Ja’Nese Dixon is an Oklahoma native living in Houston, Texas. As a child, she spent most of her days reading anything she could grab. Her love for writing gave birth to a large collection of poetry and short stories. She continued to nurture her love of reading and writing until entering graduate school. As a wife and mother of two small children, she found little time to write, but her reading continued.
In late 2004, she decided to quietly pursue her writing career by entering contests and ghost writing articles. After ranking in several contests, she began writing her first novel, Black Diamond, scheduled for release in June 2010.
Ja’Nese Dixon is still an avid reader, she loves to write, run, cook, crochet, watch romantic comedy movies, attend live concerts, volunteer in several ministries in her church, and most importantly spend time with her family.
Ja’Nese Dixon spends her days marketing small businesses and her nights writing. To learn more visit http://www.janesedixon.com/.
How did you start out your writing career?
I started as a poet. I wrote poems and lyrics until I reached high school. I later had a teacher that challenged me to expand one of my articles, which led to me writing a short story. Fast forward several years (smile) and my children and I decided to write books for the NaNoWriMo challenge where I wrote the majority of Black Diamond. And here I am. (More or less…)
What did you learn while writing this book?
I learned a lot, but the greatest lesson came when my analytical mind and my creative mind had a faceoff. I realized that I could plan and outline, however, in the end my characters have minds of their own.
What did you hope to accomplish with this book?
Reading for me is about getting away from my normal life. I hope to do the same for others. I hope that readers will enjoy Black Diamond so much that it will build a solid readership for my future projects.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Letting go.
I’m nervous and I don’t know what to expect. I get butterflies in my stomach when I have to discuss it after someone reads it. I have done my part. I have relinquished all control over whether readers love it or not because the story is done.
If you had the opportunity to talk with three writers, who would you choose and why?
Beverly Jenkins. She can do no wrong in my book. I know when I buy her books that I will enjoy every word in her artfully crafted world. She has found a way to entertain and educate with such ease that you don’t realize that she’s done it.
Lori Foster. When you read a Lori Foster book, you know it. Her men are macho teddy bears and her women are take-charge, walk to the beat of their own drum, type women. She also shows me that the race of the author has nothing to do with writing a great relatable book.
Janet Evanovich. I believe that I would love this woman. (smile) She is witty and clever. She is one of the authors that I will literally laugh out loud while reading her books. She can make a clumsy, round-the-way girl HOT!
Each author has her own style, but they each personify entertaining readers. I would want to talk and hopefully take away tidbits of know-how.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
I wish I trusted my instincts more. I was comfortable writing short pieces but writing a novel was a challenge. But the elements are the story are the same.
The importance of having a good critique group. I have one now and they encouraged me to move forward with Black Diamond. Who knows, if I would have found them sooner maybe I would have completed my first book years ago.
I wish I was better at pacing myself. I jumped in full throttle and nearly passed-out in the end. I am still learning how to write a little daily. I’m a work in progress.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Do find a small group that understands what you are coming through as a writer. There were so many days where I thought “Girl, what in the world have you gotten yourself into?” Only to have a friend say, “It’s normal. Keep writing.”
Don’t get caught up in the others’ opinions. Write your story. You have time to create your best work during the editing process.
I borrowed this question from Author Carleene Brice, What is your author fantasy?
WOW…that’s hard. On one hand I see the success of a new author like Stephenie Meyer and I see the longevity of an author like Brenda Jackson with 80 books under her belt. And I would love a mixture of the two—celebrity (i.e., books, movies, screaming fans) and longevity (i.e., loyal readers, great body of work).
How cool would it be to make a living writing? I think it’s possible.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
I wish they understood the time commitment.
What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?
The best advice I have received is “keep writing”. I don’t have “the worst” because I believe everything has value. You have to take the good with the bad.
If you could visit any place in the world where would you travel to?
Shanghai. I studied for a few months in Beijing and I hate that I didn’t plan ahead to visit Shanghai. I see pictures and it seems so alive and vibrant.
