Kim Knight's Blog, page 17
October 23, 2020
Guest Post by Children’s Author Tymeka Coney
What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired to write this book because I had something to say about racism and I wanted to be a part of the conversation and I wanted to make a contribution to positive change through my gifts and after prayer and meditation this was the project that came to me and I continued to move on it and everything started to flow together. It has been 9 years since I wrote my 1st book so it was also time to give birth to another book and the Pandemic afforded me a chance to do that.
What can we expect from you in the future?
You can expect more children’s books. I really enjoyed the process and you can expect a book about Wisdom, you can expect another Poetry book as I have a Volume I so there has to be a Volume II. You can expect me to continue to write and create media that is thought provoking and entertaining with a message. I will continue to Entertain, Educate and Empower.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
No, I can’t think of any side stories about the characters.
Can y ou tell us a little bit about the characters in the book?
In “I Don’t Like Racism,” the main character is DaNyla. The story is told through her eyes as she witnesses police brutality done to her cousin and then she goes on a journey to find out why racism exists as she talks to her Mom, her Dad and her history teacher. She prays and seeks change through protesting and other positive community efforts and she continues to play with and continues to love on her multicultural friends.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
I basically thought it would be great to see a young girl talk about her views on racism and how it affects her and this would be good to educate children all ages about the subject of racism.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
DaNyla is- (DA)Dallas where I am from and my two favorite entertainment cities (NY) New York and (LA) Los Angeles and Los Angeles is where I now reside. Her name is made up of three major cities where I want to really push the book to as well.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I enjoyed telling the illustrator the vision for the scene and based on what I described to her…Seeing her come back with an illustration that captured my vision and fit perfectly with the words I had written for the scene.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
What makes DaNyla tick is going on a journey to see why racism exists and how she can be a part of the peaceful protest to change/eradicate racism in her community and in the world.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
The title of my first book was Words Unspoken: Volume I- Deeper Than Eyes Can See (This title was simply me sharing all the words I write but never speak out loud and allowing readers a chance to hear my thoughts on love, relationships, historical subjects, entertainers, purpose and so much more.
The title for this book “I Don’t Like Racism” was simply the first words that the main character DaNyla said and this is how she truly feels about racism and this became the premise/theme for the whole book.
Who designed your book covers?
I design my book covers. I tell the graphic artist/illustrator exactly- the colors I want, the images, the layout and design of the book from front to back and we keep working at it until I can say… Yes…this is my vision…Love It!!
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
If I had to do it all over again… I would have started sooner on this book because this topic is so urgent for the current times we are living in.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I learned that this topic really does affect all ages. I didn’t realize that there were kids as early as six years old that are aware of racism and its affects on the human race and the importance of being an African-American children’s book author as we only make up 7% in this category.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
If my book was made into a film I would like Marsai Martin or Quvenzhané Wallis.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
I want to tell the readers to spread the message and the word about this book and please do write a review on Amazon etc. about what you have read and learned as a result of reading the book.
How did you come up with name of this book?
The title of this book was from the first words I had my character say. I thought it would make a great title.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
My favorite part of the book is when she says “I love everyone, no matter their race. We are all different but we can all still embrace.” Then we see her in the illustration in the center of her multicultural friends.
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
I would definitely spend time with the main character DaNyla and I would go on the journey with her to eradicate racism.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
They are all from my imagination and what could happen.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
I have the reigns and I pass the baton to allow my characters to have the reign. This book is a must read because it’s going to teach us all the value of loving each other despite the color of our skin and it is a must read because racism is relevant right now.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
I have not written any other books that aren’t published, I have two published books.
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
If my book had a candle it would be vanilla because it is a popular fragrance that most people like and buy and it has a sweet aroma to it.
What did you edit out of this book?
I edited out a few illustrations that didn’t quite align with the words I wrote.
Is there a writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
I’m inspired by all the African American children’s book authors that are on the bestseller’s list like a few are:
Matthew Cherry- “Hair Love” and Grace Byers-“I Am Enough,” and so many others.
I would ask how it feels to be on the bestsellers list and some of the steps they took with their book to get there in this genre.
Fun Facts/ Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?’-type tidbits about the author, the book or the writing process of the book.
Did you know this book was written in one day? Did you know that the Author is really an introvert/reserved and somewhat shy and she communicates better through writing which is why she enjoys it because it is a form of self expression and it is relaxing and cathartic?
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
New Release: ‘I Don’t Like Racism’ (Children’s Fiction) + $15.00 Giveaway!
