|
Spotlight on headline page debuts MAY! Janine has another book coming out!
J a n i n e A. M o r r i s
"From Radio Program Manager of Hot 97.1FM
to National Best selling Author"
Disilgold: W hat can you tell the Disilgold community about yourself that will explain why Disilgold has sought you for a perSOULnalized interview?
Janine A. Morris: I am blessed. I have been blessed with a great family and support system that has allowed me to pursue all of my dreams. There isn’t a challenge that I am not willing to attempt, and don't believe in giving up on a goal of mine.
Disilgold: What is your latest book about?
Janine A. Morris: Diva Diaries is about three African American woman and their struggles to fulfill their dreams. They have been blessed with careers that they can be proud of, but they are struggling with their personal lives. They are educated and beautiful, and have been able to maintain their status as divas in society, but their image is more glamorous than the reality. Only the three of them know each others secrets, and knows in what ways they are lacking in their lives. I believe every woman can relate to one of these characters in one way or the other.
Disilgold: How long did it take you to complete your book?
Janine A. Morris: In total, about 4 steady months (around my work and law school schedule), but I actually started about 8 months before the due date for the manuscript.
Disilgold:: What were the happiest moments you have experienced while writing your latest book?
Janine A. Morris: When I managed to balance my writing time, with school and work. The weekends when all I wanted was to relax, but couldn't and my boyfriend would make me a pina Colada and give me a reason to take a quick break; those moments made me feel like everything was going to be just fine.
Disilgold: Describe your writing style?
Janine A. Morris: Honestly, I never categorized it, but I would say that my style is conversational. I have always been a 'talker' and a 'writer.' I believe I write like I talk. I write in a way that feels as if I’m verbally telling you a story. With the adlibs, and inside thoughts, that would be included as if it was a story being told. I hate periods ... I love commas. I don't talk in a way that I stop after every thought, I connect thoughts and ideas. You can see this the way I write.
Disilgold: How did you develop your writing style?
Janine A. Morris: It was natural for me. I really just wrote from my heart. Never really paying attention to creating a style, and then that became my style.
Disilgold: Do you have a favorite author of all time or someone who inspired you to achieve your goals as a writer?
Janine A. Morris: Terry McMillan and Eric Jerome Dickey are my favorite authors, but I can say Terry McMillan is who inspired me to write. However, my favorite book was The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah.
Disilgold: Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?
Janine A. Morris: Hopefully with several books out, having told the life stories of many characters. I want to inspire many young girls to stay in school and pursue their dreams, so I hope to start a mentorship program.
Disilgold: What marketing tips can you provide to new authors?
Janine A. Morris: I wish I had some. I am learning myself right now. I will say, think outside the box. Be unique, don't travel the traditional routes, and go your own way.
Disilgold: What other projects are you working on?
Janine A. Morris: My law degree and my second novel. I am also creating a soap opera for 98.7 Kiss FM's Wake Up Club, that will start this spring and be really interesting.
Disilgold: What are your top ten favorite books right now?"
Janine A. Morris: Ten ... wow. Right now, all I read is law books (laugh), but I will say, Between Lovers, Waiting to Exhale, Coldest Winter Ever, Lovers and Friends, The Other Woman, Sweet St. Louis, Sister, Sister, and then my Torts book and my Contracts book :)
Disilgold: When do you write and for how long?
Janine A. Morris: In the evening, or at the top of the morning. It varies- sometimes for hours, other times just to get an idea down.
Disilgold: Do you have a favorite location for writing? Ideally I love to write outdoors, but when time allows.
Janine A. Morris: I love nice weather, it just uplifts my spirits so much, and it helps me flow.
Disilgold: What method did you use to write or organize your book?
Janine A. Morris: I started with my ideas and characters, and then I just began to jot down all my thoughts for the story line. Even though I had most of the content pre-planned, as I wrote things changed, new ideas came, and the story took a life of its own.
Disilgold: What three words best describe your writing style?
Janine A. Morris: Real. Conversational. Fun
Disilgold: What other hobbies do you pursue when you aren't writing?
