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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Kendra Wisdom Durand, author of Turiya: A Collection of Wordizms

February 8, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Kendra Wisdom Durand, author of Turiya: A Collection of Wordizms
(AuthorHouse)

A book chock full of an eclectic collection of politically progressive poetry and short stories swathed in cultural awareness with original photography woven throughout.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Turiya: A Collection of Wordizms?

Kendra Wisdom Durand: The structure of the book was loosely inspired by Jean Toomer’s Cane. The ingredients combined to compose most of my short stories was taken from my study of folklore, psychology, and the way in which traditional black communities tolerate change. However, my poetry covers everything under the sun. I use people, places and things that I am familiar with to create fictional tales of life experiences.

JP: What sets Turiya: A Collection of Wordizms apart from books?

KWD: I have been told that the structure of this book is unique. Combining poetry and short stories in one book is risky for a first time self published author, but one that I undertook with joy.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Turiya: A Collection of Wordizms getting out to the public?

KWD: Authorhouse offered assistance in getting the book in the hands of online distributors, however getting the book on the shelves of bookstores was left solely up to me. As a first time self-published author, I am still learning the trade of marketing my book. I am looking to hire an agent for future projects. Until then, I will continue to sell my book on 125th Street in Harlem, at Venice Beach in LA, attend book fairs across the country, get my book on the tables of street vendors who sell books all over the city and use the internet to boost sells. Cultural events like Kwanzaa can also be used as a resource.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Turiya: A Collection of Wordizms?

KWD: My writing process consists of filling up the page with stream of conscious thoughts then going back to revise. I use my Blackberry to type in poems that come to me as I ride the subway or walk down the street. I began this book project on April 1st and it was completed by June 13th.

JP: What’s next for Kendra Wisdom Durand?

KWD: My work has been selected to appear in the anthology “Voices, a collection of poetic works” by White Oaks Publishing. I have a second book of poetry waiting to be published. I have Â½ a book written called Still Standing based on a fictional New Orleans family trapped in the attic during Hurricane Katrina. I am determined to one day be listed in Oprah Winfrey’s book club. Until that day comes I will keep pushing forward to get my voice in print.

www.turiyacollection.com
www.myspace.com/kendrawisdomdurand
turiyaink@gmail.com

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Adra Young, author of The Everyday Living of Children & Teens Monologues

February 5, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Adra Young, author of The Everyday Living of Children & Teens Monologues
(Trafford Publishing)

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Everyday Living of Children & Teens Monologues?

Adra Young: The idea to write the books evolved from two situations. First, I am educator. I was looking for solutions to reduce the number of suspensions to kids that face and bring overwhelming issues to school. Acting has so many great components. Since each act in my book is based upon real life stories of what kids are faced with, I figured that troubled children could recite the acts and utilize the situations as a positive outlet. The second situation is that I have a background in acting. As an acting coach, I wanted fun and exciting situations for kids to recite, learn, and deliver on stage that would prepare them for various types of auditions.

JP: What was it about Volume 1 of this series that prompted you to write Volume II?

AY: Believe it or not, Volume II was written because of the request of my fans. They kept asking, “Adra, when is Volume II coming?” I felt like it was my duty to complete it and not let my readers down.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Everyday Living of Children & Teens Monologues II getting out to the public?

AY: Some of the vital keys I used as a new author were advanced promoting and communicating directly with individuals who my type and style of writing appealed to. As far as promoting, I’m not just talking about two weeks in advance. Volume II was released November 15^th. 2008. I started promoting the release of this book in September of 2008.

Another success tactic I used was getting acquainted with parents, teachers, children desiring to become actors, and troubled youth. I asked questions such as, “Could you honestly see your self purchasing my product to help you solve a problem?” and “Could you see yourself purchasing the guide to help increase your child’s performance skills?”

JP: What has been the public’s reaction to your books so far?

AY: I’ve been told everything from “it’s about time an educator started keeping it real” to “keep up the good work!” In addition, I’ve also been told that I made an awesome attempt to tackle two problems and solve them both with a unique approach. This being providing exciting materials for youngsters to improve their dramatization skills, and of-course, providing a positive outlet for today’s troubled youth.

JP: What’s next for Adra Young?

AY: Wild… It’s funny you asked Joey. I am in the process of increasing and expanding my performing arts company titled, Ardannyl through out the South East Region of Michigan. In addition, there is a monologue show that I am writing and producing based strictly upon the concerns some of women I’ve come into contact with. There is a book on hold that I am currently working on as a co-author with Parent Activist Cheryl Lynn Pope, the author of 25 Ways to Make Your Child Feel Special. I am in the process of trying to decide should I conclude the monologue series with a Volume III or should I just move on with my fiction series since both Volumes I and II are both categorized as non-fiction. As you can see, I have irons in the fire.

www.ardannyl.com

www.myspace.com/ardannyl

www.amazon.com

*In May of 2006, Adra Young was nominated Outstanding Educator for the Detroit Communities In Schools Award

*In April of 2007, Adra Young was presented with Certificate of Appreciation from the Detroit Youth Foundation

*In June of 2008, Adra Young was the featured author for Ronald Brown Academy of Detroit, MI

Adra Young can be reached at 313-729-2573.

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Michelle Larks, Author of The Legacies

January 30, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Michelle Larks, author of The Legacies
(Urban Books/Kensington)

The Legacies is a tale of two young people from very diverse backgrounds who meet and fall in love while attending college. Noah Stephens is a minister’s son, and Morgan is the daughter of a drug distributor. The two encounter many bumps in the road as deathbed promises, secrets, and betrayalÂ tear at the very foundation of their relationship. God has love for all ofÂ his children regardless of our stations in life. He sends angelsÂ to Noah and Morgan that help direct them to the path to righteousness.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Legacies?

Michelle Larks: Actually, the idea to write The Legacies just popped into my head. I wanted to write a novel that would appeal to a younger audience. My novel Keeping Misery Company was aimed at an older market, thusÂ The Legacies was born.

JP: What sets The Legacies apart from other novels in Christian Fiction?

ML: The Legacies is different from other Christian fiction novels because it delves intoÂ controversial subject matter: a relationship between a minister’s and drug dealer’s children. Can they co-exist and fall in love? Can the relationshipÂ remain strong despite a lot of adversity?

JP: The Legacies is similar to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. What has been your reader’s response to you mixing a family steeped in drugs with a family steeped in religion?

ML: My reader’s response has been good for the most part. One of the points I was trying to make in the book is that we are all God’s children regardless to how we began life.Â I also wanted to exemplify how life doesn’t also goes as our parents plan.

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

ML: My writing process is just let the thoughtsÂ flow, literally. I am an early bird, so I tend to write early in the morning on my trusty laptop computer.Â I will start with an idea, andÂ ways to enhance the storyline just pop into my head. It took me three months to write The Legacies.

JP: What’s next for Michelle Larks?

ML: As you can tell from The Legacies, I don’t shy from controversial topics. My next book, Til Debt Do Us Part, is the story of the lead soprano of a church who battles a gambling addiction and how that hobbyÂ nearly ruins her life.

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html

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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