Hey, Ya’ll! It’s that time of year again. Author Spotlights are back!
This next spotlight author, I met a year ago at a book
festival in Memphis, TN. Nigeria’s table was next to mines, and her gentle presence left a
lasting impression on me. The way she captured festival goers with her outgoing personality and colorful lipstick was amazing. I connected with her via social media and her daily
messages inspire me. We need more people like her in the world.
Give a great big Kickin’ It With KeKe welcome to Nigeria
Lockley.
Author Nigeria Lockley
KC: So tell us, how long you have been writing?
NL: Do you mean writing as a passion or a
published author? I’ve been writing since I learned how to read at the age of
four. I have never wanted to be anything else except for the few years I spent desiring
to be the black Madonna. I’ve been a full-fledged
published author since 2014, with the release of my first novel, Born at Dawn.
KC: What genre do you write or prefer writing?
NL: I write Christian Fiction with a slant
for women’s issues.
KC: How did you know you wanted to become an author/writer?
NL: My sister spent the summer before I was
supposed to start kindergarten teaching me how to read. At the end of the summer, she wrote me a book to make sure I
could read and had not memorized the
words. After reading her book, I declared
I would one day write a book for her.
KC: What a great story. My “big” sister
has inspired me throughout the years more than she’ll ever know.
KC: What inspires you to write?
NL: Life inspires and so do words. I used
to be a poet or rather write mostly poetry. So, sometimes I just have to hear a
word that sounds delicious, and I need a
reason to use it. Boom. Just like that, I’m inspired.
KC: *Boom* Alright
nah. LOL
KC: What message do you want readers to take away from your
work?
NL: At the end of the day I want readers to
realize that no matter how far they’ve gone or how messy the situation is God
is still waiting for them.
KC: How would you describe your writing style?
NL: I wouldn’t and couldn’t if I tried, but
I love how Michelle Monkou described my
writing style when she reviewed Born at
Dawn for the USA Today blog, Happily
Ever After, “Gritty, powerful, and
inspirational mark Lockley’s brand of fiction.” That sounds about right.
KC: Awesome.
KC: Who are some of your favorite authors?
NL: In my genre: Michelle Stimpson, Unoma
Nwankwor, E. N. Joy, and Rhonda Bowen
Poet: June Jordan
Playwright: August Wilson
Fiction: Zora Neale Hurston, Claude Mckay,
Ntozake Shange (although she does it all), William Faulkner
KC: Great list. I met Michelle Stimpson a year ago. She is very
sweet. Too bad I didn’t have any books for her to sign.
KC: What are some of your favorite books?
NL: Boaz
Brown by Michelle Stimpson, Home to
Harlem by Claude McKay, Seven Guitars
by August Wilson, and for colored girls
who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf
by Ntozake Shange
KC: What is your formula when working on a new project? (Do you
listen to music, use an outline, meditate, or simply start typing?)
NL: I prefer to be about rather than talk
about—I just start.
KC: If you could collaborate
with any of your peers, who would it be and why?
NL: Unoma Nwankwor. I love her tender style
of writing and the African culture (say that wholistically
because she writes about multiple countries,
not just one) she incorporates into her work, plus the romantic element. There’s
nothing like a combination of sweet (her) and salty (me).
KC: I bet that would be something.
KC: What advice would you give aspiring authors?
NL: Do not write the story you think will
sell. Write the story you want to tell.
KC: What are you reading currently?
NL: I’m doing like triple duty. I’m
currently reading, Between the World and
Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Not with the Church’s Money by Michelle
Stimpson and Casandra McLaughlin, and Think
and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
KC: How can readers find you?
NL: My online home: www.nigerialockley.com
My reader’s group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NLBookBlock/
My author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorNigeriaLockley
KC: As an author, do you
think using social media is a great source for
gaining new readers/supporters?
NL: Absolutely. I’ve gained most of my
readers from social media. If you don’t have the money to travel to events, your social media game better be tight,
especially if you write in a special
niche within a particular genre. I’m working on a challenge for authors this
summer.
KC: Well, please keep me in the loop.
KC: Tell us about your latest work?
NL: My last release,
Tempted to Touch is about a marriage in crisis. When Kira Seagram is
reunited with her former lover and presented with the opportunity to pursue her
passion she has to decide if she’s going to follow her flesh or follow the
spirit.
KC: What’s next for you?
NL: I’m currently in-between three
different projects. I’m crazy as I don’t know what. I’m only three chapters
away from finishing my first non-fiction book, a book of prayers for creative
Christians and entrepreneurs. I’m about
half-way through my fourth work of fiction, Children
of God, which deals with the Haitian immigration crisis of 2015 in the
Dominican Republic. Rounding out the three is Saving Grace the sequel to Seasoned
with Grace.
KC: That’s what I’m talking about! *fist pumps* Do your thang,
Sista.
KC: Do you believe networking is crucial to being successful in
the writing industry? Why? Why not?
NL: It’s absolutely
essential. Your network is your net worth.
The people you surround yourself with can introduce you to influencers and a
new audience. In addition, they can tell
what to do and what not to do. Thus creating wealth for you and preserving your
dollars.
KC: Where do you see yourself in five years?
NL: On a beach. Five years from now I’ll be
writing and speaking full-time and after a crazy first half of the year with
engagements and book releases I’ll be on the beach in Costa Rica chillin’.
KC: I hear that and feel that! Just got back from Puerto Rico,
and I didn’t want to leave. I love the beach. It’s so peaceful and serene, the
perfect backdrop to creative flow.
KC: Tell us something that you live by daily, that we can carry
with us that should inspire and motivate us to pursue our purpose?
NL: God has never created anything mediocre. He is the
creator of the sun, moon, and stars yet He made us in His image. I will walk in
that greatness.
KC:
Well said and Amen!
LETS GO…
Fun facts:
KC: What is your favorite color?
NL: Blue.
KC: What is your favorite food?
NL: Bacon, pork
chops, pernil (roast pork). Okay, anything pork except pig’s feet.
KC: What is your favorite pastime?
NL: Is watching reality tv a pastime?
KC: Football or basketball?
NL: Football. #BradyBunch until I d-i-e.
KC: Michael Jordan or Lebron James?
NL: Jordan and that’s not based on any
statistics just the fact that I was born in the ‘80s and grew up in the ‘90s.
KC: Thanksgiving or Christmas?
NL: Thanksgiving.
KC: Books or movies?
NL: Books.
KC: Winter, spring, summer, or fall?
NL: Spring.
KC: If you were allowed only one thing with you during the day,
what would be the thing you pick?
NL: That’s tricky can I get two. I need my
Bible, but I also need my lipstick.
KC: Breakfast or Lunch?
NL: Breakfast.
KC: Please list your website so the
audience can stay connected with you.
Thank
you so much for Kickin’ It With KeKe
today. It has been a true delight. I’ve
learned more things about you and
established that we have many things in common. I will definitely add your
titles to my list of books to read. May God continue to bless, strengthen, and
keep you under His grace!
Until
next time, Be Inspired, Be Encouraged & Be YOU!
Purple
Hugs,
KeKe
Chanel
No comments:
Post a Comment