 Please introduce yourself. My name is Darine Davis author of Bayou Drama, When A Good Man Goes Bad, and The Soldier. When did you decide you wanted to become a writer? I had been writing since high school but did not take it seriously until recently. What author inspires you most? There are 3 actually that inspire me TL James, Carl Weber, and here recently Jean Holloway. Jean has a way of leading you down a comfort zone and throwing a twist that you never expect to happen. She scares me LOL! What’s the craziest thing that’s occurred while promoting your book(s)? I was giving a spill about my book and right in the middle of it I forgot my own story!  What is your favorite time of year? Spring and Fall What book do you wish you wrote? I wished I would have written Addicted by Zane that was in my opinion was her best. Do you have any writing rituals? I love to have music playing in the back ground w/a Coke Zero and spicy pork skins! March is National Women’s History Month. Tell us about a special woman in your life. Women have been the true basis of my success. They have been my conscience, they have motivated me, they have praised me and scolded me at times but it has made me the man I needed to be. I believe the woman I owe a lot of that to would be my great grandmother Lizzie Mae Simms, aka Mother. She knew the trials we were going through as children and her prayers and her support gave me the strength to persevere.  Please introduce yourself. I’m TL James and I am the author of The MPire Trilogy (In Search of the Lost, Death Cometh and Trinity) and The MPire Chronicles. When did you decide you wanted to become a writer? I think writing chose me. I have always jotted down thoughts and ideas but I never formulize a story. Even when I was creating the foundation of “The MPire”; it never donned on me that I was writing. What author inspires you most? Jean Holloway; her persistence. After 30 years of holding on to her story; she never gave up the dream to publish it. She never allowed anyone’s negativity to derail her from pursuing her dream.  Please introduce yourself. I am Ja’Nese Dixon, mother, wife, friend, movie buff, and I love to crochet. (smile) When did you decide you wanted to become a writer? I haven’t, but I guess I have in actions. I sat down to write a book based on a challenge. I enjoyed the process and the end product surprised me. I found myself cheering for my villain and extremely excited about writing another book. What author inspires you most? Beverly Jenkins. I read her books every year. I love her ability to educate readers and entertain you immensely with her plots, settings, and beauty men. What’s the craziest thing that’s occurred while promoting your book(s)? Hum…I don’t have a crazy story, yet. But I have enjoyed hearing the gasps when I’m reading and the conflicting reactions of my test readers.  March is National Women's History Month and Small Press Month. Take 11 with Dana will have our same fun questions but we'll ask our author about what matters most to them and their careers, as writer.  Please introduce yourself. I'm Jean Holloway, author of the Deck of Cardz series: Ace of Hearts, Black Jack, Deuces Wild and Full House. The last two are in the making. When did you decide you wanted to become a writer? I don’t think I really considered it seriously until I started getting great reactions and reviews for Ace of Hearts. What author inspires you most? Tananarive Due because she writes horror, a genre not often tackled by African American authors. What’s the craziest thing that’s occurred while promoting your book(s)? Ace of Hearts and I were nominated for Best Mystery 2008 against Walter Mosley’s The Tempest Tales.To think I was up against such a literary giant still overwhelms me. (OK, I wanted to win, that ‘I don’t care if I don’t win, it’s enough just tobe nominated’ BS is just that, BS!) He beat me like a bad child. What is your favorite time of year? Fall, I love the change of seasons and the beautiful colors of autumn, something I missed while living in CA for 20 years. GA is beautiful that time of year. What book do you wish you wrote? Five Smooth Stonesby Ann Fairbairn. It was the first book I didn’t want to end. Do you have any writing rituals? I play 80s R & B to get me in the mood. My novels are based in that the time span. I find I’m more of a nocturnal writer, that’s when my characters usually decide to speak to me. Take 11 with Dana: Featuring LMBlakely 02/18/2010
 Please introduce yourself. My name is LaWanda Blakely, but my pen name is LMBlakely author of Wikked What keeps you motivated to write? I'm emotionally connected to writing. It's like an itch that needs scratching, lures me like a lover and enslaves me like a drug. Who is your biggest fan? My family is my biggest fan but I'm seeing a close race between my parents.  If I had to do it (i.e., write your book, your writing career, etc.) all over again, I would… Have educated myself more about the publishing industry because its more than writing a book. It's believing in your own dream and making it a reality. What is one of your quirky isms? I like to say "Why you treat me like street booty?" when I don't have my way. How often do you read? And who is your favorite author? I don't get a chance to read much especially if I'm writing myself. I respect every author's voice, but my favorite is the late E. Lynn Harris. What is your greatest challenge as an author? Learning how to juggle between work, books and school. Take 11 with Dana: Featuring JA Adams 02/16/2010
