As a first-time, self-published author Donna Michele Ramos’ book “HIGH RISE”, a contemporary romance novel, made Essence Magazine and BlackBookPlus.com’s Best Seller Lists for paperback fiction. Donna Michele’s second novel “BORROWED TIME” a painstakingly researched Civil War historical romance, released December 2006, was also quickly embraced by readers as well. Writing since the age of 9, her first book "Have Your Ever Tried?" almost got published until publishers found out she was in the 4th grade. But she continues to write and has many manuscripts in various stages of readiness. Expect 2 books a year for some time to come. Her first Tweener book, written for her granddaughters, "Dear Diary...Not Quite" will be released February 2010.
This transplanted New York native, has been a Californian for the last 22 years. She attended Fordham University, Rosehill Campus, Bronx, NY in the 80’s but did not graduate college, CSUS Sacramento until Spring 2000. A proud accomplishment, showing it’s never too late. She is the mother of a son and daughter and the grandmother of four, 3 girls (including a set of twins), their younger sister and little brother. She enjoys spending time with them as often as possible.
What would you like readers to take away from your book?
A reading adventure, that they are not just reading it but that they feel they are living and experiencing it.
Why did you choose to write this book?
I got so many emails from the readers of HIGH RISE demanding a sequel, I had to write SCANDALOUS for them so the story could continue for them and they could rejoin their favorite characters in the book.
What did you learn while writing this book?
I enjoyed writing a sequel, it is my first one. It was fun to write and I enjoyed visiting my old friends.
What was your favorite scene/chapter from the book?
Michele standing up to mother-in-law dearest.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
Writing is not as hard as everyone thinks it is. If you want to write you can, you don't have to be an expert, you just have to have a passion for what you are writing.
What is the best lesson you have learned from another writer?
How to promote and market yourself.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Getting over double digit rejection letters from publishers. Another writer told me to tell him once I got in the hundreds, that put rejection in perspective for me.
What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?
To keep writing because I have talent. One big NYC publisher sent me a legal-size sheet of what I needed to change or take out of my book. If I had listened to them, I would have rewritten my entire book. I am glad I did not follow that advice, because it would not have been my story after all those changes. I published the book myself, and my readers loved it the way it was.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Don't listen to people who say you cannot write because you have never written a book before. Do follow your passion!
I borrowed this question from Author Carleene Brice, What is your author fantasy?
To travel from city and country to country, writing novels that take place there about my experiences there.
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
I am a photography nut. I take pictures all the time. I do all the photos for my books.
Five questions about books:
One book that you have read more than once.
The Flame and the Flower
One book you would want on a desert island.
A Knight In Shining Armor
One book that made you laugh.
One book that made you cry.
The Pursuit of Happyness for both questions.
One book you wish you'd written.
Roots
Our theme for this month is Family Literature. Can you recommend three books for children?
Dear Diary...Not Quite (My Tweener book to be released Feb. 2010)
Bambi
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Oprah has--as one of her magazine columns--a section where she talks about what she knows for sure. What do you know for sure?
It is never too late; you can be a late bloomer like me. As long as you are breathing you can still accomplish what you want and follow your dream.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
Yes, "Scandalous" is being edited now and will be released January 2010. It is the sequel to "High Rise".
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
http://www.facebook.com/donnamramosfanpage
http://donnamramos.com/
donnamramos@aol.com
SCANDALOUS
Sequel to High Rise. The ruckus continues! Will Michele and Mark get married? Is Mark guilty of insider trading? Is Niecie jealous of her best friend? Will Chris get over Michele, will his broken heart heal so he can move on with his life? Can Cheyenne trust Brandon not to cheat with hoochies? When did April's life become an audition for Desparate Housewives? Can Ecchi get to Connie before she slips away from him emotionally?
HIGH RISE
If you could spy on your neighbors, what would you see? This fast- paced, fun sometimes gritty story about 3 women, at different stages in their lives. It delves deep into your heart eliciting numerous strong emotions as you experience all their joys, heartbreaks, devastation, pain and rebirth. Relive a few of your own as you identify with these women. 3 women live in the same high rise building in New York and have never met. But they have more in common than they will ever know. Each experiences the same life altering circumstance with different outcomes. Who makes it out alright? 3 women different ages, income levels, involved with different types of men. Who chose the right man?
BORROWED TIME
Ultimate love triangle between Smiling Fawn, daughter of a Blackfoot Brave and a Free Woman of Color, captured and made a slave with no chance of escape. Jim Lakeland, Yankee-hating, hedonistic master, obsessed with bedding and totally possessing Smiling Fawn. Cord Kelley, Union Army Captain, one of New York's richest and most eligible bachelors. Wounded in an ambush Fawn finds him and nurses him back to health. 1+1+1 = 3 not 2, shake well get caught up in the explosion. Love triangles = a clash, a winner and a loser.
