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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Mikki Starr Martin, author of Zella Dora

March 18, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Mikki Starr Martin, author of Zella Dora
(ReignStorm Publishing)

Zella Dora’s progression in life has been on hiatus for the better part of the past six years. Since losing her mother tragically and unexpectedly to a rare disease, she has inherited the duty of caring for her father who has vehemently refused to accept that his wife is forever gone. Added to that is the burden of being there for a suicidal friend who, in a quest for love, is determined to pull everyone around down with her. Not to mention her own dependence on her closest friend Darwin who, unbeknownst to Zella, is suffering from the quiet despair of unrequited love.

An instance of unintentional eavesdropping on her neighbor’s lovemaking oddly becomes the catalyst that creates the desire for Zella to break away and come into her own again. A decision she soon discovers is easier to commit to in theory than reality. When Zella becomes intimately involved with her married neighbor, her world quickly spins out of control begging the question of whether she’ll ever be able to live for herself again.

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

Mikki Starr Martin: Zella Dora came about approximately a year and a half before I really got into writing the story. I had some insane idea to write some twisted tale in the genre of erotica…got as far as a prelude and put it down, never thinking about it again. When I moved out to Cali and was unpacking some things, I happened across the legal pad that I’d written that prelude on. When I read it, I thought it was rather dope and very well written… I impressed myself. Immediately, I decided that something should be done with and I began outlining.

JP: You have a knack to making your novels simply complex. What was your writing process for Zella Dora?

MSM: With Zella Dora, I didn’t want to lead the story too much. I wanted to see what would happen if I gave myself minimal direction in writing. So I’d vaguely outline a few chapters at a time and fill in the blanks as I’d write. I was amazed at the things that poured out that way but scared at the same time because I didn’t know where this story was going and I wasn’t used to that lack of control.

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

MSM: I actually have yet to really push Zella Dora to the public. I’ve dropped a few breadcrumbs so her existence is known by a few but I wanted to wait until 2009 to really make her presence known.

JP: I am totally mesmerized by the book cover. Who is the model? Where did you find her? Who designed your cover?

MSM: Wow… I’m happy that you’re digging the cover. The model, I don’t know. I design all my own cover art. The image of the woman on the cover of Zella Dora is a stock photography image that I was thrilled to find. She fit my mental image of what Zella would look like and I was just so happy that the photographer granted me permission to use the image.

JP: What’s next for Miki Starr Martin?

MSM: I’ve started a couple of projects, but I’ve yet to put my heart into any of them. For now, I intend to focus on making my presence known…something that I’ve neglected doing for fear of being rejected by the masses, and finishing editing my first novel Well Runs Dry, so that I may re-release it later this month.

The biggest writing project that I am taking on right now is a 12-week short story series titled Psycho about psychotherapist Dr. Nicollet Madison Fairway who runs a lucrative business counseling fictional characters. It’s part marketing being that the fictitious characters she’s offering therapy to are my own and part writing challenge for myself as I’m allowing myself no guidance with this. I’ve got to find a way to keep it interesting, without giving away too much info about my books. I’ve gotten some love for the teaser, and even I am excited and curious to see where it goes.

www.mikistarr.com
www.myspace.com/mikstarr

Author Miki Starr Martin can be reached at starr_martin@mikistarr.com

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Paulette Harper, author of That Was Then, This Is Now: This Broken Vessel Restored

March 17, 2009 Joey Pinkney 2 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Paulette Harper, author of That Was Then, This Is Now: This Broken Vessel Restored
(Tate Publishing & Enterprises)

How could God have a purpose for me amidst this mess? Why do such bad things happen to good people? If you’ve recently asked yourself these questions, Paulette Harper’s That was Then, This Is Now has the answers. Paulette Harper gropes for meaning and understanding, and through her searching, God reveals Himself to her in ways she never before imagined possible.

By sharing her struggles with transparency, she illustrates how a heart attitude of surrender allows God to use a broken vessel for His ultimate plans of glory. That was Then, This Is Now is a heart-wrenching account of one woman’s true story of determination, loss and triumph. Struggling to recover from a broken marriage and disappointed dreams.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write That Was Then, This Is Now: This Broken Vessel Restored?

Paulette Harper: I was inspired to write That Was Then, This Is Now by God. It was derived from actualÂ events that took place in my life. I wanted to share with people how God restored my life spiritually and emotionally.

JP: What sets That Was Then, This Is Now: This Broken Vessel Restored apart from other novels in its genre?

