Interview with Celise Downs

Secrets and Kisses, is a delightful read. Downs has managed to make the trip back to high school very exciting! This tale has Skylar Knight getting tips on kissing, in anticipation of the upcoming "Junior's Only Party." Readers will discover that there's also a mystery involving Kedren Price, the object of Skylar's affections.

Please read the interview below and visit Celise's site.

DT:  I loved the trip back to high school via Secrets and Kisses! How did you come up with the idea for this book?
CD: Thanks! During the 80's, one of my favorite shows used to be "21 Jump Street" with Johnny Depp. The premise of that show was 20-something cops infiltrating high schools to find the bad guy du jour. I thought "What if my character wasn't a cop, but an ordinary person trying to solve his own case?" That's how Kedren Price was created. As for the learning how to kiss part, that was easy. I didn't start dating until I was in college.

I didn't have my first real boyfriend until then as well; not for lack of wanting one earlier, mind you. I was always worried that, when the time for kissing came along, I wouldn't know how to do it right. I didn't want the guy I was dating to think I was a greenhorn with the whole dating thing...even though I was. I was wondering if there was a book on how to kiss, so I went to the library to find out. Lo and behold, there was. And the rest, as they say, is history.

DT: How long did it take you to write Secrets and Kisses?
CD: Two years, off and on. Sometimes I get serious cases of writer's block to the point where I don't write for months on end. At times, it has lasted for a good six months! By then, I wait for the story to "speak" to me. Dialogue, plot, whatever...if I start hearing it in my head, I consider it a sign to jump back in.

Secrets and Kisses by Celise Downs

I think it also took me that long because I had so many ideas for other books, that I dropped this story for a while to start on another one. For the longest time had a small pile of unfinished novels. I finally went back and discarded the ones that made me cringe and finished the ONE that I felt was the best.

DT:  This is a definite must-read for teenagers. How has it been received so far? Is it required reading in any schools? Have you pitched it to any niche groups, such as Girls' Clubs, or juvenile book clubs?
CD: :  The reception has been good so far. It's not required reading in schools, although I'm looking to get into the school libraries. I'm still in the learning process of marketing my books to my niche group...not to mention marketing myself as an author. I'm somewhat of an introvert, so trying to put myself out there can be a scary thing. But I'm working on that.

DT:  Do you have a strong support network? What have you done to market and promote Secrets and Kisses?
CD: I do have a strong support network: family and friends. My boyfriend, Steven, creates my book covers and maintains the graphics on my website: www.GeminiMojoPress.com. I tell him what I want, he draws it up and colors it in Adobe Photoshop. So, my success is his success as well. As far as marketing and promoting..the book came out in March 2004, so it's debut was at our local Book Festival here in Phoenix, AZ in April. I sold 25 copies that day...a few which went to teachers and librarians. I was thrilled.

I conducted my FIRST ever live internet radio interview on Artist First World Radio Network (www.artistfirst.com) on Sept 17th. It was an hour-long segment they have called Authors-First. I was so nervous, but my host, Rafael, was wonderful. He put me at ease and the one hour went by fast. I got world-wide exposure that day, so I hope some good will come of it.

I attended another Book Festival in Prescott, AZ last weekend (Sept 18th), but didn't do as well. I send brochures, bookmarks, postcards, and sometimes review copies to places that request promo items (such as conferences, bookstores, etc). You can find five (5) copies at Maghonay Books in North Charleston, NC (2684 Ranger Dr, North Charleston, NC 29405/843-270-8423) and ten (10) copies at Voices Bookstore in Jennings, MO (6715 W. Florissant Ave Jennings, MO 63136/314-385-0909). I hope to do another signing at our local Tempe Arts Festival December 3-5, 2004. Keep checking back to the website (www.GeminiMojoPress.com) for details on that.

My latest effort, in which I hope will garner more interest from my target audience, is a job at my company, Gemini Mojo Press. I'm looking for teen reviewers, ages 13-18, to review my current releases. This is a strictly voluntary position (no monetary gain), but in exchange for their critique, they will get free books, a free gift, and the review posted on my website. All I ask in return, is that they post the review on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and any other book review posting sites. For more details on this, please go to www.GeminiMojoPress.com/TeenSuite/room4.html.

I've also started a small monthly ezine/newsletter where I encourage teens (ages 13-18) to write articles (on anything they want), share stories, as well as their opinions (movie reviews, new music reviews, book reviews, recipes, make-up tips, fashion tips, health tips, etc). The Teen SuiteZine is a reflection of The Teen Suite...a special section for teens on my website. It's a work in progress---different topics will be added and/or changed---but this is a good way to get your feet wet if you're an aspiring writer.

Whatever you send in will be posted in the monthly ezine/newsletter AND on the website...for a whole month. To sign up, go to: 61747-subscribe@zinester.com and put "subscribe" in the Subject line.I also have an online store where you can purchase merchandise with my company logo emblazoned on apparel and other accessories (if you or someone you know was born under the zodiac sign of Gemini, this would be the site to see). A few months ago, I added a new line called Inspired By...Collection, where you can buy merchandise "inspired by" my novels. To have a look-see, go to: www.cafepress.com/geminimojo.

