Chatting with RawSistaz

I LOOOVE CHATS.

Good thing because next Tuesday, on November 29th (9pm EST), I'll be chatting online about my baby, "Bulletproof Soul" with the RawSistaz Literary Group (http://rawsistaz.com/chat.html). A BIG THANKS to site owner, Tee C. Royal for agreeing to the chat.

While I know some writers aren't overly crazy about interacting with readers and other writers, I am thrilled every time I get a chance to hear what readers think. Whether it's specifically about my book or about the publishing industry and books in general, I enjoy hearing about what's on readers minds. And I always enjoy inspiring other would-be-authors.

I thank God that my writing makes it okay for me and others to feel the things we feel. And while the characters I write about aren't always based on me and my life (it's called fiction for a reason, ya'll!) -- I do use my characters as a way of working through personal issues, questions, fears and concerns.

In the past, because of my writing, people have thanked me for saying things they couldn’t express. That’s what motivates me. I want people to be able to pick up something I’ve written and see their own souls; their own stories mirrored on the page. And through my stories I hope I can provide readers with a little hope, a little inspiration and a whole lot of perspective.

I learned fast that folks can get soooo passionate about your work -- believe me -- to the point of arguing you down about your characters' intentions and they can even read things into your characters that are CLEARLY NOT ON THE PAGE! :-)

Case in point...I met with a local book club recently and one of the members INSISTED that two of my characters slept together throughout the book on the regular, when it's CLEARLY written that they only slept together twice. To say the discussion was INTERESTING is an understatment.

But I love that interaction with readers...to be passionate is to care...and to think...and to feel! And what's not to love about that?

When I originally sat down to write Bulletproof Soul, I wanted to tell an entertaining story that celebrated women and our strength and resiliency. Women go through so much in life and it’s amazing to me how so many of us are not destroyed by the things that happen to us. I wanted to honor that strength of spirit in my book and I just feel blessed that people have responded so positively to that message, and to my writing in general!

SO BRING ON THE ONLINE CHATS AND BOOK DISCUSIONS!

If you can, check out my online chat this coming Tuesday. I'd love to have you be a part of it. Just click the following link: http://rawsistaz.com/chat.html. Then click the Enter My Chat Room/Live Chat link at the top right on page (see the coffee cup).