JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker, authors of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception
(Prioritybooks Publications)
(One of the first ten people to comment on Rose Jackson-Beavers’ and Edward Booker’s author interview will win a FREE copy of A Hole in the Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception from JoeyPinkney.com)
I co-wrote A Hole in My Heart with Edward Booker to help kids seek God in prayer when they find themselves hurting. This 109-page novel chronicles the trials of a 13-year-old youth whose drug-addicted mother pursued a path of self-destruction. Booker created the character Darrius, a teenager who found his strength in the love of his grandmother. Granny is an endearing woman who taught Darrius that prayer changes things.
The book, Caught in the Net of Deception, is a collection of short stories about teenagers facing danger while meeting strangers on the Internet. As these teens look for love, fun, and opportunities to make money, they will face many problems. Most teens are familiar with Facebook, MySpace and spend time surfing the Internet. If they are not careful, they could be sucked into a world of horror.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write A Hole in My Heart?
Rose Jackson-Beavers: It came from trying to help my nephew deal with emotions he was experiencing as a result of having a mother who was addicted to drugs. My nephew was really going through some stuff.
A straight-A student, we noticed that his grades were dropping and that he spent time being angry. He was so young, so to reach him I asked him to journal his feelings since he was not ready to discuss them.
Once I read his journal, I saw how it could not only help him but so many other children and teens that were going through something similar.
He wanted to share his writings with others, but he wanted his mom to agree. Once she read the manuscript that I presented to her, she was in total agreement. The title came from Edward.
Edward Booker: I was going through a lot, so my aunt told me to write down my feelings. Like she said, my writing started off from journal entries. Everyday, I wrote down how I felt about my mom and my life.
My aunt read it, and she told me how good it was. She thought I should turn it into a book, and I never looked back.
JP: What sets Caught in the Net of Deception and A Hole in My Heart apart from other novels in its genre?
EB: Basically, all I really wanted these books to represent is the fact that you can overcome any obstacles in life no matter how hard or how big the stones are that life throws at you. The real truth and living it would set these books apart from others in the genre.
RJB: The bulk of the book was written by my pre-teen nephew who was going through the emotional turmoil similar to what it found in these books. He lived this book. It is based on real life experiences.
My contributions were adding the counselor, strengthening the grandmother’s and the best friends’ roles. I also made sure the book flowed and that the intended message was clear.
Caught in the Net of Deception deals with both of our experiences with the Internet. These books are not born out of our imaginations; we lived it.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to A Hole in My Heart getting out to the public? What is your writing process?
RJB: We went through five printings with this book. Still, when we attend book signings, it is a high seller. Connecting this book to schools, churches and organizations in our community helped give this book great local exposure.
Because of Edward’s age at the time the book was written, he was not willing to leave the comforts of his hometown to market and speak about the book. He was, and still is, a very shy young man.
Because of his shyness we hit the Internet. But still, if you want your book to really reach a lot of readers, you have to go where they are.
First, I write from experiences because that is what I am most comfortable doing. I write what I know and what I lived. I also work with teens and have more than eight nieces and nephews under the age of 21, so it is easy to come up with topics that affect teens.
Once I come up with a topic, I generally query other teens to find out if the subjects affect them. It is not uncommon for me to host rap sessions to make sure my topic will have universal appeal.
I do not write with outlines, etc. I write as it comes to me. It flows out of me and then I edit for flow, consistency, etc.
EB: First you have to always feel good about your manuscript and be comfortable at what you’re doing. I also think you should put out a strong message that is positive that allows people to understand that you can get through the problems. Having similar experiences that others share is one way to get the book out.
When I am going through things, I tend to write about my feelings. Writing about what is bothering me or what I am experiencing helps me to deal with issues. If what I was going through could help someone else, I turn it into a story.
JP: How long did it take for you to start and finish A Hole in My Heart?
EB: I’ll say around four months for me to write it and about a year and a half to make it a book.
RJB: It’s really hard to say. The book started out as therapy to save my nephew. I actually counseled him through this dark period in his life. I would say with the counseling, analyzing the journal, spending time with him, writing the manuscript and going to print, maybe a year and a half.
JP: What’s next for you?