Ask Donna a question for a chance to win a copy of SCANDALOUS.
This transplanted New York native, has been a Californian for the last 22 years. She attended Fordham University, Rosehill Campus, Bronx, NY in the 80’s but did not graduate college, CSUS Sacramento until Spring 2000. A proud accomplishment, showing it’s never too late. She is the mother of a son and daughter and the grandmother of four, 3 girls (including a set of twins), their younger sister and little brother. She enjoys spending time with them as often as possible.
What would you like readers to take away from your book?
A reading adventure, that they are not just reading it but that they feel they are living and experiencing it.
Why did you choose to write this book?
I got so many emails from the readers of HIGH RISE demanding a sequel, I had to write SCANDALOUS for them so the story could continue for them and they could rejoin their favorite characters in the book.
What did you learn while writing this book?
I enjoyed writing a sequel, it is my first one. It was fun to write and I enjoyed visiting my old friends.
What was your favorite scene/chapter from the book?
Michele standing up to mother-in-law dearest.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
Writing is not as hard as everyone thinks it is. If you want to write you can, you don't have to be an expert, you just have to have a passion for what you are writing.
What is the best lesson you have learned from another writer?
How to promote and market yourself.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Getting over double digit rejection letters from publishers. Another writer told me to tell him once I got in the hundreds, that put rejection in perspective for me.
What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?
To keep writing because I have talent. One big NYC publisher sent me a legal-size sheet of what I needed to change or take out of my book. If I had listened to them, I would have rewritten my entire book. I am glad I did not follow that advice, because it would not have been my story after all those changes. I published the book myself, and my readers loved it the way it was.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Don't listen to people who say you cannot write because you have never written a book before. Do follow your passion!
I borrowed this question from Author Carleene Brice, What is your author fantasy?
To travel from city and country to country, writing novels that take place there about my experiences there.
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
I am a photography nut. I take pictures all the time. I do all the photos for my books.
Five questions about books:
One book that you have read more than once.
The Flame and the Flower
One book you would want on a desert island.
A Knight In Shining Armor
One book that made you laugh.
One book that made you cry.
The Pursuit of Happyness for both questions.
One book you wish you'd written.
Roots
Our theme for this month is Family Literature. Can you recommend three books for children?
Dear Diary...Not Quite (My Tweener book to be released Feb. 2010)
Bambi
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Oprah has--as one of her magazine columns--a section where she talks about what she knows for sure. What do you know for sure?
It is never too late; you can be a late bloomer like me. As long as you are breathing you can still accomplish what you want and follow your dream.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
Yes, "Scandalous" is being edited now and will be released January 2010. It is the sequel to "High Rise".
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
http://www.facebook.com/donnamramosfanpage
http://donnamramos.com/
donnamramos@aol.com
SCANDALOUS
Sequel to High Rise. The ruckus continues! Will Michele and Mark get married? Is Mark guilty of insider trading? Is Niecie jealous of her best friend? Will Chris get over Michele, will his broken heart heal so he can move on with his life? Can Cheyenne trust Brandon not to cheat with hoochies? When did April's life become an audition for Desparate Housewives? Can Ecchi get to Connie before she slips away from him emotionally?
HIGH RISE
If you could spy on your neighbors, what would you see? This fast- paced, fun sometimes gritty story about 3 women, at different stages in their lives. It delves deep into your heart eliciting numerous strong emotions as you experience all their joys, heartbreaks, devastation, pain and rebirth. Relive a few of your own as you identify with these women. 3 women live in the same high rise building in New York and have never met. But they have more in common than they will ever know. Each experiences the same life altering circumstance with different outcomes. Who makes it out alright? 3 women different ages, income levels, involved with different types of men. Who chose the right man?
BORROWED TIME
Ultimate love triangle between Smiling Fawn, daughter of a Blackfoot Brave and a Free Woman of Color, captured and made a slave with no chance of escape. Jim Lakeland, Yankee-hating, hedonistic master, obsessed with bedding and totally possessing Smiling Fawn. Cord Kelley, Union Army Captain, one of New York's richest and most eligible bachelors. Wounded in an ambush Fawn finds him and nurses him back to health. 1+1+1 = 3 not 2, shake well get caught up in the explosion. Love triangles = a clash, a winner and a loser.
Ask Donna a question for a chance to win a copy of SCANDALOUS.
2 comments:
Donna thanks for being our featured author today. Great advice for new writers. Thanks for sharing.
Donna - you are an inspiration to aspiring writers, young or old. I can't wait to read your new book!
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