I am
excited to participate in a bloghop that discusses “The Next Big Thing” in literature. Dr. Barbara Lavi introduced me to the Bloghop and influenced my decision to feature more authors on my blog. I personally have not published any books to
date however I would love to promote those creative individuals who are
publishing informative and inspirational literature that will cause people to
stimulate change in the lives of their readers. I do plan on publishing a book
in the near future however instead of focusing on my future book, I would like
to promote the work of Alania Osborne-Currie who is “The Next Big Thing”.
Alania
Osborne-Currie is an artist and author who currently works as a Social Worker in
Shreveport, Louisiana. She is currently
in the process of earning her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden
University. I recently conducted a short interview with her to discuss her
novel, Gonna Find Me An Angel, an
intense African-American romance novel that explores the issues of sexual abuse and family secrecy.
What is
the title of your book?
The title of my book is, Gonna Find
Me An Angel.
Where did
the idea come from for the book?
I came up with the idea of the book
from personal experiences, my
experiences on the job and the fieldwork that I have conducted. The
book deals with many of the issues that are faced by clients who are
generally seen by mental health professionals such as myself.
experiences on the job and the fieldwork that I have conducted. The
book deals with many of the issues that are faced by clients who are
generally seen by mental health professionals such as myself.
What
genre does your book fall under?
I would characterize it as an
African-American romance mystery novel. It
possesses a lot of elements from each of these categories.
possesses a lot of elements from each of these categories.
Which
actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
If I were to choose actors for my
book, I would choose Halle Berry, Taraji
P. Hinson, and Kerry Washington for my female characters. My male
actors would be Blair Underwood and Denzel Washington. Each of these
actors have a history of playing roles that are very similar to the characters
of my novel. They have what it takes to bring to life and provide depth to
the issues that are faced by these characters.
P. Hinson, and Kerry Washington for my female characters. My male
actors would be Blair Underwood and Denzel Washington. Each of these
actors have a history of playing roles that are very similar to the characters
of my novel. They have what it takes to bring to life and provide depth to
the issues that are faced by these characters.
What is
the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
“A woman escapes the perils of
abuse, dysfunctional relationships,
poverty, and generational secrecy to find an unexpected angel in
disguise.”
poverty, and generational secrecy to find an unexpected angel in
disguise.”
Will your
book be self-published or represented by an agency?
How long
did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It took me a several years to write
this book and one year of editing. So
about 10 years.
about 10 years.
What
other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
For those who are knowledgeable
about African-American romance
novels, the writing style is comparable to writers such as Zane and Terry
McMillan. I enjoy writing modern literature in a rustic, rural setting with a
feeling that is comparable to Devil in a Blue Dress, which is the reason that
I thought of Denzel Washington in portraying a character in my book. This
book is raw and written without censoring the language, the experiences,
or the issues that are faced by these characters.
novels, the writing style is comparable to writers such as Zane and Terry
McMillan. I enjoy writing modern literature in a rustic, rural setting with a
feeling that is comparable to Devil in a Blue Dress, which is the reason that
I thought of Denzel Washington in portraying a character in my book. This
book is raw and written without censoring the language, the experiences,
or the issues that are faced by these characters.
Who or
What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by personal
experiences and the experiences of the people
that I have encountered over the years. I found that the subject matter was
relatable. I was inspired to write about the issue of sexual abuse and the
family secrecy that keeps many victims in bondage to the experience
because they are not encouraged to share their stories. Many of these
individuals become involved in a cycle of dysfunctional relationships, a
lack of feeling of self-worth, and no peace from within. My motives for
writing this novel was to provide a story that will be relatable enough to
reach the masses and be the catalyst for the reader to gain some sort of
release from their own personal experiences that will set them free. I want
for those who have experiences similar to those outlined in the book to feel
as if the can get a release from family secrets, be real with themselves, be
real about what they have experienced, so they can find real peace.
that I have encountered over the years. I found that the subject matter was
relatable. I was inspired to write about the issue of sexual abuse and the
family secrecy that keeps many victims in bondage to the experience
because they are not encouraged to share their stories. Many of these
individuals become involved in a cycle of dysfunctional relationships, a
lack of feeling of self-worth, and no peace from within. My motives for
writing this novel was to provide a story that will be relatable enough to
reach the masses and be the catalyst for the reader to gain some sort of
release from their own personal experiences that will set them free. I want
for those who have experiences similar to those outlined in the book to feel
as if the can get a release from family secrets, be real with themselves, be
real about what they have experienced, so they can find real peace.
What else
about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The book presents packages serious
issues in a sultry, exciting,
mysterious way. It is essentially a melting pot to create interest in the
reader.
mysterious way. It is essentially a melting pot to create interest in the
reader.
The bloghop
featuring “The Next Big Thing” will continue with blogposts from Otescia Johnson and Lorieen Henry.
Otescia Johnson, wrote He Cheated: A Woman’s Guide to Receiving Healing After Adultery, a book that encourages all women who have been victim to adultery know that forgiveness is an option that leads to personal victory.
Lorieen Henry, author of There is a Miracle in 21, provides a transparent therapeutic piece of work that shares her spiritual journey through self-discovery.
Otescia Johnson, wrote He Cheated: A Woman’s Guide to Receiving Healing After Adultery, a book that encourages all women who have been victim to adultery know that forgiveness is an option that leads to personal victory.
Lorieen Henry, author of There is a Miracle in 21, provides a transparent therapeutic piece of work that shares her spiritual journey through self-discovery.
Stay tuned as I continue to feature, “The Next Big Thing”…
Please
check out my website at www.ars-mhrcs.com
to find out how you can obtain assistance on academic, personal, or
professional development. Our goal is to
provide an understanding of relationships and enhance overall performance
through the process of self-discovery.
