SisterDivas Magazine: the blog

Conversations about Writing ~ Creating Characters

2009-08-01T12:02:00.001-07:00

Authors Shon Bacon (editing guru) and Miki Starr Martin (graphic guru) are back with episode two of their new project, Conversations about Writing as they continue their conversation from June on character. Come read their thoughts on creating characters and share your OWN thoughts!

{CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WRITING ~ CHARACTER}

Got a Great STARTING OVER Story to Tell?

2009-07-30T18:34:00.001-07:00

Got a Great STARTING OVER Story to Tell?

Laurene Williams, writer, director, and independent filmmaker, is looking for articles to post on the "Starting Over" section of our the website, http://www.pcd4.com, coming this fall.

Perhaps you have a compelling tale to contribute or you know other writers who may wish to contribute. The site will promote a new indie comedy/drama, "Phil Cobb's Dinner for Four." The goal of is to build a community of readers who can empathize with Phil Cobb's on-again/off-again life. Writers who have an inspirational or entertaining take on some of the pain, heartache, and heartburn they've been through as a result of a break-up, divorce, pink slip, new career, alcohol addiction, cross country move or relocation, may submit. The film is about cherishing the relationships in our lives and living beyond our losses.

You can view the trailer for "Phil Cobb's Dinner for Four" on YouTube or on Facebook.

Writers should include bio and byline (or pseudonym). Bios can include links to your website or any pertinent webpages. You can mention upcoming works or previous works, note any upcoming events such as a book signing or speaking engagement. You may submit a photograph for us to spotlight. We encourage you to promote yourself to make this worth your while.

Since our website is not a literary site and because film typically engages such a wide ranging audience, we're hoping writers can reach and cultivate an entirely new group of fans.

New and student writers can use the opportunity to explore their voice.

SUBMISSIONS: Web publication. Creative non-fiction, fiction, first or third person accounts. Submit query or complete ms as an MSWord file with bio by email. Byline or pseudonym. Up to 1,000 words. Format single or double-spaced. Bio, up to 50 words, can include links to your website or relevant webpages; include any notices.

EMAIL: submit@pcd4.com

USE: Submissions will be posted on http://www.pcd4.com in the "Starting Over" section for one to two week intervals.

DEADLINE: Rolling submissions. Next deadline, August 23rd.

Culture w/ YA Author Diana Rodriguez Wallach

2009-07-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

For the months of June and July, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at how culture plays a role in writing. For the final feature, I'm featuring a young adult writer I'm a big fan of; her stories are fun and fast-paced, but they are laced wonderfully with all things that speak of the character's culture: YA author Diana Rodriguez Wallach!

About Adios to All the Drama:

Mariana Ruiz thought she left her summer fling in Puerto Rico, that is until she finds Alex sitting across from her at the breakfast table. Living two doors down from her visiting old flame isn’t easy, especially given the unresolved sparks still lingering for her locker buddy Bobby—and they don’t exactly go unnoticed.

Her best friends are little help as Madison deals with her IM-only “boyfriend” and Emily sinks into secret mode after her parents’ recent breakup. The only relationship that seems to be working is her estranged aunt Teresa who’s tying the knot on New Years with Mariana and her cousin Lilly as bridesmaids. But the last wedding detail left unplanned is who will Mariana kiss at midnight?

Strained friendships, stolen kisses, and secret loves create plenty of surprises to unfold before the New Year’s bells start ringing…

Watch the trailer for Adios to All the Drama below!

When asked In viewing media - TV, movies, books, radio, etc., how do you see your culture being conveyed, Diana replied, "I’m going to assume you probably mean how do I see my Puerto Rican culture being conveyed, and not how I see the Polish culture conveyed (pierogies, anyone?) or Philadelphians in general (our murder rate’s not so great). But as for Puerto Ricans, I think there is obviously still a stereotype that all “real Latinos” speak Spanish as a first language and have dark hair and tan skin. Obviously this is not the case. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that…as Seinfeld would say.)

But as for the media’s representation beyond that, I don’t want to make sweeping generalizations. Yes, there are still plenty of shows portraying Latinos as drug dealers or maids, but there are also plenty that don’t (Ugly Betty, Cane, George Lopez Show). And I think the trend is moving away from the stereotypes, at least I hope."

Come by AtBaP to read more of Diana Rodriguez Wallach's insightful comments on culture and writing!

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Speaking Culture w/ Activist, Author, Filmmaker Elisha Miranda

2009-07-20T08:27:00.001-07:00

For the months of June and July, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at how culture plays a role in writing. This week, I'm featuring a woman I have come to admire; her passion and compassion to fully represent herself and her culture in a positive way ignites me to want to do the same: activist, author, filmmaker Elisha Miranda! You cannot read her feature and nottaste the love she has for her culture and its representation in the media.

About The Sista Hood: On the Mic:

4 Girls, One Mic and Lots of Drama
When Mariposa (aka MC Patria) meets Ezekiel Matthews (aka MC EZ1) they quickly become best friends; together they have the best summer tossing lyrics and rhymes. After the summer ends, Mariposa realizes the only thing she really cares about -- besides becoming the best emcee around -- is getting Ezekiel to love her. Unfortunately, this realization comes at the same time Ezekiel gets a girlfriend -- Jennifer Hoffman (aka J-Ho 5), an emcee with a huge buzz.

When her school announces a talent show, Mariposa understands that this could be her last chance to impress Ezekiel. She decides to form a hip-hop crew -- enter the world of the Sista Hood -- MC Patria, Soul Siren, Pinay-1 and DJ Esa, all divas in their own way. While coming together isn't easy, they're forced to collaborate and their lives are changed forever.

||||||||||

Elisha gave heartfelt, in-depth responses to all the questions; we asked how important is it for her to integrate her cultural experiences into her writing, she responded:

Before heeding the muse and pursuing a career as a filmmaker and writer, I had been an educator, community organizer and emergent urban planner, working with people of various ages, classes, race and ethnicities, sexual identities and national origins and learning about a range of issues from criminal justice to public health. I have worked for the struggling nonprofit organization, and I have served the public as a teacher in public education. I have volunteered for the activist collective, and have taught classes at the university. My professional life has brought me to China and Japan, Wooster College in Ohio and the juvenile facility in San Francisco, California. I have abandoned the tourist bus to hike the back roads of Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico precisely because I’m a Latina who is not Cuban, Colombian nor Mexican.

All these different experiences have brought me a more expansive viewpoint of Latinadad in the United States. I’m a Puerto Rican who grew up in public housing between a working-class Mexican/Chicano community called the Mission and the African American dominant Hunter’s Point. I went on to earn multiple degrees at elite universities, and experienced a creative “recovery” in my late twenties in which I pursued my dream of becoming a professional storyteller.

My mother raised in public housing – herself a native of San Francisco whose father was a merchant marine from Puerto Rico and whose mother settled there from Puerto Rico via Hawaii’s sugar cane fields – raised me and my siblings by herself. I toughed out the failing public elementary and junior high school down the block where all the other kids looked liked me. But when high school arrived, I endured a daily bus ride from my neighborhood to a magnet high school where I was both a racial and economic minority.

I’m an openly bisexual woman who speaks out against racial injustice when others hide behind their fair skin. I was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and am now a practicing Buddhist who identifies as “spiritual but not religious.” I am a modern Latina, and this is why my body of work resonates not only across the differences within the Latino community but also speaks to audiences beyond it.

It is these experiences that give me the stories I wish to tell, and because I have crossed borders of so many kinds, people of all backgrounds see themselves braided in my yarn. Today many people want to write books and make films about the Latino experience. I have lived that experience and there are many stories to tell. This is not merely something I do as a writer and director. It is how I live and these experiences are very integrated into my art.

Come by AtBaP to read more of Elisha Miranda's wonderful comments on culture and writing...and to check out an excerpt of her novel, The Sista Hood: On the Mic!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Me and Some Faith-Based Poetry ~~ A Podcast

2009-07-15T11:10:00.001-07:00

July marks the second installment of CLG-E's Once Upon a Time... podcast series.

This month, I'm showcasing three faith poems: "On Soft, Tender Knees," "I'm Sorry," and "Loose"!

You can listen below and also take the time to check out my podcast site (CLG-E Podcasts) for future podcasts on writing and storytelling!

Please leave comments - let me know your thoughts!

