Where did you get your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc. come from?
LB: This might sound crazy but I used to hate reading. My passion for literature didn’t
emerge until the fourth grade when my class was assigned to read Bud Not Buddy by
Christopher Paul Curtis. Sadly, this was the first time that I read a book that featured
black characters and it taught me that I didn't hate reading. Instead, I was just bored
with the books that centered around people who didn't look like me. Later that year, my
school had the opportunity to visit Progress Village, a miniature town that simulates a
work environment with businesses and a local newspaper. I joined the newspaper team
and wrote an article that was ultimately selected for the final copy. Although I was
excited back then, I still had no idea how far I would go with it. I was too young to
recognize my potential.
Then in the ninth grade, one of my friends got a hold of The Coldest Winter Ever by
Sister Souljah and it was a wrap. I was exposed to stories that literally left me thirsty for
more and I was hooked. During my senior year of high school, I secretly started writing
and decided that I wanted to bring characters to life for girls that grew up like me could
relate to.
Any author(s) that you'd like to collaborate with?
LB: All of the Florida girls! We are a different breed and it translates on the pages.
Lemonica, Jazz E, S. Yvonne, Ms. StreetCred, Diamond Johnson, and M. Monique are
definitely on the list. They all are putting Florida on the map.
Can you give us your favorite author(s)?
LB: No. This is a hard question for me to answer because I read so much at random. Before becoming an author in 2019, I didn't hang around people who read like me, I always
picked books at random from Amazon. People always looked at me like I had three
heads when replying that I haven't read a book by some of the industry’s faves.
Honestly, I just never knew who they were. I didn't learn about all of these book groups,
booktok, and who the readers deem popular until recently.
Although I don't have a list of favorite authors, I do have a list of favorite books:
True to the Game by Teri Woods
Demon's Dream by Elle Kayson
Daddy's Gurlz by Diamond Johnson
Down To Ride For A Carolina Menace by Nikki Brown
Fast by Millie Belizaire
Lickin' License by Intelligent Allah
Is there a genre you haven't tried but would like to?
LB: Yes. I would love to try my hand with children's books. Working with children has always been my passion and venturing over to that genre is something I've told myself I was
going to do. I definitely plan to make it happen in 2024.
How do you research for your books?
LB: For me, life experience is the best research. My social work background and knowledge
exposed me to so much, witnessing things that the average person probably thinks only
happens in books and movies. However, when touching on an unfamiliar topic, I reach
out and speak with people who I know have the experience and knowledge dealing with
the specific topic. When learning about a certain topic, Google used to be my best friend
but recently, I started using TikTok and YouTube because they provide visuals instead
of just reading an article. I always tell people, “Don't judge me by my search history
because it is wild.”
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
LB: My schedule fluctuates but I try my best to stick to writing 5,000 words a day Monday
through Friday. If I don't have plans on the weekend, I'll write throughout the day with no word count goal in mind. Although I have a schedule, I don't force myself to write when
I'm not feeling it.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
LB: My aspirations were always a secret to everyone around me until it was actually
unfolding. My kids’ dad was the only person who knew my plans prior to my public
announcement. Truthfully, I used to be real timid about my writing for fear of judgment.
So, reflecting back, I would tell my younger self to be loud and proud when it comes to
your work. Now, I'm at a point where I don't bring up my books to others, they bring
them up to me, and I had to become loud and proud to achieve that.
Which one of your books is your favorite?
LB: This is my least favorite interview question because I never have a clear answer. Often,
I reread my own work and whatever book I'm reading becomes my new favorite.
However, if I had to choose, all three books in the Kingpin series (A Week With A
Kingpin, Summertime With A Kingpin, and Wrapped Up With A Kingpin For The
Holidays) and both books in the Crushing On The Plug Next Door series. I had the
hardest time letting go of the characters in the Kingpin series because Kane and Manny
were so lovable. As far as Crushing On The Plug Next Door goes, I love that series
because the toxicity between the main characters was hilarious, and I loved every
second of writing and rereading that story.
What are you working on now?
LB: I am geeked about my WIP. My next book is a standalone entitled Saint. It's a beautiful
story that follows a pair of brothers dealing with dreams deferred and redemptions after
incarceration. I've been sitting on this storyline for over a year so I cannot wait to share
it with my readers.
Where can readers find out more about you & your work?
LB: I love interacting with my readers across all social media platforms so please don't be
shy! We can gossip about these characters like they are people we know in real life.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorlakia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLakia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiab90
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/keesbookbees
Mailing List: https://bit.ly/2RTP3EV
Thank you ladies for the opportunity! 🥰🥰