Q:  When did you decide you wanted to write?

 

A:  Around six years ago I made a decision to write and have my work published.  When I was younger, I was always writing song lyrics and that love for writing stayed with me until adulthood.  I was aware that songwriters who I admired also wrote poetry, and I wanted to see if I could do the same.  I quickly discovered that writing poetry was something I not only enjoyed but was also a lot easier for me to pursue than songwriting.

 

Q:  How many novels in all have you written?

 

A:  Unscrambled Eggs is my first full-length book collection of poetry.  It was published last year in July of 2005.  Having my manuscript published has been a great experience and I look forward to having more books published in the future.

 

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

 

A:  It was an organic process; an evolution that occur over a span of five years.  I didn't set out to publish a manuscript; it was just a process that involved over time.

 

 

Q:  Tell us about "Unscrambled Eggs"?

 

A:  Unscrambled Eggs is an honest and thought-provoking book that deals with everyday life issues.  It is a stirring compilation of poems about living your dream and finding purpose. The poems are eclectic and diverse in subject matter.  It has a universal appeal and is also a book that anyone from all walks of life would enjoy. 

 

 

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

 

A:  Having my manuscript published was a rewarding experience!  It was a great sense of accomplishment.  But, I did not self-publish my work -- it was published through a publishing company that was recommended to me by one of my writer friends.  I wanted to make certain that my vision for this project was realize, so it was important for me to work well with the editors, and designers who were overseeing this process.

 

Q:  What feedback have you received from fans?

 

A:  I've received some terrific feedback from readers and have gotten many really great reviews!  I'm quite honored and humbled with the way Unscrambled Eggs has been embraced.  I can only write things that are important to me and hope readers will find some value from my latest book.  Unscrambled Eggs has been awarded the Poetry Book of Merit Award by the American Authors Association.  Unscrambled Eggs has also been nominated for “Noble” Prize for Literature Award and for Allbooks Reviews Editor’s Choice 2007.

 

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

 

A:  I admire many authors like Langston Hughes, Emily Dickson, Nikki Giovanni, and Billy Collins.  Although I mention the above authors, there are other authors who are not well-known that I also deeply respect.  But I would say Maya Angelou is the author that greatly inspires me the most.  Like her, my writings also tend to be meaningful for the most part. 

 

Q:  Is writing your only passion?

 

A:    At the moment writing tends to be what I'm most passionate about.  But besides writing, I also like to take long walks; it helps me to mediate.  I would have to mention that music is another thing that I really enjoy in my spare times.

 

Q:  Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

 

A:   I see myself going into different genres of writing outside of poetry (though I will always write poetry).  Songwriting was my first love, so I would like to do more of that.  I would also like to write more articles relative to writers/authors.  I plan on having another book published in the next year - I'm already in the process of putting another collection of poems together.     

 

Q:  What advice would you give aspiring authors? 

 

A:  I suggest that aspiring authors learn all they can about the publishing and promotional process before having their manuscript published.  Book promotion is very daunting and many aspiring writers do not realize just how difficult of a task it is.  If you don't plan or research before getting your manuscript publish; life as an author will be frustrating.  I am the founder of Author & Book Promotion, a site dedicated to helping authors by providing marketing tips, articles and resources on promotion (http://www.freewebs.com/authorpromotion).  I believe it is a good place for aspiring authors to begin.

 

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

 

A:   I would hope my work adds value to reader’s lives, or that they will somehow relate to the life stories that I convey.  Like every author, I want readers to be inspired, to feel, or be moved by my words.  It is important for me to not just entertain but also to inform.    

 

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

 

A:  Yes, I am.  I would like to write a collection of poems that reflect light and happiness.  It will mostly comprise of honest, meaningful poems, and will be a much lighter tone than Unscrambled Eggs.  I can't completely describe my next project because I also write from experience, so I must live some of my poems.  But that is the direction that I'm heading in.

 

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

 

A:  Unscrambled Eggs (ISBN 1-4137-8169-1) is available for purchase at the publisher's website, http://www.publishamerica.com/books/10131. The book is also available at all major online bookstores such Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Borders, etc, and by visiting Brown’s website at www.nadiabrown.com.  You can also request Unscrambled Eggs at your local bookstores.