 Welcome back for another installment of Take 11 with Dana. Today's feature author is JA Adams, author of Chameleon. Dana Pittman (DP): Please introduce yourself. JA Adams (JA): JA Adams of Austin, TX, writer of 3 psychological suspense/thrillers with a Christian crossover twist. My first novel, Chameleon, won three reader choice awards from Shades of Romance Magazine. What keeps you motivated to write? The many stories I have in my head that can be used to initiate positive change against societal-ills. Who is your biggest fan? My children and husband.  JA Adams If I had to do it (i.e., write your book, your writing career, etc.) all over again, I would… I would have not waited until my 40’s to start writing independently. Since childhood, I always said I wanted to be a writer. What is one of your quirky isms? Perfectionism How often do you read? And who is your favorite author? With being so busy writing, I can’t read as much as I’d like. Toni Morrison is my favorite writer. I like the style in which she introduces her characters. What is your greatest challenge as an author? Not enough hours in a day. Take 11 with Dana: Featuring TL James 02/11/2010
 Take 11 with Dana shares the same questions with different authors, in their responses I hope you will will find a new author to add to your list of reads. It is also my intent to learn more about the inner workings of these interesting people. Today's feature is with TL James, who is quickly become one of my favorites. Dana Pittman (DP): Please introduce yourself. TL James (TLJ): I’m TL James and I am the author of The MPire Trilogy (In Search of the Lost, Death Cometh and Trinity) and The MPire Chronicles. What keeps you motivated to write? Writing allows me to escape the reality. I create my own world and control every aspect. I can kill, create and resolve any issues I have and at the end of the day, I put down my pen and walk away with. Who is your biggest fan? Unfortunately my biggest fans are NOT allowed to read my book. My son and my two nephews have rooted for me since the beginning. I often get chills when my nephews threaten to read my book and remind me that Barnes and Nobles don’t card readers.  If I had to do it (i.e., write your book, your writing career, etc.) all over again, I would… I would have done my research about the industry. My first book was a big learning curve. However, looking back, I would have changed very few choices because each learning lesson bring wonderful, powerful and positive people in my life. What is one of your quirky isms? Guess that would be my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I edit while writing, then re-read and re-edit over and over until someone stops me. It's hard to let go. How often do you read? And who is your favorite author? I seem to be reading more manuscripts than book these days. It’s good to have aspiring writers wanting to have a “professional” critique their work, when it was just yesterday when I was aspiring. E Lynn Harris use to be my favorite. However, since I am new to the game, I try to look for new or underexposed authors. Many of underexposed authors have replaced some of my staple authors. For example, Jean Holloway is the new James Patterson, Destiny Carter – Zane, and Darine Davis – new Carl Webber. What is your greatest challenge as an author? My greatest challenge as a fictional author is accurate details and solid research. I know in the back of my mind that I am writing fiction, but I can’t just make-up a detail or behavior and not have any credible research or reasoning behind it. For some reason, I have this feeling that there will be ONE reader who will get a hold of my book and dissect it. I know that I have the rational excuse of saying, “Its fiction”, but I don’t want to use that excuse too often. Take 11 with Dana: Featuring JaNese Dixon 02/09/2010
 Are you ready for another installment of Take 11 with Dana? Today's feature is with Ja'Nese Dixon. She is schedule for her first release this summer. As with before, Take 11 with Dana features the same questions with a new author. Let's go! Dana (D): Please introduce yourself. Ja'Nese Dixon (JD): I’m Ja’Nese Dixon, a bookworm turned author. My debut novel, Black Diamond will be released in June 2010 and I have a short story included in the Coffee Confessions anthology. What keeps you motivated to write? I’m motivated by that crazy butterfly feeling that sits at the pit of your stomach when you read a great book. That rare burst of laughter releasing tension in a scene or the lingering thoughts of the characters you shared many hours with. If I could share a piece of that with someone else then I’d be satisfied. Who is your biggest fan? My husband and my children; however, my children are a bit critical (::smile::), they push me to be a better write. Take 11 with Dana: Featuring Darine Davis 02/04/2010
 Take 11 with Dana: Featuring Jean Holloway 02/01/2010
 I'm Dana of Nia Promotions and I’m nosey. (smile) I find my love for books leading to a growing fascination with authors. In an effort to learn more about the women or men behind our favorite books, I decided to draft these 11 personal, and quirky, questions. Today’s feature is Jean Holloway. Dana (D): Please introduce yourself. Jean Holloway (JH): I'm Jean Holloway, author of the Deck of Cardz series: Ace of Hearts, Black Jack, Deuces Wild and Full House. The last two are in the making. What keeps you motivated to write? First, I love being able to create my own world and discovered I love writing more than reading! My new found fans help encourage me to continue. | Welcome
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