Author Sonya Lindsay grew up in Chester, PA. She began her writing experience by doing a blog online. As readers engaged into her writing, many gave great feedback by showing more interest in a possible book. She quickly began working on her first novel, Penetration for the Mind, which is a collection of fictional erotic short stories. Ever since Sonya was a teenager, she enjoyed reading which included authors such as Omar Tyree, Eric Jerome Dickey, Terry McMillan and Zane to name a few. Their books were like movies and each page kept the reader wanting more. The first book by an African American writer she owned was FLY GIRL.

She fell in love with the character because she saw a reflection of herself as a young woman starting college. Sonya enjoyed each authors’ ability to write about more than just relationships, but also their books brought mysteries and suspense mixed with love and sex. Her own inspiration to write comes from personal experiences and fantasies as well as certain situations that can be seen on TV and social media. Many people today use social media as an outlet to express their thoughts. She uses her writing in ways to express her thoughts and to be more open. Her personality can be very shy and quiet so writing allows her to let any insecurities take a back seat. The characters in her writing are created from the point of view of the readers.

She wants the readers to be able to picture themselves as the woman or man in the stories and for the character to come to life in their minds. Even inspire them to be more open and creative within their own lives and sexual experiences. Author Sonya Lindsay is currently writing erotic love and relationship fictional stories but would like to expand her writing to mystery/suspense fictional genres. Check out her website authorsonyalindsay.wix.com/author.

You can connect with Sonya through her website, as well as, on Facebook.com/AuthorSonyaLindsay 

Twitter: @sones310 

Instragram: @sones310

 

1) First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me!  When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most? 

Thank you for considering me for this opportunity. I have always been a writer since I was in middle school when I first began writing in a journal. It was a way to communicate my feelings and I kept one until I was in college. Years later during a separation from my ex-husband, I began to write again but this time my writing was more fictional as a way to escape my emotional issues. I learned then how much I loved writing. Writing to me was an outlet. I always enjoyed reading and I thought to myself I have so many thoughts why not put them on paper. Writing can be very therapeutic. However, the difficult thing about writing is writer’s block. I always heard about writer’s block and never thought it was a serious issue until I experienced it myself. You can sit in front of a computer or note bad and nothing comes to mind. There could be multiple reasons a person experiences this, but it is a real issue with writers.

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you?

I currently have 2 books published, Penetration for the Mind (2016) and Mind Games (2017). They are book a group of short stories. Each book entails different characters, different relationship scenarios, and follows couples on love, lust, heartbreak, and sometimes dangerous relationship issues. I have my books available on multiple book outlets such as Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, Nook, Kindle, iTunes Bookstore, and Books2Read.com (ebooks). Basically, just about anywhere online you can purchase books you will find me. Amazon and Barnes and Noble have my hardcopies available.                                              

3) What projects are you currently working on?

I am currently working on my first full novel about a wife in a loveless relationship only to stay for the money her multi-millionaire husband has, just to cheat with multiple men, until she meets a man much younger than her, who is plotting to get her and her husband millions. I am still working on the title for the book, but I am hoping to get it out by the new year 2021.

4) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

I would say being invited to the LA Times Festival of Books in 2019 to do a book signing has been my most significant achievement. I met so many different people over the years promoting my books which has allowed me to make great friends and business connections. In the next five years, I see myself publishing more books, and possibly a play. There are several of my short stories in my books I would like to see on the stage.

5) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

Being a self-published author has been a struggle because I am responsible to promoting, marketing, editing, and multiple things it takes to be a successful writer. There have been times when my books have not been permitted to be apart of a book event due to the subject matter, I write about which includes adult situations. I have to role with the punches and keep it moving. I must find out where my books best fit in the right demographic.

6) Do you have a schedule for when you write?  Do you outline your novels?  How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

When I first started writing, I used to write everywhere. I used to write at work, on the bus stop when I didn’t have a car, when I was bored, and anywhere I felt inspired. Now, I have more things going on in my life. I do have to schedule time for myself to write. I took a 6-week writing course in 2018 with one of my favorite black authors, Zane. She gave me great writing pointers and resources. With my new novel I am working on, I did create an outline and focused on building up my characters backgrounds. Time to complete a novel depends on how inspired I am and how busy I am. I completed my first novel in about 8 months, and my second in about a year. This third book has taken me a little longer, but it really depends on the time and creativity that comes when you have the time to write.

7) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry?  Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

The good thing about being an author is that there is no age limit to being successful. There are many writers who started this career later in life (over 40) who become successful. It only takes that one breakout book to make a difference and because a hit.

8) Are you an avid reader and have you always been? What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you?  Who is your favorite author? What book are you currently reading?

I love reading. When you read my books, you can tell I am. I have been tole my books are an easy read. I remember graduating high school and my brother bought me my first book by an African American author, Omar Tyree, called Fly Girl. I was so connected to the main character who was a young black girl finding herself and finding love. It started my love with reading similar writers and books. My favorite writer is really hard to choose, but I have to say Eric Jerome Dickey is on the top of my list. He has written books with such strong female and male leads by mixing suspense and relationships. I am currently reading Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyers. I am a big movie fan and this book is the story of Edward Cullen from the Twilight Series.

9) How has the current state of the world affected your writing? Because writing is an isolated practice, do you find it easier to deal with quarantine? Has it stifled your creativity or has it made you even more driven to get things done?

There has been so much going on in this country and across the world. I am a person who can compartmentalize and block out the work when I write. Being quarantine was not difficult for me. I am a Pisces, so I enjoy my own company. It also helped that I bought my first home in January of this year. I have been a bit stifled with my creativity, but it isn’t due to being quarantined but just business with life.

10) What are your thoughts about how the publishing industry as it is being represented today? Do you lean more towards traditional publishing or self-publishing as a preference? Does being a hybrid author interest you? 

Becoming a published author is very easy to do these days. There are many self-publishing sites available for do it yourself opportunities. Since this industry is so easy to get into, it makes for a lot of competition. I went through the self-publishing avenue because being apart of a traditional publishing company can be difficult and time consuming. I would consider any opportunity presented to get more readers and have my books more known.

11) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally.  I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity?  How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

I have already mentioned previously how writing has been an emotional outlet to me. It allows me to express myself and be creative. I feel like every character I have written has been inspired by personal relationships I had in the past with different people. When I first published Penetration for the Mind, I was worried what others would think about me. I have always been a shy and quiet person, but my book subject matter of being erotic is nothing shy or quiet about it. I let go of the worry and just went with my instinct. I put out my hard work and let go of my inhibitions and worries. The older I get the more confident I am.