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?
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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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