FEATURED AUTHOR: Alexis Douglas

How did you start out your writing career?


Lol I more or less was told I was going to start writing by my mother. She called me in her office and told me that Carl Weber needed some authors to write stories for his full figured divas series and she volunteered me so that was pretty much it!! Lol


What did you learn while writing this book?


I learned how to finish a story. I took my idea and I saw it all the way through to the end and it was the first time I have ever done that and it made me really proud.


What did you hope to accomplish with this book?


I just want people to like it. I hope someone can relate to my main character and love her as much as I love her because I put some of my personality in her. If there is just one person who tells me that they loved my story and they could really relate to Simone and what she was going through, I will be happy.


Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be?


I don't think I actually had an idea of what an author's life was like. It's definitely not a piece of cake, especially the first time out. I probably thought I was just going to be able to write a story and that was going to be it but it is DEFINITELY a lot more to it.


Which five characters (can be from books, movies, or tv shows) would you invite over for dinner and why?


Um, that is a tough one. I probably would invite the characters from Grey's Anatomy. I love that show and I think it would be an interesting dinner.


What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?


Looking back I can't really think of things I wish I would have known. This all has been a wonderful learning experience and I know there is a lot more to learn as I continue and progress in this industry.


Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?


Do not overthink your writing process. I definitely had to learn that because I wanted to be so perfect in my technique that it hindered me, so don't over think your process. Just write and try to write everyday. Sometimes you'll write a scene a certain way and the character will take you into a different direction where you have to go back and change it, but just write.


What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?


It's not as easy as it sounds. Lol It's a lot of work that goes into the development process and it doesn't stop at just the story. The real work actually begins when you have to promote the book.


What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?


I don't think I have gotten any bad advice thus far. Everyone who has given me advice are pretty much in the business and they all know what they're talking about. Lol I think the best advice I have gotten was from my mother about making my deadline. I don't know if that was advice or more of a demand from her as my agent.


What is something readers would be surprised you do?


I'm not exactly sure how surprised readers will be with this first story because I am a new author but I think they will be surprised with how scandalous my second will be compared to this story. Lol


If you could be a character from any book you've read, who would you be?


I would probably be a man named Mack in the book The Shack by William P. Young. He got to spend a whole weekend with the Holy Trinity and as freaked out as I would probably be at first, I definitely would like to have that experience.


Our theme this month is The Business Of Writing. Can you offer any advice about the business side of writing?


I think it's important to understand how the finances work. I definitely wanted to understand my contract and who I had to pay and how much I was making per book and about the sales and what I had to do to make my work successful. It's important to learn that early in the game because I'm young and new to the business but if it does ever get to the point where I become a big name author then I have learned the tools necessary to not be taken advantage of.


Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?


My mother has always preached about knowing who I am, knowing whose I am, and knowing what I stand for and I think at this point in my life I know that for sure. I'm a silly, kind, loving, intelligent, strong woman who is a child of God and a beautiful product of my mother and I believe that God has a purpose for everyone's life and the ups and downs that you go through to find that purpose only prepares you for what he has in store.


Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?


This next book is called Date Cute, Marry Rich and its definitely a lot more dramatic. It is 3 of the characters who are in my first story now living in New York, flourishing in their careers, and failing in love. I think people will be shocked but those who have been through the trials and tribulations of dating and love will be able to relate to each of their story.


How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)


They can contact we via email. Superalto_05@yahoo.com

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