Writer of All Trades: Kristin Johnson

2009-07-15T10:36:00.001-07:00

Head over to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING where I talk with a writer of all trades: screenwriter, poet, novelist, journalist - Kristin Johnson!

Writer of All Trades: Kristin Johnson

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: Talk to us about one of your first YES moments - a time when you received positive reception for your words.

KJ: Reading the wedding poem for my sister and brother-in-law, "On Our Wedding: Ahava," that later won first place in the Blue Mountain Arts Tri-Annual Poetry Competition. That poem was my wedding gift to them. When a local playwriting group staged a reading of my one-act play "Greetings and Salutations" (that later appeared in its playwriting festival and was nominated for five local theater awards), one of the audience members, an actor, jumped up and said, "I love it!"

CLG: You're strutting down the street - looking, feeling like a million bucks - what's your theme song?

KJ: "Wind Beneath my Wings" by Bette Midler, "One Heart" by Celine Dion or "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra.

CLG: What are some of the things you're doing to get your writing into the right hands?

KJ: Beyond the usual, writing contests and submitting to publishers/producers/agents (which I need to do more of), I would say: Networking, networking, networking. I network with people who aren't, strictly speaking, in the business, because you never know. I go to screenwriters' events hosted by Women in Film-Palm Springs, an organization I cannot praise enough. I connect with people through wonderful groups such as the Original Palm Springs Writers Guild, National League of American Pen Women and The MuseItUpClub Online.

CLG: Why do you write?

KJ: Author Christopher Rice, son of Anne Rice and a formidable professional in his own right, spoke to one of my writers' groups recently. He said, "What you do is valuable to our culture." While that's uplifting in the grander scheme (and a comforting thought on those writer's block days), my more elemental answer is that writing is part of who I am. I have a passion for it. Words, ideas, thoughts. A painting can spark a story. Anything I'm reading about or watching inspire stories, or else make it into my writing. I am a voracious reader and moviegoer. The written word is my lifeblood. My great-grandmother was a writer and my mother published a children's book.

To read the rest of Kristin Johnson's interview, head to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

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Culture & Writing w/ Author Angela Henry

2009-07-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

For the months of June and July, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at how culture plays a role in writing. In June, we talked with erotic author Dapharoah69 and women's fiction author Wendy Tokunaga. Up next is an author I have enjoyed for a while now, Angela Henry!

Part-time GED instructor Kendra Clayton's spring break is proving to be anything but relaxing. First her best friend, Lynette, suffers a major panic attack days before her wedding and vanishes. Then her sister, Allegra, who craves attention the way Kendra craves chocolate brownies, arrives in town determined to land an interview with screen legend Vivianne DeArmond for the TV show Hollywood Vibe.

But Allegra's interview plans hit a glitch when she discovers the diva's lifeless body in her dressing room, stabbed in the back with a letter opener. The police peg Allegra as the prime suspect, but Kendra knows her sister is no murderer, even if she is guilty of acting a little too friendly around Kendra's man lately.

As Kendra starts to investigate and whittle down the list of Vivianne's enemies, she uncovers some surprising Hollywood secrets. But she'll need to act fast. Because every step toward the truth puts her in danger of becoming a victim of a ruthless killer's encore performance...

Come by AtBaP to read more Angela Henry's thoughts on the African American culture and writing...and to also read an excerpt from her book, Diva's Last Curtain Call!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Taste Mississippi in Patricia Neely-Dorsey's Poetry

2009-06-26T23:27:00.001-07:00

Patricia Neely-Dorsey's Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is "a true celebration of the south and things southern." The author states, "There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. In my book I try to show that there is much is more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed. I invite readers to Meet Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry, Prose and The Written Word."

SOUTHERN LIFE

If you want a glimpse of Southern life,

Come close and walk with me;

I'll tell you all the simple things,

That you are sure to see.

You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,

Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,

Caterpillars on the step,

Wooden porches cleanly swept;

Watermelons on the vine,

Strong majestic Georgia pines;

Rocking chairs and front yard swings,

Junebugs flying on a string;

Turnip greens and hot cornbread,

Coleslaw and barbecue;

Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,

Fried pies and pickles too.

There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,

And cool, green grass beneath your feet;

Catfish nipping in the lake,

And fresh young boys on the make.

You'll see all these things

And much, much more,

In a way of life that I adore.

from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems

BOOK AVAILABLE: www.reeds.ms/book.asp

or www.Amazon.com

AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com

Making the WORD Work for You: Writer Shari Smothers

2009-06-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

Head over to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING where I talk with a writer who knows the importance of the word: Shari Smothers!

Making the WORD Work for You: Writer Shari Smothers

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: Do you find that many of the things you write about are intrinsically connected to you?
SS: Yes, easily, my creative writing is connected with me. With commercial writing, though, I try to connect with my subject in a personal way. It helps me to write authentically even when I’m not writing about me.

CLG: How important is social media to the promoting of your writing?
SS: I think social media is really powerful. I don’t use it regularly to promote my work so much as to socialize. When I do use it for my work, I see the difference in my traffic. For my next book, I will use it much more.

I’ve heard that mainstream publishers are advocating their writers join social media sites, naming Facebook and Twitter. The self-publishing company I used for my book also advocates using social media and provides offers to help you get set up on the sites. Like them, I respect the power of word-of-mouth and personal interactions.

CLG: What is one important thing you've learned through your writing life?
SS: One important lesson that surfaces often is that words have power. And wielding that power is a privilege best tempered by humility and gratitude.

To read the rest of Shari Smothers' interview, head to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

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Writing in Translation: Author Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

2009-06-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

For the months of June and July, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at how culture plays a role in writing. I have a great lineup of six writers, and up next is a writer I enjoy, one who finds herself entrenched within the Japanese culture: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga!

Midori Saito, a young woman, fresh from Japan and too independent for Japanese society, refuses to heed her mother’s advice that marrying a foreigner will bring her nothing but trouble. Turns out Mom was right and Midori is now suddenly on her own in San Francisco. Will she be able to find her American Dream and the perfect dessert?

When asked How important is it for you to integrate your cultural experiences into your writing, Tokunaga said, "As you can probably tell from my photograph, I am not Japanese. I’m Caucasian, was born in San Francisco, and my Japanese last name comes from my husband. Both my novels are about Japan and Japanese culture. When I took my first creative writing class many years ago, the teacher required us to complete three short stories in a semester. And all three that sprang out of me were about some aspect of Japanese culture. I didn’t plan it that way, but that’s what happened, and it made me realize how important this culture has been in my life.."

Come by AtBaP to read more about Tokunaga's appreciation of the Japanese culture and to learn about her next book coming this fall: Love in Translation!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Every Day She's Hustling: Author Ni'cola

2009-06-15T08:19:00.001-07:00

Head over to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING where I interview a new author on the scene, Ni'cola!

Every Day She's Hustling: Author Ni'cola

About Over and Over Again:

At first glance, 27-year-old Dionni Stone, owner of Whatever You Like Entertainment seems to have what all black women desire: natural beauty, a successful business, and a beautiful black man on her side. Until…

Dionni has found the love of her life – once again – in a compromising situation. For Dionni, this is the final heart break. With the love and support of her family and friends, she concentrates on her business, and it’s there she meets new client, Xavier “Zay” Grey, an investment banker that hires her to plan a surprise graduation party for his baby sister. Timidly, Dionni begins to think she might have found “the one” for her, but a devastating secret finds her world once again shaken. It also finds her back in the arms of an unlikely man, and even more pain than even she could imagine.

Over and Over Again is a funny and sensual tale that weaves between lies and love, deceit and truth, teaching Dionni the ultimate meaning of what is honesty, passion, and friendship.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT
CLG: NI'COLA: THE SOUNDTRACK. What are three tracks that would HAVE to make it onto the soundtrack of your life and why?

Ni'cola: The first song would be Beauty by Dru Hill. I believe Beauty comes from the inside. I will do anything for anyone. I go the extra mile at all times. One thing that I am complimented on is how well I treat others. I believe those attributes is what makes a person beautiful.

The second would be No More Rain (In this cloud) by Angie Stone. Just like anyone else in life, I have been through a plethora of trials and tribulations. I had to decide that I was going to be stop letting life harbor me, and press forward. So I consider the cloud me and my life, and I had to learn to stop crying and start living up to the potential that I know that I have. I’m only half way there though. The storm tends to come, but I do not allow for the rain to develop.

