~ Author of the Month - Niobia Bryant ~

1.      Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a published author

I have to say that I was blessed because my journey wasn't difficult at all. I began by writing romantic short stories for some well know romance magazines.  Simultaneously, I was working on my first book ADMISSION OF LOVE. Mind you, even though I been writing for years this was the first book I ever completed. If I could be paid a dollar for every story I started and lost interest in midway, I'd be rich (smile). But for some reason the story of Chloe and Devon lived in me and had to be shared. I sent the synopsis and the first three chapters to two publishers, and both wanted the book. I was so excited and thrilled to not only have my work wanted, but to be able to have a choice. This entire process, including the short stories and the completion of the book all happened within one year of me deciding to seriously write. So I guess you can see why I feel blessed. It's still hard to believe that so many people enjoy my writing.  I've even won awards or came in first place to winning. So I'm speechless, and trust me that's not easy (smile)!!  I was very insecure about the public taking to my writing style, but everything has worked out well.

2.      What was the most difficult part of this journey?

I think the most difficult part was waiting and worrying about how well the book would do. Writing is so deeply a part of you and you put yourself out there to be accepted or rejected. For me, to care so muchabout my work and be insecure about its acceptance is hard. My first bad review from a reader on Amazon.com nearly broke my heart, no lie. But I'm learning to take the good and the bad all in stride.

3.      Tell us a bit about, THREE TIMES A LADY?

THREE TIMES A LADY is a romance story about an unlikely hero and an even more unlikely heroine.  Jordan Banks is a single father of his rambunctious five adopted children who decided to play matchmaker.  Mia Gordon is focused, career minded woman who isn't looking for love and definitely not a ready made family. But with humor, passion, and love the two
eventually take a roller coaster ride to love that fulfills needs they didn't even know they had.

4.      What has the response been to this new book so far?.

Thankfully every bit of feedback I have received or read on THREE TIMES A LADY has been positive.  I consider myself a funny person and I liked learning that the readers all understood my sense of humor and enjoyed it through the characters, especially the children. My love scenes are also very descriptive, as they were in ADMISSION OF LOVE, thankfully all theladies (especially those from the Color of Love Chat Forum) enjoyed every bit of it! I think I have found a nice recipe for a delicious romance story and I don't plan on changing a thing. I just hope everyone keeps on enjoying the books because I plan to keep on writing until my hand falls off. And even then I might start dictating (smile).

5.      Tell us a bit about what inspired you to write this book?

THREE TIMES A LADY was inspired by a need to see more positive and loving African-American heroes. Not just one who works hard and doesn't commit crime but one who steps up to the challenge of being a father. Men such as Jordan do exist and I guess this book was a little tribute to them. All Black men aren't dogs who run from responsibility and that fact needs to be
known. Also I truly do believe in adoption and mentoring as means to uplifting the Black family. If I can remove any of the stigma that might be attached to adoption and mentoring than I'm happy. Plus, it was a challenge to see if I could write a sexy novel with children as prominent in the story as I did, and still be believable.

6.      What is your main objective when you sit down to work on a story?

My main objective in writing a book is to fulfill certain needs that I also have as a reader. I want the reader to be able to relate, I want the reader to
laugh, I want the reader to be stimulated by the love scenes, and I want the reader to experience the feelings of falling in love (including the ups and the
downs). It's important to me to capture their interest from start to finish. I love to hear that they started to read the book and couldn't put it down. That's makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

7.      How has your life changed since you became a published? Where you surprised at the success of your first book?

My life has not changed one bit and I'll tell you why. I did not know about the popularity of the book during the first months it was on the stands. It wasn't until THREE TIMES A LADY went on the stands  that the readers knew my e-mail address and P.O. Box address and were able to contact me. I was definitely surprised at all the e-mail and letters I received and I'm trying hard to answer everyone ASAP. I've also been contacted about attending conferences and booksignings recently. It will be good to get out there and meet the readers.  I can not wait. I just wish I was aware of everything sooner or ya'll would've seen me everywhere (smile).

8.      Who are your favorite authors?

I read many other genres of African American literature, but under the category of romance fiction I have to say that Francis Ray is sooooo fierce that it ain't even funny. I also enjoy Donna Hill, Brenda Jackson, Shirley Hailstock, Angela Winters, and so many more that I don't have enough space or time to name.

9.      Do you have a full-time job?

I'm  blessed to have a supportive significant other (Hi Tony) that enables me to focus on writing ever since last year. It took a little getting used to but I'm starting to enjoy it (smile). I plan on starting my own business some time in the near future.

10.     When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I'm usually on the road traveling with my fiancé who is a truck driver. Also I easily read three to four book a week. I'll stay up all night to finish a good one! And I like to cook. And I mean down home cooking too. I make a wicked okra stew, and my pepper steak is ridiculous (smile).

11.     What is something about you that your readers would be surprised you do?

Okay, ya'll don't laugh or think I'm sick in the head but any bookstore I pass by I go in and see if my book is on the shelves and then I count how many copies are left! Isn't that awful?

12.     What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment as a writer and why?

I'm still a new author and I think I have a lot more that I could accomplish, especially when you compare my brief career to such authors as Donna Hill, Gwynne Forster and so many more who have done so much. So I'll say my greastest accomplishment is just pleasing the readers with good romance stories that they say they enjoy. I am also very proud of the
four star or better reviews I have received for both books. And I am proud of being named SHADES OF ROMANCE New Multicultural Author of the Year for 2000. Also I'm thrilled for being named runner-up for ROMANCE IN COLOR New Author of the Year Award. All of these thing just make me want to write even better stories.

13.     If you had known then what you know now, what would you have done differently in terms of your  romance writing career?

I definitely would have networked better from the start, and got out there more to meet the readers. I also would have asked for more information from the Arabesque publicist concerning such matters. But alas, I didn't know then what I know now (smile).

14.     Any advice for the aspiring author.

I will tell any aspiring author to listen to yourself. You know what you like in a good book or what you feel is missing. That is exactly what you give to your readers and they will be pleased. Also handle you career as a business .

15.     Do you like communicating with your readers?  In what forms?  And how can a reader contact you?

I love hearing from, and chatting, with the readers. I can be reached by my e-mail address: niobia_bryant@yahoo.com or by mail at : P.O. Box 2181
Walterboro, S.C. 29488

16.         What's next for Niobia Bryant?

What's next? A even more successful career I hope! (smile) And I'm working on my third novel, tentatively entitled Heavenly Match. In this book Deshawn and Anika from my first novel, ADMISSION OF LOVE, find a love that was meant to be. Be on the lookout for it.

Niobia, the staff of RIC looks forward to your next book!