The Quintessential Writer: Donna Hill

Everywhere I turn, I see info about a book of yours being released, lol! Tell us about your latest work.

Very funny! Latest work---hmmm that would actually be several works to be honest. I just released my first romance for this year--Long Distance Lover which launched the Arabesque summer series. The theme this year was on athletes. My heroine Kelly Maxwell is a star sprinter, destined for Gold--until her secrets and a murder get in the way. As always with my romances, I've inserted some very topical issues that my character is faced with and I hope it will shed some light on very real problems. Of course there are those hot sex scenes! My upcoming romance LOVE BECOMES HER is scheduled to hit bookstores in August (but hint, hint, you can always pre-order!). Love Becomes Her, is the first in a four-book series that features four forty-something divas who have decided that they are much too young and fly to turn in their pumps! So they embark upon a joint venture and open an exclusive day spa for men! The spa is called "Pause for Men" and it's also the name of the series. Book 1, Love Becomes Her, features Barbara Allen who is being hotly pursued by a man almost young enough to be her son. Her girlz say go for it! And she does with some very surprising results. Readers will also get to meet her girlz, Ann Marie, Stephanie and Elizabeth and get a glimpse into their lives and loves. Book 2, Saving All My Lovin' hits stores in November. My big book GUILTY PLEASURES, will be released in October from St. Martins Press, and features Jake and Eva Kelly, who are just as insatiable for each other as they are to the con game. Jake wants 'one last job,' and that one job sets a series of crosses and double-crosses into play,forcing them to come up with a plan for the biggest sting of their career. It's fast, hot, sexy and plenty of fun. I'm also part of a great anthology TAKIN' CHANCES FOR THE HOLIDAYS. My character in the anthology is working on a PR campaign for the ladies at Pause for Men, while working on a personal PR plan to get her man in time for the holidays. At the moment, I'm working on MURDER IN THE AISLES, about a sexy sleuth, Felicia Swift, who happens to not only be a certified genius but also a librarian. This one I hope to turn into a series character. And I'm working on another anthology Creepin' an erotic paranormal collection that is going to be off the chain!


You have written romance novels and have ventured into mainstream, chick lit, and thrillers. What other genres are you interested in going into with your writing?

Well, I really love doing the thrillers like Getting Hers, Guilty Pleasures and then Murder in the Aisles. I grew up on crime drama and gobble up those kinds of stories. I like erotica, but I know I couldn't do it on a regular basis. I suppose, as long as I can move back and forth between genres and offer up good stories that readers truly like, that's all I can ask for.


I know novels are like children--everyone in the author's eyes is beautiful, but if you could pick, what three books were the most fun to write and why?

Hmmm, most fun. The top of this list in terms of fun would have to be Divas Inc. I was literally cracking myself up as I was writing. On the manuscript pages, I even inserted smiley faces! But of course my editor reigned me in and took them out. That was fun. Guilty Pleasures was also fun to write. I enjoyed the double-dealing as well as the raunchy language that I could use! And Rhythms was a joy to write for other reasons. It was actually the first book I ever wanted to write, waaaay back in the early 90's but didn't really know how. I poured my heart and soul into that book to make it sing and to recreate that time period. So to see it come to fruition and hear the response from readers who enjoyed it, makes it so very worthwhile.


On average, how long does it take you to pen the first draft of a novel?

I don't actually do more than one draft. As I write, I edit and clean up as I go. I reread what I've written before I start the next chapter, make insertions, take things out etc. So that when I'm finished, the manuscript is clean and says what I want it to say. From concept to finished product it takes about 3 months.


After all the characters you have created and all the books you have written, what keeps you writing and penning new stories?

Wow, the ideas just never stop. As fast as I get one idea out of my head in pops another one. Writing the books are a different story of course (LOL). But I always tell my editors if someone would just pay me for all the ideas I have, I'd be rich!!


As if penning great fiction wasn't enough, you have moved onto the promotion side of the publishing business with your company, Donna Hill Promotions. Tell us about the company. What types of services do you offer?

Donna Hill Promotions is really an outgrowth of ImageNouveau, a business that I had for a very long time. In its early stages, I did events, put together author-centered programs, and did some editing. Last year, ImageNouveau stepped out from behind the scenes and took on clients. I'd worked as a publicist for over ten years and was always doing "little things" for folks, so I figured I may as well step out on faith and do it for real. With the advent of Donna Hill Promotions, I want to expand what I'd already been doing, revamp the services and make it much more name-recognizable to the consumer. DH Promotions offers promotional services to authors from eblasts, monthly newsletters, webcards, book signings, podcasts, providing marketing materials, setting up interviews, mailings, and essentially using the connections and resources that I've acquired over the years to bring our clients' books to the attention of readers and booksellers.