The last song would be Queen of the Pack by Patra. Being from Jamaica, I know all about struggle. But I had to let people know that I am not accepting anything. The song compares life to a pack of cards. It basically states that I am telling you what I am about, and I am not going back on my word. What ever life brings, I will come out on top, and be the Queen of the pack. I make my own destiny, so you better watch out.

CLG: You are indie publishing OVER AND OVER AGAIN through your company NCM Publishing; did you attempt to publish through traditional publishing routes? If so, how was that journey?

Ni'cola: Yes, I did attempt to publish through the traditional, but I am very impatient. By the time I began receiving feedback from a traditional publisher, I was already half way through with self-publishing.

I really have not had any major issues with self publishing. In fact, I believe that this was the best route for me. I prayed about it and jumped in head first. I know this is what I am supposed to be doing because everything has gone smoothly from day one.

To read the rest of Ni'cola's interview, head to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

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BOOK BYTES: Something Old Something New (review)

2009-06-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

3.5 out of 5 Rating

Love Never Dies

You're the happiest woman on the planet because you are about to marry the love of your life: then tragedy strikes.

Imagine having to go on and live your life as if a huge part of you hasn't died and broken off. Imagine having a mind and a heart that can't let go of that love, that constantly replays precious, wondrous moments of absolute happiness. How do you go on? Can you really?

Erica N. Martin's novel Something Old Something New is a remembrance of love story that shows us through Audrey, the dedicated main character, that love never dies, and when it's real and when it's true, you will never lose it.

Martin does a good job pacing this story to its climactic ending with a nice twist, and what I enjoyed most of the story is the importance of love and memory. We all know the traditional love stories of boy meet girl, gets her, loses her, then gets her back; but this is a story that celebrates the sweet moments of a love story cut short but is determined to return.

If you want a story that reaffirms love, then definitely check out Martin's latest fare.

Click the cover to order your copy of Something Old Something New today!

BOOK BYTES: Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict (review)

2009-06-13T16:02:00.001-07:00

4.5 out of 5 Rating

It's Hard Being a Woman-No Matter the Time

It's hard being a young woman in today's world - just imagine what it would be like for a gentleman’s daughter from Regency England who is thrust into the technologically-driven, "loose" world of the twenty-first century.

This is the initial setup of Laurie Viera Rigler's novel Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, a novel I highly enjoyed for its great main character, solid storytelling, and social commentary on women, independence, and love.

Rigler does an excellent job keeping the main character Jane Mansfield within her time and culture's speech, a difficult task when placed around the contemporary setting, people, and things that are 21st century L.A. It was that ability of Rigler's that kept me throughout the story, seeing little things like Jane marvel at the TV thinking it to be a window. I believed the main character, and I was willing to follow her throughout the story.

And this was a strong story, a coming-of-age (albeit, in another's body) story that explores the world in which a woman lives in and how she is to find her place in that world. No matter the time period, no matter the language barrier, a woman still needs to find her place, and Rigler does a fine job showing us that this idea crosses time and space.

I don't know how Rigler will top this novel, but I do look forward to seeing where her creative mind wanders next.

Click the cover to order your copy of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict today!

BOOK BYTES: INTERRUPTION: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine (review)

2009-06-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

4 out of 5 Rating

Worth the Interruption

When reading a book, I love to be entertained; even more so, I love to be taught something, and while reading Tracey Michae'l Lewis' latest novel, INTERRUPTION: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine, I definitely received big helpings of both.

Crystal Justine is a young woman in a long line of women in her family to endure a devastating generational curse, a curse that finds the weakest part of the women to crush their spirit and kill them. CJ has a slew of issues, many of them stemming from the mother who succumbing to the curse, died when CJ was young. CJ, searching for a life that is all hers and all good, must battle for every good thing she wants, for evil refuses to allow her to be the interruption to stop the curse from coursing through her family's veins.

Aside from the story itself, which I really enjoyed, my favorite part of this story is its discussion (through literature) of "the generational curse." We are set for victory, but there are a lot of forces that don't want us to succeed, and sometimes, those forces go beyond dealing with a person one-on-one; it infiltrates an entire family, an entire bloodline for the sole purpose of completely obliterating that family.

Lewis' novel vividly shows us how these forces can use everything against you, to include your family, to break you down, but there can be victory if you keep your eye on God, keep your heart on what's true, and what your mind focused on what's right.

I look forward to seeing what Lewis can teach us with her next novel.

Click the cover to order your copy of INTERRUPTION: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine today!

Need a Quickie Lit Treat?

2009-06-10T16:37:00.001-07:00

A young, spiritually righteous woman, Faith Darling, must face the fact that you cannot escape from your family and the truth.

When Faith’s notorious great-grandmother, Miss Sunny Vincent, dies, Faith, as the only surviving relative, must arrange the funeral. However, Miss Sunny Vincent’s remains are hard to dispose of because God won’t have her and the Devil don’t want her.

I SO enjoyeed reading this story - Zetta has a great style, voice, and she quickly will bring you into the characters and story. Need a quickie treat during lunch break? Been working all day and need a little quick escape? Click the cover to order your copy of "Devil Don't Want Her" today!

Reigning Supreme with Author Samara King

2009-06-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Head over to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING where I interview a dear sisterfriend and wonderful writer, SAMARA KING!

Reigning Supreme with Author Samara King

About PULSE:

What’s a woman to do when she discovers she used to be married to a spy?

Cassidy Raleigh Sebastien has learned to live without her ex Gabriel, that is until he returns to New Orleans and sweeps back into her life one night during a masquerade party. She has no plans on letting Gabe see the desire that still makes her heart pound, especially when a mysterious stranger beats him to the punch.

Gone are the days of playing spy for former agent, Gabe Sebastien. His only mission: to reconquer Cassidy’s heart and he’ll start with his own covert

operation of seduction.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT
CLG: How important is it for a writer to "grow"...and what does growth mean to you as a writer?
SK: Growth is part of the writing journey in my opinion. My writing style now has varied from the work I currently have out – it has broaden which I believe readers will see from my upcoming works. Growth means always placing yourself in a position to learn.

CLG: You've moved into poetry over the last year, and I've had the pleasure of reading them - deep, powerful. What do you get from writing your poetic pieces?
SK: Poetry is a big part of who I am. The words come to me embedded with life experiences, passing thoughts. Poetry for me is born from every breath I take and I learn something different each time. It has helped me step outside my comfort zone and expose another level of my creative self.

To read the rest of Samara's interview and check out Samara's poetic skill, head to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITINGChocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME![chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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Determined to Educate...COMMUNITIES!

2009-06-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

Recently inducted into the National Association for Professional Women, This angelic and poetic songstress comes by way of the Bronx, New York. Vibrant and complete in spirit she has been singing since the tender age of 4. Early on she shared notes with her mom and was influenced by the sounds of Anita Baker, Etta James, Faith Evans, Sam Cooke, Dianne Warren, David Foster and Patti Labelle. Furthering her passion to be a part of the musical universe she participated and tested her abilities in talent shows during her junior and high school years. Possessing a raw determination to get it done, she then proceeded to work on her talents and creating her own mold. As part of her determination to advance she has obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication.

She made it an inner promise to accomplish her aspirations with the untimely departure of her Mother and this past June 2008 her Father, who both always inspired her through music. She has concentrated on her creative vision in songwriting and honing her craft as a vocalist. Well aware that it requires a relentless, dedicated approach in the music industry she has made every effort to elevate her momentum in anyway. She has managed to establish relationships with some reputable talents of today like Multi-talented Wyclef Jean and Producer Younglord with them providing her with feasible insight and direction.

Senyah has remained in the loop in anyway where it can provide her with some form of experience and development whether it is through vocal training to being an extra. In 1998, she actively partook as an extra in the movie “Stuart Little 2”, Marci X featuring Damon Wayans and KC and Jo-Jo’s “All My Life” video. She has also participated as a background vocalist for upcoming artist Mary C. She was most recently cast as “Emma Jackson” in the Off Broadway play “The Sanctuary” written, produced and directed by Anne L. Thompson Stretching. With understanding that one step has to be manifested at a time she also has aspirations on acting and doing the big screen in her career travels. Currently, Senyah is working on her self-written catalogue of music that she hopes to present and make a profound impact to the musical universe through it. She proclaims as a personal quote that “Nothing in life is free, hard work pays off and you must have complete Faith in yourself and in God. With that all things are possible”.

