Playing the Hand You’re Dealt is your third book. How does it feel to have three books out now?

First, I’d like to say thanks so much for this opportunity to chat with you here on Curl Up and Write! It feels amazing to publish my third book! It’s a blessing to be able to publish a book at all, especially in this challenging and ever-changing literary market. I’m very thankful.

Do you feel it’s important to have a book out every year to keep your readers interested?

Yes, I think it’s important to have a book out every year if you can. It was nearly 18 months in between release of my first book and my second one, and readers were anxiously awaiting it! There are so many books being published each year, and so many options for readers. Nowadays the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” applies. However, I do believe that if you build a strong fan base and produce well-written stories, readers will support you and wait for your next release.

What’s your writing process like? Are you an outliner or a pantser?

I don’t outline my stories. I come up with an idea for a storyline and then I sit back and think about the story and the characters I want to create. I develop a biography for each of my characters so that I know them inside and out, and then I start writing. I like to see what happens to these interesting people I’ve dreamed up. I let the characters drive the story, and they always take me on interesting places I wouldn’t have normally gone.

What writing advice would you have given to yourself ten years ago?

Don’t give up! When I used to experience writer’s block I’d put down my pen (computers weren’t in common use like they are now!) and pick up a book. If I had to do it all over again, I’d keep my pen in my hand while continuing to read and develop a story! In order to finish a book and get it published a writer must push through even in the face of the most challenging of times.

With the rise of e-books, what’s your take on the publishing industry now?

I think it is a wonderful time in publishing because technology is allowing readers to have instant access to the books they love. There is much dispute about hard copy books versus the electronic version. There will always be readers who love flipping through the pages of a good book. But, as we look just a few years ahead, how readers purchase books and read books will change. Brick and mortar stores see the trend, and that’s why Barnes and Noble and Borders have digital devices now.

You do a lot of marketing for your books. What have you found works and what doesn’t?

That’s a great question! Marketing is very tricky. What might work for one author might not work for the next. You have to know your audience and know your brand. I’ve found that word of mouth works great for me. I work to build that word of mouth buzz by showing up on websites (literary, media, and special interests), blogs, and other highly viewed online venues where I know my reader base visits. I also do a lot of marketing to book clubs. I attend book club conferences and festivals aimed at them. Book clubs are so special; they are the lifeline of an author’s career! I think every author’s marketing plan should include book clubs.

Do you like social media, (i.e. Twitter, Facebook)? Which have you found works best for you and your lifestyle?

Yes, I think social media is fantastic! But, you have to know how to manage it properly. You can be stuck on your computer all day if you don’t get a handle on it. Facebook is a wonderful way to connect with readers. I share things about myself, (not just my books), because readers like to get to know the author as a person, not just a writer of books. I’m on Twitter, but I don’t use it as much. However, I plan to change that soon, as I’ve just bought a book on how to build your brand using Twitter.

Now to the hair! What do you like about having your hair short?

Yes girl!! No conversation would be complete without discussing the hair! I had long hair, (like most women in my family) until my senior year in high school. I have thick, coarse hair, and it was so heavy on my head. One day I decided that I would cut it all off. I’ve had short hair ever since! I love my hairstyle because I don’t like fussing with a lot of hair. I just go to bed, wake up the next morning and comb it out. It’s so thick, I don’t have to wrap it at night. I sleep on a satin pillowcase and that does the trick.

Any tips for maintenance?

I’m not a hair expert, but here’s what works for me. I wash my hair every 3-4 days. I condition well, and do a deep conditioner once a month. I keep my ends trimmed, and I go to my barber in between salon visits for touch-ups. Oh, and I love Mizani’s Rose H20. It restores moisture.

Have you ever worn a weave? What did you like/dislike about the experience?

No, I’ve never worn a weave. But I do think it’s great that weaves give women so many options. I plan to go natural one day. I’m not sure when, but I’ll eventually do it!

Thanks Trice for stopping by! If you guys want to learn more about Trice and her books, visit her website, follow her on Twitter @tricehickman and friend her on Facebook!

Curl Up and Write: Tell me a little bit about your company.

Sure. Advent Hair began in 1994 as a direct manufacturer of quality made hair systems for men. We really believe that anyone should be able to have hair that makes them feel attractive and confident. In recent years we’ve expanded our hair systems to extend to men and women of all races.

Curl Up and Write: What sets your company apart from others?

Advent Hair provides custom hair systems for both men and women. When we say custom, we mean custom. You get to choose your hairstyle, hair type, wave pattern, and length. This ensures that we able to cater to women and men of all ethnicities. The process is simple, easy, discreet, and sure to provide you with a product that you will enjoy.

 Curl Up and Write: Wow. Your company doesn’t leave anyone out. But let’s say that I want my hair system NOW. What then?

