Vanessa Richardson's Blog, page 9

Folake Taylor chats The Only Way is Up!

Dr. Folake Taylor was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian–born parents in the early 70s and was raised in both countries before settling in the United States to live the American dream.

Taylor obtained her medical degree (MB ChB–Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) in 1998 from the Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. After medical school, she underwent a year of rotational internship in Nigeria after which she relocated to the United States. She is a 2006 graduate of the Internal Medicine Residency Program of the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA.



V.Richardson: Hi Folake! I am delighted to chat with you!

FT: I am honored you picked "The Only Way is Up" for the The Write Vision book club.

V. Richardson: It's truly my delight, as I absolutely adored, "The Only Way is Up." Please share with readers the synopsis?

FT: This book features my experiences and views on pertinent life issues as an immigrant to the United States of America. The objective is to empower women. However, the greater part of the message is of relevance to a general audience. Some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:

* Identity
* Health & Preventive medicine
* Finding a mate
* Relationships & Family
* Single parenthood
* Teenage pregnancies
* Gender roles
* Diet & Nutrition
* Global exposure
* Positivity & Loving yourself
* Spirituality
* Life outside the United States
* And much more…


V. Richardson: I am an advocate for healthy living, especially female health issues. You offer wonder information on living healthier lifestyles. What do you want readers to take away from "The Only Way is Up?"

FT: I want readers to feel empowered. I want them to have a better understanding of family values and the dynamics of relationships. I want people to be energized to do better and improve on themselves. And I want them to go after their dream and live it.

V. Richardson: Who are/were your literary influences?

FT: This is a weird choice but the first person that always comes to mind when I get asked this question is Barack Obama. I absolutely loved "Dreams From My Father" and it gave me a whole new outlook on life and what I make of it; what I can achieve.

V. Richardson: What have you discovered about yourself on your journey to publication?

FT: I have discovered that I am unstoppable!

V. Richardson: "Unstoppable", I love that! There is always a story behind the author's works. How do/did you handle rejection (s)?

FT: Like everyone else, I have the momentary "Oh no she didn't" (note I used a she because it's mostly women...funny). But then I talk to myself, I encourage myself, I look for a learning point or ways I can improve based on the criticism and I move on to the next rainbow. It's always right around the corner. Just a few days ago, my days started off with one of the most explosive mixed reviews so far and even an act I found insulting from the blogger in question.

But I talked myself out of it, responded to her like a lady and that same evening, had a blast on the radio with an interviewer. Even true valleys do not have to last forever unless we decide to stay there. Just head to the next mountain top!

V. Richardson: The mountain top, The only way there is up! Folake, what advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

FT: Read a lot. Read what you want to sound like. Write a lot. Write daily. Research the industry. Make contacts and connections in the industry. Read books about the craft. Put it in God's hands and ask for his blessings. If you don't start to write, your dream will never be realized.

V. Richardson: Sound advice, indeed! Are there any up coming and/or future projects readers should be made aware of?

FT: I am working on my first work of fiction, "Anonymous Gift Giver," and it is tending towards Ethnic Chick Lit. The protagonist will be an immigrant like me and she will have a lot of dating woes she will subsequently learn to rise above; and so much more. Look out for it.

V. Richardson: Sounds delicious, can't wait for its release. How can readers contact you?

FT: My email address is ft@theonlywayisup.net
Website http://www.theonlywayisup.net
F. Taylor on facebook
@folaketaylor on twitter
Blogs are http://theonlywayisupblog.blogpot.com and http://folaketaylor@blogspot.com


Bonus Question
From The Heart:

V. Richardson: When life can get a little hectic and you are feeling a little dismayed. How do you find peace in the storm?

FT: I stop and shut out all the noise, both from outside and within my head and I talk to God. I ask him for help. If my schedule is too hectic, I cut out some things. I started to have some health problems earlier this year which I felt were not unrelated to the stress of the book tour in addition to my professional and domestic duties. I scaled back on the marketing and touring. I find peace in my heart with God. If I have to spend a whole weekend in the house and not see the outside world, that's what I do.

V. Richardson: Thank you Folake for sharing both your work and a part of who you are! As always in closing, continue to inspire as you aspire!

FT: Thank you so much for having me Vanessa. It is such an honor to be recognized by someone like you. Blessings.

Inspirational Poetry by Dee Artis

You Were There
You were there through all of the ridicule.
You were there when I told you about him.
You were there when I lost my love ones.
And I am so thankful, and blessed to know that you are still there.

I Feel Blessed
I feel blessed to have had you in my life.
I feel blessed to know your family, you will always hold a special place in my heart. I feel blessed.


Author Bio:
Dee Artis is an English lover who loves writing and reading. Dee wrote first poem in 9th/10th grade. She wrote her first story titled, "Where is mine?".

Contact Dee Artis:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...


Disclaimer
Art Work by Fred Mathews

Mystery Author Stacy-Deanne

V.Richardson: Greetings Stacy! I am happy to finally chat with you.