Through all of her personal struggles and experiences she founded the non-profit organization Determined to Educate, Inc. Founder and CEO, Senyah Baah has made a commitment to herself to help those who are less fortunate and need a helping hand. She was inspired by her parents Victoria (Adwoa) and Frank (Kwame) Baah, who have both been called by the Lord. She has promised to continue their legacy by believing in those and helping those to believe in themselves.

What is Determined to Educate? Listen to the commercial below!

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The Interview

What birthed the idea of Determined to Educate (DTE)?
One day I sat at my computer at work and was thinking of all of the issues that people I knew had and even I had. Issues that bothered me and even caused people so much pain. It was a familiar song. There is so much selfishness going around and I said, “Wow, does anyone not care about anyone besides themselves?” Who wants to live like that when life is so precious and short. I wanted to do something or say something to have people recognize that this is not the way we should be living. I know I couldn’t change anyone, but I knew that I could have people thinking in better ways. Then I started typing subjects/issues that needed to be addressed on my computer. I wanted to see how the message could get across and I remembered how much I loved the t-shirts made by “School of the Hard Knocks”. Those shirts always had some kind of word or sentence that stood out to me.

Talk to us about Determined to Educate; what is its mission?
Determined To Educate, Inc. was established to re-invent community. I walk the streets and see that there is no more community. People aren’t helping each other out and everyone is basically staying to themselves. I didn’t grow up like that. It bothers me to see that. I want this organization to bring back the importance of the old educating the young and the young helping the old. We have created two entities which are “Better Man University” and “Better Woman University”. We will be coming out with our third entity mid-summer called “Young Gift Academy” for children ages 22 and under. It’s an intergenerational concept.

What programs and services do you offer through DTE?
We have developed an interactive website. The website is designed to interact with patrons who visit the site. There are a team of “professors” on the site that will give insight on issues that evolve in our communities. These “professors” are not accredited “professors” but “professors” that have lived through these issues. You as the patron will be able to ask a question, give a comment or tell a personal story after each lecture. We do not post derogatory comments. We are working to promote a positive state of mind. Right now to register patrons click on the “admissions” section on the top right corner of the page. We are currently working on the back end of the site so that people will be able to sign in with their email addresses.

I talked with you recently about DTE and your goals, and I love that this vision you have is community-based. We talked a lot about back in the day and how important it is to have that community involvement in an individual's life. Why do you think we have fallen away from that mentality?
I bring the word “selfish” up again because that is indeed what some of us have become. We don’t remember that “Bernadine” on the 7th floor has 3 kids and is a single mom and may need help with the kids tonight because it gets overwhelming. We forget that “Mr. Jenkins” in the next building lost his wife a few years ago and may want company this afternoon just to talk about the old days or current events. Situations like that, we fail to look at. I feel its time we open our eyes.

Check out Cindy Senyah Baah on The Urban Wall Street Project!

Why do you think community involvement is so vital to this project?
I feel that this organization can bring that “GOOD” part of life back into the community. You don’t need money to help your neighbor. All you need is time, patience, KNOWLEDGE and a smile. I know it’s not easy but it is possible. If we can’t come together in our own community and teach ourselves and others better ways of life, we are headed for destruction within ourselves. It’s a cold world out there.

How can people get involved in DTE?
People can log on to the site and read the lectures that we are giving. We have already held a face to face Men’s forum for “Better Man University” and a face to face Women’s forum for “Better Woman University”. Beginning this winter we will be looking for volunteers. Those who wish to volunteer for different events that we have, there will be a posting on the site on how people can get involved on different projects coming up in Winter of 2009.

How do you plan to expand DTE in the future?
We just had our First Annual Book Donation Drive benefiting senior citizens in nursing homes as well as children and adults rehibilating from physical sicknesses in Harlem, NY. We raised over 150 books! At the present time we are based in New York. I’d like to open up a facility in Harlem, NY where we can have more face to face forums and have programs for children. We are actually working on getting a couple of projects started for “Young Gift Academy”. I’d also like to expand to other parts of the country and eventually other parts of the world. We are working on having a one year anniversary fundraiser at the end of the year for Determined To Educate, Inc and much much more…so stay tuned Folks!!

Any last comments you'd like to make?
I’d like to thank everyone that has been supporting the organization and the movement and welcome those who are unaware to log on to our website to find out more about us. Another special shout out to James Watson who designs our website. He does such a phenomenal job and gives great input to the organization. My COO, Donald Baah and brother for his amazing drive at such a young age, My staff and team of “Professors” that volunteer their time and words of wisdom. I would also like to thank everyone who attended/donated and those who helped at the Book Donation Drive and broke some sweat (Claudette, Grace, “Prof”, Shani Myers, Anthony, Janine, Rahman, Owen and family, “Prof”.Jaimie Jennings, Chris, Justice, Maia, Earl, Mali, Cathy, Kimmy, Niko, Jaquan, Sidelle. “Prof” Jai, Earl Christian III and Alan from The Urban Wall Street Project – Thanks so much for all the hard work, it paid off!!!) and a special thank You to our sponsors, Tonnie's Minis in New York, New York (West Village) and Absolutely Creative Advertising in Brooklyn, New York. We are going to have our apparel line coming soon where you can make a donation by buying a t-shirt or other Determined To Educate, Inc. accessories. Proceeds will go to the programs which we support. Let’s give back people! This time it’s real and it’s important.

And I finally I want to thank you, Shon, for all of your help, support and taking the time with me for this interview and getting the word out as much as you can!

The Interracial Duo of Interracial Romance - J. M. Jeffries

2009-05-30T11:14:00.001-07:00

For the month of May, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) proves that love IS color blind as we feature authors of interracial romance!

We conclude the month with the dynamic duo of interracial romance, J. M. Jeffries!

When a girl wants Hot and Spicy, she finds herself a Latin Lover.

In J.M. Jeffries’s "Partners in Crime," Vincent Mendoza is a CIA agent in charge of his first mission. He must liberate some top secret documents and he turns to jailed cat burglar Cleo Harris to help him. To gain her freedom, she must help the sexy agent. Little does Vincent know that the beautiful thief will steal his heart in the process?

Brash, bold, lingerie designer, Honey Harlow, doesn’t believe in love, but she does worship at the altar of lust. In Paris for her new lingerie line, Sweet Nothings, she meets the sophisticated, suave French vintner, Ettiene Marais. Etienne has come to Fashion Week for one goal--to woo the beautiful Honey and add her as the new crown jewel to his business empire.

Honey's her own woman who plays her by her own rules. She's not interested in going upscale. She like the Frenchman just fine and she's happy enough to play with him, but not be owned by him. But Etienne wants what he wants and he wants Honey.

Want to know what J. M. Jeffries' take on interracial relationships and romance is? Head to All the Blog's a Page!

And while there, check out this month's features with authors Tressie Lockwood, Marie Rochelle, and J.J. Murray!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing

[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

The Importance of Being SASSY

2009-05-23T12:22:00.001-07:00

ARE YOU....SASSY? Come by CLG today to check out my interview with Eva, owner of the site SASSY WOMEN, a place dedicated to creating a community for women of color in their twenties!

When asked, How would you define the typical SASSY young women of color, Eva replied, "Well SASSY Women means Smart, Ambitious, Sexy and Sophisticated Young Women. That's the typical woman. Most of us at least have a BA, but most have some sort of graduate degree or are on the way. A lot of the writers (and readers I imagine) have some sort of hustle, usually in the form of their own business. They do more than just the 9 to 5 and then sit at home. They are of course sexy, beautiful inside and out, and confident. And sophisticated - we are not the stereotypical crazy or angry women. We carry ourselves with grace. (I can't forget that there are SASSY men out there. They are simply amazing too!)."

Check out the rest of my feature on SASSY @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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"Really Real" Love with Author J. J. Murray

2009-05-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

For the month of May, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) proves that love IS color blind as we feature authors of interracial romance!

This week, we spotlight acclaimed author J. J. Murray!

The first time I saw J. J.'s picture, I have to admit I was shocked. I was used to African American female writers telling the stories of multicultural love. But then I read Renee and Jay. And then I read Renee and Jay 2. And then I read Something Real. And then I read the other books, and I realized two things: Murray's a good storyteller, and what I enjoy the most from his writing is my ability to see he wants to tell a good love story (no matter the color).

