6 January 2003
Dear Diary...
It's 12:06 am and I am thinking about my second book. I remember when I first started Together Again.
It was so easy; I mean the plot was dramatically wonderful and my beginning was too nice. Finishing took some time but
when I did, I was so relieved. Now, it's like I have the middle and the ending but no beginning. Crazy, ain't
it? I'm trying to complete my untitled play and start this second book at the same time. Plus I'm thinking about
which would be safer for an new unpublished author: an agent or self-publishing? All of my favorite authors started
with self-publishing and then got noticed. Can I really self-publish myself? I've been researching since April
2001 and I am still confused. I don't know, until tomorrow.
7 January 2003
Dear Diary...
It's 2:05 p.m. and I'm about to get ready for work. I wrote some today and I probably will
write tonight at work. I printed out some articles about black authors and black female authors. I'll probably
study them and see what some of the magazines say about it. My main concern now is do I want to surround all of my projects
around race? My first book is mainly race, my play is about race and gender, and my second book is going down the same
road. Race seems to be the big subject in my writings and my poems. Well, time to go.
9 January 2003
Dear Diary...
It's 2:36 p.m. Right now I am eating and thinking about the progress of my writing. It's really
well. I'm getting a lot of advice as far as where I should look and who I should talk to. The other day, I bought
the 2003 Writer's Market and it is very helpful. Now I am perfecting my query letters to various agents and hopefully,
one of them will want to see some of my work and like it. Let's pray on it.
10 January 2003
Dear Diary...
Well, it's 12:32 p.m. There was a little hump that I just recently went over. There is an publishing
company that's located near me that keeps contacting me about publishing my book. They are saying 'just $700, $800 and
you will be out in the stores by the summertime.' I'm a little skeptical because, to me, $7, 800 doesn't sound that
much, compared to other companies I have talked to. Part of me wanted to just go ahead and do it. But...when I
spoke to my mother, she said just to be patient. That is one of my new year resolutions, is to be patient. So
that is what I am doing now: Writing and waiting.
21 January 2003
Dear Diary...
How's it going? Just trying to catch up. Basically, what's going on now is I have 3 new ideas
for 3 different books and I'm trying to write them all at the same time and it's not working. So I just need to focus
on one at a time and work hard at getting them done. Crazy, ain't it?!
3 May 2003
Dear Diary...
Well, it definitely has been a minute since I have written on here. I am still writing and I am on
my second novel, Caught in the Middle. I think it's coming very well. I hope that when I get it completed, I will
have an agent by then. Yes, I am still searching for an agent. Everything is all good. Talk to you later.
5 May 2003
Dear Diary...
Well, right now I am writing a couple of chapters for my book while listening to my jazz. I have found
it a lot easier when I'm writing to music. I can see the scene better or I can have a feel of the situation when a certain
song is on. Like in one scene, I have a very seductive moment between a woman and man and it eventually leads to
the two of them having sex. The song I had playing over and over was "Cherish the Day" by Sade. That song definitely
has a sensual feel to it. I guess that's just one of my writing tips.
21 May 2003
Dear Diary...
Well, a breakthrough for me happened at the beginning of this week. Monday, the Indianapolis Star printed
an article about local black female writers and their struggles on getting published. They both looked at their options
and it really was a nice article. The two authors that were featured were Crystal Rhodes and La Tina Marie Tunstall.
I do want to congratulate them on their success and I definitely will try to see them both and get their input on some
things. That article made me real happy!!
3 August 2003
Dear Diary...
I am still going strong with my second novel, Caught in the Middle, and plan on putting on my play in February.
What I did want to put spotlight on is that in the past two weeks, I read "Soulmates Dissipate" by Mary Morrison and "Big
Girls Don't Cry" by Connie Briscoe. Both boths were really good. I send congrats to both authors and much success.
Also, a few weeks, Terri McMillian visited Indy and gave some wonderful advice. Now, I didn't get a chance to go but
I did read the article about her and she advised all first time writers to acquire an agent. I had thought not to but
I will try again to find one.
Dear Diary...
