I’ve [...]]]> It’s time for me to update my author photo. I’ve been having this pic for quite awhile and now I need to update it. And I’m dreading it. It’s not that I hate taking photos, I think I’m pretty photogenic, but the dread comes because I just don’t know how to do it.

I’ve been looking at many author websites, trolling through their author photos to see if I like the style of their pictures.

Should I smile?

Should I not smile?

Weave or au-natural? (Don’t know why I asked this question…I’m Unbeweaveable all the way!)

Color or black and white?

Where should I take the photo, outside or indoors?

Should I be funny, you know, holding my dog and laughing or borrow my Mama’s reading glasses and sit at my desk all serious-like and in a writer’s stance?

You get the picture, (no pun intended) there are a ton of decisions to be made about your author photo. The one thing I have learned thus far, is that no matter what, I’m going to be myself. I want to look like me, so I’ll be doing my own make-up and hair, and wearing clothes that I would feel comfortable to wear outside the house. I normally do wear chunky jewelry, but I’ve decided to tone that down. I want people to look at me, and not my chunky Flintstone beads.

So, I’m a bit nervous. Any authors out there with a few tips to share?

I know I preach about how much I [...]]]> The winner of the joke contest is Nina D! Nina, email me your address so I can send your book. Thanks for everybody that entered on Facebook, but sorry folks the contest was only here on the blog. Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled program…

I know I preach about how much I love weave. And I do. It’s one of my favorite accessories. But like any great accessory, it has to be removed. (I mean who really goes to sleep wearing their Chanel sunglasses, or an armful of gold bangles?) That being said, right now I am not wearing a weave. That’s right folks, I’m wearing my real hair, and I plan to for the duration of the summer. Yes, I love my weave, but the foundation to any great hairstyle is healthy hair first. So take a look at Naomi Campbell’s bald spot.

This is sad guys. I’m not a doctor, but her bald spot looks like traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is caused by tightly woven weave, tight ponytails or anything that causes unnecessary tension on the scalp. If corrected promptly, the hair will grow back, but not if it’s been abused for years. I have seen so many clients that come to me with bald spots caused by improper weave placement. Most of them want to continue wearing their weave, not as an accessory, but because of necessity to hide their thinning hairline. Yes, Naomi is the epitome of glamour with her long locks, but her hair should never have gotten to this point. Ladies, I fully endorse the loveliness of weave, but don’t get it twisted—never at the expense of your real hair!

This post is not meant to poke fun at anyone, clearly Naomi is embarrassed by all the coverage of her bald spot. This post is meant to be a wake-up call. Ladies, weave is meant to accentuate your natural beauty, like makeup is used to highlight the beautiful features of your face. It should never be used to the extent where you have to wear it, because the hair underneath is severely damaged. Yes, weaves and wigs can be a lifesaver for those women who suffer from hair loss due to cancer or alopecia. But if your weave practices cause damage, then stop. Just stop it.

I love weave. But look at my hair.

Full, thick, but most important–healthy. (I admit it’s a little Texas Pageant, but I live in Houston folks!) At any length, healthy hair is beautiful hair. I cannot stress this enough. Yes, folks I rock a weave. But trust, my weave does not rock me.

Her hair extensions!

When Essence.com asked her what’s the one thing she couldn’t live without she said:

This may be very blunt, but I can’t live without my hair extensions! It’s the truth! I don’t want to wear my (real) hair all the time [...]]]> Guess what’s the one thing that Ciara can’t live without?

Her hair extensions!

When Essence.com asked her what’s the one thing she couldn’t live without she said:

This may be very blunt, but I can’t live without my hair extensions! It’s the truth! I don’t want to wear my (real) hair all the time because I want to protect it. What would the world be like without some extra hair? It would be crazy! I need my extensions; I love the drama. I love to be able to have fun with my hair and protect it at the same time.

Aaahh, a women after my own heart.

This confirms the fact that I’ve known all along—that my novel, Unbeweavable, is timely, and many women can relate to the heartbreak of losing their weave.

To read the entire interview, click here.

I like prologues. I like knowing what situation I plan on reading later in the book. In Unbeweavable, I start the book with a prologue. In my WIP, I start with a prologue. The unpublished book that’s collecting [...]]]> Up to 44,451 words on the work in progress. Feeling excited, like I’m in the zone.

I like prologues. I like knowing what situation I plan on reading later in the book. In Unbeweavable, I start the book with a prologue. In my WIP, I start with a prologue. The unpublished book that’s collecting dust in my drawer—prologue. I see a pattern here… 

So you guys can tell that I’m all for prologues. And since we’re on the subject, here’s a sneak peek of the prologue for Unbeweavable. Enjoy!