J. J.'s Latest

J.J. is a rare breed. He might actually be the only white male author who exclusively writes IR novels, and of course, because of this, I had to pose the following question: "How have readers taken to your work and to you as a white male author of IR?"

Murray replied, "I may be the only one! People generally squint at me a lot at readings for some reason, as if I'm not quite in focus. I sometimes open readings with, "You were expecting someone else?" I have been told that I couldn't possibly be J. J. Murray at writer's conferences--I even had to show ID. I once stood up from a signing in North Carolina to stretch my legs, and my wife signed books for me as J. J. Murray without anyone being the wiser. (I'm such a ghost sometimes). So many readers write to me after reading my books to tell me they didn't know I was a white man, some (not all) of them adding that it didn't matter a bit. I just hope and pray that I can touch a few hearts, pull a few heartstrings, release a few tears, and unleash some laughter in reader's lives. I hope readers smile when they've read the last word."

To read the rest of J. J. Murray's comments on interracial romance and to read an excerpt of Too Much of a Good Thing, head to All the Blog's a Page!

And while there, check out this month's features with authors Tressie Lockwood and Marie Rochelle!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Author Marie Rochelle Talks Interracial Romance @ AtBaP

2009-05-16T17:56:00.001-07:00

For the month of May, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) proves that love IS color blind as we feature authors of interracial romance!

This week, we spotlight "The Queen of Tease," author Marie Rochelle!

The Perfect Temptation:

The moment he spotted her he knew that he had to have her. Dave Turner couldn’t get the stunning image of the creamy mocha beauty Charisma Miles out of his mind. He wasn’t going to stop pursing her until she was completely his.

Tall, Handsome and Oh so Yummy!

Muscles and tattoos are her ultimate weakness that’s why Charisma Miles stays as far away from Dave Turner as she can. His rock hard body is constantly the featured attraction in her dreams. He’s her ultimate fantasy, but is she ready for her dreams to become a reality?

For the month of May, I asked SEVERAL questions regarding interracial romance, and ultimately, Marie Rochelle is happy to see the positive climate in interracial romance; she states, "I do believe that writers of interracial romances have come a very long way in the last couple of years. I’m noticing a lot more interracial romance books in bookstores like Kmart, Books a Million, Barnes and Nobles, and Wal-Mart in my hometown. I think it’s wonderful. When I was a teenager and used to buy books, I seldom saw a black woman on the cover with a white man and now I do. It’s truly a wonderful sight."

To read the rest of Marie Rochelle's comments on interracial romance and to read the juicy excerpt to her novel, Tempting Turner, head to All the Blog's a Page!

And while there, check out the features with all of our talented writers on topics such as memoirs, urban fiction, homosexuality, faith, screenwriting, and MORE!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Spring-Summer 2009 Issue of SisterDivas is LIVE!

2009-05-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

SisterDivas Magazine - Where REAL Women Congregate

http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net

Why should you check out the Spring-Summer 2009 Issue of SISTERDIVAS?

Because @ MEDIA, we feature five individuals whose talents move through words, through song, and through celebrity entertainment: authors Brooke Green, Janete Scobie, and Leah Mullen; musician Roselyn Brown; and entertainment blogger Shari Weiss.

Because this issue of TOTAL BODY, we welcome Yolanda Shoshana as THE LUSCIOUS LIFESTYLE columnist; in her premiere column, she talks about a popular four-letter word.

Because in EPISODE EIGHT of LOVE BYTES, Destiny runs into her ex-fiancé and his new wife and learns news that could send her reeling.

Because over @ LIFE this issue, All That Glitters columnist Melodye Shore poignantly writes about hellos and goodbyes while SD interviews "The Relaxed Writer" Marla Beck, who talks about her career as a life coach for writers.

Because relationships of all kinds are explored this issue @ Relationships as Simone Grant AKA SINgleGIRL talks about being single in the city; Katie Stanton and Gloria Pan of Fem 2.0 discuss the importance of building relationships among women; and Yolanda Shoshana talks about the "luscious lifestyle."

Because over @ BUZZWORTHY, we show you our top pics for hot TV shows, CDs, movies, and books for spring-summer '09.

To contact SisterDivas regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@sisterdivasmagazine.net.

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible.

SisterDivas: Where ALL Women Congregate!
http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net

Spring-Summer 2009 Issue of TNC Magazine is LIVE

2009-05-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.tnc-magazine.net

Why should you check out the Spring-Summer 2009 Issue of THE NUBIAN CHRONICLES?

With our reader-favorite column this issue, we interview authors King Dhakir (I Hate My Job) and Miki Starr Martin (Zella Dora)!

@ DCC, we bring episode 17 of our online serial, EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT: Randi has to deal with Dru as a fellow employee, and Cassie goes to another man to receive advice on her life.

Excerpt

“Deep in thought?” Randi knew it was Dru and didn’t turn around.

“Just thinking about Clem.”

“You hear anything more since this morning?”

“No,” Randi said, leaning her forehead against the desk. “Cadu mentioned that Clem may stop by to see me, but so far, no Clem.”

Randi heard Dru walk up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Her first instinct was to flinch and tell Dru to back off; she couldn’t think straight with him touching her. But she didn’t. She felt every cell inside of her breathe deeply as she relaxed.

“She’s going to be okay you know,” Dru said, massaging Randi’s shoulders.

“I can’t be sure this time,” Randi said. “This is major. I just wish she would come here. I can’t concentrate on work. I can’t concentrate on anything. I need to see her and see for myself that she’s okay.”

“I understand that, Ran. She’s your best friend.” Randi nodded, feeling a knot in her throat, the pain of her best friend seeping into herself.

“Yeah,” Randi whispered, as emotions began to take her voice. “My best friend.” Randi closed her eyes, feeling Dru’s fingers knead her shoulders, her neck.

Dru’s warm breath made the hairs on the back of Randi’s neck stand. “Feel good?” he whispered.

Randi shivered, moaning softly. She should be fighting this. Fighting the feelings she was feeling. Fighting the tingling sensation that was moving up and down her spine.

Dru pressed his lips against the back of Randi’s neck, kissing her, as she moaned.

“Dru,” she said. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” Randi’s eyes fluttered opened, snapping her back into reality. She saw Clemson down on the floor and jolted.

NUBIAN belles-lettres has four eclectic reads this issue, bring your short stories, novel excerpts, and commentaries on love, relationships, and black literature!

Shadow - Rendezvous at the Lake - (short story) - lovely, head-strong Alison Jamison has vowed to leave the dating scene alone, but when she meets Giovanni Quincy, a handsome, articulate man from New Orleans, she might learn it's better to take a chance in love and life than not to take a chance at all.

Sharon Griffith - The Black Voices - (commentary) - Griffith talks about the journey and the promise for the future of black literature.

Jennifer Coissiere - Pink Ribbon - (excerpt from short story collection) - Coissiere shares with us "Pink Ribbon," part of her Ribbons Pinned series in which varied characters come forward at an annual motivational connection weekend and share a different life altering times represented by causes that different colored ribbon represents.

Erica-Faye Nicole Williams - Divas of Dutchess - (novel excerpt) - true to life story of a family-oriented, African-American young woman coming to terms with life and love and realizing that things and people aren't always what they seem to be.

@ The Poetry Corner, we spotlight the hot poetical prowess of DAMNYO, who when asked what inspires you to write, replied, "What inspires me to write is pain, in my life and in other's lives. My little brother's smile. Indignation in the world, so many things move me. It's hard to capture every single inspiration. I love moving the world with my words. I live poetry. It's my life."

@ IN DA CLUB, mega-reader and book reviewer Sharon Lewis talks about her reading habits, what makes a good book, and more!

@ ASK DEDAN, Dedan Tolbert offers men advice on how to keep their women happy.

In this issue of The Living Room, Anastacia Tolbert gives us the short drama, Let Go and Let Them, about a daughter stuck between a mother and grandmother who can't communicate and the disease that connects them painfully together.

Can't have a story without a plot, and in her latest THE WRITE LIFE article, Shon Bacon discusses how important plot really is to all stories.

To contact The Nubian Chronicles regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@tnc-magazine.net.

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible!

The Nubian Chronicles - http://www.tnc-magazine.net!

