Welcome to Fiery Friday!
My very first guest for the Fiery Friday feature is Tiana Laveen. Tiana Laveen is a uniquely creative and innovative author whose romance fiction is geared towards those who not only want to temporarily escape from the daily routines of life, but also delve into social taboo as it pertains to interracial relationships. Tiana creates a painting with words as she guides her reader into the lives of each and every main character.
Welcome, Tiana. I'm glad to have you as my first Fiery Friday featured author! So tell me, What
do you feel is critical to developing a novel that will glue the reader’s ebook
device in their hands until the last page?
Women
relate to women and, more often than not, we’re left shaking our heads at men. As
a woman, how do you write your male characters in their point of view and make
them the hot alpha heroes us romance readers fall in love with?
This
is the interesting thing because I prefer to write from the male voice. I have
always been more comfortable in that format, I feel I can relate better to that
even though I’m obviously a woman. I think in part, it is because I have always
had mostly men as friends, and there is just an understanding there so when I
write from the male POV, I look at it as ME – just my alter ego, because that
is how I really feel. I understand men, more than I understand myself
sometimes, lol – so it isn’t a labor or difficult for me to do. If I were a man
and had a ‘wish list’, I’d want to be an alpha. I get ‘into character’ and go
from there.
Why
romance? Do you believe it exists in the real world?
Yes,
I do and romance chose me, I didn’t chose it. I was writing and soon discovered
that about 75% of my poems and stories were romance driven. It just happened.
It wasn’t a conscious decision.
What
is your idea of the perfect hero? Heroine?
I don’t really think there is a
perfect hero or heroine because I believe each one should be treated
differently. Now, there are some people that want the same type of hero and
heroine in each piece they write and/or read, and that is simply a matter of
preference. I’d say my only consistency is that I don’t like there to be lack
of growth in a character. Not all characters change or grow the way we may want
them too, or the reader wants them to, but there needs to be something in them
that has evolved. For me personally, that is paramount. I have no desire to see
tough cookie heroines all the time from start to finish and hero’s that don’t
care about anything and only think about how to use someone. I think you can
have an alpha that is hard-lined and edgy, without making him unlikable and you
can have a strong woman/heroine, that cries and gets weak sometimes. I like her
to be a ‘real woman’ in that regard. No, she doesn’t have to be whiny and weak
throughout the book, but hell, things happen! I’m not into ‘Superhero/heroines’
as far as from the start to finish. If they are that way in the end, awesome,
but I need more dimension than that. I know the novels are often times for
escapism, but to me, that is the semblance of reality that I need. The
characters need to be identifiable and tangible. No one grows into adulthood
without shedding a tear or two over a romantic situation that left them twisted...
If
you had access to a time machine, what year would you travel to and why?
1978 or 1979. I absolutely love the 70s,
especially in an urban environment and I believe that I was simply ‘meant to be
there’. It is a time when people respected each other more, there was still a
sense of respect for one another. Crack cocaine had not hit the scene,
destroying families, etc. There was cultural awareness without trying to tear
another group down as much. I love the freedom, the clothing, the music, the
décor – and I hope that when I die, I’m allowed to ‘be there’ as a young adult
in some other dimension, enjoying myself to the fullest.
If
you could have dinner with any three people in the world, who would they be and
why?
Hmmm,
well, you didn’t say living or deceased, so I’ll answer both, lol. Zora Neale
Hurston – she is my favorite author. She was innovative and terribly
misunderstood as a writer. I’d want to interview her. I like that she wrote
things that weren’t popular at that time, but didn’t care – she wrote from the
heart, not for reviews, praise etc. I look up to her for that. My grandfather
(deceased) He was an editor and civil rights leader and one of my favorite
people. He was a black man that loved to write and read – it was in my blood
and I’d love to have one more chat with him. As far as living people, I’d say Queen
Latifah – I look at her as a Renaissance woman and pioneer. She is
multi-talented and seems like a ‘good person’ and I tend to gravitate towards
positive people, especially people I can learn from.
Who
is you favorite character that you’ve created and why?
Saint Aknaten. He is
dynamic, loud, obnoxious, funny but strong, sexy and smart – and I love that
combination. And...he practically wrote his own books. I didn’t have to do
much, he took care of everything, lol.
You
wake up one morning and realize you’re suddenly a kid again, but you remember
everything about being an adult. What advice would you give yourself?
Oh boy,
several things! First, take your time with love and things aren’t as bad as
they seem. Focus on what you love, and try your best, to be the best you can be
at it. Don’t waste your time on people who really don’t care about you nor wish
you the best in life, you’re worth more than that.
