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| Nadiyah Jones author of The Baddest Chick Interview When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing in college. I believe college is a place where your gifts and creativity have a safe haven and begin to flourish. An education can be a way to polish those gifts and take them to the next level.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Past acquaintances and experiences inspired my first novel; a creative mind brought it to fruition.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I don't actually. Because I studied so many genres in college, I am able to go from an urban category novel to mainstream women's fiction. I would love to be an author who is not "type published."
How did you come up with the title?
The main character Bella was the inspiration behind the title. Like the tag line says, to make it, she had to be bad!
Is there a message in your novel that you want conveyed to readers?
Absolutely. We all have choices in life, and we can never escape the consequences, no matter how far we try to run. But, there is redemption for us all.
How much of the book is realistic?
I'll never tell :)
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Once again, I'll never tell :) Let’s just say this…the mafia is real, the lifestyle is even realer.
What books have most influenced your life?
I love this question. It gives me a chance to shout out good literature:
The Bluest Eye, Getting To Happy, Little Bee, Emerson: Essays and Poems, The Portable Thoreau, The Color Purple, The Souls of Black Folk, We Wear the Mask, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Maya Angelou
What are your current projects?
Keep Your Friends Close & Your Co-Workers Closer
For anyone who has EVER worked in corporate America and felt their soul slipping away.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
When I was in college I had an older, very white, very stern, college professor. One day he held me after class, I thought I was in trouble, but I wasn’t. Surprisingly, he spoke life into me, into my work. He told me that my writing amazed him and that I should really think about going all the way. He later helped me get a scholarship. I’ll never forget how that changed my perspective on many things; life, people, and direction.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Yes, trying to stay focused, and remembering all the great ideas that run through your mind.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I would have to say Toni Morrison is my favorite author. Her plots, her character development, and the way she catches the essence of the time and culture she’s writing about is breathtaking.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write. Don’t stop writing. Then write some more.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
My hope is that just one of my novels connects with your soul, then, I have done my job.
The Baddest Chick by Nadiyah Jones is available at Barnes and Noble bookstores and amazon.com | |
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