BOOK BYTES: Some Like It Hot (review)

2009-04-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

4 out of 5 Rating

I Like It Hot, Too

In the romance world, Brenda Jackson is practically a household name; she is known for her bestselling sexy stories that turn up the heat between flawed but real men and women. In her first ever short story collection, Jackson continues to add the sizzle she's known and loved for. In a book titled SOME LIKE IT HOT, a reader wants the HOT, and I got it here. The sexual tension between the main characters is palpable, especially in my favorite of the five stories, "Strictly Business." Almost more so than Jackson's way with the sexy word, I enjoyed the main characters Jackson developed. Out of the five stories, no two characters are alike, and their yearnings, that "something" that pulled them through the story, felt real and authentic. My only issue, and it's a "me thing" is length of stories. At times, I felt like I was reading either really long short stories or short novellas, but Jackson's talent as a writer keeps you from feeling the stories trudge along. Hopefully, Jackson will grace us with more shorter works in the futures - "quickies" to whet our "need to have it now" appetites!

You can get your HOT ON today by clicking the cover above and ordering Brenda Jackson's Some Like It Hot!

BOOK BYTES: The Seeds of Green Mangoes (review)

2009-04-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

4.5 out of 5 Rating

A lush, no-holds barred story

I am a big fan of stories that make you think, that make you want to talk about the story with others. Janete Scobie's debut novel, The Seeds of Green Mangoes is definitely one of those books. On the surface, it's a coming of age story, one young woman's journey to find herself and her place in the world. Beneath the surface is a lushly described story that vividly portrays locales, characters, and the yearning embedded in main character, Creola Philogène. There are two things I enjoy most about this story. One, I love the weaving of deep, serious issues in the story: the taboo of sex, culture, gender, and class, for example, blend well to layer the story and give book clubs something to talk about. Two, knowing a bit about Scobie's background - her education, travels, experiences - this book feels like a culmination of everything she's learned and felt thus far in her life. I look forward to seeing what she gleans from life next.

You can order a copy of The Seeds of Green Mangoes by clicking the cover above.

BOOK BYTES: Sweet Deception (review)

2009-04-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

4.5 out of 5 Rating

No Deception - This Is a Sexy Sweet Book!

I've been a fan of Patricia Sargeant's since I interviewed her in 2007 on ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING; back then, I was digging her novel On Fire. For 2009, I am telling all romance fans to check out her June 2009 release, Sweet Deception.

You want a book description, you can head to Patricia's website and read one; you want to know why you should pre-order this book TODAY, keep reading!

I have read a lot of romance novels, and oftentimes, I get irritated at how "damsel-in-distress" the woman is or how - even when strong - she always manages to loosen her backbone when the man comes with his demanding, "I want you now" ways. I like both my male and female leads to be strong, yet vulnerable, and Sargeant handles this wonderfully in Sweet Deception. We have two strong, sexy characters, both struggling to deal with familial issues while trying to find and reconnect with themselves and ultimately with each other. We have humor - not your typical man-made comedy, but life comedy - those things that happen just from living and breathing and dealing with the world. We have yearning because each of these characters desperately want love and affection in their lives and as readers, we want them to receive it. And no sexy romance novel could be complete without sex, and Sargeant laces the novel with sensual scenes that will warm you and make you enjoy the novel all the more.

Those of you who are hard core romance fans and believe that romance novels have merit within the publishing industry, you'll have an added reason to buy the book, too; I won't tell you why - just to say that very early on in the novel, Sargeant places the characters in a situation that will hearken many a YAY FOR ROMANCE cry!

Sweet Deception hits shelves in June; however, you can pre-order your copy TODAY by clicking the cover above!

Keepin' It Real with Screenwriter Cynthia Dagnal-Myron

2009-03-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

For the month of March, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) has gone to the big screen as we talk to screenwriters!

This week, we wrap up our March series with a woman who offers GREAT advice to any writer: screenwriter Cynthia Dagnal-Myron!

For the month of March, I asked SEVERAL questions regarding fave sites for writers, advice, differences and similarities between the different media platforms in regards to writing, etc. When I asked, For those of you who write for different arenas - big screen, boob tube, stage, page, web - what are elements that differ for you as the writer in regards to how you SEE the story unfolding in each arena, Dagnal-Myron replied, "I only write for the big screen and the "page," so I can only speak for those two. But the difference is that when writing a novel or an article, I can offer both action and the "motivation" for what the character is doing in words on that page. A script is all "action." You're showing, not telling. What a character does has to carry that story, and the power is in what the character does even more than what he says. In fact, if you write about what a character is thinking in a script it will receive a quick "pass." When writing a "story," you can have the character ruminate, think aloud, discuss.

"You can also spend a whole page on description, to set a mood or make a point, when writing fiction. You create a whole world with words. Script writing has to be very economical, and exposition is to be avoided like the plague. In other fiction I can tell you what music is playing, what the character looks like, what perfume she wears. In a script, they frown upon this, because in the end, none of that will be decided by the screenwriter. So there are remarkable differences--glad you asked! I hadn't really thought about it this seriously before, though it's something I work with everyday."

To read the rest of Cynthia Dagnal-Myron's comments on screenwriting, head to All the Blog's a Page!

And while there, check out the screenwriting features from Stephen Kogon, Brian Spaeth, Kristin Johnson, and John W. Bosley!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Support Women, Support Fem 2.0!

2009-03-28T21:55:00.001-07:00

Women and Work: Why Employers’ Work/Life Policies Can—and Should—Survive the Recession

Over at Fem 2.0, Joan Williams, Distinguished Professor of Law at U.C. Hastings College of the Law and Director of the Center for WorkLife Law and the Co-Director of the Project for Attorney Retention, discusses the importance of maintaining work policies that benefit and support women in the workplace. Definitely take the time to check it out and leave YOUR thoughts!

Here's the [LINK]!

And if you're a part of the Twitter Nation, check out Sunday night's Fem2.0 twittercast at 10 p.m. EST, hashtag #fem2. The conversations are always lively and full of people who are dedicated toward the empowerment of women.

March 29 - Screenwriters Go Wild on Tale It Like It Is

2009-03-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

JOIN TILII HOST SAMARA KING AS SHE GETS THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM SEVERAL TALENTED WRITERS AND THE WORLD OF SCREENWRITING.

WWW.BLOGTALKRADIO.COM/SAMARAKING

Time: 4:30pm EST

Call-in # (347) 215-9311

Unlocking the Diary of Author Nikki Urban: The Interview

2009-03-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

Unlocking the Diary of Author Nikki Urban

About Jade's Diary:

Jade's Diary is a tale of a dead woman's diary that is left to her daughter Mikleah. As Mikleah reads her mother's diary, she turns the pages of her mother's secret life that includes sex, lust, lies, betrayal, and vengeance.

Mikleah learns from her mother's diary of the father she never knew and of a long lost sibling. Jade's daughter also learns she has been having an incestuous relationship with the sister that she never knew and learns to what extent her mother would go through to get what she wanted-her lover's wife.

The diary exposes the many secrets of Jade's lovers, which leads to death and imprisonment.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: You walk into a movie theater and there's a movie poster for JADE'S DIARY: SEX, LIES, LUST, BETRAYAL, VENGEANCE. What's the logline?
NU: Unlock the Diary! What are your secrets? Remember, all secrets have consequences…

CLG: NIKKI URBAN: THE SOUNDTRACK. What are three tracks that would HAVE to make it onto the soundtrack of your life?
NU: There are so many songs that I could name to describe my life and who I am. But, if I had to have the ultimate soundtrack of my life the three tracks that I would choose would be: 1) I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan because I am that every woman. I can do all things. 2) Tender Roni by Bobby Brown because once you meet me, you will never forget me, and I always make my father feel proud. 3) Hustlin' by Rick Ross because I’m always hustling until I make it to where I want to be.

CLG: You are publishing JADE'S DIARY through Diamond Stone Productions. Talk to us about your role as a publisher; what have been some major things you've learned?
NU: My husband and I started DiamondStone Productions because I was not getting picked up by any traditional black publishers. In the process of starting Diamondstone Productions, I have learned that as publisher you must be a good negotiator and you must be involved in every aspect of the book process(writing, editing, book design, etc.). In addition, you should always have an abundance of books on hand and various outlets where your book can be sold at. Lastly, have a good accounting program on your computer and have a good marketing strategy. A good marketing strategy is key to the success of your book and publishing company. Once your publishing company is out there, vendors, readers, and other wholesalers will be more willing to take a chance with you. Reputation is key!

Check out the rest of Nikki Urban's interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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What's the Haps @ SisterDivas Magazine?

