JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Quiana, author of Fallen
(Self Published)
Ramae is a 39-year-old wife and mother of three with everything a woman can ask for. She has a loving family, a comfortable home, and a career that adds stability to her life. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to satisfy her needs.
The aging beauty and her husband Jay, have grown distant in the bedroom. He can not keep up with her increasing sex drive, which leads her taste buds to some forbidden fruit.
The much younger Makai enters Ramae’s life introducing her to a lifestyle that she had never had. Everything that glitters ain’t gold. Step into Ramae’s life and witness how she has Fallen in love, Fallen in lust, and Fallen apart.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Fallen?
Quiana: I prayed to receive a year off from working in order to finish my novel around November 2010. I prayed consistently! January 2011 I was in a car accident with no major damage. My prayers had been answered. I couldn’t go to work due to the distance and my car being totaled. A year later, as I promised in exchange for the year off, my book is published. God is good!
Although this book isn’t about me, I do identify with some of the feelings of the main character, Ramae. Being a young single mother, I have had to sacrifice a lot of my time, in order to be dedicated to my children. Ramae, gave up her youth in order to have a family at a young age also. Now, almost 40 and at her sexual peek, she is looking to get her youth back.
I think that a lot of women can identify with her character.
JP: What sets Fallen apart from other books in the same genre?
Q: Fallen has a relatable storyline. There are a lot of women who are or have experienced the same feelings. It’s not your average woman-meets-rich-man drama tale. Nothing against those because we ALL love them, but Fallen touches a place that many can easily fall into – not only women!
The male main characters also are relatable to the average joe. Sometimes we need to read a story where we can say, “Wow, that’s me!” or “I know someone in this same boat!” Plus, cougars are becoming a huge sensation in the new millennium! I personally haven’t read many books based on this subject.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Fallen getting out to the public?
Q: Wow, I am still trying to find success! Self-publishing has truly been a welcomed challenge. I am learning a lot along the way. This is my first book, so I will be a lot more polished when my second one comes out, hopefully in the spring.
Right now, I am finding that the one key to my success will be promo and networking! That is my focus right now, promoting my book and networking with those who will benefit my educational journey.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Fallen?
Q: My writing process is kind of weird! I must have a hat or hood over my head. (laugh) I guess it’s like having a thinking cap!
I tend to focus more in the morning, before my mind has been cluttered with thoughts for the day. It took me almost a year to complete this book. I didn’t work consistently, so others may finish faster. Trying to balance life as a single parent of 2, my children’s party business (http://qneecparties.com), and my writing has been a challenge! Needless to say I have less of a social life than most 25 year olds!
JP: What’s next for Quiana?
Q: I am working on my next novel, Uptown’s Princess, which will hopefully hit the market in the spring. It’s based on a young girl named Princess from the Uptown section of my city, Philadelphia.
I also have plans to begin a series of children’s books based on the craziness of my son and daughter, and possibly turning Fallen into a local stage play. I really think it would play out well on stage or on film.
http://facebook.com/ search Author Quiana
http://twitter.com/authorquiana
I just want to thank everyone so much for taking the time to read my interview, and I hope that you purchase and love my novel Fallen. You are helping me leave my dream, and for that I couldn’t say thank you enough.
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Thanks everyone for reading my interview! Please comment and follow me on twitter @authorquiana 🙂