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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Monica Marie Jones, author of FLOSS

March 11, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Monica Marie Jones, author of FLOSS
(Hub Books Publishing)

Friends since childhood, Abel, Solomon, and Jabez strive to climb the social ladder. Cousins Dionysus and Torah strive to climb that same ladder, but they would much rather travel on the backs of men like Abel, Solomon and Jabez. Tyse wants to climb that ladder as well in the company of men like Abel, Solomon and Jabez while attracting women like Torah and Dionysus.

Will they all be able to get up the ladder without pulling some down or walking over others? Will the ladder be able to support all of their weight, or will jealousy, envy, and betrayal cause everything that they have worked for to all come crashing down around them? When the worlds of these six socialites collide and become intertwined the outcome is scandalous. Will the controversies that they encounter be worth the cost that it takes to FLOSS?

Joey Pinkney: What gave you the idea and inspiration to write FLOSS?

Monica Marie Jones: After losing 65 pounds I decided to give modeling a try. The modeling scene opened me up to a whole new world that I had not experienced before. I observed how many men and women were driven by money, material things and looks. They often used those things to measure their worth. I was so fascinated with the entire lifestyle and what it drove people to do that I just had to write a book about it.

JP: Why did you choose to use biblical names for the main characters?

MMJ: When I was in school I always enjoyed how literature and poetry often had underlying themes that we could analyze and interpret. For this reason I like to have a meaning behind everything that I do, right down to the names of the characters that I select.

Here is the reason behind each name that I chose:

Dionysus is actually the name of the Greek God of wine. I chose this name because like wine, this character is alluring, addictive and intoxicating. The name is also unique, so just like the character it stands out, grabs your attention, and makes you want to learn more. It is also difficult to pronounce, just as there are many layers to her which often makes it difficult for others to understand her.

Jabez was named after the character in the Bible because he experiences several devastation and traumatic events back to back. This book was really only an introduction to Jabez. I plan to continue his story in another book in the FLOSS series where he will be the main character.

Abel is named after the “good” brother in the Bible because the relationship that he has with Solomon and Jabez in FLOSS is like that of a brother. In FLOSS, Solomon is jealous of Abel, and it leads him to seek revenge. Abel’s story will also continue in another book in the FLOSS series.

With Torah, I just thought that was an interesting name. There was really nothing behind it, but actually The Torah is to Judaism what The Bible is to Christians.

With Tyse, I just like the name. I thought it was unique.

Solomon is also a name that I like. It is a Biblical name. When I chose it, there was no specific reasoning behind it. When I expand Solomon’s story, which will be in another book in the FLOSS series that he will share with Torah, I plan to do my research to tie in some themes from Solomon in the Bible.

I was also influenced to write in this way by bestselling Inspirational Fiction author, Jaquelin Thomas, who often takes stories from the Bible and turns them into modern day tales.

JP: What sets FLOSS apart from other novels in its genre?

MMJ: While FLOSS is considered Urban Contemporary Fiction it has several underlying themes that border on inspiration. It is very real and raw at times, but it is still literary in nature. I tell a story that not only entertains, but also leaves people with something to think about that may even add value to their lives.

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

MMJ: As strange as it may seem, I do not write sequentially, meaning I do not start at the beginning and write what happens one after another until the end. I see my books in scenes, sort of like a movie. I write the scene, then I plug it in where it makes the most sense in the story. From there I go through and make sure that everything has a smooth transition. I started writing FLOSS before I stepped out on faith and left my full time job, so it took me a few years to complete it. 🙂

JP: What’s next for Monica Marie Jones?

MMJ: Currently I am working on several new books. My focus is on the FLOSS series. The next installment is a book called SWAG. It is not the sequel to FLOSS but you will hear from Dionysus again and her involvement in SWAG sets up what goes down in the FLOSS sequel which is tentatively titled, Intrigue. I am also working on the sequel to my first novel, The Ups and Downs of Being Round. The sequel is called, The Flip Side of Fat.

When I am not writing I am touring the world to promote my existing books. I plan to continue to hone my craft by taking creative writing classes at UCLA next year as well as spending some time writing at an Artist Colony.

I also plan to do more motivational speaking and launch a talk show. 🙂

www.monicamariejones.com
www.myspace.com/monicamariejones

I can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, Tagged and WordPress. I can be emailed at monica@monicamariejones.com or monicamjones@hotmail.com

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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/joeyreviews

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National Reading Month With… Barbara Grovner, author of We Belong Together

March 11, 2009 Joey Pinkney

Barbara Grovner, Author of We Belong Together: Even as a young child books always intrigued me. I would become so totally engrossed in the stories I read, which allowed me to fantasize and dream of the impossible. I remember when a friend of my mother’s gave us a collection of the Bobbsey Twins and a series of Nancy Drew mystery books. I was in heaven. I read those books until very late on school nights when I should have been sleeping. I continue to read like that, and at times I read two or three books at a time.

My newest novel We Belong Together is a who-done-it type of mystery. I love reading James Patterson mysteries and watching television shows like Law & Order or CSI. These types of shows are hot, and I believe We Belong Together is just as hot as well. The story is about the murder of a young nurse in Boston. The characters are colorful, and the dialog is exciting and suspenseful. I plan to do a series and have begun the second in the series, which I hope to have released next year. You can pick up a copy at a bookstore near you, or you can purchase a copy from Amazon.com and Thirdeyepublishing.org.

For information about Barbara Grovner and We Belong Together, please visit http://www.myspace.com/barbaragrovner.

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National Reading Month with Patricia Neely-Dorsey, author of Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia

March 10, 2009 Joey Pinkney

Patricia Neely-Dorsey, Author of Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia – A Life in Poems: Reading has always been important in my family. From the time that I was a little girl, I was always surrounded by books. I was taught the importance and the fun of reading. In my immediate and extended family, it was always a tradition for any child in the family to receive a book at any gift-giving occasion, along with whatever other gift the child might receive. For as far back as I can remember, I always receivedÂ books from my mother, father and other relatives on birthdays, Christmas, Easter, etc. Sometimes, I received books just because it was known that I loved to read. This is a tradition that I am passing down to my son, Henry. One of the happiest days in my life came when he walked up to me at seven years old with a book in his hand and said, “Mama I just love to read!” I am proud to say that we are a family of readers.

My book, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, is a celebration of the South and things southern and a poetic autobiography of sorts. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. Of course, one of those such poems is about my love for reading:

BOOKWORM

Reading is fundamental,
That’s what they always say;
Without it, I couldn’t even imagine,
Wanting to start the day.
My mother’s love of reading,
Was passed down straight to me,
And wherever it is that I am,
Some book with me, you’ll see.
In my purse, under my arm,
Or maybe in my car;
I’m not so sure where the book would be,
But it couldn’t be very far.
My mother says she remembers,
Books and papers ’round her mother’s bed;
Where she would spend the whole long day,
With knowledge being fed.
I love to read all kinds of things,
I never get enough;
I guess, I could love without my books,
But, boy, it would be tough.

For more information on Patricia Neely-Dorsey and Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia – A Life in Poems, please visitÂ http://www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com .

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