Did you have a predetermined plan when you began
your writing career and, if so, has that plan changed since your books have
been released?
I’ve written since I was a tiny little girl, and ironically,
I’ve been writing erotica since I was in the fifth grade, as perverted as that
may sound, lol. I wrote all sorts of things, but for some odd reason, I had a
strange preoccupation with topics that a child wasn’t ‘supposed’ to be thinking
about. All of this stayed in my mind, however – I wasn’t ‘acting out’ but I
lived in a fantasy land so I always knew I’d love to be a published author, but
I didn’t think that would ever happen. I actually went to college for
marketing, and got my BA in business communication. I have a certification for
Human Sexuality, however, lol – and it proved to be helpful when I write. None
of it was planned – I simply had a friend who was published, we were talking on
facebook, one thing led to another and here I am. Now that it is happening
however, I know that this is what I was always supposed to be doing. Before
hand, I had notebooks, boxes and then my computer – chock full of stories, and
some full length books. Now, I can share them with the public.
Aspiring
authors are always eager to hear advice. What would you say to them?
It is important to do your research
regarding the business end of this. I thought I was business savvy, well I am
as it pertains to corporate America but to the writing world? Not so much. I
had a baptism by fire. Some rather unsavory things happened that gave me a woke
up call and I now know but here is my general rule(s) of thumb:
1. Get an editor. Yes, friends and
relatives that are ‘great at English/grammar’ are a plus, for a second set of
eyes, but it is imperative that someone with a trained eye for also content
issues (duplicity, etc.) have your manuscript before it is submitted anywhere.
You’d be surprised what will be found that we as the author, completely
overlooked and it could make an otherwise good piece of work sink like
quicksand, without the help. With that said though, keep the storyline you want
to keep – fight for it if you have too. If you’re adamant about something,
don’t be bulldozed but a great editor is key to polishing your piece and
weeding at some things that make it less enjoyable for a reader. My first
novels didn’t have that and though I still believe they are good pieces, if I
had had an editor, I could have avoided a few pitfalls. NOTE: I did get an
editor for my third novel and beyond, but had to go through many before I had
found the right fit. Even professional editors many times have editors, so that
should tell some writers that it truly is a necessity.
2. You have to be dedicated. This cannot
be something you do one or two hours a week. There is not a day that goes by
that I’m not writing, researching for a WIP I am writing or thinking about how
to work out a difficult scene. I have two small children and a husband as well
as other obligations, but I still know it has to be done and more importantly,
I WANT to do it. Talent without drive stays in park.
3. There will be people who want you to
fail. Accept it, it comes with the territory. If you’re feelings are hurt
easily – then get ready to lose your mind. There are trolls, negative writers
who become jealous of other’s success and scan the web to slam people (may
sound silly, but it is true, albeit pathetic) and simply people that are ‘hard’
readers who will say things about your novel, some of which may be true, but
their delivery is acidic and has fangs. It isn’t meant to actually help you, it
is created to hurt you – don’t let it. Keep in mind, they don’t know you
personally (usually) – and it isn’t about YOU, it is about your book and the
responses and emotions that it has fueled. There is a difference from this, and
what I like to call, ‘positive criticism’ which actually is written or said to
you, to aid you as an author. Every single one of us need to be told how to
improve or we will be slower to develop but as far as the ‘impure motive group’,
don’t give them the time of day. Don’t respond to the foolishness if you happen
to see it – it just spurs them on and you end up looking like someone that
can’t take the heat – when all you may have been doing was trying to explain or
correct false information. Don’t do it – that’s what they want. Don’t let anyone
stop you from honing your craft and doing what you love because people will
try, especially if you get any sort of positive praise. It’s not a matter of IF
it happens, it is a matter of WHEN and at the end of the day, you write because
you LOVE it – remember that.
Now for the hot stuff :)
What’s
your favorite sexual position? Many of them, I have no specific favorite but I
do like face to face contact to write about it as well as experience. The
intimacy level for this is off the charts.
Have
you ever had to step away from the computer for some much needed air during or
after an erotic scene? Yes, yes and yes!
What’s
inside the drawer of your nightstand? (If you don’t have a nightstand, what
would be in your drawer?) Oh my...lol
There are flavor water packets, some of my books (I sometimes need to go
back and re-read something for a sequel), scissors, lip gloss, a bunch of old
receipts that need to be thrown out, salt and pepper (yes, I sometimes eat in
bed, lol) a bullet (yeah...the sexual kind), a dirty sex card game and odds and
ends that no one gives a damn about.
