Stacy-Deanne (Dee-Anne): Official Site of the Best Selling/Award-winning Author
Featured in 2006's "Literary Divas: The Top 100 Most Admired AA Women in Writing"
A fiction author with Simon and Schuster
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Special Feature!Stacy's Interview with The Writers Inn! (All rights reserved by The Writers Inn.) INTERVIEW: Vanessa: Hi, Stacy-Deanne, first off I would just like to thank you for allowing me this interview with you for The Writer?s Inn. Stacy-Deanne: The pleasure is mine. Thanks so much! Vanessa: So, can you tell me a little about yourself? Stacy-Deanne: I'm twenty-eight years old. I'm very tall, 5'11. I'm just a sweet and down to earth girl (smiles). I am an only child. I was born and raised in Houston. I still live here. I had an upper middle-class upbringing. I come from a family with a heavily mixed background that includes Native Indian on my mother's side. I started writing professionally when I was nineteen. I am originally a fiction author but my recent, best selling release is a compilation music book, "Divas of the New Millennium" that showcases the struggles and successes of some of today's inspiring young female entertainers. Writing nonfiction was a good experience but fiction will always be my passion in writing. I am also a model, landscape photographer and certified editor. I'm a member of the Author's Guild and I am a proud feminist. Vanessa: When did you decide that you wanted to become a writer and have your books published? Stacy-Deanne: The writing bug hit me when I was nineteen. I saw a picture in my mind and I began writing a story that stemmed from that picture. That was also the year, (1997) I got my first home computer so writing became easier, LOL. Before I knew it, I had a novel. I realized at that moment that writing was for me because it made me happy. I enjoy the process and excitement of making up stories. It's how I have fun. Vanessa: What was your journey like to becoming a successful, published author? Were there a lot of bumps in the road or was it just smooth sailing? Stacy-Deanne: The journey was very hard of course. I don't believe there is any such thing as smooth sailing for a writer when they are trying to get publication. It's a terribly hard life, hands down. In this field you have to love what you do enough to hang on to determination. You have to be prepared to sit your life on hold for years and dedicate yourself to writing. I think of it as a marriage. You have to put in the time (years many times) to make it work. I went through the usual bumps such as constant rejection from agents and publishers. Yet I loved doing this. I knew that this was my calling so I wasn't about to give up. I like rising to challenges. In writing you go through the bad before getting close to the rewards. Yet it makes the rewards seem untouchable when you realized you worked hard for them. That's when you feel you truly shine. I am an underdog so I am used to working hard and having to prove myself. Vanessa: I see that you have accomplished a lot and are on quite a few bestseller lists. So tell me, Stacy-Deanne, how does it feel to carry the title "Literary Diva"? Stacy-Deanne: Well, (chuckling), it's wonderful! I love the fact that I have accomplished enough in writing even at this point to be included in the book, "Literary Divas", as well as people associating me with the title. It does make me feel special at times. I feel proud realizing that others see me as someone who inspires. I try to inspire people whenever I can. It also makes me feel very good to be profiled alongside other veterans and new literary divas. Vanessa: Now, I know this question might make you laugh, but since you have so rightfully claimed your title, please tell me, what are the "ingredients" to becoming a Literary Diva? Stacy-Deanne: Definitely you have to have talent and knowledge of how the literary world works. You should also be creative in how you showcase your talents to the public. I think being different with your writing style and voice is very important. You have to stand out. Determination, positive thinking and confidence are also important factors to make it as an author. You have to believe in yourself and your work in order to accomplish your goal. As for the "diva" title, people in the industry gave me that name, LOL. That makes me very proud. I've been writing for ten years and I am still a youngster in the business yet making waves. Many older writers see me coming up in the industry and they seem to admire me as a young writer who is truly dedicated and gaining success. I guess I've gained some respect with the veterans, LOL. That's not easy in this business. Young, aspiring writers identify with me easily and that makes me very proud, too. If I help others gain confidence to accomplish their dreams then that's enough for me any day! Vanessa: What inspired you to write Divas of the New Millennium? Stacy-Deanne: I wrote three books on artists, Jennifer Lopez, Ashanti and Mya. Before my books were released the publisher decided to combine my works with other authors who wrote books on Destiny's Child, Beyonce and Alicia Keys. I had no idea that this would be done. The publisher made this decision. Anyway, I wrote my books because I really liked the artists and I wanted to know more about them. I began doing research then I tampered with the idea of writing books on them. I wanted to write biography books that were different. I felt my stories would touch people because I actually liked these artists. I wasn't just writing books on them. I had emotional ties to these ladies because I enjoyed their music. I am a huge Jennifer Lopez fan. She sent me an autograph picture and recently