Interview with Sade Rena
Published 2015-05-16.
Describe your desk
My desk tells the tale of two kinds of people. My immediate working spaces, that space that surrounds the keyboard. Spotless! With the exception of whatever it is that I am working on at that moment. But beyond that small section of space. Pure disaster! Now I know where everything is when I need to look for something. It's just not a pretty sight.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I am originally from Washington, D.C. when I was seven; I moved to Goldsboro, NC to live with my grandmother. I spent every summer in DC, and every school year in Goldsboro until I was twelve and moved back with my mother. It wasn't until my 7th-grade year of middle school. While I was at Charles Hart Middle School in South East, D.C., I joined a creative writing program, DC Creative Writing Workshop. It was then that I realized I liked to writing. My time and writing in this program won me the Junior League 8th-grade creative poetry contest.
I read my first book while in that program and went on to read over 200 books by the time I graduated high school. My love for reading, soon turned my love for poetry into a love for writing in book form. I actually started the construction of Hazard, while in high school at Goldsboro High School.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing when I was 12 years old.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
It's been a dream of mine to have my work published for years. Like most writers, I wanted to go the traditional route. So I wrote a few query letters but never got a reply, if I did, it wasn't one that I wanted. But I just had to accomplish my dream, you know? It's the one thing I felt I could control. No one was going to stop me or tell me I wasn't good enough. I know my worth and I am sure others will enjoy it. So I started networking, met a few Indie Authors who shared their experiences with me, and I took it from there.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has been a great resource. Making it possible for me reach my dreams, with less headache.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The escape! I have a very dramatic life that gets the best of me at times, as do most people. Between personal and family issues, going to school, and working two jobs things can get a bit stressful. Writing allows me to get away from whatever mess I have going on. We can not always control the outcome of our lives, but with my writing I can control every aspect of my characters live. I feel that keeps me sane.
What are you working on next?
I don't know. I have a few ideas. There may be a part two in the works for Hazard, still working out the kinks. I definitely want to write a supernatural fiction. I love vampires, witches(not dark ones) and werewolves.
Who are your favorite authors?
Plenty! Sistah Souja, Zane, Deja Joy King, Keshia Ervin, Kimberly Lawson Roby, Eric Jerome Dicky, Wahida Clark, Terry Woods, T. Styles, Ashley and Jaquavis. The list can go on for days.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Family. I have no children, but I am the eldest of 6. I help out a lot financially with my mom and siblings. I want them, especially the girls, to know the meaning of hard work and dedication. If I want them to grow up to be health, successful people. Then I need to demonstrate that myself. So I can be sort of a walking testimony for them.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I am not writing, I am either at work, doing homework, or watching Netflix. I love scripted shows, the do for me the same as my writing does.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Word of mouth. But mostly from references from the sight that I am on.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. It was about a young girl, who had to deal with raising her family, while dealing with the drug addiction of her mother.
What is your writing process?
I think of what I want the story to be, then I write down different scenarios. Once I have done that, I then narrow down which scenario fits the goal I am trying to reach for my story. I have to write in order. Will not move on to the next until i have finished the current. Unless for instance I start to dislike the story.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The Coldest Winter Ever!! That story made me want to read more, as well as put me on the path to writing my own.
How do you approach cover design?
Based on my characters and the plot of my story, I began to reach out to artist who have the ability to bring my vision to light.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My Ipad
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Facebook and Instagram so far. I will be looking into book fairs, and shows.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
