Category Archives: interview

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Sherry Hill, author of The Marquise Hill Story

June 20, 2009 Joey Pinkney 4 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Sherry Hill, author of The Marquise Hill Story: From the Cradle to the Bowl
(Xlibris)

The Marquise Hill Story: From the Cradle to the Bowl by Sherry Hill is the compelling story of the life of New England Patriots lineman Marquise Hill, whose twenty-four year existence was tragically cut short on May 27, 2007, when the unforgiving currents of the Pontchartrain River in Louisiana claimed him forever during a jet-ski accident.

Told by his mother as only she could, this book provides a candid account of a little boy growing up in Louisiana, who from a young age was thrust in the midst of “cutthroat New Orleans”-a street term aptly referring to the unsavory, unethical, criminal or hard-as-nails element which afflicts certain rough neighborhoods within this otherwise uniquely special old world city… perhaps in ways much similar to those found in other urban areas.

This earnest account is narrated from the perspective of a grieving mother who walked this journey with her son, giving all of herself as a constant source of guidance and support.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Marquise Hill Story?

Sherry Hill: My son and I talked about writing his bio long before his death. I began writing it exactly three days before his accident.

JP: What sets The Marquise Hill Story apart from other biographies about the life of an athlete?

SH: He accomplished a lot as an athlete in a short life time. He did not allow the obstacles of life’s disappointments stop him from achieving his goals. His self determination was unmeasurable.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Marquise Hill Story getting out to the public?

I would say having an open mind and be willing to listen and learn the business. Networking with the right people in the business is key. I was able to get three digital billboards up and running at the same time. Networking among friends and family was also important.

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

I was keeping good notes and organized everything that I knew I wanted to write about. Editing is also key.Â I lost most of my info and photos in Katrina, but I regrouped and picked up the pieces and moved forward with my writing. The time frame from start to finish in completing my book was approximately a year.

JP: What’s next for Sherry Hill?

There are alot of projects that I’m involved in. I am completing a children’s book, which has been my passionÂ for over 12 years. I am also working on a recipe book. Other than writing, I also want to work on some more of my portaits/paintings.Â I am also an artist as well. I have BS degree in Art.

I want to continue to use my creative mind and work with children. I taught school for five years and worked as an administrator of a Pre-SchoolÂ for 6 years. I also want to make sure the The Marquise Hill Foundation makes a a great impact in the community as well.

http://www.fromthecradletothebowl.com/

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Venesha, author of Notorious

June 19, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Venesha, author of Notorious
(Polka Dotz & Stripez Publishing)

My name is Starlett Ray and I am Urban Fiction’s most notorious vixen and newest “It Girl”. Don’t really know how I ended up on top of so many people’s sh*t list within this industry, but the hate far exceeds the love. Despite the mounds of b*tch*ssness, I have been able to stiletto step my way towards the top in the face of the Candyland games some folk fancy to play. I struggled through the not so good times and finally reached the pot of pink diamonds on the other side of the ghetto rainbow.

Enter the infamous and notorious world of publishing: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good: Writing and the journey behind the words, characters, and editing process. The bad: Being tricked and treated by far removed publishers sitting in their ivory towers, rockstar graphic designers, devious publicists making promises they can’t keep and wannabe-balling-out-of-control authors who have the publishing industry confused with the dope game from the 80s and 90s. The ugly: Being gossiped about and frowned upon by industry so-called elite since I did things a little different than they did to try to get my book published.

In addition to learning the woes of becoming an author, you are also given a first class seat inside of my private life, married to a platinum rapper. It’s the best of both worlds as Hip-Hop and Urban Literature collide within the pages of Notorious. Fasten your seat belt for a wild, whimsical, and fanciful ride in the Bentley of Urban Fiction tales…

Your Access Has Been Granted:

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

Venesha: I came up with the idea and inspiration for Notorious back in 2007 after a series of unfortunate events within the publishing industry. They tried to put me in a box, and I came out with a book!

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

V: My books will always be different and set apart, so to speak, from other books simply because they read so true to reality. Hell, they may be. I’ll never tell though.

Notorious chronicles a character’s journey up close and personal as she writes a book and tries to get the book published. I take the reader behind the scene of the entire process and adventure of publishing a novel. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

My reader base will enjoy it because it has a double plot, and you know I gets the drama poppin’ off on or about page 2. And, it doesn’t stop there. I have been holding that book under lock and key for a while but now it’s time for Notorious to hit the red carpet and pose for the cameras…flick flick!

JP: What did you learn from writing and publishing Mistress Me that made Notorious a better novel?

V: Wow. I learned a lot about developing my craft as a writer. It took me much longer to write Notorious versus Mistress. The editing process almost took me under it was sooooo stressful. I was trying to pull off a double plo,t and I wasn’t ready. However, with the help of my editor, it all came together.

I did a ton of re-writes and added about seven additional scenes before we could move forward. My editor was sooooo cracking the whip… I cried on several occasions and thought of trashing the entire project.

