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

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!




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Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
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CLG Talks to Indie Publisher/Author Barbara Joe Williams

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!


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Author Terra Little Talks about Street/Urban Fic @ AtBaP

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

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

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

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!

SisterDivas' Winter 2009 Issue is LIVE

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

Why should you check out the Winter 2009 Issue of SISTERDIVAS?

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

RETALIATION - A YALSA 2009 Top Ten Pick

Yasmin Shiraz's book Retaliation, has been officially selected by the American Library Association’s YALSA Division as a 2009 Top Ten Pick for Reluctant Readers. This list will go out to librarians across the country. Here’s the [link] to the list.

This is a huge honor for Yasmin—especially since her publishing company, Rolling Hills Press/What’s Happenin’ Books, independently produced this book. It goes to show hard work definitely pays off in the end.

Personally, I'm thrilled for my girl Yasmin. I was an editor for Retaliation and to see the passion that Yasmin exudes in every project, to see her tenacity and hunger to reach and teach the youth is a major blessing for me. Every youth should read Retaliation, and every parent and every person with youth in his or her life should read this book, too, and use it as a tool to reach and teach.

Click the cover to purchase Retaliation today!

A Change Came to America - Now CHANGE YOU!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, marked a major milestone in America. It marked HISTORY. It marked the day America finally put on its big girl panties and became a grown up.

No matter what side of the fence you fell on in regards to the election, it would be hard to deny the magnitude of what took place that day as we ushered in our first African American President of the United States. It would be hard to deny where this country has been and where we are today. It would be hard to deny the truth of slavery. It would be hard to deny the truth of blacks seeking rights in American once slavery was so-called done away with. It would be hard to deny the oppression of an entire race in America after so-called rights were established for them. It would be hard to deny - in a world where a black man can still be beaten, shackled to a truck, and dragged down the street like a piece of meat to his death and we treat it like Tuesday, like it's nothing - that blacks still have a long, hard road to go in this "free" America.

Despite the sour-grapers who will cry that Obama is not all black (though we know that if looks like a black man and does the bump like a black man, then many behind closed doors still see him as a black man...and, unfortunately, derogatory terms, too) or that all blacks voted for Obama because he was black (and forget the many whites that voted for him and the many blacks who did NOT vote for him), Americans have put America on notice; we want CHANGE, and we want it now.

Now, what does any of this have to with writing...OR you?

January 20, 2009, marked for me a new chapter (pun FULLY intended). It resonated, and still resonates within me the chance to wipe my slate clean, see my dreams, and develop a plan to forge ahead and accomplish them.

If a black man can be MY president, then I can sure as hell move forward and accomplish my goals. He runs my entire COUNTRY; surely, surely, I can write a few books and screenplays and have them see the light of day, right?

Yes, nod your head, for the answer is RIGHT. Yes, I can. And yes, YOU CAN, TOO.

On Tale It Like It Is (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/samaraking) today, I talk about the CHANGE that is coming in our country and the change that should be coming in YOU to make this the year you begin or restart or continue moving in your literary endeavors. The whole show (which first features an interview with author Michelle McGriff before moving into my The Write Time segment) is featured on my LISTEN page at my shonbacon.com site.

Below, I want to showcase an arsenal of books, magazines, websites, and the like that serious writers should check out if it is their goal to make a real go out of their literary dreams.

If there are other resources that YOU love and YOU want to share, please leave comments, thanks!

Books

• Writer's Market 2009
• Novel and Short Story Writer's Market 2009
• The 2009 Screenwriter's and Playwright's Market
• 2009 Poet's Market
• 2009 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market
• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
• On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Non-Fiction by William Zinsser
• How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling by James N. Frey
• The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, Selling Your Script by Dave Trottier
• Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript by Cynthia Laufenberg

Magazines

• Creative Screenwriting
• Script
• Writer's Digest
• The Writer
• Poets & Writers