I Don’t Like Racism
by Tymeka Coney
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
This book tells the story of racism through the eyes of a young African-American girl, DaNyla, and her experiences with racism as she witnesses her cousin involved in police brutality and she tries to understand why racism exists. She talks to her Mom, and her History Teacher about racism to better understand where it evolved, then she prays about it and decides to continue to dream and hope for change for a better tomorrow as she still continues to fight for what’s right peacefully all while still loving her family and her multicultural friends.
This story will teach all ages, genders and nationalities about racism and it seeks to inspire us all to unite and love one another despite the color of our skin.
Goodreads * Amazon
Tymeka Coney is an actress, producer, director, playwright, poet, songwriter, voiceover and now activist with the release of her new children’s picture book, “I Don’t Like Racism,” which was inspired by the police brutality she has witnessed in the world and first hand. Tymeka’s first book was “Words Unspoken: Volume I-Deeper Than Eyes Can See,” poetry book released in 2011. She also has a Spoken Word album, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Dreams,” available on Amazon and her recent extended single “COVID 19- Social Distancing,” also on Amazon.
She was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and now resides in Los Angeles, California where she gives back to the community by teaching young people how to read and write and acting.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$15 Amazon gift card OR an “I Don’t Like Racism” T-shirt
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
Non-Fiction New Release: ‘Onyx Learner Academy’ + Giveaway!
Onyx Learner Academy Guidebook
by Onyx Global
Genre: Nonfiction, Educational
This is the supplemental guidebook for The Onyx Learner Academy. The main focus of The Onyx Learner Academy is to give learners, in any field, the tools you need to learn any topic on your own. The Onyx Learner Academy uses strategic thinking to help you develop self-determined learning that will last all through your life.
Through a careful study of self-determined learning core concepts and through the development of a personal curriculum, you will be able to take matters into your own hands so to speak and learn any discipline for any purpose. The course follows a unique 9-step process that will guide you through your self-determined learning journey.
Learn about learning from a theoretical standpoint including approaches like Andragogy and Connectivism, utilize The Onyx Study System, and embark on a lifelong journey of growth and development.
Goodreads * Amazon
Onyx Global is the world’s first Education 3.0 provider, and The Onyx Learner Academy is the first-ever Education 3.0 experience. It’s a digital experience that leads students toward mastery of the art of learning.
Onyx Learner Academy uses strategic thinking to develop self-determined life-long learning and it focuses on personalized learning techniques and ideas that equip learners with the confidence to approach any learning domain for any purpose.
Enroll today for $100 at www.onyx.global, and learn how to learn efficiently and effectively for the rest of your life.
Onyx Global. Study Smarter.
Chris Kelly (CK), the founder of Onyx Global, believes that all learners deserve access to the best knowledge and educational resources humanity has to offer. He rose with Onyx Global out of 2020 with a vision and a mission to build and provide the highest quality educational experience the world has to offer and usher in Education 3.0. Through our Learner Academy, Onyx Global equips learners with the tools to hone their skills and grow academically, professionally, and personally in The Global Digital Age.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Free Enrollment ($100 value) – 1 winner
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 22, 2020
In Your View, is There Any Point in a Prologue or Epilogue in a Story? #90DaysBlogChallenege
Good question for the #90DayBlogChallenge. I have written about this before, if you had asked me this question a few years ago I probably would have said, ‘nah, I’ve never use them so I can’t see the value.’ This changed massively when I wrote my last novel. Sacrifices, Why so? Well possibly it’s down to how I personally story-tell. I’ve always kinda wrapped up the story and not needed a epilogue. And, I never wrote anything that I felt really need a prologue before chapter one. Is the short answer.
That was until I wrote my first ever historical romantic suspense. Firstly, because Sacrifices moves back and forward over the decades of the present day, 60s and, 80s, secondly because the story starts a bit like the movie Pulp Fiction. eg. from the end, then works backwards I needed a prologue. I found that if I didn’t have one I could not show in a clear way to readers, what’s happening now for my main character Jane. Then step back to the 80s and move around with the story for both my main characters.
I think, this switch in genre from just contemporary romance showed me as the writer, I really do need a prologue before chapter one. Literally it’s like two pages, so they don’t even need to be long, just long enough to set the scene.
