A #BeenSoLong #Interview with Dr. Wasif Masood

Today I'm interviewing Dr. Wasif Masood from the Been So Long Series in anticipation of the release of Been So Long 4. 

CLICK HERE to pre-order it today!!!!

***This interview contains spoilers for those who have not read the other books in the series***

Wasif enters the room with a smile and shakes my hand before settling in his seat. He is tall, thin and strikingly handsome with a neatly-trimmed beard and clad in slacks and an oxford shirt.

Me: Wasif, thanks so much for joining us. How are you?

Wasif: (nods slightly) My pleasure. And I'm great. You?

Me: I'm doing good (Especially with you sitting in front of me. Whew!) well, let's get right to it, shall we?

Wasif: Sure.

Me: The number one question from readers is: When are you going to let Mona go?

Wasif: Well, I have a question for them.

Me: Okay?

Wasif: I'd like to know if they've ever been in love and if so, how easy would it be for them to let it go?

Me: That's a good question. So, you still love her?

Wasif: I don't think you can stop loving someone if you really and truly love them, so yes.

Me: On behalf of reader Shan Mahogany, what's the appeal? In other words, why do you love her?

Wasif: Because being with her makes me happy.

Me: All right, I see.

Wasif: I know you don't get it, but there's a bond between us. A connection I really can't explain myself.

Me: Okay... well, here's the next burning question from readers. A lot of the ladies would like to date you. Are you on the market, so to speak, since you still have feelings for Mona-Lisa?

Wasif: (Flashes me a smile)

Me: You get this a lot, huh?

Wasif: (Chuckles) Um... I do. Just let the ladies know nothing is impossible. I enjoy a good date from time to time.

Me: They'll be glad to hear that. So, reader Sharyn Gray wants to know what made you want to lead a double life?

Wasif: (Furrows his brow) Double life?

Me: I think she's referring to you continuing your relationship with Mona during your marriage.

Wasif: (Lifts brows)  Oh? Well... It wasn't a conscious decision. I loved her and needed her. I-uh-couldn't let her go.

Me: I see. What about your wife?

Wasif: Ex-wife.

Me: I'm sorry, ex-wife. Did you consider her feelings?

Wasif: (Frowns) Of course I did. I never threw anything in her face. I respected her.

Me: Do you think you respected Mona?

Wasif: I have always given her the utmost respect! What is this, anyway? An interview or an interrogation? (He has raised his voice and is visibly angry.)

Me: I'm sorry if I've upset you. I'm simply trying to understand. And I'm trying to help the readers understand.

Wasif: Can we move on?

Me: Sure. Ms. Mahogany asks: Did you get engaged to Ann just to make Mona jealous?

Wasif: (Eyes widen) What? No, I genuinely cared about her and wanted things to work out.

Me: But they didn't?

Wasif: No, unfortunately. She's moved on. I'm happy for her.

Me: Good. Another question from Ms. Mahogany--

Wasif: She asks a lot of questions.

Me: (I chuckle) Yes, she does. This time she wants to know how your relationship with your parents is, specifically your father?

Wasif: Things could be better with my father. My mother and I are as close as we can be,

Me: How are your kids?

Wasif: They're good, great. Look, I didn't mean to raise my voice earlier, but it felt like I was being made out to be the bad guy or something. I'm not. You can't choose who you love. I made the best of a bad situation. I didn't run from my responsibilities.

Me: What about Corey?

Wasif: (Straightens in his chair) What about him?

Me: Do you think you've treated him fairly?

Wasif: What is that supposed to mean? He shouldn't even be in our lives. He took Mona from me, I--(shakes his head) this is not what I came here for. We're supposed to be talking about Been So Long 4.

Me: Um... Okay, what do you want to tell the readers about Been So Long 4.

Wasif: (Looking a bit defeated) Read it. Just... Read it.


Get caught up with the series before part 4 drops!!
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/adriennethompson
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/adrienne-thompson

Order of the Been So Long Series:
Rapture
If
Been So Long
Little Sister
Been So Long 2
Been So Long III
September

A #BeenSoLong Interview- Corey Sanders

In anticipation of the upcoming release of Been So Long 4 (CLICK HERE to pre-order), I'm posting a series of character interviews for your reading pleasure. First up is Corey Sanders. 

