This
interview with Lakishia N. Smith, author of
What Ever
Happened 2 My King and Life's
Pains Destiny's Gain
was conducted in September 2007.
I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland in a small
project community on the Southside named Westport.
What was it that first got you into writing and when did
you start writing?
I realized I had a passion for writing by the time I was
9 years old. Growing up in one of Baltimore’s most violent project
community’s there was always some drama or something else crazy going
down. Whenever I’d become down over something, I’d go to my room, grab my
pen and pad and write, write, write, and it took me somewhere; whatever I
wrote, is where I was at the time; I would be in a zone. It was at that
time that I realized that this was my passion.
I admire, Sistah Souljah, Omar Tyree, K’wan, Vickie
Stringer because she is indeed the lady!!!! I admire the legendary Maya
Angelou who I’ve just admired since a kid. Her way with words is just one
of a kind, she’s bad!! Donna Hill who we have to give a standing ovation
to!! The sistah has over 50 titles with her name on them!!! There are
just so many people who I admire. Ohh and I must say Teri
Woods!
I write urban fiction.
I write things that people from the urban community could relate to and
a person that’s not from that side of the track could learn from. I write about
things that maybe I have gone through in life. Things that I’ve seen
people around me go through; I write about things I hear, things I see, things
I know. My books are fiction but many of the things that the characters in
my books go through is reality to many.
Well, I’m working on my 4th novel. I
cannot give you the title because you know there are people out there that love
to steal ideas (smile). This book is gonna be a different one. It’s
still gonna be urban and all, but just different then what’s already out
there. I’m also starting my own self publishing company. I wanna offer other talented writers the
chance to be heard.
I’m always working on more then one title at a time so
whatever mood I am in, that’s the manuscript I’d work on that day. I write when I feel like I could get into a
zone.
The fact that God has given me the gift to captivate and
inspire others with my words. I’m from the projects and coming from the hood we
don’t have many people to look up to.
It makes me feel good to be looked at as an idol in my neighbourhood.
I guess the fact that at times you get writers
block. I don’t know if people realize
how hard it is to complete a novel, but it ain’t easy. Especially when you want to always keep it
real with your people and not just write because you know that you can. Some people write just to entertain, but I
have to always think up some lessons to throw in my books and I have to throw
them at my readers without them even realizing that’s what I’m doing. I get
frustrated at times when the words don’t come out right.
What’s the best piece of feedback that you’ve had from your audience?
Well the feed back that I’ve been receiving from my readers has been
CRAAAAZZZZY LOVE!!! But you know what makes me feel good. The great
feed back from the fellas! The fellas is loving this book!! That
feels good. People are saying that they read the book in a day or
two. This book is 333 pages! Then I have people that say that they
read it 3, 4 or 5 times. It just feels good when people can feel and relate my
story!
Do you write for a particular audience, or is your first priority to
satisfy your own creativity?
I write for everyone! Male, Female, Urban and Suburban, I just believe
that everyone could learn something from my books!
Do you have a homepage? Do you have any short stories or
poems published online? (If so, please provide the URLs):
Yes my website is http://www.lakishiansmith.com/ and
http://www.myspace.com/lakishiasmith;
I would recommend that my readers do a Google search on me: Lakishia Smith,
there is so much information that comes up on me, poems, interviews, all kinds of
great stuff.
Lisez cette page en français avec
Babelfish Lesen
diese Seite auf Deutsch mit
Babelfish
