Interview with La Shan Knox
Published 2014-07-02.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. It was a continuation of an episode of soap opera "Young and The Restless." I was around ten years old, I think. It was when Nikki was in the hospital and Victor was right by her side.
What is your writing process?
Great question. I noticed I have to be out of my home to write. I'm not one of those people that can say I'm going to write from 8:30 in the morning to four in the evening. I carry pen and paper on me at all times, and I listen to jazz a lot or ear hustle so to speak in public places.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The first story I ever read was in the Bible. I don't remember the exact one, because there are so many beautiful stories, but I do remember my Mom and Grandmother buying my brother and I these huge Bibles with all of these wonderful illustrations and pictures.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
The first book is the Bible because I need it. The others are "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill because, I love how powerful this book was at the time and still is. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. Any book by the late and great Dr. Maya Angelou, and I love Nikki Giovanni books. That's pretty hard to narrow it to five. LOL!
What do you read for pleasure?
For pleasure I read Francis Ray, Tayari Jones, Mary Monroe, just a variety.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
IPad
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I would actually say word of mouth and social media. It is phenomenal how social media has elevated and has become a universal connection. I mean you can practically market anything in the world at your fingertips in less than two minutes!
Describe your desk
It is always neat. Stacked with post-its and my favorite pens. A stapler, tape dispenser, inspirational pictures and words.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Louisiana. I am deeply influenced by Louisiana. The people, the food, and the culture. There's no place like Louisiana. Whereas other states have counties, we have parishes. We are the only state that has that. In every story, poem, or screen play I have written, there is always an homage to my upbringing in Louisiana.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing when I was a little girl. I held my pencil real funny, and I loved paper. I still do! I have a serious pen and paper fetish! LOL. I love how the ink glides on the paper. I feel that I can connect so much better with the characters and their voices when I am writing the story on paper as oppose to typing on a laptop.
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book, "Grits In A Bowl" is a collection of seven short stories where unusual circumstances bring people together. It tells the story of two worlds going on, what could be and what is. For example: what could be is when a man is observing a woman so much that she becomes real to him, like he has actually believed that he is talking to her, but the what is, he's not talking to her because she is a few feet away. He becomes afraid to approach her for whatever reason. It explores the power of connection even with total strangers.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I got tired of doing things the "traditional" and "right" way. I got tired of waiting for permission for someone else to tell me when I could release my voice, when I could release my creative stories. I got tired of waiting for someone else to tell me when I could be a writer.
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Books by This Author
Grits In A Bowl
by La Shan Knox
This book goes against everything that is supposed to be right. From format and introduction to spacing and industry standards. It is not because the author does not know how to spell or not know the English language. She is a writer with a college education and comes from a background of educators. On the contrary, the stories in this book are considered to be “unusual connections.”