***WARNING: this interview contains major spoilers for those who haven't read the other books in the series!!!!***

Here goes!

Corey enters the room wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His clothes fit him well, maybe a little too well, because I find myself staring at him as he approaches me to shake my hand. I stand, and his huge hand engulfs mine. He's a hulking man with defined muscles that are clearly evident through his clothes. He is also very handsome. We take our seats and he smiles, revealing even white teeth.


Me: Well, Corey, how are you this morning?

Corey: Great, blessed to be here. How are you?

Me: I'm great. So good to see you. (Dang, he is fine!) So, let's get started. My readers have some interesting questions for you. Are you ready?

Corey: I'm always ready.

Me: (Somebody bring me a fan!) Okay, first question, How's your family?

Corey: (Relaxes in his chair) We're good. Living, loving, making it.

Me: Specifically, how's your wife, Mona-Lisa?

Corey: (Smiles) She's still Mona. She's hard to love, but I love her nonetheless.

Me: Inquiring minds want to know why you love her so much.

Corey: I honestly don't know myself. I just know I do. I love her with all my heart.

Me: Okay... here's a question from Arlisha Myrie: Are you still dealing with PTSD? If so, how are you coping with it?

Corey: (Straightens his posture and runs his hand over his neatly-cut hair) Well, yes... I'm still dealing with it. Um, I think it's something I'll always have to cope with, but with God's help I'm doing much better. I'm managing my anger. I'm proud of the progress I've made.

Me: I'm so glad to hear that! A lot of us were really worried about you.

Corey: Yeah... so was I. But God is good and faithful. He brought me through.

Me: Amen! How are you physically? Still recovering from your injury?

Corey: Oh, I'm healthy. Don't I look healthy to you?

Me: Hells, yeah! I mean, yes. You look great.

Corey: (Chuckles) Thanks.

Me: You are very welcome. Okay, Corey, here's another question from Ms. Myrie. How did you feel when you found out you actually fathered one of Mona's twins? Were you angry that it was kept from you for so long?

Corey: (Drops his head a bit, stares at his hands in his lap for a moment, then looks up at me.) To be honest, I was mad as hell. And at the same time, I was happy, grateful to know I had a child. I wanted to stomp a hole in Dr. Masood when Mona told me he knew all along, though, Shoot, I still want to beat him down for it. It was unfair as hell for him to do that to me! (Clenches fists) I almost missed out on Morgan's entire childhood. If he was here right now, I'd—

Me: Um, I see you're still angry.

Corey: Angry? Naw, I'm way past angry. I'm saved but God's still dealing with me on that one. That was foul. (He mumbles something I can't make out and then rather abruptly stands from his chair and leaves the room.)

Me: (I sit there and wonder if I should leave, too. Like, is the interview over? I'm nervously looking over my notes when he returns. This time, Mona is with him and takes a seat next to him.)

Corey: Um, sorry about that.

Me: It's okay. Are you-are you ready to move on?

Corey: (Grabs Mona's hand) Yes, I am.

Me: Okay. Hi, Mona. Thanks for joining us.

Mona: (Rubs her free hand over her and Corey's joined ones) No problem. I'm here to support Corey. (Leans over and kisses him)

Corey: (Smiles.)

Me: Okay. Here's another question: (I clear my throat) Is it hard playing a fatherly role to Wasif's sons knowing Mona still loves Wasif? (I drop my eyes and brace myself)

Mona: (Gasps softly) Mutters: Oh, hell.

Corey: I love kids, always have, I've also always wanted a family. Mona gave me that and I'm thankful. Is it hard to love Blair and Sahib? No, they're great kids, respectful. And they love me as much as I love them. They make fatherhood easy. Say what you want, but Mona is a good mother and she raised the twins to be good men.

Me: (I smile.) That's beautiful.

Corey: Thanks. As for the second part of that question, about Mona loving Wasif—

Me: You don't have to address that. (I don't want to witness another outburst)

Mona: (Looks like she wants to run from the room.) Thank God.

Corey: No, I'll address it. She loves me. I love her. That's all I'm concerned about.

Mona: (Seems to relax a bit)

Me: (Phew!) Thanks for sharing. So, Corey, can you tell the readers which of the books in the Been So Long series is your favorite?

