Sunday, February 6, 2022

A Conversation with Author Shaunta'e


There's an appreciation that comes with writing. Magic cast upon a child when bags full of books are introduced into a home and awakens the author within. There’s many stories told and more to come but today it's time for light to be shinned on Tamika Shaunta'e. Let's take a seat, we're going back in time. 

My Urban Books: What is your favorite childhood memory concerning literature?

Shaunta'e: My mom came home with a bag full of little books from the thrift store! At that point I was hooked on books like Baby-sitters Club. All the books in the bag were by one author named Donald Goines. One caught my attention "Black Girl Lost". I asked if I could read it and my love for urban fiction flourished from there. Baby-sitters Club didn't exist anymore. 

My Urban Books: What books do children have today that you wish were around when you were a child? 

Shaunta'e: I think kids are blessed to have books like those written by Caryn Lee, A Magical Time at The Library, Writing My First book, and others. We didn't have many books like the ones she is producing for children, at least not that I can remember. 

My Urban Books: Has writing taken you where you want to be or planned to be at the moment? 

Shaunta'e: It has been very rewarding but challenging. I would like to get better at connecting with readers but I have been blessed to have a solid, loyal reader base and I'm grateful. 

My Urban Books: Books: Is there anything special about your writing process or do you consider it pretty normal?

Shaunta'e: I believe my process is unique, strictly based on the fact that I don't believe any author's process is the same. I honestly can't write in the normal process fully. I might brainstorm sometimes first, and other times create a whole outline. I also write spontaneously. I wake up out of dreams and jock things down. My process always changes as each of my books have come with different challenges. 

My Urban Books: Do you have any regrets regarding your literary journey? If so, if you could go back and fix it what would you do differently? 


Shaunta'e: 
I would not change a thing. I learned from every bump and bruise I received on my literary journey. The lessons learned helped me be a better writer, changed some of my perspectives and goals. I have really learned to have tougher skin and I welcome critiques and criticism. 

My Urban Books: What genres and authors does your library consist of? 

Shaunta'e: I have the full Twilight collection, which is one of my favorites. I have tons of self-help and motivational books but most of my collection consists of urban-fiction, old school authors like Donald Goines, Shannon Holmes, Kwan, Terri Woods, Ashley and Jaquavis to newer authors like Toylin, Rashad Parker, and plenty others . 

My Urban Books: Which of your characters basically wrote themselves, and why do you think that is? 

Shaunta'e: Tae in Your Trash is His Treasure basically wrote herself and that's because it's loosely based on part of a real experience of my life. 

My Urban Books: Please give aspiring authors one piece of advice. 

Shaunta'e: As a writer your job is to create! You can create anything that you want but just know everyone is not going to like it but there may be plenty that love it. What matters is do you love it? Just write!!! 

My Urban Books: Please tell readers where they can find your work. 

Shaunta'e: You can find my work at www.brandnuthings.com, also on Kindle and Amazon. You can connect with me of Facebook by typing in Tamika Shaunta'e

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