Category Archives: best seller

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
CJ Domino, author of Who Does She Think She Is? A Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving a Breakup Before She Has a Breakdown
(Slightly Ghetto Books)

Who Does She Think She Is? A Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving a Breakup Before She Has a Breakdown is my own personal testimony of how a woman can over come heartache and pain while rising to a higher level.Â A witty, yet inspirational tale; I promise that this isn’t your ordinary self-help book and my loyal fans will not be disappointed.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Who Does She Think She Is?

CJ Domino: Let’s just say one nasty divorce, a roller coaster relationship with a former lover and a hurricane named Gustav was all the inspiration that I needed.

JP: What sets Who Does She Think She Is? apart from other books in its genre?

CJ: Most self-help books are very technical, but lack that personal touch from the author. Yeah you’re uplifted, but you don’t understand why the author wrote a book on that particular topic. This book is different because I went deep within myself. I share my flaws when it comes to relationships. I allow the reader into my personal space, so you can see where I am coming from and most importantly why I wrote on this particular topic.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Who Does She Think She Is? getting out to the public?

CJ: A lot of hard work. Burning the midnight oil when the rest of the world was fast asleep. Not being afraid to take a chance by putting myself out there; naked to the world. And most importantly, believing in my product which means believing in myself.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Who Does She Think She Is?

CJ: I don’t have a process. When the urge hits me, I just write. Unlike other writers, I don’t need my walls to be a certain color or have candles burning in the room. When the spirit hits me, I move. Who Does She Think She Is? took me approximately 2 weeks to write. I was bored. Hurricane Gustav was about to hit South Louisiana where I live, and I just pulled out my laptop and began to peck away. This was the end result.

JP: What’s next for CJ Domino?

CJ: I am wrapping up my long awaited and highly anticipated follow up novel to Sideline Ho, my first book.Â It should be out in the spring or early summer.

http://www.cjdomino.com/
http://www.myspace.com/coloredgirl

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Essence Best Seller Tracy Brown, author of Twisted

January 9, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Essence Best Seller Tracy Brown, author of Twisted
(St. Martin’s Press)

An extremely fed up Celeste Styles sets her beloved salon, Dime Piece, on fire in an attempt to head South and start her life anew, away from her married boyfriend Rah-lo, a dealer. Meanwhile, Ishmael, Rah-lo’s business partner, best friend and confidante, tries to forget his feelings for Celeste with a relationship with Nina-and a rekindled affair with Robin. Tracy Brown keeps the drama flowing and the pages turning as the love triangle converges explosively in Atlanta.

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

Tracy Brown: I wrote part one (Dime Piece) in 2003. The ending left many readers eager for a sequel. Everyone wanted to know who burned down the shop and what happened to all the characters. I penned the sequel in order to answer those questions.

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

TB: I think each of my novels adds something special to the genre of urban lit. I try each time to do something unique that sets my work apart from other novels. Twisted was no different. The main character, Celeste Styles, is a mistress for most of the storyline. Despite that negative label, readers cheer for her and like her character. I think that’s different. Usually the mistress is described us some cold, cruel bitch. Celeste is a likable character who makes some questionable decisions.

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

TB: I write mostly late at night. Once the house is quiet and the kids have left me alone, I can focus on being creative. Twisted took me three months to write. I changed the ending several times before deciding on the one we published.

JP: You have a huge following. What have your readers expressed that they like about your books that keep them coming back for more?

TB: My stories aren’t typical or predictable. The characters come to life in the story. I try to be different from all the other authors out there. Although I am a fan of several urban writers, I want my stories to be unique.

In my first novel Black, there is a teen pregnancy. Unlike the typical urban drama, the young male takes responsibility for his child and a saga unfolds as these two young lovers try to defy the odds. In Dime Piece and the sequel Twisted, Celeste Styles is a mistress with a heart. Again, this is different from the average story.

Criminal Minded was a story of friendship, and there was a focus on the grandfather, Papa, and the wisdom he imparts. In White Lines, I tried to tell the true story of the drug game from several different perspectives. In the end the story is about love and redemption, so the usual elements of urban lit are there with an unexpected twist in each novel.

JP: What’s next for Tracy Brown?

TB: I’m working on a novel called Snapped. I’m very excited about it! I think that the readers who loved the saga White Lines will adore Snapped. It’ll be released in early 2009, so stay tuned.

www.tracy-brown.com
http://www.myspace.com/blackbutterfly0608

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Essence Best Seller Keisha Ervin, author of Finding Forever

December 30, 2008 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Keisha Ervin, author of Finding Forever
(Priority Books)

Once teenage sweethearts, Whitney and Koran are vastly different people now. Whitney’s working on her master’s degree and has a new lease on life, while Koran is a drug dealer riding around in expensive cars and living in a big house. Is it possible for Koran to change his lifestyle and for true love to return?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Finding Forever?

Keisha Ervin: I’ve always wanted to write a tragic love story. I’m a huge soap opera fan, so I think that is where my flair for the dramatic comes from, lol. Also I love the movie A Walk to Remember. That movie also inspired this story.

JP: How is Finding Forever different from the other love stories you have composed over the years?

KE: This one doesn’t end with my typical happily ever after ending. Although my characters come full circle they are forced to kind of do it own their own and without the love and support of their significant other. Also, this story focuses on an illness that is plaguing us as women.

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

KE: My process for writing a story is first coming up with an idea. I then figure out my outline in my head. I rarely ever write anything down. All of my stories scenes and ideas from start to finish are stored in my mind. Due to the fact I was under a deadline it took me almost three months to write Finding Forever. I’m not a quick writer. I like to take my time with my stories. With this one I still felt rushed. Some of my readers felt the same way.

JP: This is your sixth novel, but your first book on Priority Books. Why did your switch from Triple Crown Publications?

KE: I did this book with Priority Books because it is a home based publishing company. I have to help and support my city St. Louis. Also Rose, the owner, is such a sweet and genuine woman. I would work with her anytime. To make things clear, I am not signed to Priority Books or TCP.

JP: What’s next for Keisha Ervin?

KE: I am currently working on my seventh novel and a short story for an anthology. To all of my fans and supporters you can contact me at www.myspace.com/keishaervin or http://www.webjam.com/grayrosez

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Category Archives: best seller

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… CJ Domino, author of Who Does She Think She Is?

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Essence Best Seller Tracy Brown, author of Twisted

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Essence Best Seller Keisha Ervin, author of Finding Forever

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