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Destiny: An Interview with Tangelika Bolen
BL: Can you give us a brief synopsis of Destiny?
Tangelika:Teresa Tucker is an exotic dancer known as Sensation, trapped in a non-committal relationship. Drawn to the exciting world of exotic dancing, she soon finds herself in a relationship filled with infidelity and plunges into alcohol and devastation. Feeling undeserving of love, she runs from pillow to post. Teresa makes new friends who tragically begin to drop out of her life one by one. After witnessing a murder, Teresa flees to her mother's for safety and comfort. She soon discovers that someone has placed a terrible spell on her and is walking around with her name in their shoes. She relies on the advice and protection of a Voodoo Priestess which leads to an exciting ending that will leave you speechless.
BL:What compelled you to write about Destiny?
Tangelika: I wanted to write a story about facing that person in the mirror. Destiny is not just about an exotic dancer, it's about relationships and facing that person in the mirror. When I think of Destiny I think about going through a dark tunnel with no light or guidance. In the end of all the turmoil you can see much clearer. Nothing at all is easy in life, usually destiny takes you through something to get something. If it is altered, what then?
BL:Why is her story important?
Tangelika: Becoming aware when you make decisions on impulse, whether it be your love life or career. Teresa experienced highs and lows in both departments, with Delvin and exotic dancing.
BL:You give a lot of detailed information about dancers and their lives. How do you know so much about them?
Tangelika:I became acquainted with a few exotic dancers who choose to remain anonymous. I was allowed to get their take on the highs and lows of this type of the lifestyle, the glitz as well as the danger that comes with it. I even visited a strip club and watched the dancers perform which helped me with the visual aspects of the story. Destiny is of my own creation. All the characters and events in Destiny are completely fictitious.
BL:How long have you been writing?
Tangelika:I've been writing poetry for years, but for the past year I've reached for higer goals by writing a novel and a stage play.
BL:What is the writing process like for you?
Tangelika:I never went one day or week without doing something to my current work. I made time for all projects and set immediate deadlines to give me that extra push. I only edit when I couldn't think of anything to write, and that usually led me back to writing.
BL:This is your first novel and it is self published.
Tangelika:Yes Destiny was self published, but it has now been picked up by Black Pearl Publishing. It is no longer considered self published. And it will experience a title and cover change.
BL:How did you come to the decision to self publish? What was the process like?
Tangelika: I self-published only because I had queried many agents and publishers and was offered a contract with one particular agency whom I will not mention. I found out they were up for pending charges for selling of others works, which sent me into a panic so I self-published. I requested media kits/brochures from many self-publishing companies and prayed before making my choice. I'm pleased with my choice. I chose Bookman Publishers & Marketers. They don't tie you into a contract agreement. They allow you to have full power over layout, font, cover, and you can edit along the way if you notice errors in content long after print. You are not limited to a certain number of galleys and they have their own bookstores as well as marketing packages. You are also not charged by page count and roylties are 50% regardless.
BL:What are you working on now?
Tangelika: I am currently working on a novel called "SHAME". It is scheduled to be completed for February 2006.
BL: Will you follow up with Destiny? Her story seems leave a lot of questions unanswered.
Tangelika: I purposely left the last two pages at a cliffhanger to have my readers thirsting for a part two. It tells you on the last page it's going to be a chapter two.
BL: Where can readers go to find out more information about you?
Tangelika: They can go to http://www.blackliterture.com/tangelikabolen or www.fictionwriter.bravehost.com
BL: Will you be appearing at any book signings or conferences in the near future?
Tangelika: This October, there will be a hosted party in my favor. More details will be posted to my website. However, there will be a lot of book signing scheduled this winter. Black Pearl Books will be keeping me pretty busy.
BL: OK. Final question. What book(s) are you reading now?
Tangelika: I just completed reading The Prodigal Husband, by Jacquelin Thomas. It is Christian fiction. Now I am snuggling up with My Daughters Boyfriend by Cynday Ray and it's hard to put it down.
Thanks, Tangelika. Good Luck with Destiny!
Tangelika Bolen is a first time author. You may visit her online at www.blackliterature.com/tangelikabolen
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