~~Author Deidra Ds. Green~~
Greetings to All, please join me while we get to know more about
Author Deidra Green, her works and journey as an Author. Many
think that this is easy but there are always challenges throughout
life and through her writing, she has proven that she can take on
those challenges. Please help me welcome and continue to
encourage Deidra as she climb the ladder of success. I created
questions as an Introduction, read her responses and interact with
her by replying to this blog=)=)
Author’s Interview
Questions
1. What
is the title of you first published book? What was the release date?
The title of my first published
book is “My Forever Airplane”. It’s a
children’s book that helps them cope with grief and loss. The book, however, is not sad. Rather it
provides a gateway for the very important conversation parents and caregivers
need to have with their children about losing someone they love. That book was published in 2009. I took a bit of a hiatus after writing four
books and came back in 2012 with my first full length adult novel, “From the
Outside In” which is based on real life events.
2. What
inspired you to become a Writer? Why?
I can’t say that anything inspired me to become a writer. I have always written
although not necessarily for the public. Writing is such a significant part of
who I am. It’s like breathingfor me and without it I feel like I would die. So I
was not inspired to become a writer. I was born to write.
3. In
the Writing Industry, is there anyone that you idolize? Why?
There is no one in the writing
industry that I idolize. However,
Stephen King is a writer I greatly admire, not only for his prolific writing
but also because of the sheer magnitude of material he has produced. His writing discipline is incredible and I
strive to be as significantly disciplined and prolific a writer.
4. Since
you became a writer, what have you experienced as far as the negative side of
it all? Positive Side?
I don’t get caught up in a lot of
the ‘drama’ associated with the writing industry. I am focused and know what it is I want to
accomplish. I ‘stay in my lane’ and
write the kinds of stories I want to write despite trends. As far as the positive side, I love what I do
and am grateful for the opportunity to write full time. There have also been a great number of
authors who have been very supportive. I
have great readers who I consider my literary family so for me it doesn’t get
much more positive than that.
5. Is
writing something you plan to do for a lifetime? .... Is it your passion?
Writing is my passion and my
purpose and I am committed to it for the long haul.
6. If
you don’t see writing as a life -long project, what else sparks your interest?
I am blessed to be doing what I
love. Writing is a lifelong project for me and other areas of literature and
literacy interest me as well. I would
love to continue and expand my work with young and aspiring writers;
particularly middle and high school students.
I love to help them find their authentic literary voice and move in
their passion as writers as well.
7. Have
you traveled to different states to promote your work?
I have traveled some over the past
year but I have really been in my writing season. I hope to travel more next year.
8. What
are your marketing techniques? Why do these things work best for you?
Word of mouth whether in person or
virtually is still the best marketing tool by far. My goal is to always have
someone else talking about my book other than me. It works because people will
believe an avid reader over an author about their own work.
9. Do
you have a lot of family/friend support? How does that motivate you?
Yes I have support from friends and
family in more than just financial ways.
This keeps me motivated because I know they are praying for me and
ultimately want me to be successful.
10.
What advice would you give to other
Authors BESIDES doing research?
Find your authentic voice and be
true to it despite what other people do or say.
Only you can tell the stories you want to tell so don’t be easily
influenced by what you see and hear.
Trends are just that, trends. If you are in it for the long haul and
want readers to get to know who you are as a writer, be you. No one can be you
better than you!
IF THERE IS ANY OTHER INFORMATION
YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE DO SO. For example where your books can be
purchased and social media connections. You can also share more background
information if you would like, this is your interview, make it count=)=)
I have a few new releases that I
would love for you to read. The first is
“Woman at the Top of the Stairs”. Here
is the synopsis and a brief excerpt:
SYNOPSIS
Domestic violence is an unfortunate part of many
relationships today. Every year more than 1.5 million women are made victims of
this relational epidemic. Has domestic violence become so commonplace that it
is no longer considered a problem? Have we grown so accustomed to seeing and
hearing about it that we not only turn a blind eye but a deaf ear as well? Meet
Gina. She is the woman at the top of the stairs who repeatedly hears the cries
and screams of the woman who lives below her as she is constantly victimized at
the hands of her partner. Bearing witness to Zenobia’s pain reminds Gina of the
abusive life she narrowly escaped from. But Gina can’t get away from the
nightmares of her past; the tumultuous reminders of how she was battered and
nearly broken at the hands of her contemptuous and menacing husband. Will Gina
be like the many and turn her back on Zenobia, leaving her to fend for herself,
or will she build an alliance with Zenobia to end her suffering once and for
all? Find out in this compelling novel, Woman at the Top of the Stairs.
