Meet Tonya Blount
Thursday, June 22, 2006
With several writing projects and a talk show, Tonya Blount doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Please introduce yourself to the readers (tell the readers what kind of books you write, etc).
I am the author of Leaving the Wilderness, Jay’s Mansion and the newly released novel, Cha-Ching. Leaving the Wilderness--which is now a stage play, was loosely based on my life. It takes you through the life of the protagonist Jordan Baez as she endures physical and mental abuse from her husband of 13 years and finally makes her exodus. Jay’s Mansion is a follow-up to Leaving the Wilderness, however, it was never my intention to write Jay’s Mansion. Jay’s Mansion is also based on a true story, about my uncle who was three years older than me. We grew up as brother and sister. Shortly after Leaving the Wilderness was released he was brutally murdered by a friend.
Cha-Ching is a urban fiction novel, yet I believe it stays true to the writing that readers have come to expect from me--tragic, emotional, yet inspirational. I believe it is my best work…mainly because I had to step out of my comfort zone and write about a lifestyle I don’t admire.
Do you listen to music while you're writing?
Music is the core of my soul. I listen to all types of music when I’m writing. When writing Cha-Ching, I listened to a lot of Hip Hop music because I needed to tap into the energy of the music in order to write the book. I know with other obligations it can be a struggle finding time to write. Do you have a set writing schedule?
I don’t have a set writing schedule. I do have a crazy schedule these days, but writing is my first love. I make time to write because usually I can’t ignore the words that dance around in my head. Most of the time, I find writing late at night is when I am most creative though. How did you come up with your storyline?
Well, for my first two novels it was writing about true life. However, for Cha-Ching, I knew a few people doing some of things in the book and I knew that there were books out there about other hustles. I didn’t think there was one out about fake credit cards. So I took the challenge that my publisher gave me and wrote urban fiction but without leaving out the inspirational twist.
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Write, re-write and do a lot of research.
How can you be reached and where can we purchase your books?
I can be reached my email at tonyablount@yahoo.com. I am also on my space at www.myspace.com/tonyablount
My books are available on line at http://www.amazon.com/ Cha-Ching is available in most bookstores.
Interview by Shelia M. Goss, entertainment writer and the national bestselling author of My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are True. Her website is www.sheliagoss.com. For more entertainment news, go to www.e-spire.blogspot.com.
Please introduce yourself to the readers (tell the readers what kind of books you write, etc).
I am the author of Leaving the Wilderness, Jay’s Mansion and the newly released novel, Cha-Ching. Leaving the Wilderness--which is now a stage play, was loosely based on my life. It takes you through the life of the protagonist Jordan Baez as she endures physical and mental abuse from her husband of 13 years and finally makes her exodus. Jay’s Mansion is a follow-up to Leaving the Wilderness, however, it was never my intention to write Jay’s Mansion. Jay’s Mansion is also based on a true story, about my uncle who was three years older than me. We grew up as brother and sister. Shortly after Leaving the Wilderness was released he was brutally murdered by a friend.
Cha-Ching is a urban fiction novel, yet I believe it stays true to the writing that readers have come to expect from me--tragic, emotional, yet inspirational. I believe it is my best work…mainly because I had to step out of my comfort zone and write about a lifestyle I don’t admire.
Do you listen to music while you're writing?
Music is the core of my soul. I listen to all types of music when I’m writing. When writing Cha-Ching, I listened to a lot of Hip Hop music because I needed to tap into the energy of the music in order to write the book. I know with other obligations it can be a struggle finding time to write. Do you have a set writing schedule?
I don’t have a set writing schedule. I do have a crazy schedule these days, but writing is my first love. I make time to write because usually I can’t ignore the words that dance around in my head. Most of the time, I find writing late at night is when I am most creative though. How did you come up with your storyline?
Well, for my first two novels it was writing about true life. However, for Cha-Ching, I knew a few people doing some of things in the book and I knew that there were books out there about other hustles. I didn’t think there was one out about fake credit cards. So I took the challenge that my publisher gave me and wrote urban fiction but without leaving out the inspirational twist.
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Write, re-write and do a lot of research.
How can you be reached and where can we purchase your books?
I can be reached my email at tonyablount@yahoo.com. I am also on my space at www.myspace.com/tonyablount
My books are available on line at http://www.amazon.com/ Cha-Ching is available in most bookstores.
Interview by Shelia M. Goss, entertainment writer and the national bestselling author of My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are True. Her website is www.sheliagoss.com. For more entertainment news, go to www.e-spire.blogspot.com.