Katrina, when we say we cover all of our customer needs we aren’t kidding. We offer stock hair systems for both women and men. Stock hair systems are perfect for people who need great looking hair, but do not have the time to wait for a custom order to be completed. We also carry French lace REMY wigs in a variety of colors and textures for very affordable prices.

Curl Up and Write: Do you have products for home maintenance?

 Absolutely. We carry a large assortment of wig supplies that you can use to keep your hair system and your scalp healthy, safe, and clean. There is also an impressive selection of wig tape, wig glue, and other adhesives that will keep your hair system firmly in place. We even have wig styling gel so that you can add a personal touch to your hair style.

So far working this company has been a great experience. All of the staff all well-trained in the products, which making ordering a breeze. I have readers of all ethnicities on the blog, so when I answer questions I strive to find companies that have products that will serve EVERYONE. Advent Hair does just that. If you want more information click here and follow Advent Hair on Twitter!

Get It All Down

When I begin my first draft, I work with a short outline—character names, ages—and then it’s all about getting the story down on the computer. My first book, Six O’clock, I wrote longhand in spiral notebooks. My typing skills back then left much to be desired, and I didn’t feel that I could type and think the story through. With Unbeweaveable, and with this book, I am able to type it all up on the computer—something I never thought I would be able to do. When I write my first draft, I don’t check facts, I just keep writing. If I forget a character’s name I just leave a blank space _____ and keep going. Same for children’s names or anything else that I can’t remember. If I write a particular scene and I know that I’m not in love with it, I’ll leave a note for myself, something like, “Not in love with this scene, too unrealistic. Fix on second draft.” But the goal on the first round is to just get the words down, however horrible they may be. I also shoot for a word count of about 75,000 because I know I’ll need to add scenes in the future and I want to leave myself a little wiggle room.

On To the Next One

So on my first round of revisions I start by reading my novel—on the computer—all the way through. Most of the time I’m shaking my head in disbelief and wondering what kind of haze was I under to type such mess, but I don’t fix anything yet. Right now I’m just trying to see if I like the direction the story is taking me. And I did. Yes, it needed a lot of work, but I occasionally would read a scene or two that knocked my socks off and reminded me why I write. After reading it, I begin by fixing typo’s, misspelled names, etc. I’ll fill in all the blanks that the book may have. I also go through and give my characters their distinctive voices, no one talks the same so if I notice two characters that sound too much alike I’ll change it. I pump up the dialogue and fix any scenes where I’ve left myself a note to fix. Then I read it again. I’m still cringing at this point, but I can see a vast improvement in my work.

Off to the Printer

Now on my second draft I print out the pages of my novel. No more computer work here, I like to feel the pages in my hands as I transform scenes. This is my favorite part of revisions. Something about holding 300+ pages of your work makes you feel like you’ve really accomplished something, that all those late nights of no TV watching did not go in vain. It also makes me work harder to make the book better, because who wants to throw away a whole book and start over? Not I. So I read parts of my book aloud, so I can hear how the words sound. Does this conversation make sense? Does something here ring false? Out it goes. (With my trusty red pen of course. Nothing like seeing your manuscript marked through by red ink.) This is also the part where I add description, hoping to really draw the reader in with all their senses. How can I make them smell the banana bread my character is cooking in the oven? Describe it. Or what about the way the light hits the hardwood floors in the morning making them shine like new pennies? Describe it. I get my book printed only on one side and leave the back sides of pages with all my description notations. I also pull out the notebook that I did the basic outline with and begin to draw pictures of my characters homes, nothing fancy, just a basic floor plan so I can keep the story consistent. Does my character have to walk upstairs to get to her bedroom? Do you have to walk through the kitchen to get outside? Those kinds of things help me keep the story alive. I also add to the outline making it much more extensive, going through each chapter, scene by scene. I’ve just started this process, so I’m expecting this to take me about two to three months to finish. (I’d like to have it finished by November. If I’m really good, October.)

Back to the Computer

So now I input everything I’ve written into the computer. Not the outline—I keep that in longhand, sort of like a memento—but all my new red scenes I transcribe to the computer. This becomes another draft in of itself, because as I’m typing I find ways to improve my words, so again, I’m revising. This doesn’t take a long time, maybe a few weeks tops.

Now normally after this point I would give the book to my reader, (hey Mama!) and get her viewpoint. Then it would be another light revision and that would be it, off it would go to my editor. But with this book I’m taking a different approach. I’m adding three more rounds of revisions. Why so many? Because with growth comes change, and if I don’t change the way I write and really take myself seriously, then I won’t reach my full potential as a writer. I’ll let you guys know the different techniques I use when I get closer to that stage.

Any writers care to chime in on how you revise your books?

