Actually, I find it surreal that people want to know about me.  Not that I’m not an interesting person, but it’s different to be on the other side of the fence.  I’m used to being the avid reader who wants to know all about her favorite author.  I can’t tell you all how excited I was to meet Terry McMillan at the Miami Book Fair last year.  Say what you want to about Terry, but anyone who can be pleasant and smile AND sign at least five hundred books in one setting has much character to be desired!
            But I digress.  About me…Well, I’m thirty-two, married and the mother of five children.  The eldest is eight and the youngest is eighteen months.  My husband is an Elder at our church and an awesome minister, speaker and evangelist.
            I love to read!  My love of reading is what turned me into a writer.  My reading list is very, very eclectic.  You’ll find Octavia E. Butler and Toni Morrison mixed in with Jean Auel, Stephen King, Terry McMillan and Judy Blume.  Lately, I’ve discovered a lot of authors who write inspirational fiction.  Victoria Christopher Murray and Angela Benson are great!
            Here are some “Frequently Asked Questions” about me and the answers
Q.  How do you do it all?  Marriage, family, career???
A.   I don’t do it all!  I juggle a lot of things like my family and writing, but inevitably something doesn’t get done…like the dishes.  Let’s just say I have a very understanding husband.
Q.  How do you come up with your stories?  Are the characters real people?
A.  My stories are works of fiction.  Totally made up from this wonderful imagination that I’ve been blessed with.  However, I must say that I can’t keep my life’s experiences from creeping into my viewpoint and from coloring my plots.  There’s a little bit of my life in every plot and a little bit of me in every character.
Q.  How did you get someone to publish your first book?
A.  It was a lot of work getting published.  The first book I completed never got anything but rejected, but Denise Stinson (publisher at Walk Worthy Press) sent me a very detailed rejection letter telling me some things to do to tighten up my writing.  I listened.  I submitted my next manuscript to everyone but Denise Stinson because I thought she’d remember previously rejecting me.  An agent named Tamela Hancock Murray told me that she liked my work, but that I was perfect for Walk Worthy Press and that I didn’t need an agent to submit there.  After much nervousness and prayer, I submitted to Denise again.  And this time, in a few weeks we were talking a two-book deal.
Q.  How can I turn my book into a play?
A.  A lot of people have been asking me this because I’ve adapted What a Sista Should Do for the stage.  It’s been a HUGE amount of work and we still haven’t finished.  The debut is on August 11th in Cleveland, Ohio at the Allen Theatre.  But it is not something to take lightly.  Do your research.  I read a lot of information on David E. Talbert’s website and I’m Ready Productions also has a lot of sage advice.  You’ll need to address things like set design, advertising, music (can’t have a good urban play without good music) and a HOST of other things.  But all that said…if you really feel God pushing you in that direction, step out on faith and follow His lead.

Well, that’s all for now….I’m trying to finish designing this website before the end of the year.  Thank you for your support and prayers!

Blessings,
Tiffany