Previous Rising Stars
Simona Taylor
| SERESSIA
GLASS
|
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Previous Rising Stars Simona Taylor |
1. What made you want to become a writer? And why romance?
I've always been a varocious reader, starting with "Dick and Jane" and cereal boxes. As I read bigger and better books, I began to wonder what happened to the characters after the book ended. There's power in the creation of worlds and causing an emotional response in people. When I won the MLK Jr "Living the Dream" essay contest during the inaugural holiday in Atlanta, I knew writing was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
like to believe in the power and positivity of goodness, and hope, and love. The ability of two people who, no matter what "life" throws at them, are willing to believe in each other and face it together.
2. Tell me a little bit about NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED?
No Commitment Required is the story of Yvonne Mitchelson, an African American lingerie designer who lost her family as a teen. Michael Benjamin is an Ivy League marketing whiz who was betrayed by his late wife. Neither one wants to fall in love and thinks the other is perfect for a no-strings-attached relationship. Fortunately for them, fate has other ideas.
3. Besides writing what do you like to do?
Reading of course. Listening to all types of music from Aretha Franklin to Aerosmith, Mozart to Metallica. Occaisonally I'll pick up my viola or electric guitar or belt out tunes in the car. Exercise for me is going out dancing with friends.
4. Tell us a bit about Seressia, the poet.
Seressia the poet has been hiding behind the writer for the last few years, but I hope to coax her back out. My poetry is the intensely private part of my soul, never really meant for sharing. A few are on my website, but most have never been seen by any one else. Bending the words into a structure while keeping the emotion there is a catharsis for me.
5. Are you a full-time writer?
Ah, the dream of all writers! Yes, I am a full-time writer--a curriculum developer by day and fiction writer by night. I'm not at the stage where I can live off my fiction, but I'm working on it.
6. What's next for Seressia Glass?
I'm hard at work on the sequel to NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED, featuring two characters who seem to hook up at the end of that story but can't seem to get it together. Hopefully they'll let me straighten things out, but I have a feeling that it won't be an easy road for them.
7. Any special message for the aspiring author?
DO NOT GIVE UP. There will be days when you'll want to scream, days when you'll throw your manuscript across the room. That'll happen even after you sell your first book. Don't be afraid to walk away from it, and don't be afraid to go back to it.
ROMANCE IN COLOR wishes Ms. Glass the greatest success!