FEATURED AUTHOR: Angelia Vernon Menchan

Angelia Vernon Menchan, wife, mother, mentor and former Job Corps Counselor pens her first coming-of-age novel for emerging women. Mrs. Menchan is the author of several other books and articles. Born and raised in Ocala Florida, she resides in Jacksonville, Florida. She is employed as a Budget Officer. She is a reviewer for APOOO BookClub and reviews for the Amazon Vine™ Program at amazon.com

Is No Not Clear Enough For You

Sixteen year old Malaaka Green will tell the world, she can't be pigeonholed or stereotyped,
She is spiritual but she has fun...
She likes boys just fine, but she isn't going to do anything she doesn't want to do...
Malaaka owns Malaaka,
You will get to see how someone so young can have so much positive influence on those she loves and those who love her, mostly we will see that when she says no to others she is saying yes to herself…

Website: http://www.angeliavmenchan.com/

What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

I would love for readers of, Is No Not Clear Enough For You, particularly young adult readers to take away the message that they have choices. They should never say yes to anything that compromises or places them or their future in jeopardy. Mostly, that saying no to others is saying yes to themselves.

What inspired this story?

A couple of things inspired this story, I am a mentor and one of the biggest messages I try to get across to my girls is that they have to own themselves. Also, Malaaka, the heroine is a lot like I was at the same age. Blessedly, for some reason I always knew that my life was in my own hands. No matter what anyone else was doing, I was unswayable when it came to things like promiscuous sex, drugs or the use of alcohol. I wasn't as involved in church as Malaaka but was always spiritual. I also needed young people to know that being spiritual does not in any way mean they can't have fun. Fun is not defined by bad choices. I also added the flip side to Malaaka's story in the story of her best friend, Kim. Also throwing in a good bit about the adults in her life. I love and believe in the value of our youth.

What did you learn while writing this book?

How necessary it was to speak from a place of faith. I have discovered that many struggle with that, not wanting to be defined or labeled as a certain kind of writer. I knew that if ever I was going to be defined as anything I was completely comfortable with any label that came attached with this book. It was freeing.

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

The first thing would have to be that I could write what I truly wanted.

Secondly, that nothing happens overnight and that patience truly is a virtue. I still working on that one, patience. (smiling)

Finally, that I can't make anything happen that I have to allow things to happen.

What do you do to make time for yourself?

Though, I have a family, a full-time demanding job, while writing, mentoring and serving at my church, I take major time to refuel. Some days I simply sit at home, reading and staring out the back door. I also pamper myself whenever I feel the need to and as I tell my girls, I know how to say NO to others while saying YES to myself.

Thanks so much for interviewing me, I am most appreciative.