congratulated me on being included in "Literary Divas"! She is a true sweetheart. It was an honor to write about all the ladies. I think their lives inspire many. Vanessa: How did you come up with this catchy title? Stacy-Deanne: I didn't come up with the exact wording of "Divas of the New Millennium", but I take credit for the title due to the fact that my books came from a series I created, "Millennium Divas of Color". I don't think anyone can dispute how close that is right? Once the publisher decided to combine my works with the other authors, it turned into "Divas of the New Millennium". Anyway, these days it seems like putting the word "diva" on anything turns to magic, LOL! I guess overall I like this title better. Vanessa: I see that you have a Latino love story coming to us in 2007 titled, Everlasting, please tell us more about that! Stacy-Deanne: I like to think of it as "Romeo and Juliet" for the new generation. It's simply a love story. Two teens fall in love yet they face obstacles due to their families. It's unique due to certain elements like Hispanic characters, location and the type of obstacles that today's teenagers have to face. I believe today's young adult audience can relate to Everlasting more than many love stories. There aren't many love stories aimed at today's youth. I am proud of the lead characters because they are intelligent, goal-oriented teens who believe in making the world a better place despite the things they've experienced. I wanted people to see that there are a lot of good teenagers and children in the world who want to help change the negative things in society. I hope people see the lead characters as role models. Also, I wanted to write a modern love story that would touch people. I hope it does! Vanessa: Whom or what was your inspiration during the writing process of Everlasting? Stacy-Deanne: Actually the film, Crazy/ Vanessa: Are you going to be doing book signings for Everlasting and if so, what are some of the cities that you will be visiting? Stacy-Deanne: I plan to do a lot of different things. I am excited about my new venture. It's too soon to know exact plans since the book doesn't come out until fall 2007. I plan to go all out with promotion and have fun while doing it! Vanessa: What are some of your views on the new writers coming up on the literary scene these days? Stacy-Deanne: Well, I feel that there are a lot of good writers coming out but I also feel there are a lot of negative ones. I feel that part of the literary industry is going by the way of music in terms of negativity. It seems that many new writers aren't writing from their hearts, but following a trend. Writers are supposed to be creative and different. I feel too many new writers' works merge together and that's a downfall. Especially if it's negative work that harms instead of heals. I do not agree with some of these writers' works because of how they effect children and teens. I don't believe these writers are respected simply for the negative impact their work can have on people. I think writers need to remember that our words are sometimes taken to heart. What an author writes can effect the lives of someone else. Some authors act like they don't know that or either just do not care. On the flip side, there are a lot of talented and positive new authors coming up that write from the heart. I feel they will be around for years to come. I like to include myself in that equation, LOL. Vanessa: What advice do you have for new and aspiring writers that are just getting started in their literary career? Stacy-Deanne: You have to learn the business. You can't give up if you feel writing is your destiny. Also, you cannot be a wimp! This is a hard industry and it's still hard when you are published. I have learned so many things from the industry I didn't know existed. I think if aspiring writers knew some of the "background" things that go on in the industry they would cringe. It's different than what many would imagine. The industry works for you if you don't let the negativity of others get to you. You should focus on yourself and your work and you will be okay. Always remain positive. Vanessa: Who are some of your favorite authors out right now? Stacy-Deanne: Kay Hooper, Victoria Thompson and Linda Howard are my favorite authors of today. Other than that I love classic writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Shakespeare, all the great ones! I grew up reading these authors and they get better with time! Vanessa: What can readers expect from you in the future, Stacy-Deanne? Stacy-Deanne: More fiction hopefully, LOL. I am finishing up another novel to send off actually. I also have other things I plan to do outside the literary industry when I get the chance. I swear my future will be exciting! Vanessa: I would like to thank you so much for this interview, Stacy-Deanne and wish you nothing but success! I look forward to reading Everlasting and know that I will definitely be giving you a great deal of excellent reviews! Again, thank you. Stacy-Deanne: Thank you very much for the chance! I wish you much success too! I also would like to say something to the aspiring writers out there: If you feel that writing is for you then go for it. Do not let anyone tell you it can't be done. It can be done no matter what obstacles you face. If you have talent then let it shine through. Anything can happen through hard work and determination. I am living proof! |
Check This Out:Special Feature!
Stacy's October 2006 Interview with The Writer's Inn! Awards
See Stacy's awards and nominations Fiction
Everlasting
Modern day Romeo and Juliet Latino Love Story The Fun Stuff
Guest Interview
Literary Guests Drop in on Stacy-Deanne.net |