6 October 2003
I'm back in school now full time and working full time which doesn't leave a lot of reading, but I am
still researching and reading other authors. Now, I am reading "If I could" by Donna Hill and "The Myths and Meaning
of Malcolm X" by Michael Dyson. Two very good books! I am still writing on "Caught in the Middle" but like
I said, before, time is limiting but I manage.
Dear Diary...
29 February 2004
Well, still in school. Going to school definitely makes time limited but at the same time, I want to write
more because I get inspired in school. So a good and bad thing. I almost done with "Caught in the Middle". In fact, my goal
is to be finished by March 26. That gives me 25 days to finish and make things happen. Last week I sent my whole MS (Together
Again) to a publishing company. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully they will like it and I will soon be a
published author. So good luch to me! I did want to add that I saw Michael Eric Dyson and Susan Taylor on a program that Tavis
Smiley sponsored. It aired on C-Span called 'Strengthening the Black Family". It was a wonderful program. If you get a chance,
check it out. It was very enlightening!!!!
Dear Diary...
5 January 2005
I am currently writing my third novel, "Sacred Sins". This book is the most challenging so far. I'm dealing
with religion and sexuality and adoption. These are subjects that I haven't necessarily focused on in my life. So I had to
research a lot on all accounts. I finished "Caught in the Middle" in May and started "Sacred Sins" in June. But now it's 2005.
It's been 4 years since I completed my first book. Still not published but I love writing so I'm not discouraged. I just bought
myself a laptop so now I can write anywhere. So now I just need to keep myself focused.
Dear Diary...
6 March 2005
Still working on "Sacred Sins". I write 2 to 3 pages a day which is really good considering the schedule
I have. So far it's very exhausting because I'm dealing with issues that I personally haven't had to face but I have to add
my own emotion to make it seem real to me. So I've been reading like crazy, trying to capture some sort of emotion with different
situations. I've made several CDs with jazz, classical, spoken word, movie scenes; all to envoke emotions in me. The only
bad part about that is that I get physically drained whenever I finish a scene that involves a lot of pain. It's not my life,
the character I'm writing for, but at the same time, I have to go through the same things mentally. So I guess that's a good
thing because my reader will feel it too.
Dear Diary...
4 April 2005
I've set a goal for myself to write 3 to 5 pages a day now. Usually I do but there's some days where I have
writer's block. It's weird writer's block too. I know what I want to write but can't figure out how to word it. I try to write
at work but it's always so busy that it's hard. 'Sacred Sins' is going good. I've changed the plot a little though. The biggest
change is where the setting is. I can't say where it is now but it's no longer in the courtroom. I think this change makes
it more interesting and more of a spin like my other two books. The courtroom would have had the reader figure out what would
happen at the end. Since I'm not revealing the setting until the end of the book, they'll just have to guess all the way.
Dear Diary...
8 May 2005
I AM PUBLISHED! My first book, Together Again, is on lulu.com. I am so excited and just want to tell the
whole world!!
Dear Diary...
6 June 2005
It's been almost a month since I've been published and it's been crazy so far. Since I published through
Lulu.com, it's pretty much like I self published it, without all of the "publishing" finances. The finances I have,
though, are the promoting and marketing. So far, I've been buying books on marketing, bought postcards and sent them out to
my loved ones and friends. Soon I'll be placing my face and my book on flyers and pin them on any and all bulletin boards,
colleges, beauty salons/barber shops, anywhere I can so when people walk down the street and they see me, they'll know me
and my book. Even if they don't like to read, they know someone who does. Whatever it takes. What did my man Malcolm
X say? 'By any means neccessary'.
Dear Diary...
24 August 2005
It's been two months and a lot has happened. Last week I received a wonderful review of my book with a local
magazine. They said that surprisingly, it is truly an outstanding early effort! I added it to the site. Now a lot of people
want to order it. I am very happy!
Dear Diary...
24 March 2006
Yesterday I published my second novel "Caught in the Middle" and I am really excited because it will be sold
through Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and nationally all over the country! This week I've been on vacation from work so
it's been all about promotion, promotion, and promotion!!
Dear Diary...