Websites

• Publishers Marketplace* - Welcome to biggest and best dedicated marketplace for publishing professionals to find critical information and unique databases, find each other, and to do business better electronically.
• The Write Life for You - A monthly column dedicated to the craft of writing.
• InkTip* - The mission of InkTip.com is threefold: help the producer easily find a good script, save time for the agent and manager in locating the right people for their clients' scripts, or new clients, and greatly increase exposure for the screenwriter.
• Done Deal* - Done Deal Pro tracks the various script, book, treatment, and pitch sales and options made in Hollywood each day. Subscribers are able to search a sales database of over 9,300 deals and over 600 TV deals by title, writer, representation, company, genre, date, and more. This is an invaluable tool not only for industry professionals but for aspiring screenwriters who want to know each week what material is being sold and to whom, and to track the latest trends.
• Backspace* - The Backspace Online Community is dedicated to helping writers navigate the often confusing world of Big Publishing. Regularly updated articles and columns from industry insiders make the Backspace homepages your first stop to a career in publishing.
• Blood-Red Pencil - great resource for writers to see what what EDITORS think about writing.
• Agent Query - need an agent? You can start here!
• Fundsforwriters - Grants are FFW's specialty. Contests and markets that only pay in cold hard cash, too. To FFW, success means earning a living doing what you love. Our newsletters are our world. Free or paid subscription.
• Writer-Reminders -Organize your writing with FREE Writer-Reminders (daily, weekly and monthly checklists, tips and resources). The weekly ezine gives sidetracked writers a road map to more writing time.
• Writing Tips - The Write Way is a FREE, weekly ezine that has advice on how to improve your writing, so that you can write well - whatever the occasion.

*Paid-membership required for many of site's services


Networking

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Linked In
• Plurk
• YouTube
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Squidoo

The Break-Up Diet Author Annette Fix Discusses Memoir Writing

For the month of JANUARY, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at memoir writing, and this week, I'm bringing back someone that I've become a fan of: Annette Fix, author of The Break-Up Diet: A Memoir!






For January, I asked the following set of questions:

• What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers?
  
• Do you think there is a bit of egotism on the part of the writer who focuses on memoirs as a means to “tell stories”?
  
• Why did you, as writer, feel compelled to write your story
  
• Why did you feel compelled to share this story with others?
  

In answering the question, What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers, Fix begins her response by stating, Personally, I love memoir. I find it so much more fascinating to know the characters are real and the events in the story actually occurred. I still read fiction, but in the back of my mind, I know the author is placing herself in the world of the characters and trying to imagine what she would do if she were confronted with the internal and external forces driving their actions. I don’t believe anyone really knows what they’ll do until they’re actually in any given situation.


To read the rest of Annette Fix's thoughts on memoirs and to read an article written by Fix on memoir writing, head to All the Blog's a Page!

You can also read the thoughts of others who have written memoirs - CD Mitchell, Versandra Kennebrew, and K.L. Belvin!


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

ChickLitGurrl Talks with The MPire Trilogy Author T.L. James

This month, ChickLitGurrl talks with T.L. James, author of the fabulous The MPire Trilogy!






INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: How did you grow as a writer during the writing of THE MPIRE: DEATH COMETH?
TLJ: Writing from a male’s perspective was really a growing pain. To actually get in touch with the testosterone while writing is a stretch. My other growing pain was to write against how I believe. Some of my views and the views and positions that my characters take are extremely different. However, I felt that it was very important to my project my voice in the characters and let them speak for themselves.


CLG: If you were asked to describe your writing philosophy, how would you answer?
TLJ: Free writing and an analytical balance. I used a spreadsheet to “create” my timeline. I added historical events, both real and fictitious. Once I had my scaffold completed, I started free writing, allowing the characters to talk, act, react and acted-up.


CLG: What are you doing or planning to do to promote THE MPIRE: DEATH COMETH?
TLJ: I have teamed up with a wonderful publicist, Dana Pittman, to map out promotions strategy. My most important goal is to get my books into reader’s hands and that does not always mean in book stores. I participate in literary events at Art shows, Wine shows, Beauty shows – anywhere were people are present and buying. I have a website (www.authortljames.com) that gives information about me and my books, as well as other projects. I have a blog (www.authortljames.com/blog) where I share my secrets about writing, new authors’ reviews, and other thoughts.



