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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Mika, author of Chocolate High

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Mika, author of Chocolate High
(South Street Publications)

How do you say goodbye to the one you love? Is this even an option when you’ve invested your body, mind, and soul into your relationship?

Charisse Farrell is a successful, beautiful corporate attorney who has it all, but when the love of her life, David Richards, betrays her, she has to reevaluate her future. Tempted by the desire to love again and her need for revenge, Charisse is haunted by a demon from her past that turns her life upside down. When love knocks her down, Charisse has to get back up fighting – fighting for love.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Chocolate High?

Mika: I find inspiration in everyday life. The idea for Chocolate High came about through a conversation with friends. The question was posed can two friends stay friends after being in a long term or serious relationship with each other. It became a heated debate and we had supporters on both sides of the issue. I decided if a simple question could get grown folk so worked up, it was worth exploring this notion a little further in the form of a novel.

JP: What sets Chocolate High apart from other novels that deal with a woman being emotionally hurt by her lover?

Mika: Chocolate High deals with love from the standpoint of a profession couple who financially could handle anything. With this book, I wanted to explore the notion of just because your finances are in order doesn’t mean your love life is.

The main character, Charisse Farrell, has it all as a corporate attorney but being in control in the courtroom and out of control in her relationship is a unique dynamic to explore for me. Ultimately, it becomes more about her self-worth than about being emotionally hurt by her lover. From that, the reader can take away a learning experience they can apply to their own life.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Chocolate High getting out to the public?

Mika: The keys to success that lead to Chocolate High getting out to the public were focus, determination, patience, teamwork, and discipline. After completing this project from inception to publication, I came to realize writing the story was the easy part. The real work began with editing and has been non-stop from that point forward. You have to be consistent in your efforts to get the attention of readers and the industry as it’s not an overnight process.

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

Mika: My writing process is a little like gumbo: it’s one part outline, a pinch of fleshing it out, a tablespoon of flow and a whole lot of soul. When it flows, my characters take on a life of their own. I love it when the characters tell their story; it makes my job easier as the writer because when you get in deep enough, despite what the outline says, the characters will tell their story and it’s like you are there watching it all go down.

I use to rhyme so my writing process is still very similar, come up with the concept and ride with it. From start to finish it probably took about a year to write Chocolate High when factoring in rewrites and editing. Everything had to be right, and I didn’t want to rush it.

JP: What’s next for Mika?

Mika: Well, I’m currently working on my next novel which remains untitled at the current time but tentatively slated for release late fall. A lot of promotion for Chocolate High, I’ve learned the importance of getting in front of your promotions, and fleshing out my itinerary to enhance my presence amongst the industry and readers alike.

http://www.mikabarnes.com/
http://facebook-www.facebook.com/tamikabarnes
http://www.twitter.com/mikabarnes
http://www.authorsden.com/mika
mika@mikabarnes.com

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6 thoughts on “5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Mika, author of Chocolate High”

  1. This definitely is a novel I want to read. I do feel that people need the finances to settle down and get married. I don’t feel there is ever enough mental preparation for marriage. It all starts from being boyfriend/girlfriend. It has to be right at that point. If not, then trying to fix matters at even the engagement stage will prove to be a tall order.

  2. Chocolate High sounds interesting. Back in the day, the Cosby show made it seem as though they didn’t have any real issues because they had financial security. And most people believe that couples argue mostly about money. This book can show the other side of the relationship spectrum.

  4. This seems interesting and it is a book that should get great readership because sometimes we need another opinion and as author debated it with others I think it would be a great bookclub read.

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