16 April 2006
Ever since I published my second book, it's pretty interesting. I've promoting like crazy while giving people
a taste of it with a preview copy. I'm planning a book release party in May. That should be fun. We'll see how it goes. I
don't think I'm focusing on my book as much as I should be. I have several many distractions in my life right now and it's
hard to focus. My books are like my children. I need to make them number one in my life and take care of it. So that's what
I am trying to do. I hope that in this process, I won't hurt in anybody's feelings ( family, friends, boyfriend) but I have
to do this. I need to take care my business and let my book shine so all of the world can see. I am repeating my favorite
quote that I have used earlier. "By any means necessary..."
Dear Diary...
9 May 2006
"Caught in the Middle" is now available on amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Borders and Books-A-Million. I've
been sending hundreds of flyers to black organizations, beauty salons, barber shops, coffee shops, flea markets, anywhere
I can think of. I've been adding to the website daily. I have scheduled two book signings and now finishing up my article
titled "I didn't sign up for this!!"
Dear Diary...
20 May 2006
Yesterday I had my first book signing and it went great! I sold 24 books in 2 1/2 hours! I was so happy!
I gave everyone my website and told them good or bad, I wanted them to review it and tell me what they thought.
Dear Diary...
13 June 2006
Promoting, promoting, promoting!! That is ALL I've been doing. Anytime I can mention my book or leave my
card with someone or send out a flyer, I do. I've had a pretty nice response. So far so good.
Dear Diary...
22 June 2006
This Monday, I sent out my book to three book reviewers: INtake magazine which is a local magazine,
RAWSISTAZ Literary Group, and Real Reviewers. I hope they enjoy "Caught in the Middle". I also have some great news!
Black Books Plus in Brooklyn, NY has requested my book for their distribution!! That was wonderful news!! Hopefully they also
will like the book and will want it on their bookshelves. I have had some wonderful results from readers. The main consistent
comments are write a sequel to "Caught in the Middle" and is Lena Harper, the lead character a real person? I always laugh
at that one. Just for the record, she is not a real character that I know and no, she is not me and I am not her. I get that
a lot. Now I'm trying to set up more book signings, local and otherwise.
Dear Diary...
13 August 2006
BIG NEWS! I received this email from WISHTV and well...I'll just copy it so you can read it.
Hi Cassandra,
I’m the noon producer at wishtv. Allan Haw
forwarded me your information and I was wondering if you’d be interested in coming on our noon show to talk about your book. I have availability Friday,
August 11th and Wednesday, August, 16th. Let me know if either work for you. Thanks, look forward to
hearing from you.
So
on 16 of August, I'll be appearing on channel 8 to talk about "Caught in the Middle". It will probably be for 20, 30 seconds,
but that's still 20, 30 seconds that maybe somebody will see it and want to buy the book!!
Dear
Diary...
5
September 2006
Okay,
I have a lot of updating to do! First the interview went well. I'm trying to add to the website so everyone can see how nervous
I was. It was live and about 20, 25 seconds but it was cool. I was definitely happy to do it. The ONLY thing I regret is that
I forgot to say my website. I said the bookstores but not the site. I thought about it right when I got in the car. The next
day I got a call from a bookstore that I've been contacting for about a month. A Shade of Gray bookstore called me and set
up a booksigning. The only problem I have now is getting to them. I need to send them my press kit because at the moment I
can't physically get there. The booksigning is supposed to the 23 of this month. I've been stressing a lot lately so sad to
say, I've been neglecting my book but I am now updating the site and adding to the next novel. I think I have a name for it
but I'll keep it to myself for now.
Dear
Diary...
26
September 2006
Saturday
was my first booksigning in an actual bookstore. It was nice, A Shade of Gray bookstore in Indianapolis. It's black owned
and by women. I have to definitely thank Tiffany and Robin. They were really nice and treated me very nice. It was really
nice. The set up was unique. The place came with a stage so that's where everything was. I had a great time and met some really
nice people including Kate Chaplin. She's a fellow author who also resides in Indianapolis. I was very happy and can't
wait for more to come.
Dear
Diary...
9
December 2006
It's
been a minute since I've added to the site. I've been working a whole lot so that made a difference. I've been working on
my fourth novel, Karma Has a Name. This is a romance that is full of secrets, guilt, love, sex, and lies. I'm having fun writing
this book because it's allowing me to grow. I think every writer grows with each project that they do and that shows with
this novel. This week I'm sending "Caught in the Middle" out for reviews. I'll be sure to post the reviews when they're done.