Check out the rest of T.L. James' interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!


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Author Versandra Kennebrew Discusses Memoir Writing @ AtBaP

For the month of JANUARY, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at memoir writing, and this week, we're featuring Versandra Kennebrew, author of the memoir, Thank God for the Shelter!








For January, I asked the following set of questions:

• What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers?
  
• Do you think there is a bit of egotism on the part of the writer who focuses on memoirs as a means to “tell stories”?
  
• Why did you, as writer, feel compelled to write your story
  
• Why did you feel compelled to share this story with others?
  

Versandra began her explanation to the questions by stating, "The lure of memoirs for readers is the same as that of reality shows. People want to know what’s really going on in the lives of our leaders, celebrities, and heroes. They want to know the good, the bad, and the ugly because it helps them see that they too have a chance at greatness."


To read the rest of Versandra Kennebrew's thoughts on memoirs and to read a small snippet from her book, head to All the Blog's a Page!



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

Got Unpublished Romance Novel? Check Out This Contest!

If you have an unpublished romance novel or novel with a romantic theme, then get it out and dust it off because...

THE "CHASE THE DREAM" CONTEST IS BACK!

Author Leigh Michaels [link] and Rachelle Chase [link] are co-sponsoring the third "Chase the Dream" contest for writers. Details on how to enter can be found at http://chasethedreamcontest.wordpress.com; however, here are the highlights:

SUBMISSIONS: The first 1,000 words of an unpublished romance novel/novella or novel/novella with a romantic theme.

JUDGING: Each week, Rachelle Chase will choose one finalist and post the entry on the web site. Then, at the end of the contest, agents and editors will post comments, and readers will vote for their favorites to determine the top three winners. Each week, Leigh will also choose one entry to win a mini-critique, which will also be posted on the web site.

PRIZES: There are fantastic prizes for winners and entrants [link] alike. In addition, editors and agents [link] will read all the finalist entries. While there are no guarantees, last year, all the finalists received requests from editors and agents, some of which resulted in book sales.

DEADLINE: Submit from December 1, 2008 to March 3, 2009

NEW FOR 2009: You can now get advice from the agents/editors on what they look for in the first 1,000 words. Click here to listen to what the agents/editors have to say: [link]

It's *FREE* to enter! Check the site for rules, last year's winners, and more.

Enter today at http://chasethedreamcontest.wordpress.com/rules/!

And, speaking of contests, enter to WIN AN iPOD SHUFFLE at: http://rachellechase.com/2008/11/27/cast-your-voteand-enter-to-win-an-ipod-shuffle!

Camping vs. Marching in Stories

Becoming a Lifelong Learner of the Craft of WritingBy author, editor, educator Shon Bacon aka ChickLitGurrl™


The Write Life for You is a series of articles on the writing craft. Past articles have focused on building character, developing a solid plot, and harnessing a writing style. In the first article of the new year, I look at CAMPING VS. MARCHING IN STORIES.


Camping vs. Marching

This month, I’m talking about camping vs. marching. Before I pursued my MFA degree, I knew nothing about this “concept”.

Many writers, for fear of losing readers, will explain everything in their story, not realizing that they will definitely lose their readers this way. So, how do writers tell us everything? They might tell us everything a character has on, explain every piece of furniture that’s in a room, detail an entire conversation from beginning to end, relay every minute feeling that comes through the narrator’s mind, and bring us into every sight, smell, taste, sound, touch that occurs within a story – all in the name of making the story feel real to the reader. In the end, this may make the reader so full off “stuff” that’s unimportant to the actual story that he/she may close the book and find a less tedious (or as I like to say “less chewy”) book to read.

Want to learn MORE about camping vs. marching and how to know when to do both?


Then head to APOOOBOOKS.COM to read my latest article in The Write Life for You series!


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Branding, Editing, Writing, & ME at BlogTalkRadio Today!

Today, the radio show Tale It Like It Is [link] will have yet ANOTHER one-hour special on author branding/writing with me and author and TILII host Samara King.