What clients of yours have current books out in the market?

All of them! So it is truly a juggling act. Currently we have Michelle Monkou (Sweet Surrender), Angie Daniels (When I First Saw You), Suzetta Perkins (Behind the Veil), A.C. Arthur (Love Me Carefully), Maureen Smith (Weapon of Seduction), and Toni Staton Harris (Nothing Special, Just Friends). I'm preparing to also do some work for Robert Fleming. And we are hoping that Linda Hudson Smith will soon join our family as well. And of course no one can do anything alone. Missy Brown has been a great help, along with Pittershawn Palmer, and Tina McCray was there at the beginning. And the new, very dynamic site would not have been possible without the talents of Monica Jackson.


What made you decide to move into promotions?

Well, as I said, in my other life, the one that paid all the bills, I was a publicist for the Queens Library in New York for a little more than ten years. So it was something that I always did and understood the business and how difficult it was for authors to promote themselves.


How might an interested author get in contact with you for DHP's services?

Please visit our website at http://donnahillpromotions.com and feel free to send an email of inquiry to imagenouveau@aol.com. ImageNouveau is still the media arm of the business.


Writer. Promoter. Are there other avenues within the publishing arena that you think you might tap into some day?

Well, I have been working with a very good friend to move into publishing. So that is something that is in the works. Once we work out all the kinks, we'll be calling for submissions.

What Tiger's Success Means to Me

Many may not know this about me, but I'm a huge golf fan. I spend HOURS on the weekends glued to my TV and the Internet, watching golf and checking standings. Like a good baseball game, especially baseball games watched during my childhood, golf is finesse at its finest. It's those small, delicate movements or hits that make the most magic.

Well, today I experienced my most favorite golf moment ever: Tiger winning the British Open. It truly reminded me of what can be accomplished if we persevere and overcome tragedy. We all know that Tiger lost his father and mentor to cancer in May of this year and that for the first time in his career, he did not make the final cut of a tourney, the U.S. Open. though I for one challenge anyone to play well a month after his/her father dies and during Father's Day weekend no less.

Despite the tragic loss of his father, despite the first real blemish to his playing career, Tiger came back and showed everyone why he is the best player in golf. When he put the ball in the 18th hole for a par and the win, his reaction was what we all expected: jubilation as he pumped his fist in the air and devastation as he cried and clung to his longtime caddy because he wished for his father to be there with him.

It is that moment that I broke; I cried, too. A big chunk of my emotion went to Tiger because I'd been steadily pulling for him for the last several months, but the other chunk of that emotion was personal. I realized a lot of things from Tiger's play today. I realized that I don't say I love you enough to my mom, who is the most wonderful person in the world. I realized that I still love my father despite what he's done to our family. I realized that my grandparents are still here with me, pulling me through my down times and cheering me on when I succeed; death does not end the connections. I realized that one can succeed despite the pain of tragedy and even though these are things I've thought about before and try to keep close to me, it's good to be reminded of those things from time to time.

Ideas Needed for New Book on Marriage

From author/publisher, Barbara Joe Williams:

Hello Readers,

After 25 years of marriage, I'm working on a new book idea titled, Moving the Furniture: 52 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Fresh, and I'm seeking your participation. Please send in your ideas related to this topic for inclusion in the book to be tentatively released in 2008. You may send in one sentence, one paragraph, or one page. If your idea or suggestion is used in the book, you'll be mentioned and given full credit.

I'm on a mission to keep marriages alive and thriving. If you're in a committed relationship, please participate in the book writing adventure by sending in your ideas for keeping a marriage fresh. I'll be on the look out for your comments. Have a great week!

YOU MAY SEND YOUR IDEAS to the following e-mail address: amanipublishing@aol.com!

Barbara Joe Williams, Author/Publisher
www.Barbarajoe.blogspot.com
Falling for Lies, coming October 2006
Dancing with Temptation, November 2005
One Sister's Guide to Self-Publishing, July 2005
Forgive Us This Day, November 2004
www.AmaniPublishing.net

Selection from New Project: The Loss of Weight

Well, I'm off to bed. I stayed up to finish a chapter of TLW, and I'm proud of myself for focusing and making myself do some writing. I had a critique this week with one of my best writing friends, and she loved what I've done thus far...so I'm pushing ahead. My word count has grown, and you'll see below where it stands now. Here's a selection of TLW. I hope you enjoy. Night. Have school tomorrow. Yay! (can you feel the sarcasm?)



