JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Terri D, author of Yesterday’s Lies
(TDUB Publishing)
Yesterday’s Lies is a poignant tale of a circle of close friends who lives are more intertwined than they realize. That is until the blurred lines of love, lust and friendship begins to reveal the half-truths and lies that exist. Will the secrets they all hold from the past ruin their friendships and lives forever?
Toni and Jada have been friends since high school. They dated best friends David and Benjamin and the foursome even decided to attend the same college together.
A tragic event in the final semester of senior year starts the web of lies and deceit that will follow them into their adult lives. The story begins seven years after graduation from college. The secrets and lies from their past start to unravel when an old friend returns from a seven-year hiatus. Where has he been? Does he hold the key to unlock the secrets and lies from their past?
Others in this small group of friends have their own secrets they have been keeping. When the truth is revealed, will the life changing decisions that were made based on what everyone thought they knew be enough to rip friendships apart?
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Yesterday’s Lies?
Terri D: My inspiration came from a very close friend of mine. I have always kept journals and have at times shared some of my entries with her. One day she said, “You should write a book because I really enjoy how you express yourself in writing.”
One night last summer, an idea came to me while I was reading a book. I sat down at the computer and started writing. I stayed up all night. When I finished, I had about 50 pages written.
I shared those initial pages with my cousin and she loved it and encouraged me to continue with the story. I did, and the end result is now in print.
JP: What sets Yesterday’s Lies apart from other books in the same genre?
TD: Feedback from readers thus far has been that they enjoy how some of the story unfolds through one of the characters journal entries. They also enjoy how the story is told from each characters’ perspective.
Each scene is told through the voice of each character. Also many readers have commented that the characters were everyday people. They could relate to them personally or felt they knew someone just like them from their lives.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Yesterday’s Lies getting out to the public?
TD: My friends and family have been very supportive. They have helped me with getting the word out about the book. I have a slight edge in my hometown. My mother and step-father have a television show on the public access channel, and I did an interview prior to my book being released.
Also my mother publishes a magazine for women called Women Connect, and I have run ads in her magazine. I talk to everyone I come in contact with about my book. It drives my children nuts. They hate going out in public with me anymore.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Yesterday’s Lies?
TD: I keep a journal, so I write everyday. As for as writing my book was concerned, I just sat down and starting writing one night when an idea popped into my head.
After getting positive feedback on the initial short story, I decided to finish it. The entire process of writing from start to finish took me about four weeks. I happened to be off work and worked on it day and night until it was finished.
JP: What’s next for Terri D?
TD: I am currently working on my second book which is a sequel. I have no idea when it will be finished at this point. I continue to journal and am working on starting a blog.
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriD
http://twitter.com/authorterrid
I also write poetry and have a piece titled “Life Partner” that was recently published in an ebook anthology titled Bubbling Brown Sugar.
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I commend Ms. Terri D. for taking the time to share her journals with someone else. A lot of times, we tend to keep our writing under such tight wraps that we end up not letting it grow and flourish.
By being confident enought to share her work, she has been able to see what works and what doesn’t work. Considering the complexity of the story’s plot, I really wonder what is in them journals…
ONE of the first five people to comment on Terri D’s author interview will win a free copy of Yesterday’s Lies.
(Meaning, each different person who comments on the interview counts as one.)
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of the book.
1) Billione
2) Patrice Smith
3) JL Campbell
4) Tanya Link
5) Olie Moss
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. ONE of the first FIVE people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
(You must have a mailing addres in the U.S.)
Who won this giveaway?
This book sounds particularly interesting to me because it was after I attended college with some of my childhood friends that I realized that I had to let some friendships go. I learned so much about myself and my friends during that period. Things haven’t been the same.
This is so true. I figured out in college that I had to let some people go. I had to do that and let them go never to get them back. You seem to reach a maturity level that doesn’t lead to rekindling the flame.
Billione,
One of the tricky things about friendships is knowing which ones to hold onto and which ones to let go. People come in and out of our lives at different times, some are to fulfill and specific purpose or need we have at the time. As we grow and develop in our lives we cannot take everyone we have met along the way with us. The friends you meet in high school and college fulfill the needs you have at that point but in your 30’s and 40’s you have different needs and those friends from your past may not fit in with your current goals or direction in life. It is important that you surround yourself with people who are going to encourage and uplift you. Sometimes we outgrown our friends and we have to politely let them go.
OK… I love the synopsis of this book….
This is one of those books you can tell it’s going to be good by the introductoin. Once I read the interview, I knew Terri D. had something good on her hands. I wish her the best of luck in her literary endeavors.
Patrice,
Thanks for your comment and I do hope you have a chance to read the book since you liked the synopsis.
Yesterday’s Lies sounds interesting. I like books that involve secrets that are eventually unravelled. Four weeks is a short time to write a novel, but I guess the dressing up takes a while after that. Wishing the author success with sales.
Yes, she did write this book quick. But if you know what you are going to write and have the time to band it out, it’s like 5,000 words a day. But I too hope she gets some good sales from this book.
Congrats J.L on winning the book. I do hope you enjoy it and please do email me with feedback. As for the length of time to write it. I actually was off work during the time and I literally wrote day and night with very little sleep. I was inspired and the story flowed freely from me.
This story line sounds intriguing…almost like a suspenseful setting. Based on the synopsis it illustrates that even though friendships are long lasting lies and and deceit can threaten even the most solid relationships.
Tanya,
You hit the nail on the head. When friends keep secrets from one another and tell lies it certainly puts the relationship at risk. These friends thought that they were helping each other but it still doesn’t make the behavior acceptable.
I loved the interview and would love to have this book. Sounds like my kind of read.
Ollie M
Ollimo91@aol.com
Ollie,
So glad you enjoyed the interview. Sorry you didn’t win the giveaway BUT it’s currently on sale on Amazon.com if you still want to check it out.
And the winner is…
JL Campbell!
Thank you all for your comments. The author and I greatly appreciate it. Please, feel free to stop back by and comment, even if there isn’t a book on the line.
I’ve already emailed and got an address for JL, so I will get this to her soon.
Thanks Trudy for your comments and support
The storyline sounds interesting. I am adding it to my to get list.