Now interestingly, in the original first draft of Sacrifices, I did have an epilogue too. Once we reached the HEA for the characters, I then did give some story on ‘what happened next’ after the critical ending. I actually felt at the time this was again the best way to show readers a full rounded story, allow them to have any questions about the future answered, and a really nice way to round off! But that all changed during the editing process. LOL as things tend to. There is NO epilogue at all. The content is the same but it’s now the final chapter, and more active with dialogue in the present day setting. Rather than told as narrative.
Is There Any Real Point In them?
Yes! Three years maybe after I originally write about this and answered a writing prompt that’s similar, now I’d say yes. However, I do feel that my personal use with prologues and epilogues will only feature if I write a historical fiction. Reason being because as mentioned I tend to be able to start and wrap up a story (normally) without them. The time hopping has shown me from writing historical romance the use can enhance how the story told.
I must admit, as a reader I don’t really care for them, and love to jump into the story, but I do read the prologues as I may miss key things!
What about you as a writer, do you use them? Why or why not? What’s your thoughts as a reader?
October 18, 2020
What’s Your Favourite Tense and POV to Write in? Thoughts and Experiences? #90DaysBlogChallenge
Good question for the 90DaysBlogChallenge , personally I can write in both past or present. I can also do first or third person. I would not say when it comes to storytelling, that I do one better than the other– I do ’em all, and all well! But in the past I have gravitated naturally to present tense and first person. Most recently while writing my Unsolved Mysteries I’ve actually been drawn to the third person and past tense. More what readers are accustomed to you could say.
My next novel, Sacrifices is written in the present tense and third person, my Romance Set in Paradise and Romance in The City books are in the present tense but mixture of first and third. I guess I tend to mix it up depending on how I feel or how the story calls me to tell it.
My preference?
Well, if we’re talking about preference yes I do have one LOL. I love the present tense style of writing, and also as a reader. Yes, it’s probably gotten a lot more popular now, compared to when I first started writing. I remember I had editors and publishers telling me, ‘no, romance is not written in the present tense, or first person.’ I gave that advice the middle finger, and kept it real and how I wanted to write. But in all honesty, what I love about the present tense is this: as a reader I’ve always found that it brings you closer to the story. While others may argue ‘that’s not how you recall or tell a story’, I really give this no attention. I love it as a reader, and some stories I’ve read I can’t even imagine it in the past tense, the present suits it. I also have found as a reader that it brings me closer to the character.
As a writer, when I first ever attempted to write a story I naturally, and I mean naturally gravitated to the present. I have no idea why? It didn’t even bother me or really occur to me to place it in the past tense. I just wrote and found it much more comfortable. I have heard other writers say it is, ‘more of a challenge.’ I really can’t comment I’ve not found that ever.
When it comes to the POV and person, again as a reader I do love a first person POV. Mainly for the same reasons as the tense, the closeness, getting to know the character. But I do agree it can be limiting, as in what you can show a reader I feel this as a writer and reader, who loves the first person.
[image error]
How Do I Decide The Story Telling Style?
I let the story tell me, simple. Once I’ve outlined it and sit down to write whatever tense comes to me and feels more natural, I’ll go with. It’s as simple as that. I must say for some odd reason I did go with third person past tense for my Unsolved Mysteries the first two that I penned. I can’t guarantee that they will all be like this at all LOL. I let the characters and story talk to me, I have no real rules. But, as explained I do have a preference or where I may naturally gravitate.
Are There Pros and Cons For Each Tense and POV?
Sure, yeah I feel that there are. Some of which I’ve mentioned and do go into detail when I wrote The Art of Short Story and Novella Writing. However, I do feel that really it’s only a decision the writer can make, keeping in mind the ‘vibe’ I call it, they wish to give the reader. Do you want a little distance, or up close and personal? At the end of the day, I don’t personally feel that one tense or POV makes a story better, that’s down to how the writer writes it, or they show the story. I don’t feel that tense or POV really can enhance a badly written story, or make a good one even better if it’s already good!
What Have I Learned From Experimenting With Tense and POVs in writing?
First, to stick to what you naturally like. Ignore the words of others telling you, ‘this genre does not do that.’ Do what you want. Secondly, I think from writing more in the third person I’ve learned about ‘head hopping’ my editor has called it. The all important omniscient style of writing in third person. In fact, I really managed to curb the ‘head hopping’ and remain truly omniscient in my writing from writing Sacrifices!! And that’s from having a very strong editor to tell me to ‘pull up my socks.’ If you’re not sure what this is, basically head hopping is like jumping from one character’s POV, to another in the same paragraph, page, chapter etc. Either by internal thought or action.