RJB: I plan to release two books in 2010. One is about domestic violence, Attacked by Love, which is for teens and A Sinner’s Cry, a Christian novel.
I have also completed a book to be released for Father’s Day, tentatively called Daddy’s Little Instruction Book for Finding and Keeping a Man. This book is based on principles and tidbits my daddy told his daughters to help us get a man and keep him.
Daddy’s tidbits worked. My sisters and I have been married it seems forever. That’s a good thing.
EB: I have two books coming out early next year 2010. Now that I am 19, I am writing about falling in love and the obstacles that someone young and in love may endure.
My book is tentatively called Love in the Hood. I am finalizing my first street novel and have also produced a couple of songs for an artist you will hear more about in the near future.
http://www.myspace.com/edwardbooker
http://www.myspace.com/rosebeavers
http://www.prioritybooks.com/
http://www.prioritybooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/rose.jacksonbeavers
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Wonderful! These are some must read books. Thanks for sharing Joey. You seem to get the masterpieces!
Adrienna “Dream Reviewer” Turner
http://www.dreams4more.com
http://www.adriennaturner.webs.com
Rose is a wonderful person..looking forward to what’s 2 come..much luv Teresa
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) ???
4) ???
5) ???
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
Such an inspiring interview. Both books sound like information teenagers need to have. I wish both of you continued success. More people, children and adults can benefit from this interview and your writing. It’s food for thought.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) Jennifer C
4) ???
5) ???
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
This was a wonderful interview and it really makes me look forward to finding out more about these two talented writers.
A Hole in My Heart is an excellent book and a must read for young people and adults as well. I learned a great deal from these stories. Excellent interview with Edward and Rose.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) Jennifer C
4) Kendra
5) Earl
6) ???
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
This is a great interview and this is a must read for youth… I will have to add this to by list of books to purchase for my teenage grand daughters because these are some of the things I try to mak them aware of but it is hard when they think they have all the answers about these social sites and what can happen they both love to read so this is a book I am also gonna introduce to the youth advisor at my church…..
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) Jennifer C
4) Kendra
5) Earl
6) Joyce Dickerson
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
This is a very good interview with Rose & Ed. Rose is a great motivator and writier. I admire Rose for working with teens. Keep writing and encouraging Ed to write. I can’t wait to read your other books. Congrat on your success to Rose and Ed.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) Jennifer C
4) Kendra
5) Earl
6) Joyce Dickerson
7) Mary
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
This is an awesome interview. Keep it up!
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) Jennifer C
4) Kendra
5) Earl
6) Joyce Dickerson
7) Mary
8) Richard
9) ???
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
I’m looking forward to reading both of these books. I believe people of all ages can benefit from both books. I admire Rose for working with teenagers & I’m in total agreement with her opinions about writing feelings & emotions down on paper and starting a journal. Now all thoes journal entries have turnrd into a book, how cool is that!
What a great interview, and I can’t wait to read both books. I already have a few people in mind who I may present these books to for Christmas gifts.
And to Edward Booker ~ Keep on writing Brother, best wishes and much success to you!
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) Jennifer C
4) Kendra
5) Earl
6) Joyce Dickerson
7) Mary
8) Richard
9) Kristen Brickey
10) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
Love the interview Joey. It is so nice to see this young man work thru this and put it on paper so other know they are not alone. This is a very real subject for so many of our children and I love the fact they can see they not alone in the struggle. I applude the aunt for being their and finding a out for her nefwef before he turned on a path of destruction. It sounds like all young ppl can get something out of this kudus to you both
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of A Hole in My Heart and Caught in the Net of Deception by Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker.
1) Adrienna
2) Teresa
3) Jennifer C
4) Kendra
5) Earl
6) Joyce Dickerson
7) Mary
8) Richard
9) Kristen Brickey
10) SiStar Tea
I will pick a winner momentarily.
And the winner is…
Jennifer C
I’ll email you for the mailing info.
Thank you everybody for participating. Thank you Rose Jackson-Beavers and Edward Booker for providing the prizes.
To Everybody: Join my newsletter to stay up to date on the next book giveaway.
Joey, thanks for the interview and exposure. We received calls from people from several states expressing their desire to share these books with teens. Edward and I appreciate you for providing this service to authors.