Lately, I’ve been thinking—how many books does it take to no longer call yourself a newbie? Three? Four? Ten? Is a newbie measured by the books they’ve written or how many years it took to write those books?

I ask this question because as I’m revising my next novel, I see my improvement and the growth I’ve developed as a writer over the years. I’m still learning my craft, but I see my voice getting stronger and stronger. With all this, would I still call myself a newbie? In a lot of ways, yes. I do feel that I’ve learned a lot with two books under my belt, so I would say that I am a senior newbie, approaching graduation. Still in school, still learning, but definitely older and wiser than her freshmen counterparts.

Something to think about as I approach another rest-filled weekend. Thanks for all the well wishes as I recover, you guys have been great. Okay, now back to work!

We’ve had the pleasure of having a dog join our family for about six months now. She was a gift for my daughter, but I have to say that I really feel that she is my dog. (But I share! Really I do!) She is a Malti Poo, a breed my husband and I chose because of their loving nature with children, and no shed factor. She really is quite a beauty. Here she is running around on our vacation:

She really is a frisky, happy dog. Now I must say this, she is giving us the blues when it comes to training her. How long does it take to train a dog anyway? How can a dog pee on a training pad one minute, and the next pee right in front of you? We have been more consistent lately—we don’t let those sweet puppy dog eyes fool us—and now we are seeing progress. Pets really enrich your life—as long as you don’t mind cleaning up after them—and now she’s a part of the family.

Now before you guys comment on the picture in the middle—yes, I am one of those people that kiss their dogs. Not totally on the mouth, but on the face. My husband hates this, and constantly tells me about the transmission of germs, blah, blah, blah… But how can you resist that cute face? Tell me how?

Boy, you have to wear a few different hats with being a writer. For those of you who aspire to do this, let me tell you—it’s a lot of work! Tremendous! Promoting a book and revising another—did I mention how hard it is? I did? Well alrighty then… I love the creative side of writing—but the marketing side? Not so much. It reminds me of the hustle you had to have as a new hairstylist. You always had to be on point—hair done to perfection, hundreds of business cards in your purse inching to come out at a moment’s notice, (Why yes I do hair! Here’s my card…) Hustling like that is exhausting but when it’s all said and done it’s part of the business and you either accept it and thrive or wither away. I plan to thrive as long as I can and so I’m getting the word out about Unbeweaveable the best way I know how right now. I’m not on schedule with my revisions like I would like to be, but I have to let that go because I know over the next few months when things have died down I’ll be ready to send my book out to the world for critique. I’m cringing from the thought…

For those of you who remember, (and for those of you who don’t here’s the link) I was totally against all social media.

MySpace. No.

Facebook. You got to be kidding right?

Twitter. Which don’t you understand the N or the O?

I was against them all. All my writer friends, (you know who you are) kept telling me on the opportunities I was missing out on. I deemed Facebook a complete waste of time and for the life of me couldn’t figure out why so many writers were out there in cyberspace instead of writing.

I’ll tell you why. Writing my friends is a lonely business. On a typical day of doing hair I would talk to so many people, clients, product distributors, other stylists—the list goes on and on. Well now that I’m home with my four-year-old daughter, my day consists of Candy Land, Yo Gabba Gabba (There’s a party in my tummy, so yummy, so yummy!) and sitting in the sweltering heat while she rides on the sidewalk on her scooter. When a stranger asks me how I’m doing, I actually answer. “Well, today I’m thinking of cooking pork chops for dinner. My husband loves them. Although chicken would be great too…” I see their feet slowly back up as I continue to talk, until I realize that a simple, “Fine,” would have done nicely.

So now, *ahem* I…um…take it all back. Can I say that I love Facebook? That the people I’ve met, especially the writers, have been so supportive of me I’m at a loss for words.

For example, the lovely Cheri Paris Edwards, (Fabulous author. Her book, The Other Sister, will be in stores November 2010) posted a lovely review of Unbeweaveable on her blog. (Read it here.) Of her own volition. I mean, how cool is that? She reached out to me on Facebook and dare I say that I feel a friendship forming?

All of my old reasons for not being on Facebook are long behind me.

Time waster? I wish! I don’t have time to be on there long. And I don’t play games, (nothing against it, but have never been much of a video game kind of gal) so it’s pretty hard for me to waste time.

Addicting? Puh-leaze! I have always been good at self-discipline, (if you’re a writer you learn that pretty early) so I don’t know why I thought I would get addicted to it. Don’t get me wrong, it may be addicting for some, but for me everything has it’s limits. And that includes Facebook.

My lesson? Be flexible and willing to change. Be adaptable. And be humble enough to try new things. Dr. Seuss had it right all along, “I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you, thank you, Sam-I-am!”