SD: Thanks for having me.

V. Richardson: It's my delight. Stacy, let's talk "Melody", it is your mystery series. What is the synopsis about?

SD: Actually Melody is a standalone but the detectives in it are the stars of my new mystery/crime and interracial romance series. Melody is about a young woman who fights to prove that her sister's new boyfriend is dangerous while protecting her best friend from becoming the victim of a serial rapist.

V. Richardson: What do you want readers to take away from "Melody?"

SD: I just wanted them to be entertained. Whatever else they got was a bonus. As long as it was enjoyable to them, that's all that matters.

V. Richardson: Share with readers who are/were your literary influences?

SD: Because I like dark suspense and thrillers, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde and Robert Louis-Stevenson are my biggest literary influences. Hitchcock is my largest influence for mysteries and suspense altogether. I find all of these legends to be geniuses in their own right.

V. Richardson: What have you discovered about yourself on your journey to publication?

SD: That I am stronger than I thought I was and very determined when it comes to something I want to achieve. I also realized how much I loved a challenge and that's probably why I've come so far. I don't give up and always keep fighting.

V. Richardson: There is always a story behind the author's works. How do/did you handle rejection (s)?

SD: I just let it roll off my back. Of course it's always disappointing to be rejected but you can't let it stop you. You gotta also realize it's a part of the industry. If you give up then you'll never know what you can accomplish. Gotta take the good with the bad and believe that the rewards will come one day.

V. Richardson: What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

SD: Research the industry and be realistic. They should make sure they are writing for the right reasons or it's never gonna make you happy. Write because you love it, not just hoping for publication because the truth is a lot of writers do not get published.

V. Richardson: Are there any up coming and/or future projects readers should be made aware of?

SD: The debut installment of my mystery/crime and interracial romance series, "Giving up the Ghost" will be released April 2011 by Peace in the Storm Publishing. The second installment will be released in 2012 and I have a lot of other things going on. I invite everyone to check out my site to keep in touch with me: http://www.stacy-deanne.net

V. Richardson: How can readers contact you?

SD: At my site they can send me a message on my contact page or send me an invite on many of the social networks I am on like Facebook, Twitter, etc. I'm all over the net.

Bonus Question

From The Heart:

V. Richardson: When life can get a little hectic and you are feeling a little dismayed. How do you find peace in the storm?

SD: Good question. All I can say is I keep going. Life can be hard and it can be draining but if you stay focus on your goals and what you want out of life, you can conquer anything thrown at you. So I look within myself to find peace and satisfaction. I also do all I can to always be a positive person and keep a positive outlook. That makes all the difference. How we think is a powerful thing.

V. Richardson: Stacy it was delightful to chat Melody amongst other things with you. As always in closing, continue to inspire as you aspire!

SD: Thank you, Vanessa. I appreciate the support and I hope everyone checks out the series! They can get a sneak peak of "Giving up the Ghost" at my site.

Best Wishes!

Jazz. Java, and Jesus Author Aleysha R. Proctor

About the Book

Twenty-four Christian de votions and puzzles about jazz, java and Jesus. The perfect book to take to a coffee or tea house, or anywhere, and meditate on the promises of God.

Jazz, Java & Jesus:
Christian Devotions to Soothe Your Soul
Author: Aleysha R. Proctor
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 9781441574350
Genre: Christian, nonfiction, devotional, studies

About the Author:

Aleysha Proctor is an award winning Christian inspirational author & entrepreneur. She's the author of three books; "With St...

About the BookTwenty-four Christian devotions and puzzles...

About the Book

Twenty-four Christian de votions and puzzles about jazz, java and Jesus. The perfect book to take to a coffee or tea house, or anywhere, and meditate on the promises of God.

Jazz, Java & Jesus:
Christian Devotions to Soothe Your Soul
Author: Aleysha R. Proctor
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 9781441574350
Genre: Christian, nonfiction, devotional, studies

About the Author:

Aleysha Proctor is an award winning Christian inspirational author & entrepreneur. She's the author of three books; "With St...

The Only Way Up Blog Tour with Folake Taylor, MD

Folake Taylor will be giving away autographed copies of her book, The Only Way is Up – 3 winners will be chosen on Friday. Leave a comment below.

This book features the author's experiences and views on pertinent life issues as an immigrant to the United States of America. The objective is to empower women. However, the greater part of the message is of relevance to a general audience. Some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:

* Identity
* Health & Preventive medicine
* Findin...

Folake Taylor will be giving away autographed copies of h...

Folake Taylor will be giving away autographed copies of her book, The Only Way is Up – 3 winners will be chosen on Friday. Leave a comment below.

This book features the author's experiences and views on pertinent life issues as an immigrant to the United States of America. The objective is to empower women. However, the greater part of the message is of relevance to a general audience. Some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:

* Identity
* Health & Preventive medicine
* Fin...

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