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

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


mikki starr zella dora on amazondotom

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

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

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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