DT:  Do you plan on a sequel? If so, when may readers expect it?
CD: Not a sequel, per se. However, from my second book, "Dance Jam Productions" (which is available now), my heroine's legal guardian will be a constant presence in my forthcoming teen series, "Draven Atreides: Teenage FBI." Book One, "A Touch of Essence", will be out in June 2005. Hopefully.

DT: Will you care to share an excerpt from Secrets and Kisses?
CD: Readers can check out excerpts from BOTH books at www.GeminiMojoPress.com/books.html. Just click on the pictures to see more details.

DT: Any words of wisdom for aspiring authors?
CD: If writing is what you really want to do, then don't let anyone tell you different. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up, take some writing courses, edit ALOT...maybe even do a few re-writes, and keep your eyes and ears open. The world we live in is both amazing and tragic, but there's always a story to tell.

DT: We here at Blackrefer.com thank you for your time and we wish you continued success!

Interview with Carmel S. Victor

Facing Our Skeletons, shows how far some women will go to keep a relationship. Stella seems to attract all the wrong men as she struggles to find something they can't give. Facing Our Skeletons examines her affairs with Kevin, Michael, and Dev. After years of floating in and out of worthless situations, Stella realizes that her search for love should start with her family, her friends, and her God.

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DT:  Facing Our Skeletons, presented real issues, common to a lot of single women. What inspired you to write this tale?
CSV: I wanted to write a story that involves real individuals in real life situations that every one can identify with in some form and learn from, but that some would rather avoid adressing. Many women go through what Stella went through and just don't talk about it either because they think they're alone or they just don't know how.

DT: Did you do character sketches? How many drafts did you go through before you reached the final draft?
CSV: It took me only three weeks to complete the first draft, by working at it day and night. Yes, I did character sketches of all the characters.

Facing Our Skeletons By Carmel S. Victor

That made the story more interesting, as each character brought something different to the table. I went through four drafts before I was ready to publish.

DT:  I felt sorry for Stella as she drifted in and out of relationships searching for love. Did you base this character on someone you knew? Is any part of your book autobiographical?
CSV: :  Yes. Somewhat. I was able to identify with many of the circumstances that Stella found herself in, as many women experience these same situations. That way I was able to give more weight to the story.

DT:  What motivates you to write? Who are some of your favorite authors?
CSV: I have always wanted to share my knowledge and life experiences with others in order to help, uplift, and encourage them to grow spiritually and emotionally and develop healthier relationship habits, starting with themselves. Some of my favorite authors include Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Michael Baisden.

DT:  What's next for Carmel S. Victor? Any upcoming books?
CSV: I will soon be publishing (by the beginning of next year) a book of poetry and short stories entitled: "Every Day Again: Real Life Through Poetry and Short Stories." It is a compilation of poetry/prose, short stories, and thoughts that reflect every day life. I will also soon be publishing a children's book called "Remembering Mickey," that deals with the loss of a pet. I am currently working on a "knock-out" novel dealing more with external conflicts rather than internal ones.

It will make you say "I thought I knew it all." Also, as a counselor, counseling is another important part of what I do. Right now I am encouraging readers to go to my website and drop me questions relating to relationships and/or drugs and alcohol. My message board is just about completed for this project. Meanwhile, they can just email me.

I am also encouraging readers to sign up for my newsletter, where I share a lot of personal thoughts. Down the line, I am hoping to take writing as far as I can, including writing more novels and poems, and sponsoring upcoming authors and poets.

DT: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
CSV: Be encouraged no matter what phase of your work you're in, especially in situations where you are not feeling inspired or you may be having writer's block. Most importantly, always surround yourself with positive people; that's where a lot of your encouragement will be coming from.

DT: Would you please share an excerpt from Facing Our Skeletons?
CSV: Sure! *The Truth About Dev Comes To Light* Words could not express the heartwrenching pain Stella was feeling from the bottom of her heart to the depths of her soul, the kind of pain that can make a woman want to stay single for the rest of her life.

Stella’s mind raced. She didn’t know what to think or feel. “How could he? How dare he even leave this right here on the table where I can see it. Did he leave it here on purpose? Is he trying to hint something to me?”

Stella felt so hurt she couldn’t even cry. She decided to hide the entire situation from Dev. She didn’t want him to think she went snooping around in his business.

Stella headed toward the bathroom and closed the door, still feeling hopeless. Little did she know that this was only the beginning of her sorrows and of her enlightenment as to whom Dev was.

After Stella brushed her teeth, and as she opened the garbage can to dispose of her dental floss string, she noticed strands of hair that weren’t hers, along with some sanitary napkins. They were definitely not Dev’s either.

At that moment, Stella's entire world collapsed. The more she discovered about Dev, the closer she felt to the brink of a nervous breakdown. At that point, she wanted to die. She needed answers, and she needed them now.

She struggled to take her shower and impatiently headed toward the bedroom where Dev was still lying with his eyes open.

She decided to calmly approach him and ask him a few questions that have been bugging her ever since they first met but she had failed to address for fear of "disrupting the flow" of their relationship.

DT: On behalf of Blackrefer.com I'd like to thank you for this interview. We hope you prosper in all future endeavors!

http://www.carmelsvictor.com