Usually they give a 3 to 4 month time span. So I'll hope for the best.
Dear
Diary...
24
December 2006
It's
Christmas eve and the holiday rush is just about over. With my birthday in 5 days (YAY!), I've been doing a lot of reflecting.
I think that this year has been great with my book. I got it published in March, I'm on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles websites,
I've had 3 booksignings AND I was on TV promoting my book! So far it's been liked by those who have read it and people have
said that I am a great writer. I don't necessarily call myself an author quite yet. I haven't reached the goal that I want
as far as placing myself as an author. I am a writer and that is set in stone. As I've said, I didn't choose to be a writer,
writing chose me.
Dear
Diary...
25
January 2007
I
cannot believe it's 2007. Well, some big news!! A couple of things...I'm just about done with Karma... Hopefully it'll be
ready for my own deadline. Last week, someone nominated me for 2007 Best New Author award!!!! I don't know who but I am so
excited. I'm not naive and think I'm going to win. There are many wonderful authors on that list, however, just the nomination
itself is enough for me. Just that made my confidence in my writing rise tremendously!! Voting starts March 15 and ends April
15. Of course I will have everyone I know vote. Hey why not!!! In February I have two events- a booksigning/reading at A Shade
of Gray bookstore. They invited me back for an all day event with several local authors which should be very fun. A yahoo
group I'm apart of, RAW4ALL, has chosen my book for a book selection in February so that's exciting as well. A little scary
too but all the same, exciting. I have a lot of drama going on in my personal life now that hopefully it will all blow over
and I'll be able to focus on my writing again. I'm praying and keeping my fingers crossed!!!
Dear
Diary...
3
March 2007
I've written in awhile here. I've been working a lot of "Karma..." It's not done because I've been adding to it.
The idea of this novel was great but I was thinking about something one day and decided to add it to the book. It naturally
came so I didn't want to ignore it. So far so good on the book though. I've been writing and editing. Writing and proofreading,
that is all! Just about all the reviews I've gotten for "Caught in the Middle" is that they say it's a great story but bad
editing. That if I edited it and re-released it, then it would be a jewel. So with "Karma", I am making sure to edit and proofread
as much as I can so it can be perfect. That's where I am now.
Dear Diary...
16 April 2007
It's been about a month since I've written here. I've been adding more to "Karma..". It's been good but I'm finding
less and less time to write. That kills me because I really want to finish this novel. Once I'm done with it, I think it'll
be really great. Like I said when the year began, I truly think this year with my writing will be great. I have decided that
I want to really go all out with "Karma Has A Name". Meaning I'm going to shell the extra money to get a graphic artist so
I can hook up the cover. I've seen some Lulu authors with great covers. So I've decided that and really put more money into
marketing and promoting myself. Spending the extra money on putting my name and book into websites and going to book and writers'
events. I am a writer and I want to show everyone that I am!!!!
Dear Diary...
21 June 2007
I've working on "Karma.." just about every day. What's really exciting is that I have a cover artist doing the cover.
It won't be like my other books. This is a custom made cover. I'm loving it. I'm trying to put everything into this book.
Promotion, marketing, more book signings. This year is going to be great! Like I said before this year is going to be
great.
Dear Diary...
17 July 2007
I'm just about done with the book. The cover is done and it looks so good. I am so happy about it. I have a book trailer
for "Karma Has a Name" too. Who would have thought that books were going to have trailers lilke movies? I love it. It's
so nice. I could watch all day. But so far so good as for Karma goes.
Dear diary...
06 January 2008
"Karma Has a Name" has turned into a open book of my life and emotions. It wasn't intended to be that way. 2007 was
very hard for me emotionally so I guess I had to vent some how. Right now, I'm editing, editing, and more editing. I didn't
do this for "Caught in the Middle" so I want to make sure everything is right. Once it's officially done, I will be very happy.
I don't want to start anything else until it's done. What I mean by anything else is making the poetry CD and finding venues
for my play. So as soon as I do, I will be very happy.