I never really noticed that I had done that that often, but apparently I did LOL. So now I am much more aware of it, and how I could still show different POV’s in a better way in the third person, or remaining truly omniscient it was a great realisation.
In a nutshell, I like all tenses to write in but love the present. Same with the POV too I like them all, but have realised that the third does allow me to show more! Even if the first is something I love to read, and in the past have naturally gravitated to more when writing– not so much now. That said, I can’t say I would never write first person again. I just know I will, when the right story and character pops into my head.
Do you have a preference as a reader or writer? Or does it not really matter, as long as the story is told well?
October 17, 2020
Hot New Release by: M.F Adele, Futuristic Romance Series #amreading #romance
I’ve never read anything by this author,but I was instantly drawn to her book covers when she asked for support with sharing her new release. I jumped on it, I just loved the book covers. After reading more about the series it sounds like a pretty cool one, and certainly different from all romance I read. Check out this series by M.F Adele, there’s three books, the third was released yesterday. They can be read on Kindle Unlimited too. Have you ever read a futuristic romance?
Demon Demands is now available!
October 16, 2020
Hot New Romantic Suspense+ $10.00 Giveaway by USA Today Bestseller Ja’Nese Dixson
You Owe Me
by Ja’Nese Dixon
Genre: Romantic Suspense
To find my sister he demands my heart.
Jerica fills every room with her presence. Turning her beautiful smiles toward everyone except me. The man she holds responsible for her brother’s death.
When her sister disappears, Jerica’s world turns upside down and leads her to my lair. The place where darkness dwells and no one receives my help without a substantial fee.
I agree to return her sister or the men responsible. But my fee can’t be found in her bank account. No, her money won’t do. Because I want something worth more than her little nest egg.
I want her heart.
Goodreads * Amazon
USA Today Bestselling author, Ja’Nese Dixon pens tales of romance in various subgenres, including romantic suspense and sweet romance. But her favorites are the ones that manage to keep readers sitting on the edge of their seats lying to themselves about reading “just one more chapter”.
She is an avid reader and coffee drinker living in Houston, Texas with her husband, three children, and diva dog. Visit her at https://www.janesedixon.com.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 15, 2020
FREE Download 15th- 17th October #amreading #freebooks
Free download of Lover’s Retreat as we end the week on Amazon. Grab your copy here.
[image error]
From enemies to lovers, learning to live, laugh and love again is so much better with a partner in crime, and soul mate …
Lover’s Retreat is book # 2 of the Romance Set in Paradise Series of stand alone steamy, suspenseful and romantic novella length stories. All set in exotic locations around the world.
For thirty seven year old recluse Yasmin O’Neil, life feels like one crisis after another. Her husband left her five years ago, she starts to suspect she’s losing her hearing, and then her mother is diagnosed with cancer. When her mother passes away her fortune changes. Yasmin is fifty thousand pounds richer from her mother’s estate. Taking her fate into her own hands after years of being a recluse, she rediscovers herself at a spiritual retreat in Sri Lanka south Asia, before she plans to spend the next six months traveling around the world. In Sri Lanka, Yasmin’s path crosses with Michael Thomas, an army soldier on his own path of self discovery. With their luke warm initial encounter the pair don’t hit it off straight away. After some push and pull the two move from enemies to lovers they are finally on the same page.
In Lover’s Retreat two very different characters originally on different paths, embrace the need for change and companionship in order to live life to its fullest again. Set in the back drop of paradise, palm trees and untouched nature of Sri Lanka, and the Caribbean these two lonely souls gain more than just self discovery they gain a soul mate.
October 14, 2020
New Release: End of Where We Begin by Rosalind Russell @ImpressBooks1 @Ros_Russell
After epic journeys of endurance, their lives cross in Bidi Bidi in Uganda – the world’s largest refugee camp. There they meet James, a counsellor who helps them to find light and hope in the darkest of places.
The End of Where We Begin is a gripping and intimate true life account of three young people whose promising lives are brutally interrupted by war. It documents their heart-breaking and inspiring battle to keep moving on through the extremes of attack, injury, exile and trauma. It is a story of the bonds of community and resilience in adversity – a powerful message for our troubled times.
Buy Link
https://amzn.to/34vBxK8
Author Bio
Rosalind Russell is a journalist who worked for more than a decade as a foreign correspondent for Reuters and the Independent in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Her reporting has included the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq and Burma’s Saffron Revolution. She lives in London with her husband and their two daughters. Burma’s Spring is her first book.
