Tiffany Norris

Pre-Interview:

Hello,

My name is Tiffany Norris. I am a mom of two boys living in Philadelphia, PA born and raised. I’ve been writing since I was about five always fascinated with words and creating my own. I remember in 5th grade when everyone was learning long division I was writing my first story, stapling the pages together and even doing my own illustrations lol.

I’ve gone on to write numerous stories but nothing ever published. I typically write historical fiction but with a twist, the BWWM trope as well as contemporary romance black women and black men and BWWM. I studied English at Tuskegee university and plan on going back to study either communications or marketing haven’t decided.

Author Interview:

1..What inspires you most to write?

I’ve been writing since I was a child. I’ve always been fascinated with words and used to make up my own. I suppose what inspires me to write is being able to live out different lives in a book lol be whoever I want in any time period I want. 

2. What is your favorite genre?

I’ve been really into historical fiction lately but I also like urban fiction and contemporary fiction. 

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

That’s tough. There’s so many that I like and admire and look up to. If I had to choose one it’d be Beverly Jenkins. She’s what got me interested in historical fiction. I love how she adds real life history into her stories. 

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

Still working on that! But sometimes I’ll step away from the project but sometimes I’ll step away too long and before I know it years have gone by but sometimes it works and I look at it from a fresh set of eyes and get to work. 

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

I can’t really give any advice on that as I’m not published myself but I would say make sure your work is copyrighted!

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

Oh man I’ve written a bunch of stories! I’ve just never published anything. Too scared I guess. I’m working on something now that I really want to publish. 

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

Hmm that’s tough too! I don’t know anything that I’d rewrite. 

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

Definitely motivation and writer’s block. I’ll have ideas for days but no motivation to actually start writing and then when I do start writing I get writer’s block usually once I reach the climax. I’m sensitive about my work lol but I try to take the criticism and critiques and apply them. If I want people to read my work I have to write what they’d want to read.

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

Although I’m not published I can say just being able to put pen to paper. Getting my ideas out. Having people tell me “you need to publish this!” Lol 

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

Hmm, I can’t wear headphones and write but I can write with background noise or silence. 

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

You’re good even when you don’t think you are. Do it scared and do it when you’re doubting yourself. Write down any all ideas that come to you. Don’t focus on the title so much that comes later.

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

I haven’t reached that part in my career yet so I can’t answer that. 

13. Why should anyone read your book?

Good question. I feel everyone is for someone. My book(s) may not resonate with everyone but for people who can resonate with my tone are the people who I want to enjoy my books. 

14. Did you have a book coach?

I didn’t. 

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject was English and history. 

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

I’m not self published but I’m looking to self publish this book.