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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Ja’Nese Dixon, author of Black Diamonds

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Ja’Nese Dixon, author of Black Diamonds
(Nia ePublishing)

Camille Blackwell, an undercover FBI agent, poses as a jewelry purchaser in an international diamond trading company in hopes of identifying the domestic players in a vicious rebel group suspected of trafficking conflict diamonds. The Bureau requests CIA renegade Marc Fulton’s assistance with sweeping international intelligence to identify the major rebel organizations with the finances and stateside connections strong enough to evade criminal prosecution, despite Camille’s objections.

Their attraction is instant and tense; both resolve to focus on the case. When Camille receives an encrypted memory stick from a murdered co-worker, Marc may be the only person she can trust. Black Diamond is the eagerly anticipated debut novel by Ja’Nese Dixon. True love, like black diamonds, is rare and precious but when murder and a persistent criminal threaten a frail relationship, will love triumph?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Black Diamonds?

Ja’Nese Dixon: I found myself fascinated with a black diamond jewelry set. At that time, I didn’t know that black diamonds existed. I knew that I intended to participate in the Nanowrimo writing challenge. I wanted to write about a strong black woman trying to make in a predominately-male industry, hence the FBI. I used several months before the competition to research and outline.

JP: Why did you decide to use Black Diamonds to explore the treacherous world of conflict diamonds, also known as “blood diamonds”?

JD: I wanted to write a book that entertained and educated readers. I recalled researching conflict diamonds and decided to do some extensive research. I came across a figure that stopped me in my tracks. The article estimated that only 85 percent of diamonds are accounted for. I thought…BINGO! From there is making my content appropriate and embedded in my story.

JP: With the FBI and conflict diamonds being the backdrop of this novel, how did go about researching information to make this novel more believable?

JD: I researched the CIA, FBI, NSA, international rebel groups, precious stones trading, diamond industry, just to name a few important threads. I used books, documentaries, the internet, and I conducted a few interviews.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Black Diamonds?

JD: I put a lot of time on the front in with my research, outlining, etc. I did this for about two months. I started writing and completed the first draft in about a month. I then spent a couple of months with re-writes. Thus, from start to finish about four or five months.

JP: What’s next for Ja’Nese Dixon?

JD: I am currently on the virtual book tour for Black Diamond. You can read about prior stops on my website. I am also a contributing author in Coffee Confessions. Please visit my blog for my appearances, events, and books. Readers can look for my next book, Intoxicated, a little after the new year.

http://www.janesedixon.com/
http://www.facebook.com/janesedixon
http://www.facebook.com/authorjanesedixon
http://www.twitter.com/janesedixon
http://www.goodreads.com/janese_dixon

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5 thoughts on “5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Ja’Nese Dixon, author of Black Diamonds”

  3. This author has done research and shows that people should read this. This is a book I might be interested in learning more about. Keep up the great work!

  4. Hey Ja’Nese. Much respect. Keep up the hard work. Doing research is actually quite needed for some works of fiction to give it authenticity.

  5. Sounds interesting, I’ve just ordered Black Diamond. Much success to you Ms. Dixon.

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