EXCERPT
One
time, I thought for sure his ass was going downtown. They had been fighting all evening. I mean I could hear him whooping her ass
through the floor boards. She was
screaming and begging for her life. I
started to stick my head out and go down there and beat on the damn door
myself! But before I could crest the top
of the stairs, here come the police again.
They threatened to kick the door in.
This time I thought for sure he was going to jail. I peered over the stairwell because I wanted
to see them put the cuffs on his ass.
When the door finally opened, he came to the door acting like there
wasn’t a damn thing wrong. When he
stepped out into the hall - the single, uncovered light bulb illuminating his
face enough for me to see him clearly - he was breathing all heavy and sweating
through the dingy white T-shirt he was wearing.
If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought he had been
working out or something. He had been
working out all right…on that poor girl!
I
didn’t see her when the police were interrogating his lying ass, but even over
their voices I could hear whimpering in the background. The difference between the last time the cops
came and this time is that there was a male and female officer instead of two
men - a black female officer at that.
The female officer wasn’t trying to hear his bullshit, and cut him off
every time he tried to lie and say nothing happened. She brushed pass him and made her way into
the small apartment. I strained to see
and hear, but from my vantage point I couldn’t.
The railing and the position of their door obstructed my view. I do know this - that female officer was only
in there a few minutes before I heard Zenobia screaming and running after the
officer as she left the apartment and instructed Percy to stand against the
wall and put his hands on the top of his head.
Zenobia came tearing out into the hall begging the officer to let him go
because he didn’t mean it. I mean, all
manner of foolishness! I couldn’t
believe what I was hearing. I didn’t
need to see her to know he had beaten the living shit out of her.
Was she really begging
the officer not to lock this fool up?
Really? I
am so glad the female officer wasn’t listening to the stupid shit she was saying. Zenobia was obviously delirious. Maybe he had knocked all the good sense she
had in her head out. The second officer,
a tall thin white man who looked like you could knock him over with a feather,
intervened and stopped Zenobia from getting in the way of the arrest. She was fighting against the officer, and it
took everything in him to hold her back.
If she fought against that fool
Percy like she was doing that poor officer, maybe he wouldn’t have kicked her
ass all over that gattdamn apartment, I thought to myself.
The
female officer finally got Percy locked down.
He didn’t resist. He knew his ass
was caught. He hung his head like he was
ashamed - not of what he did, but for getting busted. Zenobia was still crying and hollering even
after the officers were descending the steps with her good-for-nothing man in
tow. I could only shake my head at how
stupid she was acting. Did she like him
beating on her like that? The officers
were doing her dumb ass a favor. She
must didn’t know it.
That
night I slept peacefully for the first time in a long time. The next day I ran into her on the front
steps as I was leaving to start my three to eleven shift at the hospital. She was coming up the steps looking dejected
as usual and crying. Normally I try to
mind my own damn business, but since she was sobbing so badly, I couldn’t help
but try and see what the problem was. I
almost kicked myself the moment I opened my mouth and said something.
The other new release is a sequel. Twisted Sister is
the first installment in the series and Twisted Sister II: Twisted’s Revenge is
the new release! Here’s the synopsis and
a brief excerpt from Twisted Sister.
Synopsis for Twisted Sister
Twisted
Sister is a mind-bending tale of love, cruelty,
friendship, and revenge. The story opens with Holly and Blythe – two African
American twenty-some things that are on the way to the top of a prestigious
financial management firm. While Blythe is “lucky in love,” Holly is a
self-imposed single that is focused on solidifying her career, not on finding
Mr. Right. To make matters worse, a failed engagement that still haunts Holly
cripples her every time she tries to make a new relationship work.