Chapter One – Friday, June 09, 2006

Even fat girls get the urge to be touched and pleasured sometimes, and because I knew that there would never be someone else’s hands on me, I was obligated to step to the plate and as quickly as possible release my build up. And so it was this morning as the sun penetrated my curtains, casting a spotlight on me and the bed. I had been dreaming about Kurt Cobain, which is so weird because what black chick dreams of a dead rocker who looked like his music: grunge? And yet, there I was, in my dream, watching Nirvana perform Smells like Teen Spirit and remembering how I used to headbang to that song with my white girlfriends and feel free and happy. I banged a lot of shit out of my head with Nirvana’s music, and after listening to it, I always felt better. Lighter. And the idea of me being weightless woke my nipples up first, making them stiff against my t-shirt. With my eyes closed, my hands found my breasts and caressed them for about five minutes until my breathing became deeper. I didn’t moan. I didn’t sigh. I didn’t bite my lower lip sexily. I did, however, roll over and promptly stuff a pillow between my legs and concentrate. By the tenth quiet pumping of the pillow, the ache that seldom settled between my legs would explode, and this need to make me feel good would be over.

By the eighth rock against the pillow, I was ready for the explosion so that I could get up and start my day. My breathing labored, and my heavy breasts swayed with the rocking. The explosion never came. On the ninth rock, the phone rang, disconnecting me from my morning tryst. I grunted and fell to the bed before leaning over to the nightstand and checking the Caller ID. It was Emma, one of my best girlfriends.

“Yeah,” I said, answering the phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you had someone over there for all the heavy breathing.”

“What do you want, girl?”

“Can I get a ride with you this morning? Tony’s going to take my car in to be looked at.”

“I can drop you off,” I replied. “I have a doctor’s appointment this morning.”

“It’s about time you’re going.”

“We’re not even getting into that again. I’ll see you in about 45 minutes.”

After hanging up the phone, I stared at my white ceiling and walls. Six months ago, when I finally moved into my first home after years in dormitories and then tiny efficiencies, and then small apartments, I told myself I would be able to decorate, to make the entire house reflective of me, yet it was still pretty bland and lifeless.

I stood gingerly and felt my left leg give. I fell back to the bed and massaged my swollen calf and foot. After about five minutes, I limped myself to the bathroom to begin another day of the same ol’.

∞∞∞∞∞

I should’ve told Emma I’d be there in an hour because it normally takes four outfit changes before I finally pick something that is loose enough for me to feel comfortable in. My mother would say the outfit hid my body, and in my opinion, anything that could hide me was definitely a good thing.

After sifting through my walk-in closet, browsing through clothes that ranged in sizes from 18 to 24, I finally selected a long, brown skirt with a matching loose t-shirt: size 22. I quickly pinned my wet, curly hair into a bun and glanced at the mirror only to make sure my face wasn’t too shiny. My glance turned into a stare that turned into an examination of my big brown eyes and round brown cheeks. I finally turned away when I caught sight of the slight indentation beneath my chin, alerting me to a second one to follow.

I turned out the lights and headed out, but not before grabbing an almost-full bag of chewy chocolate chip cookies that sat on the island in the kitchen. They were finished before I pulled out the driveway.

∞∞∞∞∞

I saw Emma’s long, lean legs as I pulled alongside the curb to pick her up. Though we have only ever lived two blocks apart, growing up and now in our own homes, Emma was not one to walk. Back in the day, she was too stylish to walk; she wore Guess jeans and Tretorns and silk blouses with shoulder pads. God forbid she get a sweat stain on that silk blouse. Now, she was still stylish, but she cashed in her jeans for short skirts and her Tretorns for heels. She stood on the sidewalk, teetering on her Mary Jane stiletto heels. She dressed, what she called “sexy-professional,” in a black-white pinstriped suit, with a skirt so short, the hem didn’t know what a knee was anymore.

Emma bent at the waist and tossed her silky, dark brown hair over her shoulder and flashed her bright blue-gray eyes and smile at me.

“So, stranger, can I get a ride?” she asked in her normal husky voice.

I bit the inside of my cheek. She couldn’t help it if she was beautiful.

“To wherever your heart desires,” was my come back, deepening my soft voice for effect.

She laughed and slid in. Her scent, which I can only define as summer, drifted over to me. I was immediately affected by the brightness that seemed to exude from her. She looked out the window and blew a kiss to Tony, who stood at the door of their brownstone, waving.

“Love you,” she said.

“Lord,” I said, sighing. “You two act like you never see each other.”

I put the car in motion.

“Well, Tony is always working at the restaurant,” Emma whined. “Now that people are coming in droves, he wants to be seen.”

