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5 Minutes 5 Questions With… Dionne Oakley, author of Through My Eyes

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Dionne Oakley, author of Through My Eyes
(Xlibris Publishing)

Through My Eyes is a compilation of my ups and downs, joys and pains, innermost feelings and deepest thoughts. I take you on a roller coaster of poems, touching on various subjects such as love, gossip, money, sex, and self worth–just to name a few. Reflecting on my life experiences, I open up my heart and take you on an emotional journey with me that you are sure to enjoy!


dionne oakley headshot through my eyes book cover

(click on the above pictures to see reviews of this book on Amazon.com)

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Through My Eyes?

Dionne Oakley: As a child growing up I loved to write poems. By the time I became an adult I had basically stopped writing poems until a co-worker began sharing her poetry with me. That ignited my interest in writing poems again, so I decided one day to write a poem just to see if I still had the gift of writing. I showed it to my co-workers and friends. They really liked it! Then I wrote another poem, and another one, and another. Each time I would get great responses and great feedback from the readers. That’s when the idea came that I should write a collection of poetry and get it published.

JP: What sets Through My Eyes apart from other novels in its genre?

DO: There are a number of things that set’s Through My Eyes apart from other collections of poetry The first thing that comes to mind is the variety. A lot of poetry books have chapters in them to give you a heads up on what that section of poems will be about. I purposely left the chapters out of my book because I wanted it to be like a box of chocolates. The reader goes from one poem to the other not knowing the flavor until they take a bite!

Here’s another thing I’ve noticed about some collections of poetry that differs from mine: Some are so deep, I can’t understand them. If I can’t comprehend what I’m reading, I can’t enjoy what I’m reading. I get deep with some of my poems, but my poems don’t go over the readers head. It goes right to the reader’s heart. I truly believe that what comes from the heart will reach the heart.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Through My Eyes getting out to the public?

DO: The keys to my success will be determination and faith. But faith without works is dead! You have to work hard to promote your book. I’ve gone to local bookstores and asked if they will sell some of my books as well as allow me to have book signings there. I’ve sold books out of the trunk of my car. What really surprised me is how the book sold itself! All I had to do is hand it to a person, let them look at a couple of pages, and they bought it. That’s when I knew this book was special, and I thanked God.

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

DO: My writing process varies with poetry because there are some poems that pour out of me so fast and so easy. I can hardly keep up with writing down everything that’s flowing out of me! It’s like Wow! Amazing! Then there are poems that may not flow so free at first. I may end up doing a rough draft, then revising and editing the poem.

It took me about two years to complete Through My Eyes because I wrote the poems when I was inspired or when the poem came to me. Also this being my first book, I had no idea about the steps I needed to take to publish it. I was kind of feeling my way through the process.

JP: What’s next for Dionne Oakley?

DO: I am writing another collection of poetry and plan to publish it in 2009. I have also started on a novel. Both are yet to be titled, but guaranteed to be good! I also plan on venturing into greeting cards somewhere down the line. Other than that I plan on continuing to promote my book “Through My Eyes.”

Everyone can order this great collection of poetry online. Go to Xlibris.com, Amazon.com, Borders.com or BN.com. It is best to type in my name, Dionne Oakley. That will bring up the book and eliminate any confusion since there are several other books with a similar title. You can also check me out on myspace at myspace.com/deedaweeda.

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 myspace.com/joeyreviews

5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes 5 Questions With… Miki Starr Martin, author of Blueprints

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Miki Starr Martin, author of Blueprints
(ReignStorm Publishing)


miki starr head shot blueprints book cover

(click the above pictures to see the reviews of this book on Amazon.com)

On the surface it appears that Nate has everything. However, unbeknownst to those closest to him, Nate is in turmoil as his true closeted sexual identity threatens to surface and destroy the façade that he has worked so hard to build and maintain. With the encouragement and support of his only friend, Mike has worked hard to achieve a level of success that previously seemed unattainable. But old habits die hard, and a terribly troubled past that he’s been unable or unwilling to let go of threatens to destroy everything he has worked so hard to accomplish.

Without Nate’s support Sierra would be lost. Despite her very strong belief and faith in God, she cannot manage to turn the tainted memories of her damaged childhood over to Him. Only Nate knows her secret, a secret that could ultimately ruin her marriage. United by pain, loss, fear, and more importantly hope, these three friends are forced to confront the issues of their youth in a most devastatingly unimaginable way.

