Thursday, July 1, 2010
Meet Vivienne Diane Neal, Author & Self Publisher
This past week, Vivienne Diane Neal sat down with Black Love is Beautiful Blogspot to introduce her work to us. Writing about issues that deal with life, love, and cyberromance, the interview was extremely lively, and we are pleased to share her story with you.
Hi Vivienne, introduce yourself to the Black Love is Beautiful Blog Readers.
Well, my name is Vivienne Diane Neal. I was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 15, 1946. My family and I moved to Manhattan in 1964 and still reside there.
Tell us about your books.
My first book Making Dollar$ And Cent$ Out Of Online Dating takes a humorous and honest approach to explain the difficulties of starting and running an on-line dating site on half a shoestring budget. It is a personal journey into the trials and tribulations, which I have encountered.
My second book Shades of Deception is a collection of ten fictional short stories centering on diverse men and women who in their speedy search for love, romance and bliss, become the targets and victims of deceit, betrayal, fraud, revenge and scandal. Each chapter tells a story as to how ordinary citizens who are sophisticated, successful and financially smart fall prey to predators that use love, romance, lust and money as embellishments to destroy lives.
What made you want to be a writer?
I did not learn how to write properly until I went to college at age 28. I had an excellent professor who taught English with an emphasis on grammar. I had her for two semesters. Because of her, I became interested in writing.
As a home economics consultant, I had to write, which included designing a course curriculum and learning materials in home management, nutrition, meal planning and preparation, recipe development and budgeting. From 1982-86, I was the publisher and editor of Gourmet News, a quarterly newsletter that featured the finest in food, recipes and dining ideas. From 1992-96, I published a bimonthly communiqué called Features and Information, that brought creative and fun ways to meet people in a comfortable and pleasant manner, suggestions on personal development, money management, self-improvement and helpful approaches to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through good food, diet and nutrition, travel tips, events and more.
Now when it came to writing a book that was a different story. I never had any intentions or interests in writing a book. Writing articles was my specialty. My mother was always asking me, "When are you going to write a book," meaning a cookbook. My answer was, "I am not interested in writing a book." Of course, I would end up eating those words. Perhaps writing a book was destined to happen. In l982, while I was on jury duty, I met an editor, who worked for a major book publishing company. She tried to get me to write a book on home management. My answer was no, because my heart was not in it. However, she was very persistent. Therefore, I went ahead and sent an outline of the book to her publisher, but they rejected it because they did not see a market for this type of content. Therefore, I never gave book writing another thought. Little did I know, my mother and the editor were predicting my future as an author and self-publisher? As the saying goes, “Nothing happens before it’s time.” In 2007, I started to write articles for Associated Content and other on-line media sites. My first article motivated me to write my first book. Then I started to write short stories and decided to turn those tales into a book.
What makes you passionate about addressing the topic online dating?
In 1986, I started a pen pal publication, which I talk more about in Making Dollars and Cents Out Of Online Dating. Back then, there was no World Wide Web, and people were meeting through printed singles’ magazines, matchmaking services, through friends and family members. There were always issues when it came to meeting the right person or finding a good mate. I enjoy providing a venue for people to meet, whether it is for romance, networking, marriage, business contacts or friendship. When I went on-line with my dating site, the concerns for meeting someone became a little more challenging. There is an air of mystery when meeting someone on-line as opposed to meeting someone in person. You also have to wonder if the person you are meeting on-line is sincere, single, a player or a con artist. I have heard and read so many stories about people being hurt, financially and emotionally, because they rush into a romantic relationship without doing a thorough investigation. I try to write articles that will make people think before they become involved with an online dating interest. Although my book, Shades of Deception, is fictional, these stories are a mirror of what is happening today and will probably continue to happen as long as people neglect to take the time to get to know someone before becoming romantically involved, whether it is on the Internet or at a party.
Tell our readers some of the trials that you have overcome while pursuing your writing dreams.