Time: 4:30 CST

Place: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/samaraking

On tap for convo: discussion on using social networking sites to promote your writing and setting writing goals. If you have ANY questions about writing or editing, come and bring them with you! We're all about camaraderie and sharing of information.

If you can't make it, that's OK. I will post up the program on my LISTEN tab @ shonbacon.com!

YA Author Coe Booth Talks to ChickLitGurrl

ChickLitGurrl Talks to young adult author Coe Booth about her latest novel, KENDRA!





INTERVIEW EXCERPT


CLG: Both KENDRA and your debut novel, TYRELL are young adult novels - what initiated your desire to write novels for teens [and for those who love a good read]?

CB: I’ve always wanted to write for teens. Even when I was writing my little pretend “novels” in elementary school, the main characters were always teenagers. The teen years have always held a special place for me. I guess it’s because there’s so much going on then, so many important decisions and so many heightened emotions. I find it very exciting to write about teens because they go through so many experiences, and often for the first time.



CLG: You're walking down the street and you feel like a million bucks - what song plays in the background?

CB: “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé. That song always makes me laugh!


CLG: Many people believe that good writers are also voracious readers. What are three of your favorite books, and why do they make the list?

CB: My favorite books are THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD by Zora Neale Hurston, THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner, and OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck. I love books with real characters and authentic dialogue, and in all three of these books the characters are unforgettable and the dialogue just jumps off the page. These books are REAL!



Check out the rest of Coe Booth's 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 Eternity Philops Talks about Homosexuality & Writing

For the month of DECEMBER, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is looking at homosexuality and writing, and we have five wonderful writers who marry the subject into their writings in engaging, page-turning ways!

Last week, we premiered the topic with author J.M. Snyder; this week, we have the lovely, talented Eternity Philops, author of Visions of a Cryptic Mystery: Volume One!



About the book: VISIONS OF A CRYPTIC MYSTERY: VOLUME ONE is Eternity Philops' first accomplished collection. A debut of her unique writing style and talent, VISIONS showcases a diverse compendium of poetry and short stories born to Philops' over an extensive period of time.

Divided into concentrated segments, Philops' literary assemblage encompasses works expressing love, life, and loss. Each piece is a real world reflection of the Black lesbian experience: feel the intense sensations of a woman's divergent physical attraction; look on as two lifelong friends reflect on the path not taken. Submerge yourself in the poetic prose of unconditional love, unfortunate loss, and all that's inbetween.

VISIONS VOL. ONE will take readers on a journey that delves into their own emotions and passions. From the sexual to the spiritual, Philops' creative imagery and metaphoric verse brings to life one's own imaginative and emotional senses.


For December, I got greedy and asked the panel THREE questions: How have your works been received by readers of all orientations......In the stories you have written and are planning to write, what ideas and themes do you see reoccurring that shed light on homosexuality......At the end of the day, if there was one thing you wanted your readers to remember in regards to homosexuality, what would that thing be?

In answering the question, "How have your works been received by readers of all orientations," Philops replied, "The response to my book has been overwhelmingly positive, from readers and reviewers, straight and gay. Though I dedicated it to Black lesbians, the raw emotion behind the poetry and short stories is familiar to anyone. I also like to think that my unique writing talent attracts readers. I try to be different, to stand out among other writers with my style.

"Even in cases of disagreement on the issue of homosexuality itself I have still had a positive experience. There was an instance where I submitted myself and my work for review. The reviewer was unfamiliar with the content or my orientation, and upon finding out, he actually considered passing over me because I am gay. In the end he decided that exposing writers was far more important than his personal views, which I of course agreed with completely. The experience was an encouraging one in that this person did not let his personal prejudices cloud his opinion of me as an author. Too often it happens the other way around."


To read the rest of Eternity Philops' responses and to take a peek into her book, head to All the Blog's a Page!


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

Author Sarah Weathersby on Being a Female Writer

For the month of NOVEMBER, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is spotlighting FEMALE WRITERS!