Janine A. Morris: Law isn’t a hobby, and music and radio has been my career, so hobbies would be board game playing, spending time with loved ones, reading, on line family feud, and shopping (my vice) lol
Disilgold: Are there any hidden jewels or talents that you possess that many of your readers may not know?
Janine A. Morris: Hidden talents? I don't think so. I think I’’m pretty good at debating. For a girl, I 'm not bad at basketball.
Disilgold: Where can folks buy your latest book? Janine A. Morris: Everywhere - Barnes and Nobles, Wal-Mart, Borders, Urban Knowledge, Hue-Man. Right now it can be ordered on amazon.com and booksamillion.com.
Disilgold: Where can folks meet you?
Janine A. Morris: If you go to my website, www.JanineAMorris.com, you can find my
schedule for book signings, etc
Disilgold: What have been some of your toughest obstacles as a writer?
Janine A. Morris: Juggling the time to write with my job and law school.
Disilgold: This section of our interview requires brief responses. Are you ready to" Get PerSOULnal" Interview?
The "Get PerSOULnal" Interview
Disilgold: What time do you awake normally every morning?
Janine A. Morris: During the week, between 6 and 7. Weekends, as late as my body will allow me to sleep unless I have something to do.
Disilgold: What is your writing fuel in the morning?
Janine A. Morris: A bowl of cereal, or pancakes and orange juice.
Disilgold: What early morning rituals have followed for many years?
Janine A. Morris: None really. Just laying in the bed a little longer after I awake, fighting the reality it's about that time. (I hate waking up in the mornings.)
Disilgold: What are your favorite foods to snack on while writing?
Janine A. Morris: Cashews, Entenmanns pop-em donuts, and pina coladas.
Disilgold: Do you watch television or listen to the radio when you're writing, and if so, what do you watch or listen too mostly?
Janine A. Morris: No, and if so I have it on mute or turned extremely low. On the television it would be the lifetime channel, Will and Grace, Friends or Girlfriends.
Disilgold: What is your favorite book of all time?
Janine A. Morris: Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
Disilgold: What is your favorite magazine of all time?
Janine A. Morris: I don't have one, I have always loved magazines. My favorites right now is Vibe (and I like their new Vibe Vixen) and Essence.
Disilgold: Do you have an exercise regimen to suggest for busy writers?
Janine A. Morris: Get in where you fit in. I work out after class at the gym at my school, from about 10pm-11pm, but I just managed to start fitting that in. If I didn’t have work and school, I would work out first thing in the morning, and then go to a park and write on my laptop (if the weather permitted)
Disilgold: What is your everyday outfit?
Janine A. Morris: Either a fitted sweat suit or blue jeans and a black or white fitted shirt with some black boots or air force ones.
Janine A. Morris: That’s on a regular, relaxed day.
Disilgold: What is your pet peeve?
Janine A. Morris: Sometimes I can just not be in the mood, so anything at that time can be a pet peeve; but I guess on a regular basis I hate ignorance. I hate being tapped or interrupted and I hate being ignored or misunderstood.
Disilgold: If you could inspire a child, what would you say?
Janine A. Morris: As cheesy as it sounds- aim for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars. I would really try to let them know not to believe in the 'one in a million' theory. Each and every one of us can be exactly what we want to be.
Disilgold: What is your favorite motto?
Janine A. Morris:"Do unto others as you want them to do unto you" - it's corny but there is a reason it is the golden rule.
Disilgold: What is your favorite time to put your writing pen down and rest?
Janine A. Morris: In the evening, after a long day or right in the middle of the day to get out and take a mental break.
Disilgold: Have you traveled anywhere besides your hometown and if so, where?
Janine A. Morris: Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Haiti, Cayman Islands, and Hawaii
Disilgold: Where is your dream vacation?
Janine A. Morris: Turks and Caicos
Disilgold: What do you particularly like about the literary world today?
Janine A. Morris: All the possibilities. I like to see (I'm learning this now) how it has its own community. I like the range of the authors, from all the different backgrounds.
Disilgold: If you could leave one word of advice to people in general, what would it be?
Janine A. Morris: Be thankful for what you have, count your blessings. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
|
