DAY 1 20,000 WORDS TO GO!!!

So today I start my personal challenge of writing 20,000 words this weekend. I am 'supposed to start in an hour and half but I promise you, it seems as though anything and everything is trying to get in the way. I am not focused at all, so much going on right now I am getting a little worried that I may have to start later this evening...will update.....

Can I Write 20,000 words in two days?

I am going to put myself to the test to see if I can write 20,000 words of my current book this upcoming weekend. Although I am in my first run, I want to try this this weekend. I remember when I was going my MA I would have a 25 or 30 page paper due and would not start on it until the night before. I would always get an A. It seems as though when my mind flows with ideas, I cannot stop.

I figure for me to complete this in two days I will need to follow these simple rules

1. Have a conversation with my children that I need their support this weekend by making sure they take the dogs out and keep the noise down. They have a dance to go to so it will be nice and quiet on Friday evening.

2. Make sure I have enough healthy foods before I get home on Friday. I will need to eat healthy and light so that I will not get tired while writing.

3. Turn my cell phone completely off at 5:00 pm EST Friday.

4.  Write 4,000 words on Friday evening.

5. Saturday I will not take the boys to get haircuts, no normal Saturday cleaning, no yard work. I will get up promptly at 7:00 am  EST to start back writing. (My children are old enough to prepare their own food so they will prepare their food for the weekend).

6. Write 8,000 until approximately 7:00pm EST Saturday. Only stopping for small snacks and bathroom breaks.

7. After 12 hours of non-stop writing, I will take time to lay down and decompress.

8. I will miss church on Sunday to get my last 8,000 words. I will be up again at approximately 7:00am EST.

9. I will end again at 7:00pm EST.

10. At this time, I will have completed my first round. I will give myself a week or so to start reviewing my first run.

This is my idea of how I will write this upcoming weekend. I do know things come up and we may not be able to complete the things we set out to do but I am determined to get this done. I will update this blog beginning Friday (after I complete my designated word count) to let you know how its is or is not going...

Until then, Happy Reading!

Scandal Returning 3 October 2013...

Must-See: 'Scandal' Season 3 Trailer

By Charlene Cooper

12 Comments

Photo Credit: ABC via Getty Images

Gladiators, get excited! ABC has released the season 3 trailer for hit political series, Scandal.
According to Indiewire, the network will air an hour-long special before the first episode of season 3 premieres.
The special, titled Scandal: The Secret is Out, will air on October 3rd at 8pm, and the third season debut of the fiery drama will follow two hours later at 10pm.
Check out the steamy trailer below and let us know if you'll be tuning in.

Courtesy of: http://www.essence.com/2013/09/01/must-see-scandal-season-3-trailer

An Evening With LaeZriah Justice (Black Pearl Magazine)

A little about Lae'Zriah. Black Pearl Magazine Interview:

 

BPM: Tell us about your journey in becoming a successfully published author. Do you have anyone in your life that was heavily influential in your deciding to become an author?

My journey started when I was very young. I would write about anything and everything that came to mind. As a child, I experienced many obstacles, and used writing as my way out of situations. As I got older, the desire to write continued, and I could not do anything without writing. I had never wrote much of anything as far as a story itself, I mainly wrote about things that were going on in my life. After I became open about my childhood situations people kept saying, “You need to write a book about your life.” I did not have a desire to write a book about anything, let alone my life. 

My first influence of actually considering writing was from an English instructor. In the class, we were to write a short story. I procrastinated until an hour before class.  I sat down and the ideas started to flow. Once my instructor read the story she cried. She said it was very vivid and that you could imagine everything. She thought it was actually a true story and asked me to consider writing.

The constant suggestions of my family and friends pushed me to pursue writing. Once I started Dilemmas, I became ecstatic. I realized then that I had a deep desire to become an author, even more than I had ever imagined.   

 

BPM:  How has your writing style evolved over the years? What stimulated your growth the most?  

 

My creative mind bounces around a lot which has me constantly jumping from one situation to the next. I was in middle school and my Home Economics teacher pointed that out to me in a recipe I had written. I did not fully explain how I got from a cracked egg to it being scrambled. She wanted details; did I stir it, was it in a bowl, etc. After that class, I was reading one of my old writings and it struck me, I had no idea how I got from point A to point Z. Her words inspired me and I then began to be more detailed in my descriptions. For instance, were the tree leaves green or orange-brown, did I walk across cobblestones or a flat surface, things like that.

BPM:  What have you realized about yourself since becoming a published author?

 

I realized that I worry too much about what everyone else thinks. In the middle of writing Dilemmas, I felt like, “What if no one likes it, what if people talk bad about me, what if this and what if that.” Then I realized, it’s about me.

 

I sat do to write this book because I have found something I truly enjoy doing. Of course I would love for others to enjoy my books, but whether one person or ten people like it, I am happy with knowing that I have made it this far doing something I truly love.

 

BPM:  Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?

 

The only advice I can give is to make sure you are doing it because you are passionate about it not because you want to make big bucks. Once you realize you want to do it because it is deeply rooted in your heart then DO IT! Put all you have into your work. You will always have the naysayers but keep pushing forward with your goal of becoming a published author. Trust me, you will feel great knowing you accomplished something you really wanted to accomplish.