Corey: I'd say the first one.

Me: Why?

Corey: Because that's when Mona and me reunited and became a family. I had been waiting for that for a long time.

Mona: (Leans in and whispers something in his ear)

Corey: (Flashes her a grin)

Me: All right, last question. What can readers expect from Been So Long 4?

Corey: Drama. What else?


Get caught up with the series before part 4 drops!!
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/adriennethompson
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/adrienne-thompson

Order of the Been So Long Series:
Rapture
If
Been So Long
Little Sister
Been So Long 2
Been So Long III
September

Follow Me!!

BACK TO SCHOOL SALE BLAST AND #GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO THE BACK TO SCHOOL SALE BLAST! 

Click on any of the below book covers to be taken to the page that has more information on the novel as well as the Buy Links! Please make sure to scroll down as each page will consist of many titles in that same genre!

Novels with a FREE Promotion!

   

   

Novels on sale at $0.99!

    

   

  

   

   

   

Novels on sale at $1.99 and above!

   

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#GuestPost - Ten Tips For Becoming A Better Writer By Yasmin Shiraz

Ten Tips For Becoming A Better Writer

By Yasmin Shiraz

1. Commit to reading at least 24 books a year. In 2014, I set a goal to read 100 books in a year. What did I discover? The more I read, the more I wanted to write. And, it immediately improved my writing because I was learning new writing styles by the types of books that I had read.

2. Find 3 writers who you really like and then critique their work identifying why you like them. When I recently completed this exercise, I found myself drawn to Richelle Meade. She wrote the Vampire Academy series. I like her ability to tell a full story while at the same time prompting you to want to find out what happens in the next book.

3. Incorporate some of the styles of your favorite writers into your work. Think of it as imitating Picasso. After reading Richelle Meade’s Vampire Academy novels, I incorporated that kind of storytelling when I wrote the Devious, and Secrets books which are part of the Tisha Ariel Nikkole Series. The style allowed me to complete one story while leaving the audience begging for the next installment.

4. Take a writing class. I’ve taken several writing classes over the years. Writing classes teach you technique but also teach you to see your blindspots. In my first screenwriting class, I learned about making strong opening scenes for my screenplays. It helped me to set a clear tone for my screenplays.

5. Join a writer’s group where you’re able to read other people’s work. Notice the strengths in other people’s writing. Reading the work from strong writers really helped me to become a better writer.

6. Find a good editor to work with who gives constructive criticism and takes some ownership in your work. I’ve worked with at least two great editors in my life.  When the editor is more of a partner than a hired gun, they truly care about the end result.

7. Use writing prompts. Many writers suffer from writers block. I have found that using writing prompts helps to clear blocks. Many free writing prompts are available all over the internet.

8.  Read books on writing like for example: How to build better characters, writing mastery, etc.

If you are struggling in a particular area like writing dialogue, or creating characters, read a book on it. You’d be surprised how much you can learn.

9. Read at least ten books from the NY Times Best Seller list every year. I do not believe that the best books written every year are automatically on the NY Times Best Seller list but a lot of them are. Seeing what is considered ‘the best’ is a great shot in the arm so you can know what to aim for.

10. Get a library card from your local library. Every serious writer needs a library card because writers need to be reading as much as writing and books can be expensive. The more you read, the better you write. 

       Yasmin Shiraz is the author of  more than ten books including the best seller, Exclusive and the American Library Association Award Winning Book, Retaliation. She is a full time screenwriter and author. She actively runs trivia contents, video chats and more on her Facebook page: Bit.ly/FBYasmin

More About The Author

Yasmin Shiraz is an author, filmmaker, speaker and activist. She uses her passion for life to fuel her books, documentaries, speaking engagements and social activities. She’s spoken at over 100 colleges, universities, middle schools and high schools as well as non-profit organizations. 

She’s an award winning Writer/ Director and enjoys producing work on youth and community issues. By day, she’s the President of Still Eye Rise Media and runs the Yasmin Shiraz website.

About The Book

When a teen girl discovers her brother has been shot, she learns  firsthand about loyalty. Should her brother be more loyal to her or the gang members he's so eager to impress?

Purchase Link

Amazon

Connect Socially

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Tour hosted by WNL Book Tours 

Follow The Tour