| Simone: |
Hello. How are you doing today? |
| Deartra: |
I am doing good. I am a bit excited right now. |
| Simone: |
Why is that? |
| Deartra: |
It is NaNoWriMo time. I am always excited during
this time. |
| Simone: |
What is NaNoWriMo for those who do not know what it is? |
| Deartra: |
NaNoWriMo is an ambitious effort for people who want to
write a novel. We try to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days,
during the month of November. |
| Simone: |
Wow, that sounds like a big deal. |
| Deartra: |
It is. It is an endeavor that can foster a great
feeling of accomplishment. |
| Simone: |
How many times have you participated in NaNoWriMo? |
| Deartra: |
For the past three years. I found out about it in
2004. I have participated each year since then. |
| Simone: |
What made you want to participate in this event? |
| Deartra: |
I am a writer. I love to write. I have always
wanted to write a novel. When I found out about this, it was as if
God was telling me that it was time to go for my dream. I got
excited about it immediately. |
| Simone: |
How did you your first time out? |
| Deartra: |
I wrote about 30,000 words or so. That was good for a
first timer from word I heard from others. |
| Simone: |
Wow. How did you feel about doing this? |
| Deartra: |
It felt good. I had never written that much before in
one setting. I was happy and proud. |
| Simone: |
So, you decided to do it again in 2005, right? |
| Deartra: |
Yes. In 2005, I was out of work, so I had a whole new
set of circumstances. In 2004, I was writing while I had a job, so
it was hard to write at times. Two thousand-five was a very good
experience for me. I was able to write whenever I wanted to.
It was great. |
| Simone: |
How many words did you write in 2005? |
| Deartra: |
I wrote close to 95,000 words. I was shooting for
100,000 words. I got a little overzealous. |
| Simone: |
I would say so. Were there other people who tried to
write 100,000 words? |
| Deartra: |
Yes, there were others. It was cool joining with
others trying to accomplish a goal this great. |
| Simone: |
So, what is your goal for this year? |
| Deartra: |
I am going to try to write 100,000. Also, I plan to
try to get this one published. |
| Simone: |
Wow. What makes this one different than the other two
novels, that you want to publish it? |
| Deartra: |
Well, from what I have heard from others, the novel I am
writing this year is good enough to be published. Plus, I feel that
it is time for me to try to publish one of my novels. |
| Simone: |
That sounds great. I hope that you get it published. |
| Deartra: |
Yea, I have a lot of support from my family on this one. |
| Simone: |
What is the novel about? |
| Deartra: |
It is a story based on something that my brother and I went
through at our old church. It is about what happens when people
gossip and spread rumors. It is called ALLEGATIONS. |
| Simone: |
Girl, that sounds interesting. Folk are always running
their mouths, especially at church. |
| Deartra: |
I know. That's the purpose of the book.
Hopefully, someone will read it and stop gossiping. |
| Simone: |
That's a tall order right there. |
| Deartra: |
We both know that, but I believe that God has ordained this
book for this year. When I asked my brother if I could write the
story, he was more excited about it than I was, so "For Such A Time
As This." |
| Simone: |
Don't start nothing up in here girl. |
| Deartra: |
I ain't gonna preach right now. |
| Simone: |
You are crazy, girl. What were the other NaNo Novels
about? |
| Deartra: |
In 2004, it was a story called Captive
By History. This was a love story about two people who were
being held captive by their past history.
The NaNo Novel I wrote in 2005, was called Flirting
With Danger. It is about a bishop's son who starts dating a
newly saved woman who used to be a stripper. |
| Simone: |
Girl, your stories sound interesting, especially, Flirting
with Danger. |
| Deartra: |
I think they are, but I am biased. |
| Simone: |
What would you tell others who want to participate in
NaNoWriMo? |
| Deartra: |
I would tell them to go ahead and try it. But
remember, if you don't write 50,000 words, don't get upset with yourself
and never try again. The fact that you tried to do it is an
accomplishment in itself. |
| Simone: |
That's some good advice. Thanks for letting me
interview you. Good luck with your novel. |
| Deartra: |
Glad to do it. Thanks for the encouragement. |