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
Crochet. (I know I sound so boring, but I’m not, I promise.) I love to crochet. I make afghans, hats, apparel, blankets, etc. Sometimes I pick up a needle, yarn, and crochet my cares away. It’s a peaceful time for me and I love donating my pieces to my church, hospitals, and as gifts.
Our theme for this month is Reaching Your Goals? How did it feel to reach your publishing goal?
Exhilarating. I can’t explain how it feels to see hours of your work resting between your hands.
Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?
That God is control. His faithfulness through this process and over my life overwhelms me. I plan to sit back for a while and enjoy what He’s doing in my life.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
Yes, for YOU, anything.
Intoxicated is my next book it’s a story about Marques, a sexy R&B singer.
Aaron “Marques” Carter, known to his adoring fans as Marques, is an acclaimed R&B singer and songwriter determined to reach icon status in the music industry without the interference of love.
Brione Alexander, a beautiful headstrong law student, is a pro at keeping men at a distance. “Once bitten, twice shy” should be her motto. Time has shown her that men cannot be trusted!
A chance meeting between the R&B sensation and the relationship phobic sets in motion an electrifying union that can rescue both Aaron and Brione from themselves.
Intoxicated in the first story in my Star Status book series. You can read the prologue in the back of Black Diamond.
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
Yes, please visit my website. You can read the prologue of Black Diamond, purchase an autographed copy, and subscribe to my mailing list to receive special offers.
My website: http://www.janesedixon.com/
My email: info (at) janesedixon (dot) com
My book page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjanesedixon
In late 2004, she decided to quietly pursue her writing career by entering contests and ghost writing articles. After ranking in several contests, she began writing her first novel, Black Diamond, scheduled for release in June 2010.
Ja’Nese Dixon is still an avid reader, she loves to write, run, cook, crochet, watch romantic comedy movies, attend live concerts, volunteer in several ministries in her church, and most importantly spend time with her family.
Ja’Nese Dixon spends her days marketing small businesses and her nights writing. To learn more visit http://www.janesedixon.com/.
How did you start out your writing career?
I started as a poet. I wrote poems and lyrics until I reached high school. I later had a teacher that challenged me to expand one of my articles, which led to me writing a short story. Fast forward several years (smile) and my children and I decided to write books for the NaNoWriMo challenge where I wrote the majority of Black Diamond. And here I am. (More or less…)
What did you learn while writing this book?
I learned a lot, but the greatest lesson came when my analytical mind and my creative mind had a faceoff. I realized that I could plan and outline, however, in the end my characters have minds of their own.
What did you hope to accomplish with this book?
Reading for me is about getting away from my normal life. I hope to do the same for others. I hope that readers will enjoy Black Diamond so much that it will build a solid readership for my future projects.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Letting go.
I’m nervous and I don’t know what to expect. I get butterflies in my stomach when I have to discuss it after someone reads it. I have done my part. I have relinquished all control over whether readers love it or not because the story is done.
If you had the opportunity to talk with three writers, who would you choose and why?
Beverly Jenkins. She can do no wrong in my book. I know when I buy her books that I will enjoy every word in her artfully crafted world. She has found a way to entertain and educate with such ease that you don’t realize that she’s done it.
Lori Foster. When you read a Lori Foster book, you know it. Her men are macho teddy bears and her women are take-charge, walk to the beat of their own drum, type women. She also shows me that the race of the author has nothing to do with writing a great relatable book.
Janet Evanovich. I believe that I would love this woman. (smile) She is witty and clever. She is one of the authors that I will literally laugh out loud while reading her books. She can make a clumsy, round-the-way girl HOT!
Each author has her own style, but they each personify entertaining readers. I would want to talk and hopefully take away tidbits of know-how.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
I wish I trusted my instincts more. I was comfortable writing short pieces but writing a novel was a challenge. But the elements are the story are the same.
The importance of having a good critique group. I have one now and they encouraged me to move forward with Black Diamond. Who knows, if I would have found them sooner maybe I would have completed my first book years ago.
I wish I was better at pacing myself. I jumped in full throttle and nearly passed-out in the end. I am still learning how to write a little daily. I’m a work in progress.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Do find a small group that understands what you are coming through as a writer. There were so many days where I thought “Girl, what in the world have you gotten yourself into?” Only to have a friend say, “It’s normal. Keep writing.”