“His food will sell whether his mug’s there or not. He helped put some of the pounds on this mighty frame here.”

Emma laughed. “He is good.”

“Ew,” I said before stopping at a red light. “That ‘is’ was way too suggestive. I need a shower or a moist towelette.”

“You’re not funny.”

“Then why you laughing?”

“Shut up.”

I flipped the radio on only to hear hard bass and a string of bleeps.

“Why they put this on the air if you can’t hear the words?” I asked.

Emma scrunched her nose up. “I don’t like all that rap and hip hop mess.”

“Usually, neither do I, especially when it’s full of ass and that’s it. But I have to say the beat
gets you.”

Emma closed her eyes for a second, then responded, “Yeah, no, still don’t get the appeal.”

“It’s a black thing. We’re attracted to beats and rhythms.”

Emma play-punched my arm.

I shrugged. “Don’t be mad ‘cause you white and are part of the rhythmless nation.”

“For your information,” Emma began, “I am French, Portuguese…”

“I know about your 31 flavors, Em.” I laughed. “You’re the United Nations. I get it.”

“You’re awfully catty this morning, Jay,” Emma said. “Where’s my normal happy Jayden?”

I feigned a smile. “I’m not catty, Em. I was just playing with you.”

I could feel Emma’s blue-gray’s on me before she asked, “Is it about the doctor visit? Are
you nervous?”

“Not really,” I lied. “What, he’s going to tell me—I’m fat? That’s pretty obvious.”

“Jayden,” Emma said in her stern voice.

I focused on the road.

“Something could be seriously wrong, Jay,” Emma whispered. She reached a tiny, perfectly manicured hand to me and rested it on my arm.

“I doubt it.”

“You have that limp and soreness in your leg for how long?”

“How about we wait to hear what Dr. Cavanaugh has to say?”

Emma crossed her arms and replied, “Fine.”

After seconds of the most awkward silence ever, she added, “Did you eat breakfast this morning?”

I shook my head no.

“Have time for breakfast?”

“Some.”

“Look, I’m sorry if I was a bit harsh, okay?” Emma said. “I love you, and I want you to be okay.”

“I know. I’m not mad at you.”

“So, can I treat you to breakfast?”

“Sure.”

“How about KD’s?”

I pulled into the left lane and turned at the intersection.

“KD’s will do.” I already knew I would get the big breakfast with orange juice. I’d throw in the comment that I would probably skip lunch because of the doctor and my counseling appointment after that. A big breakfast was okay if it counted for two meals. Yeah, that’s what I’d tell her if her eyebrow shot up at my order request.

Has Anyone Seen My Groove?

Yes, I have lost my writing groove in a major way. A part of it I blame on work and related activities. This summer, I'm teaching two research writing classes, I'm visiting area libraries for a teen reading program, I'm tutoring a young lady, I'm co-writing an academic textbook on research writing, I'm helping with last minute tasks for our LA Academy (a grant I work on through the uni)...and these are just the things related to my job. If I threw in my tasks as an adult, a sister, a "mothering" figure, and a friend (who is in the process of losing two best friends as they move out of state), I would begin weeping and probably never write again.

Usually, writing is my refuge; it's my reason for being. It may sound funny and to some, a bit sad, but I will go to my grave believing part of my purpose for being "here" is to write and to share that writing with others through publication. So imagine what it might be like to believe you exist partially to write and yet the writing won't come.

About a week or so ago, I began work on a new story idea. For a while, I battled all the desperate feelings in my head about what to do next, what can sell, what is a sure-fire hit, and after feeling so desperate, after my agonizing self-hate for not being solo-published yet, I realized that if I don't write what burns in me to write, there is no purpose in writing anyway. With that in my head, I sat and managed to crank out about 4,000 words to a new story that had been churning in my head.

My goal is to push myself to write this book--to push away that desperate need to be published, to push away the jealousy I get when I see friends being published, to push away the pain I feel when yet another editor tells me I don't write black enough despite having a strong story. My goal is to get back to the WORD to write this story as my other stories are being sent to editors. It'll be hard to stay focused because in addition to the above obstacles, my brain is constantly churning out new ideas, which is great, but my twisted brain begins to ponder, "Would this idea be better," which in the end are just questions that put a PAUSE on my current writing.

Every once in a while, I'll share my push to complete a new work. I wrote a novel back in November and spent January through most of March reading and revising and editing. That book is put down and is being sent out. For three months, I've thought about writing, but really haven't done much. Now is that time. I'll need encouragement, so when I post, take time to yell at me, tell me to stop whining and get to writing...I'll need it.


New Project: The Loss of Weight