That all seems destined
to change, though, when Blythe discloses that a new associate named Trent has
developed feelings for Holly. Not only is Trent seemingly successful,
kind-hearted, and financially secure, but he is also every woman’s dream –
athletically built with chiseled and handsome features.
After a sexually
charged first date, followed by a whirlwind undercover few weeks of dating,
Holly’s romance comes to a screeching halt. Even though she knew that
inter-office dating was frowned upon, Holly had been sure that her office
romance had gone unnoticed…until one of the partners called her out and gave
her an ultimatum: a successful career or Trent.
When Holly makes the
decision to break off her relationship with Trent, she could never have dreamed
about the nightmare that awaited her as a result of leaving him. Kidnapped,
drugged, and raped at knifepoint, Holly has every chance to wilt completely at
the hands of her captor. However, after a sudden twist of grace leaves her
alive and standing outside of her apartment high rise, the strong will to fight
that lives within her soul sparks to life, enabling her to vow that she will
not let her tormentor get away with what he has done.
EXCERPT
The evening was drawing to a close and Holly and
Blythe waited outside Ms. Catherine’s for a taxi. Blythe lived on the east side
of town with her boyfriend and Holly lived closer to midtown. They would need
to take separate cabs but as always, agreed to text or call each other as soon
as they made it to their respective residents.
The ladies hugged as Blythe jumped in her taxi and
headed home. It wouldn’t be long before Holly’s taxi arrived. Holly waited in
front of Ms. Catherine’s. She could still hear the music pouring from inside
the restaurant. There were plenty of couples out; some arriving at Ms.
Catherine’s and some leaving… cozied up next to each other, hugging or holding
hands, moving in rhythm to their next destinations. Although it was a week
night, there was plenty of activity downtown.
Suddenly, Holly had the feeling she was being
watched. It wasn’t like the quick glance someone would take as they passed you
by but more like an unbreakable stare.
She looked around but didn’t notice anyone noticing her. Although there
were a number of people on the street and Holly was not alone or isolated, she
hoped the cab would hurry and arrive.
Instinctively, Holly was on high alert. She
repositioned herself closer to the door of Ms. Catherine’s and physically
leaned against the building… that way; no one could walk behind her and catch
her off guard. She continued to scan the street and people in front of and
around her. Holly didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but she couldn’t
shake the feeling that someone somewhere was watching her.
Holly was becoming increasingly unnerved as she stood
in front of Ms. Catherine’s. The night air was brisk, giving Holly a chill. The
people around her continued to go on with their lives, the music continued to
pour out of the restaurant, and Holly continued on high alert. Finally, the
taxi cab pulled up. It couldn’t have arrived soon enough. Holly was relieved to
climb into the back seat, lock the door and make her way home.
She didn’t engage in conversation with the cab
driver, she was much too on edge for idle chatter. She just wanted to get home.
The cab moved swiftly through the dimly lit streets.
Holly was glad for the free flowing traffic; so different than it was during
the hustle and bustle most typical of the work day. Even though the taxi ride
was smooth and uneventful, Holly was still having a hard time relaxing. Her
body was tense and her mind was filled with speculation. Holly still felt a
little chilly; the goose bumps on her arm still raised from the briskness of
the night air. Then she realized why. She had inadvertently left her suit jacket
hanging on the back of her chair. Any other time Holly would have instructed
the driver to turn around so she could retrieve her jacket. But Holly had been
so uncomfortable and still a little on edge, she made the decision to just call
Ms. Catherine’s when she got home and have them hold it until she could get
back there in the next day or so to pick it up.
The cab arrived in front of her building. Without an
exchange of words, Holly paid the driver, and made her way out of the vehicle.
Holly’s focus was getting her keys out of her clutch, and getting into her
apartment as fast as she could. As she scurried toward the door to her
building, her phone began to buzz. Taking the phone from her purse, she
instantly recognized the number. It was Blythe. Holly was fumbling with the
keys and trying to answer the phone when she saw him… it was Trent… standing in
the darkened shadows cast by Holly’s high rise luxury apartment building. Holly
was shocked......
LINKS
WOMAN
AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS:
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/deidra.d.green
TWITTER: @deidrag
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://deidrawrites.weebly.com/
BARNES&NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/deidra-d-s-green?keyword=deidra+d+s+green&store=allproducts