 

BPM:  Share with our readers the “behind-the-scenes” dish!  Introduce us to your book and the main characters.  Do you have any favorites? What genre is the book? On Kindle or Nook?  

 

My book is called Dilemmas (Part 1). It’s the first of a 3 part series. It’s genre is Fiction/African American/Erotica. The main characters are Maurice, Nedia, Aiden, and Bevelyn.

The book is about a man named Maurice who is sent on an extended mission to retrieve missing information from his rival organization’s former employee, he finds himself falling in love with her. She tries to keep her relationship with Maurice completely sexual, but she finds herself drawn to him as well, not knowing he was actually sent to kill her. Maurice is married to Bevelyn and does not really care for his wife, but because they have children, he has a hard time leaving her. Bevelyn has a slew of secrets she is trying to keep quiet as well. Maurice begins to lose focus on his mission because of his love for his target. After the death of one of their rival organization’s members, things begin to change. Secrets are revealed, things turn upside down. Maurice finds himself caught between his job, his hatred for his wife, his love for his children, his love of sex with all his women, and his love for his mistress. Faced with the reality he is still on a mission to kill his mistress, he finds himself in a…Dilemma.

 

My favorite character is Aiden. She is sneaky, and fierce. She may seem like she is clueless but she is far from it.

 

It is available on Amazon, in both paperback and kindle version, as well Barnes and Noble website.

 

 

BPM:  What compelled or inspired you to write this book? Why now?  Ever experience writers block?

 

My friends and family motivated me to write while my wild imagination about certain situations motivated me to share my thoughts with others. I was curious to know, “Am I the only one, besides my weird friends, who think about intimacy the way I do? Are there others who experience some of the same things, thoughts or ideas?” I wanted to write something juicy and fun.

 

I chose to start now because after the first night of me sitting down throwing ideas together, it became addictive to me.

 

I did experience a little writers block with Dilemmas. I had no clue what was going on with me. I kept saying “Why aren’t the thoughts and ideas not flowing anymore? Why can’t I concentrate? What’s wrong with me?” I went online and researched what was happening to me and realized it was and I am actually experiencing writers block. I couldn’t believe it! I thought only tenured writers experienced it.

 

BPM:  What has been your most difficult hurdle to leap? Marketing, promotions or gaining media exposure, etc. How can EDC Creations and our readers help you?

 

I would have to say marketing, gaining exposure and marketing in that order. Writing, getting it edited and publishing were the easy parts. Marketing and getting your name out there is a beast, especially when you have absolutely no clue where to start, or who to go to. I constantly search online day in and day out for information on how to market and gain exposure. I’m talking until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning sometimes. I am open to any and every thought and idea from EDC and all the readers.

 

BPM:  We are here to shine the spotlight on your new book, but what's next?  Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. How may our readers follow you online? 
 

I am currently working on a book called Tangled. It’s about a woman who has some psychological issues and creates situations that are not actually occurring.  However, the real situations she is somewhat clueless about. She has the ideal marriage, and a conniving best friend. Her past begins to catch up with her when she feels betrayed and commits some unthinkable acts. Lots of twists and turn in this book, much like Dilemmas. This books should be out by the spring.

 

Readers can find me at:

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/laezriah.justice

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laezriahjustice

Website: www.laezriahjustice.com

 

Purchase or download your copy of Dilemmas (Part 1) today at amazon:

http://amzn.to/10t42UP

 

 

BPM:  Thank you, Lae’Zriah, for sharing a little bit about yourself, your journey and your book with our readers!

No, Thank you for having me! It has been my pleasure

Radio Interview Monday 26 August @ 8pm EST

Join me on Monday, August 26th at 8:00 pm EST for my FIRST live interview on BAN Radio with Ella D. Curry
You can either log on the website at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network or you can call 646-200-0402 to join the live conversation.

~Lae'Zriah

This Writers Block may be a thing of the past....for now

So, I woke up early this morning, 17 Aug 2013, at about 6:30 am. I decided I would try and start writing again. I dibbled and dabbled, between checking my Facebook, Twitter and marketing associates. Finally around 2:00pm the urge to type non-stop hit me! The ideas started to flow again and I became excited. In my burst of thoughts, I even came up with two more titles. It seems when I'm elevated like I am right now, there is not enough time in the day for me to get all of my thoughts and ideas on paper.

Well, I'm off to writing again, Happy Weekend!

Don't forget my first book Dilemmas (Part 1) is available on Amazon. Grab your copy today!

http://amzn.to/10t42UP
http://amzn.to/14aJXoE

Trying to Write through the block!

So I have hit this serious writers block. I'm thinking it's because I have so much going on at this point. Kids back to school, changes and reorganization at work, and trying to find the right avenues to promote my first book. I am almost burned out. I sat down to begin Tangled...again and my mind went blank. I don't know how long this will last but I can't wait for it to be over. I really miss laying in my bed at night thinking about all the intimacy I write about. Feeling a little tickle when describing the scenes as I write them. One thing is or certain, when I get over this block, I will have enough intimacy for everyone. ;)