Prologue

July 15, 2009

Snip, Snip.

“Why you taking your weave out so early? This is some good hair,” Tameka said, her scissors gliding through my weave as another track fell to the floor.

“You know, just trying something different,” I said, looking at the weave that cost a month’s rent surrounding me.

“You should at least save some of this hair,” Tameka said, smacking her Juicy Fruit in my ear.

“No that’s okay,” I said feeling the stainless steel blades of the scissors remove my weave, my heart, my life.

“Don’t worry, you got a cute face. You can still rock a short ‘do. So what you in for today, a relaxer, a shampoo, what?”

“Um, today I just want to remove the weave. I can wash it at home.”

“What? Girl, in the three years I’ve been doing your hair you’ve never washed it yourself. Now stop playing and tell me what you really want.”

What I really wanted was to keep rocking my weave. It was my best friend, my baby, my soul. I couldn’t live without her. It wasn’t fair that this was happening. First my job, now my weave? What else could go wrong?

“You have a lot of confidence to do this, you know. My man would have a fit if he saw me without my weave. You don’t have to worry about that though. You don’t have a man.”

Another track hit the floor and I cried.

I am scared to death of doing a book signing.

There, I said it.

I know I need to put myself out there, but the more [...]]]> At 43,503 words on my WIP. Feeling good about the progress. Wish I could blink and it would be finished, but then I wouldn’t learn anything. Oh well…

I am scared to death of doing a book signing.

There, I said it.

I know I need to put myself out there, but the more I think about it—the more nervous I get. I had plenty of reasons to not do a book signing for Six O’clock:

Nobody Knows Who I Am

Of course they don’t! And they’ll never know who I am if I keep hiding.

Nobody Will Come

Most likely. But I can talk to a rock. I love to talk, and I love people. So if nobody shows up fine. I’ll just talk to the people loitering around the store.

This Won’t Help My Sales Figures

Probably not. But it will help spread of word of mouth about my book, which everyone knows can’t hurt.

The point of this post is to remind myself that I’m not a hairstylist anymore. I’m not. I’m a writer. (Or as my Mama likes to say, “An author.”) I had NO PROBLEM getting the word out about styling hair. I had no shame. Standing in line at the bank? Here’s a business card. Sitting on the bench at the mall? Here’s a business card.

Now when someone asks me what I do, I say I’m a stay-at-home mom. I kick myself later for not saying the truth—that I’m a writer. It feels like I’m bragging when I say what I do—and I hate braggers. But it’s not bragging. I’m simply stating a fact. And the fact is, if I don’t tell people that I have a book coming out, who will?

Has anyone else had a hard time talking about something that they’re proud of? Chime in!

I’m bursting with [...]]]> Or at least Essence best-selling author, Victoria Christopher Murray, thinks so. Check out the blurb she gave me for Unbeweavable.

Katrina Spencer has a hit! Beautifully written, Unbeweavable was impossible to put down. Light and funny, yet poignant and touching–a very creative novel. Mrs.. Spencer is an author to look out for.”

I’m bursting with happiness. This is the first person who has read Unbeweavable outside of my family. Victoria’s praise validates what I do, and helps me believe my Mama when she says, “Your book is good, baby!”

In other news, I wanted to share the book cover with you guys.

I’m thrilled with the book cover, and I think it will show my readers that Unbeweavable is more than just hair. What do you guys think?

(It looks like I’m wearing a blanket for a shirt, but it’s actually a really cool dress. I’m tall and [...]]]> I’ve talked about how much I’ve wanted to rock bangs. I wore bangs for most of the month of December. Here’s a picture of me, before the hubby and I went out to dinner:

(It looks like I’m wearing a blanket for a shirt, but it’s actually a really cool dress. I’m tall and the dress would have been scandalous if I’d worn it alone so I added tight black pants under the dress. Made a really nice ensemble).

I don’t look too bad with bangs.

My hair is different now. I’m getting ready to revamp my website for my next book, Unbeweavable, so I chose a style that I wouldn’t get tired of looking at through the year.

So all you scaredy cats out there—don’t be afraid to try something new! Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won’t, but at least you will get used to looking at something different in the mirror. Changing your hair is the easiest way to a) look younger, b) feel revived and renewed, and c) update your look. If you don’t have money to change your wardrobe, then change your hair. You can leave the house dressed in a white T-shirt and a pair of jeans—partner that with a glamorous head of hair—and you will turn heads. (The same can’t be said for wearing a designer dress and walking around like Buckwheat by the head.)

Start the new year with a new hairstyle and a new you will slowly unfold.

Have a great weekend!