RIM's July Author of the Month
Dama Cargle
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
First and foremost I’m a mother to my Proud, Determination, Joy, and Inspiration my son Marcus. I reside in Tallahassee Florida; I’m the youngest of three children. As a new Author I’m striving to make my mark on the literary world.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to shop and I mean shop, shoes are like a drug for me. I know I shouldn’t buy anymore but, it’s like Pooky from New Jack City says ‘I tried to kick it but that shit just be callin' me man, it be callin' me, man... I just got to go to it!” LOL, Clothes are like my chocolate, if I buy another item it want be able to fit in closet’ssss, everything else are souvenirs. J
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
The first time I started writing was 7 months prior. And to date I have completed my first novel ‘Serenity: The Takeover’ which is the first of a trilogy, along with a Prequel to the trilogy entitled ‘Before: The Takeover’. I’m in process of doing my final read and off to the editor hoping for a release date of August 20th. In the meantime I’m honored to be a part of an analogy called when ‘When It Rains It Pours’. I’m super excited because it’s an introduction to the literary world and will give readers a small taste of what’s to come from me. My story is called ‘Presidential Dymes’ which is about Christian, Chantel, Gabby, and Pandora all were inseparable since the age of 5. Highly Intelligent, Beautiful, and Independent with a bond that was unbreakable, until tragedy strikes from the carelessness of the men they all love. With Propositions on the table, backs against the wall they decide to become Bosses starting their own Escort service only dealing with the Elite, their distinguished style became personal persona while the money became never ending over night they were Millionaire, but as the saying goes more money more problems. Bonds will be broken, Lives will be lost and Secrets will be reveled the joined at the hip best friends finds out all they thought they knew was nothing at all about each other. The question is?? Who will still share the Inseparable, Unbreakable Sisterly bond they all once shared when the smoke clears and the truth is told, Due out July 15th.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I think I chose Urban/ Street Literature because it’s what I can identify with the most. It’s what I see every day it how I was raised and I hope one day to be a voice for the urban community. And it doesn’t hurt that’s the genre I started out reading and still my reads the most.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? If yes, how do you get over it?
Oh God yes! I think every writer whether they care to admit to it or not experience writer’s block for time to time. As for me I will gladly admit I’m guilty of suffering from writer’s block on occasions. There are numerous things I like to do, one may be surround myself with quietness pulling out my notes and piecing the story together from the start. Another way is through music, I LOVE music which readers won’t find it hard to tell in my novels. All my novels will reflect music in some way, but however I just press play and let the music influence/motivate me. Another alternative is SIMPLE take a complete break from the book and do you, trust me when you get ready to write again so many other things would have came to mind you’ll make up for the short time away.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Like many ‘The Coldest Winter Ever’ by Sister Souljah and Teri Woods ‘True To The Game’ series would be the books that made me fall in love with Urban Literature also another book may not be known to many by Author Leo Sullivan called ‘LIFE’ that book had such a strong impact on me as well. I loved how he painted such a vivid, clean picture for readers he and I live in the very same city so his accuracy was to the tee. I seen a interview with Déjà King and she said when you writing a book your book should be timeless and in my opinion those book are timelessly classics 10 years from now readers can pick up those books that have been on shelves for years now and still hold the same impact as the very day the hit the shelves.
As for Authors my dear friend and Author Mr. Rasheed Carter who I love to pieces would be the reason I started to write. One day we were discussing books and different avenues a story could and should go; out of the blue he proposed that he and I should write a book together. As soon as the idea came the idea went (LOL) long story short he didn’t like my idea of a gangsta in love. He claimed he couldn’t identify with the story I described, so he dared me to write my own book and me being the daredevil I am would never be dared and not come though. So I thought about what I wanted to write about and initially my Prequel started out being Serenity: The Takeover but low and behold that all changed. (True story)….I went to sleep one night and dreamt the plot behind my Novel Serenity: The Takeover for a week straight I dreamed of different scenes that will take place in the book. This book played like a movie in my mind and I hope I execute that on paper, one thing I will say this book has so many twist and turns, so much deceit and secrets it’s definitely a chess game on paper. I want to shock readers when they feel they have it all figured out the reveal will leave them speechless.
If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?
Well as far as my novel the jury hasn’t spoken yet, but I have put so much research and thought along with the saying ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ have been placed into this novel. I pray I’m able to concur what I set out too. I plan on self publishing through my own publishing called none other than Takeover Publications.
How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?
Well I think any up and comer in whatever it is your trying to achieve Social Media has made the impossible very much possible. I live and stand by that, I also believe the pot will get sweeter. Also word of mouth is everything. Some books I have never heard of before but learned through someone else talking about how much they enjoyed it. And me being the compulsive one-clicker I am I have to go and find out what’s all the hype about.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
I still consider myself to be an aspiring writer, but every day I make it a point to learn something I didn’t know the previous day. When I first decided to make writing a career I was consistently told to do research, research, and more research. I was so frustrated with that answer every time I reached to someone. In my mind I was thinking ‘how hard could it be to put a book out’ and when I tell you research have been proven true to be my friend. As your parents would tell you growing up nothing in life will come easy and if it does than you may want to rethink if it’s worth it. I’m not going to paint a pretty picture and say this was easy for me if I did I would be being untrue. If you’re planning on self publishing do your own research you can’t be a CEO trusting somebody else to run and know your company better than you. Taking your time is the most important advice I can give and use everything and everybody around you as inspiration the good and the bad in the end you’ll a bomb ass story. If this is something you truly want to do let nothing and no one defer you from it (as they/things will)and last but not lease let the passion in your story/words drive you not the material benefits let that help provide a peaceful sleep when you do go. (LOL)
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
I have no earthly clue who you are just yet, but my faith and sprit tells me you guys are waiting for me. I hope to make your all-time favorite Authors list one day amongst so many greats who has also inspired me. I welcome our life long bond and your advice in helping me become greater at this path I have chosen to walk. I will forever and a day be indebted to you, rock with me and let’s TAKEOVER the world one book, at a time. Your future all-time favorite Author and friend Dama C. Cargle……..MUAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
