JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Nikkea Smithers, author of Sweet Dreams
(Auset Ausar Productions)
(click on the pictures to see reviews of this book on Amazon.com)
Dream is a highschool student from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who is traumatized when she is informed of the tragic suicide of her best friend. Feeling like she is alone in the world with an abusive mother and absent father, Dream almost comes to the resolution that her life is also not worth living…
Antonio is also in high school but from Richmond, Virginia, working two jobs to help his mother support his many brothers and sisters. Growing up in the projects, he is faced with a number of obstacles that will test his manhood.
When Dream and Antonio’s worlds collide both of their lives change forever…but is it for the better or for the worse?
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Sweet Dreams?
Nikkea Smithers: The inspiration came from a conversation I had with my mother in the early part of the year. She was telling me about a how a friend of the family, who is a medic, was called to a home where a young girl had committed suicide.
I immediately started to think, “What could have been so bad to make this young girl want to take her life?” With that thought I wrote a poem called ‘A Girl Named Suicide’ which was later featured in the book. After the further contemplation I felt that there was so much more to say. I began to think what about the friends, the family, what about everyone who had to keep going after her passing. Essentially this story was begging to be told not only to honor the young girls memory but to spark intrigue in our community about this subject.
JP: What sets Sweet Dreams apart from other novels in its genre?
NS: Sweet Dreams has no set genre to be honest. It deals with a vast majority of subjects: self love, self respect, teenage suicide, peer pressure and forgiveness. Sweet Dreams stands out because, true to my writing style, it speaks a message of realness and hope.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Sweet Dreams getting out to the public?
NS: I embrace my public. I make myself available for anyone who wants to talk about any of my titles. As I choose to write about some very eye opening topics, conversation is a must. Therefore, I don’t shy away. I enjoy getting to know my readers as well as my readers getting to know me.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Sweet Dreams?
NS: Each of my books take me through a different process. For my poetry books and Keith’s Story it was a gradual process sometimes taking a year or more. However, for Gold Diggin’ and Sweet Dreams the process was much different and the stories poured out of me within two weeks. Sweet Dreams in particular was finished in a week in a half.
JP: What’s next for Nikkea Smithers?
NS: My next book is already done, waiting for the printer as we speak. I don’t want to give away too much but my readers can keep an eye on my website to find out when my next release will be. Until then, readers can certainly pick up not only Sweet Dreams but also Gold Diggin’, Keith’s Story and for poetry lovers Attitudes of a Woman.
www.nikkeasmithers.com
www.myspace.com/keithsstory
Nikkea Smithers is a self published author of five titles. Her most recent release Sweet Dreams made #4 on Essence Magazine Best Sellers list. She has been featured in Protege Magazine and has been featured at venues from NY to LA. Nikkea is also a talented spoken word artist who performs frequently and had headlined at many venues.
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