My next novel is titled, Where Do We Go From Here. I am especially proud of this novel as many who have read the review copies have said that it seems much like a Lifetime Television special. The novel is about a girl who lives in a poverty stricken neighborhood who controls her own destiny to move up, swearing never to return to poverty, only to find that life on the other side of the tracks isn't as glamorous as she'd dreamed, i.e, more money, more problems and then some.

I believe I write more character driven novels. Even if I come up with a plot, I immediately begin to think of the character and how that type of plot would affect them; how the character would respond; what from the character's past will drive them to make their decision; and, based on their past, what decision will the character make. I think a lot of emphasis is put on plot and theme and even point of view. However, character is very key because the character drives the story and there are reasons why they drive the story in the manner that they drive it in.

Yes, it was about a little girl being saved. Ironically, I saw myself in the little girl as I was being bullied in school, etc., and I wanted to create a happy ending. I believe writing was my way of praying for a happy ending for those sad times because much of what I wrote about the little girl, I wanted for myself.

The little girl was sad and someone saw her being sad and told her she had to find her happiness around her. They told her to find something beautiful that she always sees that is cheerful, so when sad times befall her, she can think of that thing or find it, draw it, etc., and instantly become happy. The little girl found the color yellow. Ironically, or not, yellow is my favorite color and when I was a little girl, my grandmother saw me sad and asked me what made me happy. I told her the color yellow, like yellow flowers, dresses, socks. So, she said whenever you get sad, find something that is yellow and admire it and make yourself happy, or draw a picture and color it yellow and cheer yourself up. I put this in my first story with a few twist.

Where Do We Go From Here, winter 2014; Silent as a Lamb, Fall 2014; Poetry book, Summer 2014; a short storybook and a surprise nonfiction book 2014/2015.

J. California Cooper, Charles Wardel Chestnut, Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Richard Wright, Alice Walker, Terry McMillian, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Susan Glaspell, Henrik Ibsen, Tennesse Williams, Nathanial Hawthorne. I love Realism and Naturalism so I usually enjoy anyone who lends ingredients from these two genres.

Having fans mean a lot to me because it means that my writing is appreciated. It means that readers find my creativity interesting and want to follow me in my writing career. It's very touching because I plan to write until the end of my days. Considering I am also a playwright and screenplay writer, it's very moving to know that my name may very well become a household name.

Omar, One Who Loves You More:
Omar is the voice of reason, he's calm, he's your everyday sensible young man. He inspires everyone around him to be better or on their best, even though he is one of the top drug dealers in their neighborhood. Human, with his own flaws and past that haunts him, Omar tries to get Alisa, the love of his life, to stop being a money grubbing gold digger. She gives in due to everyone breathing down her neck, but only to take drag him through hell. Omar, through everything he endures, has the patients of a saint, although readers experience bad nerves as they go on this roller coaster ride with Alisa and Omar.

Shelton, Where Do We Go From Here:
Shelton is very wise and has a, Save The Day, attitude. He appeals to Geeda's sense and sensibility and she matures because of it. She cries over her past, her present and is fearful of a future with her being poverty stricken once again, however, Shelton shows her that the, Woe is me, tag on her back doesn't belong because we all have a story, one just as bad as the other, or worse.

Malika, A Blessing and a Curse: I like Malika because she is the epidome of being human. She's given her dreams up to be the salvation to the man she loves, help his family and give him a family of their own, only to have him be ungrateful, telling her he's leaving her, the kids and bills. Where Geeda, in Where Do We Go From Here, allowed her family issues to lead her in the snow, practically losing her mind, Malika calls on self preservation to lead the way and finds strength in a new friend and a wealthy, tall, dark and handsome admirer.

Beady, Red Dollar: I like Beady because he's a very bright young boy. His parents have lost their souls to the streets, drugs, etc., and he, obedient to his grandmother who cares for him in his parent's absence, remains a good boy who in turn offers his father and drug addict uncle words of advice and encouragement that help them in the story.

Well, I'm also a journalist and blogger so I catch up on the news, national and international; movies; TV and reality shows. I have to be in the know if I'm going to write interesting articles or blogs. Also, because I'm adapting my 1st book into a play, I'm often seeing plays, reading about theatre, directing, watching plays directed by others on youtube, etc.

The ability to be creative is my inspiration. A new day, a new idea is usually what motivates me. However, I often take my stories to bed with me, thinking about what I wrote earlier in the day, but this has often prompted other inspirations in the form of dreams, which often wake me to type.

So far, social media has been great in getting my name out there and getting readers familiar with my books. I was very surprised when I went to a book event in August and several different book club members and readers called me by name; they recognized me. It was a great feeling and let me know that the marketing I've been doing did reach readers.

Soon, however, I will be posting flyers and billboards all over with my bookcovers for those who may not use social media as much, interviewing more and hosting writing workshops. Also, there are many other marketing techniques I aim to employ to make people aware of my brand, www.teaclinton.com, as well as market myself as a writer and theatre/film director on the rise.

I read the news for pleasure. I love knowing what's going on around the world. I have a newspaper titled,
ASMISTAD, web site is: http://paper.li/f-1326915658# where news is contributed via many of the major newspapers and I check in daily to assure the paper has somethng for everyone, as well as catch up on what's going on around the world.

I love the Kindle. It comes in handy. However, I'm quickly falling in love with the Samsun 10.1. I saw someone reading with it. But they quickly stopped to video and take pictures and received a call and I was taken aback.