PH: What sets That Was Then, This Is Now different from other novels is my sound reliance on biblical scriptures. That Was Then, This Is Now offers readers the reasons why and the solutions to many of the challenges we will face.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to That Was Then, This Is Now: This Broken Vessel Restored getting out to the public?

PH: Some of the keys to my success for That Was Then, This Is Now have been me knowing the market for which my book is trying to reach. This includes identifying people, groups and organization that will embrace my writing. I talk about That Was Then, This Is Now to everybody which has afforded me the opportunities to be on radio and television. I also try to stay connected to my readers my email, newsletters and by speaking and having book signing events.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish That Was Then, This Is Now: This Broken Vessel Restored?

PH: When I starting writing That Was Then, This Is Now, it began with the titles of each chapter and I built my stories around those titles.Â For example chapter 1Â Built To Stand- Though It All in this chapter I share with my readers the personal challenges that I faced and how certain scriptures helped me cope with and eventually overcome those challenges and gain spiritually victory. I startedÂ writing That Was Then, This Is Now in January 2007 and completed myÂ manuscript in March of the same year. Tate Publishing offered me a contract in April 2007.

JP: What’s next for Paulette Harper?

PH: I have several projects that I’m working on. I’ve started writing my next book Â Completely Whole another inspirational book which will be released next year. I’m launching a new radio show called “Broken & Restored “ and will be starting “Write Now” workshops to help other inspiring writers and authors.

http://www.bvministry.org/
http://www.pauletteharper.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/pauletteh

paulet_harper@yahoo.com

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Tawana Jackson, author of Stretched But Not Broken

March 14, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Tawana Jackson, author of Stretched But Not Broken
(Xulon Press)

All Mia wanted out of life was a peaceful existence and unconditional love. Brutally raped at the age of five by a deranged homeless man, Mia had experienced everything but her dream. Her mother, Helen, a quiet and dignified woman, marries a concerned but drug addicted Vietnam Veteran whose controlling and abusive parenting skills turn Mia’s family on its ear.

Karen, Mia’s older sister, is nothing like her compliant mother and sister. She is brash, loud and not afraid to cry out when in pain. Karen is later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her overbearing and controlling personality knuckles Mia under her spell, causing Mia to begrudgingly acquiesce to Karen’s every command.

Helen also caters to Karen’s manipulative ways making Mia believe that Helen cares more for Karen than she does for Mia and her younger sister, (fathered by Bruce) Sasha. Through a life of kept secrets, silence in the face of abusive oppression, and a broken romance, Mia is driven to attempt suicide. But Mia has a friend, Julie, who has been telling Mia about the love of God and how much he has in store for Mia’s life and future.

Mia must then make a decision to let go of her past, and stretch toward a bright and loving future with a Savior who proves to be the only answer to Mia’s shredded life of fear, anguish, and hopelessness.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Stretched But Not Broken?

Tawana Jackson: My motivation in writing the book is that I was Mia, that little girl growing up trying to face grownup sexual feelings at the age of five. The outcome of rape, depression and physical abuse is so overwhelming in the lives of those that have been a victim. I just could not sit on the testimonies and gifts that God has given me.

Every year over one million souls leave this earth because of suicide. One in every four women are raped. One in every ten men also suffer from rape. The end results sometimes lead to self-destruction, self-hate, or spiritual death if God isn’t allowed to heal the hurt and brokenness

JP: What sets Stretched But Not Broken apart from other novels in its genre?

TJ: This book speaks to those who have suffered mental and physical abuse, as well as, those who have been imprisoned by drug addiction and mental illness. Though this is a fictional story, I have personally lived every aspect of this novel, from being an abused child to possessing the sexual immorality that corrupts a person’s body.

Everything I write about comes from experience as well as God-given creativity. I have a heady appetite for Christian fiction novels, but one thing I discovered was that few of them bring out raw emotion and self-conviction such as mine.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Stretched But Not Broken getting out to the public?

TJ: My keys to success are the following: As a survivor, I know what my characters are feeling throughout the novel. As a Life Coach, I’m able to answer some of the questions rape victims may have. Lastly, but most importantly, ninety-nine percent of the families in the United States or maybe the world can relate to the problems the family in my book suffers.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Stretched But Not Broken?

TJ: The book writing process took about a year. It took three months to do the actual writing, then another nine to rewrite and edit.

JP: What’s next for Tawana Jackson?

TJ: I’ve done several book signings, TV interviews, and radio interviews this year to promote Stretched But Not Broken. I will continue to do this next year. I’m currently working on the book’s sequel that should be completed around June of 2009. I’ll also take time out to visit local prisons to speak with women and men about the importance of family.

http://www.tjacksonbooks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/twrites.com

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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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