I WROTE A MONOLOGUE IN 2014 FOR “LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER.” CHECK OUT MY PERFORMANCE!
- I always had a bit of a flare when it came to writing. However, I didn’t truly realize this gift until my mom passed away in 2013. In hindsight, I was destined to become an author because of my childhood. I grew up feeling like an only child. As the youngest of 5, all of my siblings were out of the house before I completed elementary school. I wrote and illustrated my first book when I was 8 years old. My first book was about a middle class wolf family who appeared to look human, but exhibited wolf features. I created books using construction paper, colored pencils, crayons, notebook paper and a stapler. Amusingly, my books were dramatic, yet simplistic with a plot twist.
- When I was younger, I’d spend my Saturdays watching cartoons and kung fu theatre. During this time, I discovered a Bruce Lee movie, Enter the Dragon. I was a huge fan of Bruce Lee, but unbeknownst to me, by the time I was watching his films, he had passed away years earlier in 1973. Because of my love of kung fu, I’ve always marveled at manga artwork. I later discovered the movie Ponyo, which is one of my favorite fantasy movies. The illustrations for Grandma’s Love are manga inspired.
- I’m an introvert, which propels me to be an inward and imaginative thinker. Although I have a few extroverted tendencies (with people I know very well), I enjoy my quiet time alone to recharge. Being isolated during the quarantine gave me an opportunity and permission to make myself a priority and be in a creative space to write more than usual.
- My favorite poem is Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou. Still I Rise never gets old. Every time I read it, I feel so empowered.
- I am a superior baker. Two desserts that I bake from scratch are rum cakes and sweet potato pies. I even sold a couple at one point in my life, but not like Pattie LaBelle! My mom taught me how to bake. Also, I make a delicious lasagna, and my seafood deviled eggs are amazing. People hide take-home plates at gatherings because they are so good.
- One of the most challenging and yet rewarding things I’ve ever done was birth a child. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but my son motivated me to pursue becoming a Children’s book author.
- One of my favorite physical activities is roller skating. I like to skate on traditional quads. When I skate to good music, I zone out. Skating is a great stress reliever.
- I love the Caribbean Islands.
- My favorite insect is the praying mantis because it’s fascinating, beautiful, and peculiar at the same time. Have you ever looked a praying mantis in the eyes? If you ever get an opportunity, get up close to one and walk around it. The praying mantis will not move its body, but it will move its head slowly to watch your every move. These stealth creatures are believed to be symbols of patience and peace. I am also a peaceful, patient, and observant person. Looking back, in the introduction to Bruce Lee’s Enter The Dragon, praying mantises were shown fighting to foreshadow a style of Chinese Martial Arts.