Author of the Week: Dash The Author

Dash The Author

A&RBC: How did you become a writer?

Dash: You’re going to have me think back I see… I used to write poems to perform in church for fun. I never thought of it as a gateway to become an author or to make money. I wrote as a way to express myself and the emotions I felt as a kid. Then I wrote my first book “A Second Chance at a First Impression” which is a lot different from my current novel and future projects, but what I remember the most was the fear of having your work out there and it not being received like I intended, but that’s another story.

A&RBC: Where does your inspiration for your characters come from?

Dash: My characters all come from life; from the people that I encounter day to day and things that I have done in the past and even now. I love looking a different scenarios and thinking about how a situation would be if I chose “left” instead of “right” or this woman instead of that woman. Basically, I allow my mind to roam free and see what happens from there.

A&RBC: What are you hoping readers take from your book?

Dash: With the overall series of this book I want my readers to fully understand what happens when you allow an addiction to consume you. I want people to see and feel dangers of addiction through the eyes of my very real characters.

A&RBC: If you were to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be?

Dash: It would be this book “Half past Sex, Chapter 1” because I deal with the hypocrisy of women as it relates to emotions and treatment of males. This book deals with those individuals that love sex but mask their love by belittling those that have chose to seek help for their issues. Finally, I wanted to show that men are the true victims of a broken heart.

A&RBC: Most writers have a process or method for writing their books, what is yours?

Dash: Having sex, but no seriously having sex. Additionally, living is important; it is important that in this book my charter portal are authentic so when something happens people could see a friend or family member that has endured the various themes within this book and be able to relate. In addition to my own persona I interviewed 50 women to find out their thoughts, desire, their dirty laundry, and after I did that I outlined the story and plot, followed by further research in topics of addiction. I listened to other people stories, I read other peoples stories on the same topic  and I outlined more after I finished and I got to a spot where I was comfortable with were my story should be and how I conveyed it  the first thing I developed after the outline was my characters then the world around them. Finally, I presented them, rather I put them in the scenarios I spoke of with the women I interviewed to see how they would respond.

A&RBC: What is your favorite genre of books?

Dash: My favorite has to be mystery suspense novels. I love a good story that feels authentic and makes me feel involved. In addition the a suspense novels involvement, the book has to really take me there and educate me if I am unfamiliar with a topic like a Dan Brown novel.

A&RBC: Are you an avid or occasional reader?

Dash: I guess I’m both if I could be both. I love to read for the knowledge it brings and to stay on topic and to know what’s out there. I can’t say that day after day I’m reading a book because I have things to do so as an occasional reader I would have to say I pick up a book people would refer to me because they think they know me, so I pick up on their recommendation.

A&RBC: What are two things you want your readers to know about you?

Dash: First and foremost, I would like my readers to know these characters in “Half Past Sex, Chapter 1”… rather that Najee is not me. Also it is important that my readers understand that I do everything with a purpose down to the smallest detail.

A&RBC: If you could interview one of your favorite authors, who would it be? Why?

Dash: I don’t really have a favorite author because I think everyone has a message and they convey it differently, but if I had to interview someone it would be Khalil Gibran because the masterpiece he created when he wrote “The Prophet” changed my life forever pity that he is no longer with us because I could have surly used him as a mentor.

A&RBC: What is or was your dream job?

Dash: My dream job would to teach creative writing at my old High School. Art is one of our last forms of freedom of speech and once that is taken away I am fearful of what will happen to future generations, so I feel as a writer it is important to cultivate future generations so that writing creatively doesn’t become a lost art form.

A&RBC: What new projects are you working on?

Dash: Currently I’m working on “Half Past Sex, Chapter 2 and 3” and “Like Puzzle Pieces” each book is scheduled to be released year after year so I am a busy bee. I also started my own company called Write Hand Entertainment (check me out http://www.writehandent.com/) we been producing show since 2006.

A&RBC: Where can readers find you?

Dash: Check me out at http://www.theycallmedash.com/, http://www.writehandent.com/, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com. Hit me on Twitter @DaRealDash I always respond to my messages, or find me on Facebook on dash my Fan Page.

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