That is an excellent question. You have to be extremely creative and knowledgeable when it comes to writing, especially if you are going to self-publish your work. Writing my books was never a problem, but I had to wonder how was I going to publish, market and promote my work to a worldwide audience and come up with resourceful ways to market and promote my books on very little or no money at all. So many things that a traditional book publisher would do, I had to do myself, such as editing, proofreading, formatting and designing a book cover and coming up with artworks that did not cost an arm and a leg. While exploring the Internet, I found sites that provided the tools and resources to help publish, promote and market my books without going into debt.
What's on the horizon?
I have just completed my third book, Malicious Acts, an anthology of five fictional short stories, which centers on men and women who will stop at nothing to get what they want. If it means disguising themselves as benevolent individuals and destroying lives along the way, they are up for the thrill and will use romance, lust, greed and deceit as preludes to suck unsuspecting people out of their nest egg. The book will be released in the fall of 2010.
How can readers connect with you?
Readers can find out more about my work and me by going to http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003ONO6G4 or http://oneworldsingles.blogspot.com or email me at hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your talents our readers. Any parting words?
It was my pleasure. My parting words would be, if the passion is there to write a book, write it, and do not allow anyone to tell you that there is not a market out their for your work. If it means publishing the book yourself, that’s a start.
Hi Vivienne, introduce yourself to the Black Love is Beautiful Blog Readers.Well, my name is Vivienne Diane Neal. I was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 15, 1946. My family and I moved to Manhattan in 1964 and still reside there.
Tell us about your books.
My first book Making Dollar$ And Cent$ Out Of Online Dating takes a humorous and honest approach to explain the difficulties of starting and running an on-line dating site on half a shoestring budget. It is a personal journey into the trials and tribulations, which I have encountered.
My second book Shades of Deception is a collection of ten fictional short stories centering on diverse men and women who in their speedy search for love, romance and bliss, become the targets and victims of deceit, betrayal, fraud, revenge and scandal. Each chapter tells a story as to how ordinary citizens who are sophisticated, successful and financially smart fall prey to predators that use love, romance, lust and money as embellishments to destroy lives.What made you want to be a writer?
I did not learn how to write properly until I went to college at age 28. I had an excellent professor who taught English with an emphasis on grammar. I had her for two semesters. Because of her, I became interested in writing.
As a home economics consultant, I had to write, which included designing a course curriculum and learning materials in home management, nutrition, meal planning and preparation, recipe development and budgeting. From 1982-86, I was the publisher and editor of Gourmet News, a quarterly newsletter that featured the finest in food, recipes and dining ideas. From 1992-96, I published a bimonthly communiqué called Features and Information, that brought creative and fun ways to meet people in a comfortable and pleasant manner, suggestions on personal development, money management, self-improvement and helpful approaches to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through good food, diet and nutrition, travel tips, events and more.
Now when it came to writing a book that was a different story. I never had any intentions or interests in writing a book. Writing articles was my specialty. My mother was always asking me, "When are you going to write a book," meaning a cookbook. My answer was, "I am not interested in writing a book." Of course, I would end up eating those words. Perhaps writing a book was destined to happen. In l982, while I was on jury duty, I met an editor, who worked for a major book publishing company. She tried to get me to write a book on home management. My answer was no, because my heart was not in it. However, she was very persistent. Therefore, I went ahead and sent an outline of the book to her publisher, but they rejected it because they did not see a market for this type of content. Therefore, I never gave book writing another thought. Little did I know, my mother and the editor were predicting my future as an author and self-publisher? As the saying goes, “Nothing happens before it’s time.” In 2007, I started to write articles for Associated Content and other on-line media sites. My first article motivated me to write my first book. Then I started to write short stories and decided to turn those tales into a book.
What makes you passionate about addressing the topic online dating?
