Humble Pressure

Pre-Interview: “Humble Pressure is brand/personality born & raised in Nashville, Tn. While Humble Pressure holds fashion model experience, creative directing talent, and now a published black female author, she’s bringing a realistic heartfelt escape to readers across the globe.”

Author Interview:

1.What inspires you most to write?

-What inspires me most to write is the life that surrounds me, being a hopeless romantic, and the desire to share my creative side with the world.

2. What is your favorite genre?

-Romance! I love love, it’s one of my favorite topics.

3. Who is one author you admire if any and why?

-Growing up I read a lot of Brenda Jackson, and it’s truly because of her that I dream of those whirlwind romances, but are still based in reality. 

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

-I will either read other books, watch something on tv that aligns with what I’m trying to write about, or spend time with my family and friends. I get a lot of inspiration from life around me and so my writer's block doesn’t usually last too long.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

-GET YOUR COPYRIGHT! I don’t care if it's long, short, good, not good, it’s YOUR ORIGINAL WORK. Get that copyright, patent, whatever it is. Pay the costs. It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. 

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

-I have written just one, recently released by the way, and it is on its way to becoming a bestseller! Currently #4 on the Amazon New Release lists. 

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, why?

-I would probably rewrite Love & Basketball! They had my girl Monica going out sad time and time again in that movie, it stressed me out! After so long, it’s like “Girl get up, get you another baller and move on!” 

8. What are some difficulties you've experienced in your writing career; how do you handle book critiques/criticism?

-Honestly, it’s been the author/writer lingo/language. I’m self-taught, I didn’t take a class or a course. When I was growing up, social media wasn’t as prominent, and we would just read hard copy books. So now that I am in the author world, there are some things that I don’t know or understand. I don’t feel shame about it, though. There's millions of things in the world that people don’t know. So now, I will take on the responsibility of teaching myself what these things mean, what lane and areas I do/don’t belong to, and where my niche is. 

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

-My best experiences have come from the love and support of my family and friends. I truly couldn’t have done this without them, and them constantly pushing me and pouring into me. I am beyond grateful and blessed to have them.

10. Do you prefer to write in silence and or have some sort sound in the background?

-I normally write with my headphones in, playing music. The music is mainly R&B, as it helps me get in the mood for what I’m writing. 

11. What are some encouraging words you'd give to another author/writer?

-Keep going, don’t stop, and don’t worry about if people will like it. As long as you love it, that’s all that matters. Your books will find their audiences. Just keep writing! 

12. How did you decide the pricing of your material; how did you go about promotion/advertising and distribution of your work?

-I met with my publisher often to go over how I wanted to do pricing. I wanted to be affordable while still turning profit. I also utilized most of my social media platforms and would post every day. I would post anything that is related to the book, its upcoming release, etc. I would send stuff to my friends and family, asking them to share and post on their pages too. I probably got on their nerves and I’m sorry, but listen, auntie is trying to get us out the hood, honey! 

13. Why should anyone read your book?

-Because my book is not your average romance novel. My book has a realism approach, where my readers can see themselves in the pages. While it is a romance novel, it also touches on healing, faith, pain, trauma, past, growth, family, success, and of course black love. My book will show readers that you can be loved, despite what you’ve been through. It will showcase how deserving we are of all good things our hearts desire. 

14. Did you have a book coach? 

- Nope. No book coach, just me and my imagination. 

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

-It was actually English. So I’ve always had a love for writing and storytelling. 

16. Are you self-published or have an established publishing contract elsewhere?

-I have a publisher! I initially wanted to go the self-publishing route, but I honestly think it was the pressure of social media and seeing what everyone else was doing. While self-publishing is definitely an accomplishment and should be celebrated, I did what was best for me and what my life allowed. I also knew that I wouldn’t have been able to circulate my book like my publisher has done. Again, I am new to the world of being an author. So I am very grateful to have her, and I cannot wait to see where this journey goes.

Hennessie M.

Owner, Humble Pressure