2009-03-21T22:01:00.001-07:00

SisterDivas Magazine - Where REAL Women Congregate
http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net

Because our MEDIA column is jammed full of great features with individuals whose talents move through words, through song, through acting, and through faith: authors Laurie Viera Rigler, Marilynn Griffith, and Paulette Harper; musician Brent Ellis of The Brent Ellis Group; singer/actress Alexis Grenier; and R&B star Shanice.

Because in our TOTAL BODY column, Dr. Cherry talks about why being "high maintenance" may not be such a bad thing, and entrepreneur Beverly Davis talks to SD about her business SundayCosmetics.

Because in our feature, LOVE BYTES, we bring you episode seven, where Destiny must decide if she's going to move forward in her feelings for Devon or let her past dictate her life.

Because in our LIFE column -- no matter the celebration - new year, Inauguration, Valentine's Day, The Sipping Sommelier L. Denise Jackson has the perfect wine for you, and Lindsay Price - playwright for Theatrefolk - stops by to talk to us about her company.

Because in our RELATIONSHIPS column, authors Eternity Philops and Portia Rainey show you the importance of friendship and self-love and faith.

Because over @ BUZZWORTHY, we show you our top pics for hot TV shows, CDs, movies, and books for the first quarter of '09.

To contact SisterDivas regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@sisterdivasmagazine.net .

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible.

SisterDivas: Where ALL Women Congregate!
http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net

What's happening at The Nubian Chronicles?

2009-03-20T11:04:00.001-07:00

http://www.tnc-magazine.net

Why should you check out the Winter 2009 Issue of THE NUBIAN CHRONICLES?

With our reader-favorite column this issue, we interview authors Carleen Brice and Cassandra Washington!

@ DCC, we bring episode 16 of our online serial, EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT: The day after suffering public abuse at the hands of her father, an embarrassed Clemson must face not only the man she loves, but her arch nemesis Kat and her mother.

Want sex? Want the changing of sex? Want the change that came to America? Want the change you can make to get whatever you like? Then you need to head over to NUBIAN belles-lettres to read our stories and articles!

@ The Poetry Corner, we spotlight lyrical wordsmith, CHAMSIL!

@ IN DA CLUB, we talk public relations and marketing with Raven Literary PR!

In his latest Matthew's Musings, columnist Matthew Lynch defines and discusses the importance of the Black Public Intellectual.

@ ASK DEDAN, Dedan Tolbert offers advice to a reader who wants to know how soon is too soon to start dating after a break up...

Want to read a most unordinary love story? In this issue of THE LIVING ROOM, columnist Stacey Tolbert offers the first of six installments to her story IRON.

Thinking about writing a screenplay? Already wrote one? In her latest THE WRITE LIFE article, Shon Bacon offers tips to editing a screenplay.

To contact The Nubian Chronicles regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@tnc-magazine.net.

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible!

The Nubian Chronicles - http://www.tnc-magazine.net!

CLG Talks with Freelance Writer/Blogger Mary Davis

2009-03-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

ChickLitGurrl Talks with Freelance Writer & Blogger Mary Davis

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: I am a fan of your blog, Adventures in Freelancing [link]. On your blog, you state, "Join me in my journey to a freelance career. Let's learn something together!" What sparked you to start your journey into freelancing?
MD: Thank you so much! I worked as an academic adviser at the local community college, and I really loved my job, but I was living a crazy-paced life and felt that I wasn’t giving my family sufficient time and attention. So when I found out that I was pregnant with my third child, I made the decision to leave my job and try to earn an income from writing. I’d done lots of reading on the subject and knew that it was possible.

CLG: Are there particular fields/subjects you're developing your freelance career around? If so, what are they, and why do they interest you?
MD: Yes, I made the decision to write about topics with which I’m familiar. As a mom of three young children, my quality writing time is limited, so I’ve found it more convenient to begin my career focusing on areas I know. I write primarily about issues affecting college students, health, beauty, and personal development. As my children become more independent, I hope to become more of a generalist because I love learning about new things and enjoy the researching and interviewing involved in freelance writing.

CLG: What opportunities have you taken part in since starting your career?
MD: I jumped right into the blogging world because it was a way to practice my writing and to force myself to write on a regular basis. Putting your writing out there can be very intimidating to someone just starting out, and blogging is a great outlet to get your feet wet. I began practicing my interviewing skills by talking to people I met through social media, and through those contacts, I’ve obtained some paid blogging positions. I’ve also begun querying online and print publications for college students. These are writing avenues that fit well into my lifestyle.

Check out the rest of Mary Davis' interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITINGChocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME![chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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ChickLitGurrl Shon Bacon Is Interviewed

2009-03-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

Jessica Ferguson, author and president of the Bayou Writers' Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana, interviews Shon Bacon on her blog Praise, Prayers and Observations as part of her "Louisiana Saturday Night" series!

In the interview, Shon talks about editing, writing, coaching, critique groups, branding, and MORE.

Check it out - [link] - LEAVE COMMENTS!

The Ultimate Yes Yes with Author Tamika Newhouse

2009-03-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Yes Yes with Author Tamika Newhouse

About The Ultimate No No:

Are you a woman who has been hurt by a man and wonder what it would be like if you could give him a dose of his own medicine?

Well, the characters in The Ultimate No, No give you the opportunity to live vicariously through their lives and the events that transpired during The Scam Nitrah a teacher is drawn between her friends and a man named Troyon, when her friends ask her to do the unthinkable. That's get revenge on a man through his heart. Things go as planned until Troyon and Nitrah find themselves infatuated with each other. What happens to this relationship that was doomed from the beginning when the lies, sex, and deceit come to the surface?

On the other hand there's Dahlia, Nitrah’s best friends and the master mind behind the plan to break Troyon's heart. Her secrets will come back to haunt her as her world comes crashing down. She thinks this is the perfect plan to hurt the man who broke her heart, but then again she could be right. Find out what happens when the person Dahlia keeps close eyes on turns out to be her worst enemy and it want be who you think it is.

In this romantic tale you will witness a sisterly bond, a passion to be loved, and the yearn to be with the one you love. Learn what The Ultimate No No is when it comes to love.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: What are three adjectives that best describe THE ULTIMATE NO NO?
TN: Love, revenge, deceit

CLG: What are three adjectives that best describe YOU?
TN: Day Dreamer, enthusiastic, determined

CLG: Do you have a standard process to your writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
TN: I first have to know the concept and storyline that I want, and I usually have the timeline of the story the same day. I usual plot but abandon most of that when I start writing because I usual go another way with the stories.

Check out the rest of Tamika Newhouse's interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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Dotcomers.tv's Kristin Johnson on Writing across Media

2009-03-09T06:09:00.001-07:00

For the month of March, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is going to the big screen...and center stage as we talk to screenwriters and playwrights!

I'm excited to have writer of all trades Kristin Johnson @ AtBaP! This week, she writes about writing across the media and her project, Dotcomers! If you are a writer interested in screenwriting...or in any creative writing, you owe it to yourself to read the entire feature @ AtBaP

About Dotcomers

Teenage waitress Honey Dee battles the greedy, slick, corrupt businessman Dubious Diction, who owns her hometown of Greedville. She creates Dotcomers Café, the main setting for the series, and inspires the cast of quirky eccentric characters to resist Dubious.

"Dotcomers" is a creative blend of today's edgy, satirical cartoons and yesterday's zany, classic toons; that means its appeal is...we can almost hear Yogi Bear saying this...broader than the average cartoon!

Dotcomers explores the culture of social-networking entrepreneurs who don't wait around for a bailout to solve their problems. They fight the old corrupt system, represented by greedy Dubious Diction, which is open to excess. Although they are quirky and they clash on more than one occasion, Dotcomers represent the best of the Internet culture, and Honey Dee, founder of the Dotcomers Cafe, is a female role model who uses her mind and common sense to make a difference in the world.

For the month of March, I asked my featured panelists SEVERAL QUESTIONS. When answering the question, What similarities, things no matter the medium, are important for a good story to be told, Johnson stated, "The commandment of "Thou Shalt Not Bore Thy Audience" is still valid no matter what the medium. I don't mean that you have to have nonstop violence or sex, since many people, myself included, find *those* boring.