So, I learned a ton just as a writer should each time they write a book and go through the editing process. I was more so challenged as a storyteller rather than a writer. I think I did more telling than showing. Then, I had to go back in the ninth hour and reverse many aspects of the novel.

Notorious has literally drained me. However, the pre-reviews and press buzz has been awesome. So, I’m excited!

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

V: My writing process is rather simple. A laptop, good R&B music and a few scented candles creates the ambiance required for Venesha to flow. When I’m in writer mode I don’t check emails, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, or talk on the phone. I have to shut the world out for hours at a time. Then I’ll pop back in for a while. Then I’m out again.

It took me a year or so to get the foundation. I wrote the first half back in 2007. Six months later, I completed it and have been doing re-writes for months.

JP: What’s next for Venesha?

V: With Notorious coming out of production and ready for her turn, I can finally get back to Mistress Me/The Remix, which will be out this winter. Once The Remix is completed, I have a few more projects to write.

Whatever isn’t written by 2010 will be put off while I concentrate on Teen Fiction.

http://urbanbarbiedoll.com

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Cherilyn Vonn, author of Weekly Wisdom: 52 Ways to Live a More Fulfilled Life

June 17, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Cherilyn Vonn, author of Weekly Wisdom: 52 Ways to Live a More Fulfilled Life
(Aminia Books and Publishing)

Weekly Wisdom acts as a mirror reflecting those images that we often avoid looking at because it reveals the truth about ourselves that we often try to disguise or avoid all together. As women we are taught to be strong and never reveal our insecurities are fears and yet in trying to be everything to everyone we often loose ourselves in the process. This book serves as the foundational platform that allows you to be stress free, drama free and debt free in order for you to live your life to the fullest by:

Drawing you desire
Getting unplugged
Releasing your past

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Weekly Wisdom: 52 Ways to Live a More Fulfilled Life?

Cherilyn Vonn: Pain was the guiding force that paved way for the conception of Weekly Wisdom. I finally got to a point in my life where I was “sick and tired of being sick and tired!” I knew GOD had a larger vision of me than I had for myself. I found myself on an emotional merry-go-round of complacency, failed relationships and negativity. It was honestly draining the life out of me.

I believe we all come to a point in our lives in which we question our existence. For me I knew there had to be more to life than merely working a j.o.b. that I hated, living paycheck to paycheck and spiritually exhausted! I started a journey of understanding and forgiveness that allowed me the opportunity to find myself and embrace the essence of who I am and not the illusion of others perception of who I was or should be.

I released self-loathing for self-love, self-sabotage for self-acceptance and self-criticism for self-knowledge and forgiveness. I wanted to help others. Weekly Wisdom is a life-enrichment tool that has information and insight for everyone who are ready to release the shackles and be free!

JP: What sets Weekly Wisdom apart from other motivational books?

CV: Motivation, ugh! I always cringe when I hear that word. Weekly Wisdom is not a motivational book. Let me explain my reasoning; to me motivation is based off your feelings and emotions. We’ve all been to a seminar or read a book that motivated us to change. Just as quickly as the motivation came, it quickly left. Nine times out of 10, the urge to change did too.

Weekly Wisdom: 52 Ways to Live a More Fulfilled Life is a blueprint for making the necessary changes to be stress free, debt free and drama free. It’s an owner’s manual that never loses its value or importance. The wisdom embedded throughout this book is what I have used to transform my life as well as others who have used these very principles and are now reaping the benefits of living authentically and purposefully!

Many “motivational” books out today offer a sugar rush without giving you the “meat and potatoes” that will sustain the readers. It’s like eating dessert without the main course. This book is the dinner that gives you the valuable nutrients needed to live a healthy life.

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

CV: Commitment, faith, discipline and obedience!

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

CV: Writing the book didn’t take very long at all. The real work, or shall I say process, started after I wrote the book. There’s more to writing a book of any genre than merely putting pen to paper. There is a lot of behind the scene work that is involved. My writing process was simply making a commitment to write no less than a chapter a day!

There were a few days the chapters sort of spilled forth effortlessly, and there where other times that a chapter was all I could do. My commitment was no less than a chapter a day. Within a month’s time, I had completed my first draft of Weekly Wisdom!

JP: What’s next for Cherilyn Vonn?

CV: I am currently working on my second book entitled Unveiling the Mask as well as a few other projects in which I am contributing too. Weekly Wisdom has become a movement which includes workshops and tele-seminars as well as coaching process! I’m thankful for the favorable responses since it’s release!

http://www.unveilingthemask.com/
http://www.myspace.com/unveilingthemask
http://www.twitter.com/cherilynvonn
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/unveilingthemask

Featured in the St. Louis American “People on the Move” section of the newspaper.

Featured as the Inspire Me Today Luminary, an honor that has been given to many of the motivational gurus such as Les Brown, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and other inspirational greats. Go to: http://www.inspiremetoday.com/ and enter my name Cherilyn Vonn

Featured on the television show: Pathways to Healing as 2008 Most Phenomenal Woman

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