Written Author Interview
Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing. What is a day in the life like for you?
I am a travel lover, foodie and explorer. I enjoy seeing new sites and exploring through taste. I am a mom to 4 amazing children ranging from 20 to 5 years old and a wife to my college sweetheart. I love people. So I love hosting or just doing life with others. A day in my life is productive. I’m always networking, then helping the kids with homework.
What inspired your first novel? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?
My first published book is Raising Justice: Lessons learned through Motherhood and it is inspired by my daughter, Justice. I noticed as she grew other, how unique are bond was compared to other mother daughter relationships and furthermore, I noticed how God used motherhood as a catalyst to my development as a person.
Now the first novel I ever started was called Ghetto Scriptures. I was 15 years old and it was inspired by the Omar Tyree, E Lynn Harris era. So interesting relationships, with fierce and raunchy characters. I used writing as an escape from the day to day life of the rough neighborhood I grew up in.
How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?
I’m focused on nonfiction right now, so I don’t have to worry about coming up with characters. I do have to find ways to tell my stories authentically without overexposing or infringing on another person’s privacy which has it’s own challenges.
What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?
I love to read leadership books and stories of resilience and encouragement, so a lot of memoirs. I also like mystery books and books with humor.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?
It’s a passion project for most. It’s really hard to make a sustainable income writing what you like to write.
What is your process to completing a novel from outline to final product?
My process is very fluid. Start with idea and outline the key ideas and focuses. I often like to write the beginning and then write/notate the ending or overall purpose. Then I begin the process of weaving everything together to get there.
What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.
Whew! Ok, I started this novel and this may be the first time I am saying this publicly, titled, “How to put a leash around a dog?” The whole book was unhinged. Essentially, it was going to be an how to be a dating guide with lots of humor and metaphors where I compared men and dogs. The whole book was crazy.
What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?
Again, its hard to make a sustainable income doing it.
What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?
I believe there are levels of success for writers. The ultimate level is being able to make a great income, writing content that you are passionate about. But even publishing your first book makes you successful because many don’t.
I think writing a blog over an extended period of time makes you successful. When your writings can be used to influence and leverage in other areas to generate income, that’s a successful writer too.
Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?
My writing journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. It started out as an outlet and passion but was often put aside due to other distractions. I also had an incident where my diary was read and exposed to others. It sent me into years of writer’s block.
So, I struggled with the desire to write and then to write authentically for a long time because I had experienced these heavy consequences to what I had put on paper. So it taken a long time but I’m finally back at a place where I can write freely and enjoy it. My creativity is overflowing so I’m now trying to organize and pace myself.
Want More From Doris-Jackson Shazier?
Social Media
Website: shaziercoachingconsult.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaziercoachingconsult/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaziercoachingconsult
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorisjacksonshazier/
Books
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0D8YQHDGY?ingress=0&visitId=c0758e59-c391-44ea-8032-fc3c83d79b2b
Raising Justice: https://dorisjacksonshazier.com/raising-justice
About
Doris Jackson-Shazier is an Author, Speaker and ICF-Accredited Leadership Coach with over twenty years of experience in driving organizational growth and sales through building high-performing teams and collaborative relationships.
Doris is the Principal Coach and Consultant at Shazier Coaching & Consulting where she specializes in teaching leaders,families and organizations how to create high accountability and high morale environments in their workplace and home.
She is a true Floridian, having grown up in Miami, FL, before attending Florida State University and now resides in Central Florida. Doris is the proud wife of Deon Sr and mother of four children.
Find out more about Doris and her mission to develop great leaders in the workplace and home.
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