Insure Success Member Spotlight Interview : Author "Jamillah Johnson" Talks Writing, Passion, & Career!

Insure Success Member Profile Link: http://insuresuccessforall.net/profile/Jamillah?xg_source=profiles_...

This week in Insure Success' Member Spotlight, we interview member, Author/Writer "Jamillah Johnson." Enjoy!

1. At what age did you know you wanted to become a writer? Were there any signs?

I knew when I was 8 years old that I wanted to be a writer. That was the age I became consumed with magazines like Fresh, Right On, and Black Beat. I didn't know how I would do it, but I knew I wanted to write. It wasn't until 8th grade that I had the opportunity to start writing short stories as part of an English class. My classmates and I had to read and edit each other's stories and give feedback. I remember everyone being creative and bringing something different to the table. But one week I decided I write a letter to the editor of the Philadelphia Daily News because of a story they ran about Tupac Shakur. The paper published it and that experience instilled in me that words have power.

How did your writing differ from your peers?

I fell in love with film at young age. It started with Molly Ringwald and Michael J. Fox. But when I started seeing Spike Lee and other young black filmmakers in the early 90s writing and directing films, thats what I wanted to do. By the time I reached my senior year of high school, I decided to pursue sports management because my dream job was becoming NBA commissioner. I knew I could always write and if I made enough money get into the film business (laughs).

2. What does writing mean to you? How important is it to you? What do you hope to accomplish when you write?

For me writing means storytelling. I think the main part of being a writer is being a good storyteller. Writing keeps me sane. Its a creative outlet that can never be taken away from me. I feel like I owe it to my ancestors to write as much as I can because so much of our history involves depriving people of the right to even learn how to read and write. So its definitely important to leave your mark in the world in some shape or form. When I write I just hope that readers get something out of it, whether its just information about an event, or a fresh perspective of an issue.

3. What is the goal and aspirations of "The Black Magnolia Society"?

"The Black Magnolia Society" is a movie idea that turned into a book series. If this ever becomes a film project, every Black actress would have a job, seriously. I read a lot of books and I wanted to read something that told the story of wealth and affluence in the Black community instead of the typical "girl meets drug dealer" story. While I do enjoy those stories too, because a few of them are great books, I wanted to bring something different to the table.

4. What is your writing process?

My writing process starts with a notebook. I brainstorm all of my characters and the storylines. I usually write everything out first in my notebook and then type it on the computer filling in the blanks as I go along. A lot of times I can be in the middle of writing one book and another story will come to me. That's how the process was with "The Black Magnolia Society" and "Queens of the South". With my latest book, "More Than A Woman", which is the sequel to "The Black Magnolia Society", the process took some time because the first book ended with a cliffhanger and there was a two and half year wait to find out what happened. But that's the process of writing, sometimes it just flows and other times there is extreme blockage.

5. In your novel "Queens of the South," there is an underlying message that teaches "Success does not always equal happiness." Did something happen in your personal life, that you felt the need to convey this life lesson in your work? What made you want to convey this message?

I think everyone will experience a "aha moment" when you realize what you wanted isn't all its hyped up to be. In this story, which is set in Miami, these women possess what most people think is having it all: beauty, brains, wealth, men, but none of them are completely happy due to unresolved issues from their past. One of the book's standout characters is Malacca Hilson. She's the most talked about during book discussions. She's a young woman who gets expelled from college and her parents practically disown her. So she's left to fend for herself in St. Louis. Eventually she lands at a model casting call in Miami and works her way up to being the top video model in the entertainment industry. This is a girl that wanted to be a doctor, but due to one mistake it led her down another road. So many young girls think being in videos or appearing in magazines is a career, but if you don't make the right moves it can prove to be disastrous.

6. How does your writing differ from other authors?

I think it differs because I bring a different twist. I've coined it "Sophisticated Urban Chick Lit" because I give you the rawness of the streets you can find in the urban/street literature genre mixed with the girly emotions you tend to encounter in chick lit (laughs). I tend to write from the standpoint of knowing people that come from all walks of life, so I try to infuse that into my writing. I love diversity, so one of my lead characters is in an interracial relationship. I also love history, so "The Black Magnolia Society" starts in 1936 telling the story of the founding members before picking up in present day. I felt that it was important to include. My generation of writers really don't venture into the past. Maybe the major publishers think it won't sell, I really don't know the reason. But since I self-publish, so I have creative freedom.

7. Last words? Upcoming projects or works?

Look out for my next novel in Spring 2012. I'm also looking for any production companies interested in producing a film project. I think its time the Black Magnolias came to life visually. Also next year is the 5th anniversary of my blog Hip Hop Moguls, so make sure you check out the site to stay in the loop. Outside of writing, I'm working on a new project with Etophia Lane, The Bizness Girl, called #100BusinessGirls, a series of networking events for women entrepreneurs and professionals in creative fields. Follow @100BusinessGrls (no "i" in Girls) on Twitter. You can also follow me @jaisuccessful on Twitter and find me on LinkedIn. I also want to mention my other creative compadres, Sommer Lawal, she's definitely a writer to watch, and Waheedah Alford of Why PR and Marketing.

Author page: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/anisahtrue

Blog: http://hiphopmoguls.blogspot.com

Company Blog: www.signaturestylepromotions.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jaisuccessful

www.signaturestylepromotions.com

www.literarycandybooks.com

http://theblackmagnoliasociety.tumblr.com

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