Guest Author - Dianne Rosena Jones
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: What is your latest book about and genre?
A Good Excuse to Be Bad is the story of bounty hunter and single mom Angel Crawford’s quest to clear her twin sister Ava’s name, while contemplating beginning a relationship with her handsome pastor.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: How long did it take you to complete your book?
It took me two years to write this novel. I began writing the first draft in 2005, while participating in a year- long writing workshop led by NYT bestselling author Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club.) However, I felt that the story wasn’t ready, so I put it under my bed, while I wrote other stories and tried to get those published. I didn’t return back to the story until 2009 when my writer’s group encouraged me to dust it off and enter Romance Slam Jam’s Writing Contest. I placed top three and was awarded the chance to have a New York publishing house look at my proposal. I dusted the story off and began to edit. It took me another six months to edit it. I received a book deal and then it took another six months of more edits. So roughly two years for A Good Excuse to Be Bad.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: What motivates you to write and stay focused on your craft?
My contract with Kensington Publishers is a big motivator right now. I’m honored they gave me a three book deal. I don’t want to let them down, so I’ve spent more time this year on craft with hopes that each book will be better than the first.
The other motivation is me. Because I’m Dafina’s only suspense author I’m running a race with myself and any that come after me. I’m very competitive, so I want to blaze a very large trail.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No, I wanted to be an architect. I was always a reader, but I took great joy in supporting other readers. About ten years ago I presided over a large book club, belonged to other clubs, and have supported other book clubs, authors, publishing houses, book festivals, and publications. My six years at Romantic Times Book Review Magazine and five as a Christys Book Awards Judge was great fun for me. If there were any literary goals for me, it was to write for Publisher’s Weekly or be an editor or an agent, but not a writer. This is new to me.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: Do you have a favorite author of all time or someone who inspired you to achieve your goals as a writer?
Chuck Palahniuk is without question my favorite author. I’m also a huge fan of: Toni Morrison, Tayari Jones, Victor Lavalle, Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, Claudia Mair Burney, Amy Tan, Karin Slaughter, Marilynn Robinson, Tosca Lee, and Walter Mosley.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: What other projects are you working on and release dates?
We are working on the edits for Book 2, Someone Bad & Something Blue, while I am writing the first few drafts of Book 3 (Untitled.) Someone Bad & Something Blue will release July 2012.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: What were the happiest moments you have experienced while writing your latest book?
In Book 2 I introduce a U.S. Marshal to the cast. When I was being honored at this year’s Black Pearl Magazine’s Chocolate Social I met and befriended a US Marshall. He is now a source for my book. It was super, good, pleasant surprise.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: What have been some of your toughest obstacles as a writer?
Getting readers, librarians, and bookstore owners, to take a chance on a new writer. My novel released July 2011 and thus, I faced a lot of competition. During the summer publishing houses releases their bestselling authors books for the summer. It’s hard to compete with a: James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, ReShonda Tate Billingsley. However, all of them and more had books coming out the same time mine did. And I’m the only newbie in the bunch. So that was tough. Thankfully, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Ella Curry’s Black Pearl Magazine, National Book Club Convention, RT Book Reviews Magazine and Decatur Book Festival gave me a spotlight.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: What advice would you give to first time writer about getting a publisher?
In this climate of so many books for readers to choose from, I advise first time writers to get published. Although as a publicist I have clients who are independently published, having a publisher backing your book, gives you and the book credibility that my clients have to pay a hefty price for. Moreover, you don’t have to squeeze your pocket book with the expenses to launch a national print run. You need at least one thousand books just to get a decent national distribution. Regardless of digital publishing, you need a reputable house to run the business of packaging, selling, marketing and distributing your book. Likewise, while they are doing that for you, you work on creating great stories and building a readership,who will follow you anywhere.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: Is there anything about your book you wish you could change? What?
Of course! From listening to my other author friends, I believe we all have things we want to change after the book is out. When you write the story you get so deep into it that you miss things, and although I have about three other editorial eyes on the book at Kensington there are things I missed. But a lot of that is because I’m a better writer now than I was when I turned in the final draft, the final edit, or the final read through. All I can do is apply what I know in Book 2. I hope that I have.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: Are there any hidden talents that you possess that many of your readers may not know?
I’m pretty transparent, so I don’t know if what I share would be considered hidden. I began cupcaking baking with my daughter, to serve as a bonding activity we could share together. Our hobby has become a growing enterprise. We have customers!
I am also a fine artist. I paint and have been featured in art galleries.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: What are you passionate about other than writing?
Girl Scouts, taking pictures of cute men on the street (really,) painting. Very passionate about cupcakes, Hello Kitty, and my daughter.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: Do you have any recent good news to share about your book?
Urban Reviews just gave me 5 out of 5 stars, which was very generous. It’s been a great ride with A Good Excuse to Be Bad.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: Where can folks buy your latest book?
A Good Excuse to Be Bad can be purchased anywhere books are sold: Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Powells, Amazon, Target, you name it. It’s also available in all digital formats. If you visit my book page at www.mirandaparker.com/books you will see the many ways you can get my book.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: Tell us about any upcoming Book signings or book tours.
I was just invited to be a featured author for four big book events: The Atlanta Fulton County Library’s Authors on the Square event and a GA Peach Authors Workshop at The Shrine of Black Madonna are slated for November. The Atlanta Press Club’s Holiday Author Party and the 2011 Jubilee of Reading Book Club Conference both will be held in December. If you visit my tour page at www.mirandaparker.com/tour you will see all the places we are going.
BellaOnline African American Literature Editor: How can people contact you about book signings or speaking engagements?
I can be contacted on Twitter @deegospel or through my publicist at Kensington Books Adeola Saul at asaul@kensingtonbooks.com , email at mparkerbooks@gmail.com, or via my site contact form at www.mirandaparker.com/contact
Thank you so much Miranda for taking the time to do this interview. I really enjoyed reading "A Good Excuse to Be Bad" and look forward to reading more of your writing.
