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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Cheryl Lynn Pope, author of The Adventures of Princess Zaria

23 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Cheryl Pope, author of The Adventures of Princess Zaria
(Second Time Media and Communications)

(One of the first ten people to comment on Cheryl Lynn Pope’s author interview will win a FREE COPY of The Adventures of Princess Zaria.)

(Congratulations to Che Lovett. She won a free copy of Cheryl Lynn Pope’s The Adventures of Princess Zaria.)

The Adventures of Princess Zaria is a children’s picture book that is unlike many princess stories. In this first series, Princess Zaria must locate three precious stones in order to be crowned.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Adventures of Princess Zaria?

Cheryl Pope: The inspiration came from my little girl, Zaria. I wanted to give her the foundation to increase her self-esteem at a young age so she wouldn’t feel affected by society’s perception of what beauty, weight, or intelligence can be. There are so many negative images that I wanted to show her the positive side of reality. Another underlying theme was to let girls know that you don’t receive things just because. Many times in life you have to work for or seek out opportunities.

JP: What sets The Adventures of Princess Zaria apart from other children’s books in its genre?

CP: This princess doesn’t come from royalty. She doesn’t live in a kingdom or have servants. She isn’t regal. Princess Zaria is real. She is an average little girl with loving parents and friends. Princess Zaria likes to dress in beautiful gowns, but she can be a tomboy at times. She watches cartoons and climbs trees. Princess Zaria is everybody’s little girl.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Adventures of Princess Zaria getting out to the public?

CP: I promote every chance I get. I’m a part of several online writers groups. I list my events in community newspapers and media calendars. Lately, I’ve been contributing articles to magazines to get my name and product in the limelight. I’m thinking about approaching a major fast food company to sponsor products. If you google my name you’ll see what I’m doing in the literary community.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish The Adventures of Princess Zaria?

CP: I normally free write then go back and make edits. Actually, writing the book was not a very long process. Now, finding an illustrator was a bit more challenging. The whole process took about two years.

JP: What’s next for Cheryl Pope?

CP: A whole lot! We’re in the process of creating The Princess Zaria Fan Club. By the end of summer, I plan to introduce The Princess Zaria Collection. Right now, I’m working with a clothing designer who has shown me some beautiful sketches. Next year, the second series of Princess Zaria will be introduced. Another goal of mine is to produce a magazine for young entrepreneurs under age 17.

http://www.cherylynnpope.com/

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23 thoughts on “5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Cheryl Lynn Pope, author of The Adventures of Princess Zaria”

  1. That sounds wonderful…expand her territory! I would like to see that magazine come to life…and clothing designer, impressive. My niece at 4 years loved to watch and call herself a “princess.” She still is a princess at 7!

  2. Kudos to the author for the inspiration of her daughter to make a book! We Princesses have to stick together, you know.

    Loretta R. Walls
    Author and CEO, Nu Cherte Publishing

  3. I think it’s great. I have three little girls. The books and the clothing line are a great combination for our little princesses.

  5. this sounds like a really great book. Our children need more good books to read. I miss reading to my kids. i think ill have to get doing that…
    thanks Joey for the information and interview,

    1. It’s never too late to read to your child. Afterwhich, let them read to you. Look out for the second installment in the series coming in 2011.

  6. I am so imressed! Finally there’s a Story about an everyday, non royal african anmerican princess that’s just like our princesses! My daughter Czaria is a Princess and I think its very important to build our daughthers, sisters and nieces self esteem from an early age! Kudos to you Cheryl!

  7. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of My Husband’s Fiancee by Kaira Denee.

    1) Adrienna Turner
    2) Loretta Walls
    3) Adrienne Adams
    4) Cassi
    5) Kiexiza Rodriguez
    6) Che Lovett
    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.

  8. What a wonderful inspiration to young girls. African American girls need role models and positive images and this book appears to be a great addition. Congrats.

  9. This is great. Its nice to see African American little girls see someone like them in a book. One who is not rich and lives an everyday life. I like the fact she stated you will see Zaira in gowns and she can be a lil tom boy at time. I see this books has lesson for the kids kudos to you Cheryl

    1. There are so many princess books out there about kingdoms and castles and servants…. I wanted to talk to the average little girl. There are princesses everywhere. Although the main charactar is black, this book speaks to asian princesses, latin princesses, european princesses and more.

  10. I think it’s great, and I like that fact your uplifting little girls self esteem. And this help them to love themselves, love who they are which is a positive self image.

    1. Renee, you are on point! With so much negativity in the media(videos, songs, news) girls need to feel powerful and beautiful. Actually, being a princess is synonomous with those qualities.

  11. I found Pope’s interview very refreshing, and an inspiration for aspiring writers.
    Pinkney knew the (write) questions to ask
    inspiration, process, goals, elements of success, and defining the author’s own uniqueness…
    I think the thing that most makes this whole project stand out is that it cuts right to the meat of the matter: honing in on the five points of what makes good writing…GOOD.
    I look forward to reading more quickies from our new friend Mr. Pinkney soon.

  12. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of My Husband’s Fiancee by Kaira Denee.

    1) Adrienna Turner
    2) Loretta Walls
    3) Adrienne Adams
    4) Cassi
    5) Kiexiza Rodriguez
    6) Che Lovett
    7) Lena
    8) Sistar Tea
    9) Renee Mixon
    10) Jlues St. John

    A random winner will be chosen momentarily.

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