problems with King aren't over. Stay tuned. The Princess storyline is back as well. Princess is Tai's daughter who was introduced in SITS but became a main character in A Preacher's Passion. My alter ego, Zuri Day, is working on her fourth novel, a spicy romance about a woman wanting to be a chef, and the hotel/restaurant owner whose wanting a taste of something that isn't on his dining room menu...

Q:  Where can people purchase your books? Do you have a website?

A:  Books by Lutishia Lovely and Zuri Day are available whereever books are sold. If they aren't on the shelf, the bookstore can order them, or people can order them online directly at Amazon, Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Black Expressions, all over the place.

My website is: www.LutishiaLovely.com. There's a contest going on over there so readers should check it out now!