You have to care about the characters. "WALL-E" connected with audiences because, even though many people (including my movie buff friends) found the notion of a fat, childlike future population and a destroyed Earth depressing, you still cared about that cute robot. "Slumdog Millionaire" had depressing elements such as cutting out street kids' eyes to make them more sympathetic and earn more begging money for the gang lords, but in an economy that gives us nothing but bad news, we love the idea that people can improve their circumstances. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" suspends disbelief and gives us a great love story.

Similarly, Richard LaGravenese made people care as much about the romance in the movie "The Bridges of Madison County" as people did in the book. The images were visual poetry."Gone With The Wind" was so powerful as a book that people forgot the changes of their world and experienced the changes of the Old South, and they immediately cast Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. The movie did justice to the book because it captured the essence of Scarlett and Rhett and Tara without getting bogged down in details. How many people find it impossible to forget the image of Scarlett in shadow?

And two words: Harry Potter. Take an orphaned kid who turns out to be a wizard, and finds just as much trouble in his new life as in the old, but with more joy and a sense of purpose, give him a monumental challenge and a fascinating world to play in, and the result is gold.

You have to touch your audience. Make them laugh, make them think, shift them from their reality."

To read the rest of Kristin Johnson's wonderful comments about writing across the media, head to All the Blog's a Page!

And while there, check out John W. Bosley, writer/producer/director of AMNESIA, as he talks about screenwriting!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Want to Talk about & Write Screenplays?

2009-03-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

Ever thought about turning your novel into a screenplay? Have a great idea for an original screenplay?

Then come hang out @ Book to Screenplay @ Yahoogroups.

For authors who are interested in creating and marketing screenplays of their books. All scriptwriters at all levels are welcome to join our discussions.

It is our goal to explore all aspects of screenwriting, from the first glimmer of an idea to your march across the stage accepting that Academy Award!

With Script Frenzy starting April 1st, this is a GREAT time to get an idea developed for the month of writing!

Join Book to Screenplay @ Yahoogroups Today!

Get Lost in Author Sandy Lo and Her Debut Novel, LOST IN YOU

2009-02-27T10:29:00.000-08:00

Get Lost in Author Sandy Lo and Her Debut Novel, LOST IN YOU: Interview

About Lost in You:

Cooper Jackson is a twenty-five year old woman, who shuts down in relationships. Burdened by her mother’s failed love life and her untimely death, Cooper won’t allow her heart to get broken, or stolen, either. A chance meeting with a famous singer, Ryan Latham could change Cooper forever. She finds herself wanting to give her heart to Ryan…one problem: he’s engaged. To divert her attention, Cooper throws herself into a relationship with Ryan’s best friend, JT, a man just as unstable as she is. Lost In You is a coming of age love story for a slightly older generation; it’s about finding yourself, overcoming your past, and building a future.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: You're strutting down the street - sexy, happy, and confident - what song is playing in your mind?
SL: "These Boots Are Made For Walking" by Jessica Simpson

CLG: Do you have a standard process to your writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
SL: I'm definitely more of a pantser. I could get the smallest idea for a story and just go with it. I'll admit, it's not very conventional or easy at times, but it works best for me. I have tried outlining and by the time I'm finished outlining everything, I either wind up straying from the plan anyway or get bored with the storyline altogether.

CLG: What are you doing to promote and market LOST IN YOU?
SL: I have been doing interviews with various newspapers, websites and magazines. I've also been promoting myself on Facebook and MySpace as well as setting up fan chats. In April, I will be doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble in my hometown of Staten Island, NY, so I'm really excited about that. Word of mouth has been very helpful thanks to my friends and family who have been spreading the word. Also, running my own magazine helps since celebrities have been nice enough to take pictures with LOST IN YOU.

Check out the rest of Sandy Lo's interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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CLG Talks to Indie Publisher/Author Barbara Joe Williams

2009-02-22T09:44:00.002-08:00

ChickLitGurrl Talks to indie publisher/author Barbara Joe Williams!

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: If you had to define yourself as a writer, how would you do so?
BJW: I would define myself as a passionate writer. In other words, I only write about the things that I feel passionately about whether it's fiction or nonfiction.

CLG: How do the books you've written connect to your definition?
BJW: All of my books feature strong willed characters who are determined to succeed in life. I write about people falling in love, dealing with hardships, and going through life changing experiences in a positive manner. I show people with a thirst for living and a passion for overcoming whatever obstacles they face.

CLG: How have you promoted your works?
BJW: I've tried many avenues for promoting my work nationally by using the Internet and traveling to different cities. I've joined many online book clubs and networking groups. In addition, I conduct writing, publishing, and marketing workshops at various conferences, libraries, and universities. I've been interviewed on the radio, newspaper, and television. Recently, I started a local authors network, and I'm the annual host for the Local African-American Authors Day program in February. All of these avenues give me exposure and promote my work.

Check out the rest of Barbara Joe Williams' interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITINGChocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME![chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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Author Terra Little Talks about Street/Urban Fic @ AtBaP

2009-02-19T05:36:00.001-08:00

For the month of February, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is taking it to the streets - urban and street fiction, that is. This week, I feature Terra Little, author of Where There's Smoke, and trust me, she has some things to say about this genre!

For February, I asked the following set of questions:**What does urban/street fiction mean to you? Is there a distinction between urban and street?
**Of all the genres present, what drew you to write urban/street fiction?
**What has been - if any - some of the positive and negative comments you have received from readers?
**In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table?

In answering the question, In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table, Little began her response by stating, "As a combined genre, which I don’t happen to think is always the case, Urban/Street Fiction brings confusion and, in some cases, anger to the table. There are truly urban, working class people who take offense at being perceived as having anything to do with street life by society’s standards, myself included. And there are those who are confused about what it means to be urban and what it means to be street; those who think one is unequivocally the same as the other. Along this vein, I think Urban/Street Fiction can bring stereotypical fuel to the table. We can all eat at the same table, but let’s not confuse corn with mashed potatoes, even if mashed potatoes is capable of covering up corn when we want them to."

To read the rest of Terra Little's thoughts on street/urban fiction and to read an excerpt from Where There's Smoke, head to All the Blog's a Page!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Movies, YouTube, and Screenwriting with ScriptGirl

2009-02-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING has a new look and a new interview!

Come hang out and read my latest interview with YouTube sensation, ScriptGirl - who talks about screenwriting, movies, and more!

Check out the excerpt below!

CLG: Now that you are a YouTube celebrity, are you planning to use your ScriptGirl image to benefit your career, and if so, how?
SG: Well it’s odd. A lot of opportunities have come my way due to ScriptGirl, but they don’t necessarily jibe with my career goals as a screenwriter. I’ve been offered some TV hosting gigs and those folks could not care less about some brilliant rom-com I have in my car. Likewise, the producers I meet with aren’t the least bit impressed by my Internet alter ego. In fact, I think it may actually diminish my credibility. Well, that and the fact that I tend to show up at meetings late, inebriated, and wildly belligerent! (laughs maniacally)

CLG: What are three pieces of advice you would offer to those wanting to break into screenwriting?
SG: Make friends with rejection. The numbers are always going to be against you. That’s a fact, Jack.

Optimize all opportunities, big and small. Actually, just assume they’re all big.

Write from your heart. But get a good agent or manager to handle your business. Financially raping writers is a sport to producers. Like golf or polo.

Head to ChickLitGurrl: High on Lattes & Writing now to read the rest of ScriptGirl's interview!

About CLG: Since 2005, ChickLitGurrl has been a place to talk to women writers about writing, craft, inspiration, and anything and everything else that falls into being a female writer. Nearly 70 women writers have been interviewed, to include Carly Phillips, Bernice McFadden, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Mary Castillo, Jennifer Banash, and Paula Chase-Hyman. In '09, CLG branches out to include ALL women of words - scriptwriters, freelance writers, novelists, essayists, memoirists, and more! In addition to the interviews, you'll also find information on writing-related news and tips.

Help Shon Bacon Pick Her Debut Solo Project

2009-02-06T18:48:00.000-08:00

Shon Bacon is going into indie publishing.

Issue?

She is having a hard time picking WHICH book to publish of hers first.

That's why she's writing. She needs YOUR help.

Head to her site - http://shonbacon.com.

There, she has the first 1,000 words of five novels. Take the time to read the excerpts and let her know which book YOU think she should publish first.

She thanks you in advance!

The Nubian Chronicles' Winter 2009 Issue is LIVE

2009-02-01T20:08:00.001-08:00