During our final week, we are featuring Sarah Weathersby, author of the memoir, Motherless Child, stories from a life!




About the book: Imagine you gave a baby up for adoption forty years ago, and after years of trying to find her, she finds you. Now come the hard questions. She's healthy, beautiful, and successful, but she wants to know why you gave her away and why you didn't marry her father. And there is also the unspoken question of "What kind of black woman gives her baby away?" How do you explain to her that giving her away was the best gift you could offer? This is Sarah Weathersby's first published work, a coming-of-age-in-the-sixties-single-black-pregnant and on the way to Germany, memoir.



The Question for November: Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written. What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write? How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a female writer?

To begin her response, Sarah wrote, "I write about the things that keep me awake at night, as well as the things that bring me joy. If you follow my blogs, the topics can be the trivial how to work my new camera or the gut-wrenching mental breakdown of a family member. I started writing poems as a little girl when my oldest brother went off to the Korean War."


Head to All the Blog's a Page to read the rest of Sarah's response to November's question...and to read a wonderful excerpt from her memoir!


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

Author Annette Fix Talks about Being a Female Writer!

For the month of NOVEMBER, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is featuring FEMALE WRITERS!




This week, we feature Annette Fix, author of the memoir, The Break-Up Diet!










About the book: Annette Fix always believed in happily-ever-after and was busy working her Five-Year Plan: marry her golf-pro boyfriend, homeschool her preteen son, become a famous writer, and retire to Fiji. When her live-in boyfriend calls it quits, Annette finds herself on The Break-Up Diet, consuming vast amounts of chocolate and exercising by diving blindly into the shallow end of the dating pool.

Working as an exotic dancer to bankroll her aspiring writing career and support her son alone, Annette uses her blue-collar instinct to survive in the plastic jungle of The OC.

Annette’s adventures take her on a wild ride as she attempts find the perfect balance between her dreams and her day-to-day life as Supermom.




The Question for November: Reflect on the stories you have written – the stories waiting to be written. What themes, topics do you find your writerly mind pushing you to write? How do these themes, topics portray themselves through you as a female writer?



In replying to the question above, Annette said, "This interview question really made me think about my purpose and intention with my writing—something I feel at a gut level, but never actually articulated until now."




What does Annette articulate about being female writer? Head to All the Blog's a Page now to find out!




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


[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

CLG Talks with Writer, Educator, and Entrepreneur Zulmara Cline!

ChickLitGurrl Talks to writer, educator, and entrepreneur Zulmara Cline!




INTERVIEW EXCERPT



CLG: I read that you co-write bilingual children's books; what moved you to write in this genre?


ZULMARA: I have been working with educating children all my life and I have such a strong place in my heart for bilingual and biliterate children because I feel they bring life skills with them to the educational arena that are not admired, appreciated, and nurtured. I want to change all that.

CLG: You are, indeed, an EVERYWOMAN. You're working on children's books. You've written and published short stories. And you also run your own company, EZ Bilingual. What was the inspiration that led to this company's inception?


ZULMARA: The inspiration was the desire to make a difference in the world of dual language education. I realized that both parents and teachers needed more support to help their children learn a second language and I wanted to use original tales that children could listen to over and over again in both languages. When I met Eduardo, a writer in Nicaragua, our partnership was born. We started chatting and realized we shared similar interests as writers and he became my Spanish support.

CLG: What first attracted me to you were your "Journaling for the Creative Mind: Discovering Your Inner Diva" blogs at your page on Art by Latina Artists. Where did the idea for the blogs come from?


I have always journaled and have always taught it as a way of helping students become better writers and to get in touch with their essence. I feel that journaling is a powerful outlet for anger, healing, love, and positive karma. It is through our writing that we can get in touch with our spirits and be connected to our purpose and give our lives meaning. That is why I stress that journaling does not have to be original writing, but can be pictures, quotes, lyrics, or poems--whatever moves you, will help you get in touch with that inner core that drives you.

The idea from the blogs came from the journaling workshops I have conducted where I work with getting participants to free themselves up and start having a conversation with themselves.

Check out the rest of Zulmara Cline'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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