"Actually, I started writing poetry first, and from there I could see a story forming from the poetry. My original intent was to write a book of poetry, but I decided to make it a little more interesting by writing a novel and incorporating poetry into the story. For the most part writing was a hobby and a form of self-entertainment. I felt, and still feel, that there are not enough African-American novels or movies available. We are passionate people with exciting stories to tell."

“How many hours a day do you devote to writing?”

“Because I’m still a full-time nurse, I average anywhere from two to three hours a day.”

“Describe the setting when you write.”

“It’s funny, but a lot of times I park my car in a park near a lake and pull out my laptop. I like to write with soft music playing in the background. Other times I write in my basement or any other room in my house where I can find peace and quiet.”

“Who is your favorite character in your book, and why?”

“Eric, of course. He’s unpredictable. You love him; you hate him; but he does things to make you love and respect him again. In most books the main character is likeable throughout the story. To me that’s not realistic. I can’t think of a person that I like all the time and that’s real.”

“Who is your favorite female character?”

“My favorite female character should be Candie, but Monica is so sweet that you can’t help but fall in love with her. Lisa is a close second because she’s probably the most unpredictable character in the entire book.”

“What writers do you admire most?”

“Eric Jerome Dickey, E. Lynn Harris, Omar Tyree and Michael Baisden. These brothas are representing in the writing game for real. I also admire brilliant women like the Mighty-mighty Terri McMillan and the Superb Sister Souljah. My dream is to join the ranks of these best selling authors.

“Do you think that success will change you?”

“No. I have had success with so many things in my life, and I have been able to maintain a level head and stay grounded. If I ever change for the worse, my friends and family will instantly put me back in my place. Anyway, I love who I am right now too much to let success change me. It’s important to me to be able to relate to people on all levels, and I’ve already done that with my nursing career.”

“You mention lots of music in your book, who are your favorite artist?”

“I love all types of music and going to concerts. My favorite artist include Sade, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Macy Gray, Maxwell, D’Angelo, Musiq, Bilal, India Arie, The Roots, Common, Mos Def, Notorious BIG, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Donnie Hathaway, Luther, Patti, Teddy Pendergrass, Otis Redding, Mary J., Faith, 112, Bob Marley and Prince. I have to send a special shout-out to K-Ci and Jojo for lookin’ out for me and Kim for the last eleven years, from free tickets to hotel suites. And to Dave Hollister, thanks for hooking me and Kim up with that phat hotel suite in Atlantic City.”

“What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?”

“Write every day. Write about what you know. Try to create true-to-life storylines and characters. Use an outline format to plan your book. Buy a laptop, but a pencil and notepad are a good start. I still like to use pencil and paper. Use a tape recorder to form ideas, sometimes it’s easier to talk than to actually write. To me, there’s no such thing as writer’s block. I like to think of it as clouded vision. If I get stuck at a certain point in my stories I just skip ahead to another part and return later when my vision clears. Don’t let rejections hold you back. If you have the time, energy and resources, self-publish.”

“What’s next for you. Will you do a sequel to your first novel?”

“Not right now. I’m not really sure if I want to do a sequel. My second novel is complete. It’s a relationship/family drama. I think readers will love it."