In 1986, I started a pen pal publication, which I talk more about in Making Dollars and Cents Out Of Online Dating. Back then, there was no World Wide Web, and people were meeting through printed singles’ magazines, matchmaking services, through friends and family members. There were always issues when it came to meeting the right person or finding a good mate. I enjoy providing a venue for people to meet, whether it is for romance, networking, marriage, business contacts or friendship. When I went on-line with my dating site, the concerns for meeting someone became a little more challenging. There is an air of mystery when meeting someone on-line as opposed to meeting someone in person. You also have to wonder if the person you are meeting on-line is sincere, single, a player or a con artist. I have heard and read so many stories about people being hurt, financially and emotionally, because they rush into a romantic relationship without doing a thorough investigation. I try to write articles that will make people think before they become involved with an online dating interest. Although my book, Shades of Deception, is fictional, these stories are a mirror of what is happening today and will probably continue to happen as long as people neglect to take the time to get to know someone before becoming romantically involved, whether it is on the Internet or at a party.
Tell our readers some of the trials that you have overcome while pursuing your writing dreams.
That is an excellent question. You have to be extremely creative and knowledgeable when it comes to writing, especially if you are going to self-publish your work. Writing my books was never a problem, but I had to wonder how was I going to publish, market and promote my work to a worldwide audience and come up with resourceful ways to market and promote my books on very little or no money at all. So many things that a traditional book publisher would do, I had to do myself, such as editing, proofreading, formatting and designing a book cover and coming up with artworks that did not cost an arm and a leg. While exploring the Internet, I found sites that provided the tools and resources to help publish, promote and market my books without going into debt.
What's on the horizon?
I have just completed my third book, Malicious Acts, an anthology of five fictional short stories, which centers on men and women who will stop at nothing to get what they want. If it means disguising themselves as benevolent individuals and destroying lives along the way, they are up for the thrill and will use romance, lust, greed and deceit as preludes to suck unsuspecting people out of their nest egg. The book will be released in the fall of 2010.
How can readers connect with you?
Readers can find out more about my work and me by going to http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003ONO6G4 or http://oneworldsingles.blogspot.com or email me at hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your talents our readers. Any parting words?
It was my pleasure. My parting words would be, if the passion is there to write a book, write it, and do not allow anyone to tell you that there is not a market out their for your work. If it means publishing the book yourself, that’s a start.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Push by SapphireMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Sisters Reading in the South read this book as our September book selection and it was definitely a page turner.
Amazon Review: Originally reviewed October 11, 2009.
Dating back to over a decade ago, Sapphire set out to bring the tragic life of Precious Jones into the hands of readers around America. It was then that the travesty of sexual, mental, and physical abuse toward children found it's whistle blower. Thirteen years later, are we listening? How will we proceed?The novel, Push by Sapphire, about an 18-year-old, illiterate, HIV positive young girl attempting to get her life on track so that she can care for her two incest bred children is heart wrenching. Precious has been through hell on earth, with a mother who can not comprehend how to care for another truly. Precious' mother is the reason people say everyone is not meant to be parents. The saddest thing is that there are Precious Jones' living in your district being abused on our watch. Illiterate, unkempt, neglected these children bare all of the signs, but they are brush off as the "insignificant others."My book club, Sisters Reading In The South, chose Push as a quarterly read because the book was being adapted to film by Tyler Perry and Oprah, but now that I've had the chance to read it I am glad we did for much a deeper reason - Awareness. I get so caught up in day-to-day living that the most vulnerable in society are oftentimes forgotten -- our children. What sad state of affairs are we in when mothers rather keep their man happy, than stand up for their children? And men be responsible for your child's safety!As a people, sexual abuse against children should incite not only debate, but action, which is why I applaud Bill O'Reilly in getting Jessica's Law passed (Jessica Lunsford), and Oprah and Tyler Perry for bringing Precious Jones' story to the forefront. The innocents can not be overlooked or forgotten. Push is recommending reading for socially conscious readers.
Reviewed by Shani Greene-DowdellAuthor of Keepin' It Tight
View all my reviews >>
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Introducing Guest Blogger Ebony Adams: "Stripped"
I was listening to Bishop Eddie Long one night and his sermon spoke to me in a way that touched me. In his sermon, he used the example of a father taking something away from his child, something that the child loved very much. However, the child only loved it so much because he wasn't aware of the fact that there was something even better than what he had out there waiting for him in life. The child was unaware that he had higher blessings waiting for him in the Kingdom of God. Therefore, the child cried, and became sad because he lost something that he thought was good.
