Six O’clock was set in a hair salon, and Unbeweaveable is about a woman’s addiction to her hair weave. Are all your books going to be centered around hair?
I guess you can tell I love hair! Hair is one of the first things I notice about a person, I often describe a person by their hair. “I’m talking about Sheila, you know the one with all the split ends?” Yep, that’s me. Although I love hair, I doubt any of my future novels will be centered around it. As I learn my craft, I feel more confident to delve into different subjects. But don’t worry, I plan to squeeze in hair every now and then!
I loved Six O’clock! Are you writing a sequel?
I get so many people asking me about writing a sequel. When I wrote Six O’clock I had no intentions of writing it as a series. I still don’t. But with so many people asking, I might come back to it. Hmm…Twelve thirty anyone?
Why did you stop doing hair?
I loved styling hair. I truly miss it—talking to my clients, the comraderie of other stylists—everyday was something new. Doing hair is tough—something I think most people don’t realize. Even after hiring a shampoo technician, my body still couldn’t take it. I suffer from sickle-cell anemia and there are limitations on what I can do. Even though I’m saddened that I’m not doing something I love, I’m happy that I’ve found something that I love even more than hair—writing!
Unbeweaveable, Six O’clock—you come up with some zany titles? Where do you get your ideas?
For me, everything starts with the title. Six O’clock was the nickname a stupid boy gave me in high school. I decided to share my story of growing up thin (when thin isn’t in—in the black community anyway). The idea for Unbeweaveable came when I had to remove my weave for a short period when I stopped styling hair. I remember feeling naked—Who was I without my weave? That spawned the idea for Unbeweaveable—a woman who loses her job and has to lose her weave. She discovers a family secret, an unbelievable secret—hence the name Unbeweaveable.
Where and when do you write?
When I wrote Six O’clock, I was single and living in my parent’s house. Now I’m married with a daughter in elementary school. (She grew up so fast! *insert tear here*) So I try to write as much as I can while she’s in school, or after I’ve put her to bed. As far as where I like to write, I find that it’s been changing more and more. I have an office, (well half office, half playroom,) and I use to write there all the time. That is until the rocking chair. I had a rocking chair that I used when my daughter was a baby and I moved it into my bedroom. Now I sit there with my laptop in my lap and my notes/outline on the window seat and type away. When I find myself stuck on a particular scene, I start rocking and the thoughts start flowing. And looking outside at the birds that have nested in a tree outside my bedroom window is always a plus!
What are you working on now?
Ooh, I hate revealing what novel I’m working on without having a contract on it. When it sells, or is in the process of selling, I promise I’ll share.
Do you plan on basing most of your books in Houston?
Originally I did. I’m a Houston girl at heart; it’s a great city and my home. But I don’t want to limit myself on a setting especially when a story requires a different city. And an added bonus? I can travel to new cities all in the name of research!
Who are your favorite authors?
It changes all the time. I’ll always love John Steinbeck. I love Barbara Delinsky—her writing is simple, but packs a lot of emotion. Something that isn’t easy to do. I like Ken Follett, he has a wonderful way of putting you write in the middle of the story.
I’ve written a book. Will you blurb it?
This question is by far the most flattering. I certainly didn’t expect anyone to want me to blurb their book, especially a new author like myself. That being said, I don’t blurb books with an inordinate amount of sex or bad language. I’m a stickler when it comes to that so if your book passes that test then send it! I promise I’ll try to read it!
How long is your real hair?
I knew someone would ask this question! Although I love a good weave, I’m a big advocate of healthy hair. Right now, my hair is shoulder-length. About this time I start to get bored and cut it really short. (Only to add extensions within a few months. Insane, I know…) But alas, a promise to my father is keeping me away from the scissors. We’ll see how long I let it grow…