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

Miki Starr Martin: The inspiration for all my stories are born from the same place – curiosity. I love exploring those things which I know absolutely nothing about. My main character being a closeted homosexual was something definitely out of my league. I pondered what it may feel like to be that person in hiding while growing up with very homophobic men.

JP: What sets Blueprints apart from other urban fiction/romance novels where the main character is torn between a hidden sexuality and love?

MSM: Comparing it to other stories that I’ve read, what makes this one unique is that it is a continuous struggle for him. Nate isn’t the guy sleeping with dudes for years and hiding it from his friends. He isn’t the “down low” brother that many single sisters are petrified of running across. He is the guy that is determined to avoid it completely. Even when he is confronted with it, he is still adamant about rejecting that part of him by any means necessary.

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

MSM: My resilience. I have been nudging and knocking on the doors of publishers and agents ever since my first manuscript Well Runs Dry was self published back in 2002. I was being rejected at every turn. I learned to do the work myself. I got better at graphic design, typesetting, learned to tell a better story, and learned (and am steady learning) how to utilize my resources.

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

MSM: Blueprints was actually written in 2001 and likely took me about 4-5 months. Typically I write backwards. I normally know the outcome. I go back and find the path to getting there. I start with a basic three part outline that says what happens in part 1, 2 and three. That outline is broken down to call out the specific events that have to occur chapter by chapter to meet the goal. Once that is done, I write and let the characters fill in the gaps.

JP: What’s next for Miki Starr Martin?

MSM: I’ve just completed my 4th self publication of a new tale titled Zella Dora, a contemporary literary fiction novel about a young woman struggling to regain her independence after the unexpected death of her mother.

Thanks Joey!!

Peace, Miki Starr Martin
Web Production Artist / Author
www.mikistarr.com

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 myspace.com/joeyreviews

5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes 5 Questions With Thomas Allen author of Suspended in Time: The Price of Loyalty

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Thomas Allen, author of Suspended in Time: The Price of Loyalty
(Imanera Publishing)

Deshaun had an unusual relationship with his father. At a tender age of twelve, his father always had doubts about him being his biologically son. Subsequently, Deshaun was driven to the streets. Hanging out and being loyal to friends nearly cost Deshaun his life.

After evaluating himself, De was faced with the possibility of never coming home. While incarcerated, he met all kinds of criminals. He had to distinguish himself amongst the predators. Only the strong survived. Being a stickup kid growing up in the eighties gave him the strength he needed to stay alive.

There was still a void in his life. De needed to find out the truth about his father and the things he encountered. Trying to accomplish this nearly made him hit rock bottom. It is later on in life that he figures out the reason for his estranged relationship with his father.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Suspended in Time: The Price of Loyalty?

Thomas Allen: The inspiration to write Suspended In Time came a few years ago when I used to work for a company where I ran the freight elevator. I used to be bored, so I used to write on a notepad playing with different characters and ideas.

It wasn’t until the results I got from a DNA test which ultimately compelled me to write. I didn’t want to take this to the grave with me, so writing became therapeutic. I wanted to share my story with the world.

JP: How long did it take you to write Suspended in Time?

TA: It actually took me seven years to complete that project, but that’s only because I was in college and working. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I would dib and dab when I could.

It wasn’t until I lost my job that I was able to release my inner book. That was a blessing in disguise because I don’t think I would’ve been able to do so otherwise.

JP: What sets Suspended in Time apart from other urban fiction novels?

TA: What sets Suspended In Time apart from other urban fiction novels is the fact that a lot of people can identify with my characters. Kids, as well as parents, will be able to learn from Suspended In Time because it’s a true story.

It’s not the same genre of writing that we’re accustomed to. There is a message in that book for everyone, especially the families of young incarcerated men and women.

I poured my heart and soul into that book. This is what sets it apart from other literature. Not all stories are the same, which is why mine is a unique one.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Suspended in Time getting out to the public?

TA: The keys to success for me would have to be reaching out to any kid who is leading down a path of destruction. If they can learn from my book and not make the same mistakes that my character did, then I feel I have accomplished a lot.

JP: What’s next for Thomas Allen?

TA: I just completed my second book “Chasing a Dream”. I’m working on my third manuscript as we speak. Thanks for everything.

http://www.imanera.org/
http://www.myspace.com/imanera
http://www.twitter.com/imanera

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