What’s
the sexiest thing you’ve done in the name of research? Interview a male porn
star.
Does
size really matter? Yes, but it is not everything. Girth is more important than
length but even more important than that – if he doesn’t know how to ‘use it’,
it doesn’t matter if he has 8 or 9 inches and it’s wide as a doorknob, it will
not be pleasurable.
Thanks Tiana!
Dr. Saint Aknaten is
anything but ordinary. From his unique ethnic makeup, the product of a North
Korean mother and Egyptian father, to his career as a sex therapist and public
speaker, his life is filled with excitement, tragedy, oddities, and lust-filled
company. He hails from New York City, but his influence doesn’t stop there.
Saint is internationally known. Toggling between holistic ideologies and gritty
X-rated teachings, he captures male audiences everywhere as he preaches his
controversial, racially driven philosophy – that all non-Black men should
pursue Black women. Regardless of his magnetic ability to attract droves of
women wherever he steps foot, Saint is desperately on the hunt for just one
whom he has pet-named his “goddess.” His search comes to an unanticipated end
as he conducts an interview with the outspoken and beautiful radio personality,
Xenia Donnellson, an air-waves sensation from Los Angeles. Making Xenia see
things his way becomes a challenge that he is more than willing to accept.
Xenia succumbs to the hypnotic charms of Saint’s addictive essence, but not
without invisible nemeses hanging in the wind, waiting for a chance to strike.
Saint will do anything and everything to protect his “queen” including
confronting his suppressed fear that he possesses unwanted psychic abilities.
Can Saint overcome all and finally obtain the peace he has long sought after?
Only time will tell.
Excerpt:
“Just when I think you can’t get any weirder.” Xenia
“This tattoo on my back has multiple meanings,” Saint said. “She represents my guardian angel. The chakras running up and down her body represent my sixth sense, my spirituality, and my calling. On the flip side she represents my ‘goddess,’ our connection and love for one another. She’s illustrated on my back, and her placement is perfectly in line with my heart. That means she always has my back, is always in my heart, and I’ll protect her no matter what. She’s you.”
“You’re dead serious,” she finally said as she shook her head in disbelief. “Either you really are crazy, or you’re telling the truth. I’m not certain which just yet.” Saint took her hand and placed it on his heart. Xenia
“You have to give me permission,” he said. “I’ve never attempted this with anyone else, but I want to try.”
“What? What are you talking about?” Xenia
“Keep your hand on my heart. Concentrate. I’m going to put my hand over your heart, too. Ask me a question that you know I wouldn’t know the answer to,” he said.
“Please try,” Saint urged. “Think of your question, and think of the answer very clearly in your mind.”
Saint nodded, “Slow your breathing. Be as calm as you can, then ask me.”
He waited as Xenia
“I’m ready,” she said. “When I was six years old, I had a favorite – something. My mother would try to make me leave it at home, and I’d cry and have a fit if she took it away. What was it?”
Saint closed his eyes and held her hand harder to his chest while he kept his palm over her heart. Xenia
“It was a yellowish, maybe a light-orange, teddy bear with one blue eye and one black button sewn for the other because the other had fallen off and was never found again. Your grandmother had given it to you a couple years before she died unexpectedly, so you became more attached to the teddy bear after her passing. You didn’t understand death, but the teddy bear gave you comfort. You named her ‘Pumpkin.’”
Saint carefully reached over to her face and wiped her tears. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know.”
“Saint I don’t know how to feel about you,” Xenia
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” He took her hand and held it. “I was just trying to show you that I’m for real. This isn’t a game to me. This is my life, this is your life. I wasn’t even sure I could do it. I just felt that I probably could. For all I know, I may only be able to do it with you. I have no idea. I usually just get a feeling. I don’t need to touch anyone or have them touch me. Unless it’s a dream, it isn’t as detailed as what we just experienced. The power of touch and your having an open mind helped me do it.”
“I honestly didn’t think you’d know.”
“Yes, but a part of you wanted me to know, and that helped,” Saint explained. “You wanted me to be right.” He leaned close to her face, rubbing his nose playfully against her cheek as he caressed her chin. Saint lowered his mouth to the side of her neck, gently sucking as he wrapped his arm around her stomach. He finished off with a soft peck. “Just relax for a minute. I’ll order us something to eat. Do you like eggs and turkey sausage?”
‘Mount – mate – afterglow – she’s mine,’ he thought.
And don't miss book 2 of the series When Saint Goes Marching In
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