Don’t get caught up in the others’ opinions. Write your story. You have time to create your best work during the editing process.
I borrowed this question from Author Carleene Brice, What is your author fantasy?
WOW…that’s hard. On one hand I see the success of a new author like Stephenie Meyer and I see the longevity of an author like Brenda Jackson with 80 books under her belt. And I would love a mixture of the two—celebrity (i.e., books, movies, screaming fans) and longevity (i.e., loyal readers, great body of work).
How cool would it be to make a living writing? I think it’s possible.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
I wish they understood the time commitment.
What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?
The best advice I have received is “keep writing”. I don’t have “the worst” because I believe everything has value. You have to take the good with the bad.
If you could visit any place in the world where would you travel to?
Shanghai. I studied for a few months in Beijing and I hate that I didn’t plan ahead to visit Shanghai. I see pictures and it seems so alive and vibrant.
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
Crochet. (I know I sound so boring, but I’m not, I promise.) I love to crochet. I make afghans, hats, apparel, blankets, etc. Sometimes I pick up a needle, yarn, and crochet my cares away. It’s a peaceful time for me and I love donating my pieces to my church, hospitals, and as gifts.
Our theme for this month is Reaching Your Goals? How did it feel to reach your publishing goal?
Exhilarating. I can’t explain how it feels to see hours of your work resting between your hands.
Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?
That God is control. His faithfulness through this process and over my life overwhelms me. I plan to sit back for a while and enjoy what He’s doing in my life.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
Yes, for YOU, anything.
Intoxicated is my next book it’s a story about Marques, a sexy R&B singer.
Aaron “Marques” Carter, known to his adoring fans as Marques, is an acclaimed R&B singer and songwriter determined to reach icon status in the music industry without the interference of love.
Brione Alexander, a beautiful headstrong law student, is a pro at keeping men at a distance. “Once bitten, twice shy” should be her motto. Time has shown her that men cannot be trusted!
A chance meeting between the R&B sensation and the relationship phobic sets in motion an electrifying union that can rescue both Aaron and Brione from themselves.
Intoxicated in the first story in my Star Status book series. You can read the prologue in the back of Black Diamond.
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
Yes, please visit my website. You can read the prologue of Black Diamond, purchase an autographed copy, and subscribe to my mailing list to receive special offers.
My website: http://www.janesedixon.com/
My email: info (at) janesedixon (dot) com
My book page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjanesedixon
My Twitter address: www.twitter.com/janesedixon
I’m also a member of SIR Authors: http://www.shhimreading.com/janese-dixon.html
Black Diamond
Camille Blackwell, an undercover FBI agent, poses as a jewelry purchaser in an international diamond trading company in hopes of identifying the domestic players in a vicious rebel group suspected of trafficking conflict diamonds.
The Bureau requests CIA renegade Marc Fulton’s assistance with sweeping international intelligence to identify the major rebel organizations with finances and stateside connections strong enough to evade criminal prosecution, despite Camille’s objections.
Sparks fly when Marc and Camille meet, their attraction is instant and tense. However, both resolve to focus on the case. But when Camille receives an encrypted memory stick from a murdered co-worker Marc may be the only person she can trust.
Black Diamond is the eagerly anticipated debut novel by Ja’Nese Dixon. True love, like black diamonds, is rare and precious; but when murder and a persistent criminal threaten a frail relationship, can love triumph?
In a borderless game of cat and mouse, will a chance at happily ever after be thwarted at the deadly scheme of the faceless leader of the Imperial Dynasty?
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5 comments:
Hello fellow bloggers! It is exciting to be with you this week. Thank you so much for having me today. I just want you to know that I am here, and would love to chat with you any time!
Dr. Karia
Ja'Nese,
Thanks so much for being our featured author today. Many blessings to you.
Thank you LaShaunda, now I can start posting. (smile)
Congrats Ja'Nese. You are getting so many rave reviews. Best of luck. Otis Randolf.
Thank you Otis and the SORMAG community. I appreciate the opportunity. Happy Reading!
Ja'Nese
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