1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It’s funny. I have always written poetry, songs, and short stories. But, growing up that isn’t really what anyone I knew aspired to. So, I think when I finally said, I’m going to go ahead and become a writer happened about a year and a half ago. It was the first time that I didn’t just write a story and put it to the side. Or only let allow close friends and family to read it. I actually self-published it and released it on Amazon. Even then I was hesitant to call my self a writer or author until someone actually bought a copy. Not realizing that I have been one this whole time.
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
Generally 3-7 days. If it is a novel, over 40-45k it may take up to a couple of weeks. It depends on what’s going on in my life. Generally, I write non-stop until the book is done. I have to because of the way it comes to me.
3. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
My writing schedule is full-time. I am blessed that I am in a situation where I have a relaxed work schedule outside of the home. I work in a home as a nurse two days a week. My patient is always cared for first. Not working in a facility, I have a lot of downtime. The family encourages the nurses to bring something to fill their downtime. They know that I am an author and support it. As long as my patient is cared for, which they know that they always are and very well, I can write, edit, promote, etc. as much as I want to there.
4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Wow. That’s a great question. I would say it’s the way that the stories come to me. They literally come as if they are playing in my head like a movie. I feel like I’m just recording the conversations, actions, emotions, etc of the characters the way I see them unfolding there. Which is another reason I feel like I have to keep writing until it’s done. There is no pause button. So, when I stop to do everyday life things, I feel like I’ll lose or miss some of what's going on. You should see me make dinner. Laptop on the island. Type, stir. Type, season. Type, serve…lol
5. How did you feel when your first book was published?
There were a lot of feelings there. It was almost like, ‘finally, girl”. LOL. Then it was nerves. Is anyone going to buy and read this? Then there was confusion. How in the Sam hill do I market this? And is anyone even reading Black Historical Fiction since my first book was “The Reluctant Queen. Then came some pride. It was like, “Look what you did. If only one person reads it, you are now a published author.
6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? What inspires you?
Life. Now, that may be what happens in life currently, or for my historical fiction books, things that happened in life centuries ago. And when I say life, I mean all aspects of it. Love in life. Life with family, friends, enemies. A life where not so happy subjects are happening. Abuse, trafficking. Just life. And how we love each other through life. Spouses, Best friends, loving yourself. Or going on the journey to learn how. It all inspires me. Now, I have always been a lover of history. I studied the era that loved just because I wanted to know more. So, when I write of customs etc, it has come from research that I have done throughout my life. I don’t do too much current research unless it’s a question like, “What types of herbs would cause bleeding?” Weird things like that..LOL
7. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
Oh my goodness. I remember being in elementary school and writing pages of a story and then asking the teacher to staple them together so I could have my little book. LOL.
More specifically, I used to write stories for my oldest son. So instead of going to the library and getting a book on Jake brushing his teeth, or losing a tooth, I would write stories like that for him with him as the main Character. “Tavier’s first day of School.” “Tavier gets ready for bed.” I would then lay in his little car bed with him and read them to him. I had him at 16 so I was still very much into writing poetry and songs. So doing that for him was just normal to me.
8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I spend time with my family. I am a Stay at home mom and wife the other five days a week. When I take my three-year-old to playgroup at the mall or the library, I take my notebook but I engage and play with him. If an idea or scene comes to mind, I grab the notebook, take a minute, write it down and then get back to it. I have a huge family as well. We get together at each other’s houses and do holidays or game nights. Play UNO or Taboo. But most of my time is writing or thinking about it. I have to be honest. Lol. But my family also inspires me. So getting together is good and they have inspired and been the characters in many of my books.
9. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How many genres actually exist. And how outside of the box my writing is. I write at least five different genres. Whatever comes to my mind, I write. It could be YA, HF, Contemporary, Urban, Suspense. Whatever it is. I learned that I can be as creative as I want to be when creating. Who knew, right. LOL.
11. Do you hear from your readers much? What kind of feedback have you received?
I actually do. LOL. They tell me who their favorite characters are. Who they hate and why. Who they need more of. Want a spin-off of etc. Some are in my Inbox as their reading it. The comments and emojis are hilarious. I love going through the emotions with them. It’s engaging. My book “When He’s Bad For You-3” had mainly good reviews but some of the readers didn’t realize that some of their favorite characters didn’t have a huge role in it because I needed to prepare them to be in “When She’s Bad For You-1” which was a continuation of the series and took main characters with it. Readers are serious. They want you to kill the bad guy quick. It’s like wait, I can’t kill him yet. He has more work to do. Stay with me. LOL. But I would say that about 97% of my feedback had been positive. That’s across genres. I have people read some of my books in a genre that they say they never would have picked up otherwise and become fans that way. And when it’s not positive, that’s okay too. You grow that way.
12. What do you think makes a good story?
A great plot and plot twist. Character development and taking the reader on the emotional roller coaster ride. I also love a surprise. I have killed characters that people didn’t expect to die. I will Game of Thrones you in a second. I love when authors engage and then shock me. Make me love the characters and want to know what is going to happen with them. It’s what I try to do.
14. What can we look forward to from you?
My Publishing company, DreamWakeWork has recently launched. So I am now taking submissions to sign writers. So that’s one thing to look forward to coming from me. Writers looking for a supportive and flexible home can drop their first five chapters to my email address DreamWakeWorkPublishing@gmail.com.
Since the time of our conversation, Aseera has been writing up a storm. On the horizon, she has a women’s fiction and two historical fiction series coming out, as well as, part two of her “If He Loved You” series. The story follows three friends through the ups and downs of love. Catch up on book one. According to test readers, you get a very "Waiting to Exhale" feel. is out and introduces you to the friends. The series gives each friend her own story. I have had it called this times “Waiting to Exhale". She will also be re-releasing the four self-published books. According to this down to earth, this was when she "didn't have a clue" as to what she was doing. We will get new editing, covers and the books will be re-released under her own publishing company. Aseera has some exciting things coming. In the meantime go check out her current work on Amazon.
0 comments