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Inside Scoop On . . .
by
Delores Thornton
Interview with Stacy-Deanne, author of the best-seller,
Divas of the New Millennium
DT:
Please tell our readers about Stacy-Deanne. Where are you
from? What motivates you? Why do you write?
SD:
I am twenty-seven years old. I was born and reside in Houston,
Texas. I am originally a fiction author. I am a proud feminist.
My biggest inspiration is my Mom for always supporting me. My
second biggest inspiration is Madonna because she and everything
she does defines feminism. Because I rely on creativity for my
career I admire those who do as well. My favorite author is Kay
Hooper. I am an avid reader. I love mystery and suspense novels.
Divas of the New Millennium is my first biography. I have
been writing professionally since I was nineteen. I am a big
dreamer. I believe deeply in people following their dreams and
that is where my motivation for writing comes in.
I do a
list of things such as modeling, landscape photography and
editing. Also, I am a member of the Author’s Guild. I love
writing like nothing else. It’s the only thing that makes me
happy. Writing’s the perfect profession for me because I am very
shy and it’s a career that allows me to stay solitary and within
my own space.
DT:
Divas of the New Millennium was an outstanding read! How
difficult was it to work on a collaborative project? Where there
times you and your co-authors disagreed?
SD:
We didn't work on the book together. I have never even met the
other authors of the book. The compilation came as a surprise
to me. It was the publisher who decided to put our biographies
together after we'd finished our books. The company believed
this would be something remarkable. It turns out they were
right. It’s a huge best seller. Divas of the New Millennium
stemmed from an idea I had to do a series on Mya, Jennifer
Lopez, and Ashanti entitled "Millennium Divas of
Color". I, like most people, always thought that authors worked
on collaborations together but that’s not always the case. The
company felt that putting all of these artists together would
ensure a biography powerhouse and I am grateful for the idea. In
this business it’s the publisher that makes the final decision
and this time it worked wonders for everyone involved.
DT:
This work seemed to flow smoothly from one star to the next, how
did you accomplish this with numerous authors?
SD:
Since we didn't work on it together, I can only give credit to
the editors for that. The editors did a magnificent job leading
into one artist after another. It’s amazing how even though
these singers are alike they are also different at the same
time. They all have gone through the same struggles but their
personalities are so different. I was so surprised at the
finished product. I was deeply impressed. When I saw how the
book turned out I almost cried because my hard work had finally
paid off. I couldn’t believe that a biography could read with
such emotion and power. When I first read it, it didn’t even
feel like my writing. I remembered most of the things I’d
written but it was like I had someone else’s work in my hands.
It was an amazing feeling. What is even more powerful is how
it’s touched readers. I hope they know that this book was a gift
from us to them. It all came from the heart.
DT:
Who is the target audience for your book? And, why did you feel
the need to write this?
SD:
It’s an interest to almost everyone. The audience mainly
consists of females from their teens to their mid-thirties. Nine
times out of ten it’s the females I hear saying, "I gotta get
this book!" (Laughing). I started my biographies because I have
always been a big fan of Ashanti, Mya and Jennifer Lopez. I
decided to learn more about them so I began researching them.
With that, I decided to write about them. I became an even
bigger fan of these artists after I’d finished.
DT:
As a member of the baby boomer generation I was pleasantly
surprised by your book and I'm wondering what the response has
been from other readers. Are older people reading it? Does it
appeal to men?
SD:
Readers of all ages have been very supportive. Most of the
people I meet are thrilled that a person my age is doing
something so positive. They have automatically pegged me as a
role model and I love the feeling. The response from readers has
been wonderful. I get mail from men and women mostly of all ages
who say they are so proud of me. It makes me feel incredible to
see strangers being so appreciative and supportive. Men have
congratulated me on my success but not so much for the book.
They always say it’s good to see a young woman holding her own
in the industry.
DT:
What's next for Stacy-Deanne?
SD:
Currently I am shopping around a Latino love story. I am always
working on a novel no matter what. My ideas never run
out. Fiction is in my blood and that is where my heart lies. I
am currently working on a comedic anthology that puts various
characters in the craziest situations. It’s hilarious to
me and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Right now
I am searching for the perfect home for my fiction work.
DT:
Where can people purchase Divas of the New Millennium?
SD:
You can order the best seller Divas of the New Millennium
from the publisher, Amber Communications Group Inc., at
www.amberbooks.com
or purchase it at your favorite online or local bookstore.
DT:
Any final words?
SD:
Thanks for the opportunity, Delores. I enjoyed it! |