In the eyes of the father, he had taken away the "toy" the child had, in order to give his son a shiny, new bike. Bishop Eddie Long used this example of the toy to illustrate how God often does us. We cry and pray and have the nerve to get very upset over life's trials, and then when things are taken away from us, whether it be a man, woman, family member, material things, or a job, we feel as if God has taken something very valuable from us and we are hurt. In all honesty, it usually is something or someone that we have put a lot of worth into and means a lot to us. It could be a person that we think we can not live without. However, if we were to allow ourselves to step out of the box for a minute and think along the lines that ‘God has NEVER taken anything or anyone out of my life and not given them something even better’ we would be better off in the end.
After losing someone from our lives, it is a very emotional time and we are still emotionally attached to that person and feel that they are still with us in spirit. Your loved one may have seemed to have left you now, which is devastating, but if you allow him to God will change things in you to prepare you for the changed man/woman you're praying about. Then, he will make that person an even better person than you ever imagined them to be!
The same goes for jobs. I lost a job that I truly thought was the best job ever and I thought I would keep that job for years. The job was in my field, it was nearby, it paid well, and I loved going to work everyday. But when God all of a sudden took that job from me, I was so hurt that I cried. My husband did his best to encourage me, but I honestly didn't even want to work in my field anymore. It was GOD that stepped in and showed me that I had been on that job for the time he intended me to be there, but it was time for me to get an even better job, and do even bigger things.
The point I'm trying to stress here is that God will never take anything away from you without giving you something ten times better than what you had, so rejoice in trials, rejoice in tribulations, and just rejoice to be rejoicing. If you know like I know, then you know God has a plan bigger than anything we could ever conceive.
Be blessed in the Lord family!
Ebony Adams is an inspirational blogger at Ebony’s Intricate Mind. She currently works in information technology and is an aspiring author. Visit her on the web at http://ebonysintricatemind.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Definition of a Smile
by The1Essence
When you look at me
what do you see?
An ethnic woman
dark and angry?
A loving mother?
A desirable lover?
Or,
A human being,
whose pain
makes your heart bleed?
Well,
let me tell you
it’s definitely no secret.
I smile because
i understand the difference
between
where i’ve been
and where
i am.
I smile when I look
at my daughter
watching her
struggle to maintain
who she thinks she should be
a woman some say
is just like me.
And she is succeeding
in my eyesight.
Not succumbing
to strife
and all the while
enjoying life.
My smile grows wider
when I look at my son.
Who FINALLY
learned
how to work hard and
still have fun.
Whose eyes look like
mine
and won’t hesitate to say
“I may be growing up Mom,
but I’ll always be your baby”.
And the history behind
my smile
is
that it was made
by 7 strong women
who paved the way
for me to be
anything my heart desired.
Instilled in me
values,
knowledge,
and
Steppin out on faith
with
brimstone and fire.
Then not just told me
but molded me
to never, ever
let a dollar
or
my
Race
Define me.
I smile because I understand
that the sunset
is just as beautiful
and important
as the sunrise.
I smile simply because
I
KNOW
what a blessing it is
to be
alive.
Now, that you know
this
I have one
simple request,
and
that is
that you
SMILE!
Even if
it is only because
I asked you too!
©2008 The1Essence; All rights reserved exclusively by The1Essence
Visit the writer's website at www.the1essence.com
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
What Politicians Don't Know About Technology Can Hurt Them
The smoothest and most successful online media campaign ever launched came with the face of President Barack Obama. This article tells you why engaging voters online is important.
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The smoothest and most successful online media campaign ever launched came with the face of President Barack Obama. This article tells you why engaging voters online is important.
Read More
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Top 10 Recommended Valentine Day Songs
List of 10 songs that should make every Valentine Day playlist to make a soulful connection.
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List of 10 songs that should make every Valentine Day playlist to make a soulful connection.
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