Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Janine A. Morris

Janine A. Morris

Janine A. Morris lives in Queens, New York, and is the Music Coordinator at WQHT, Hot 97, the #1 Hip-Hop station in New York, and does writing for 98.7 Kiss. Janine graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor’s in Communications and she has been writing since junior high school. She has written for magazines such as XXL, The Source, Don Diva, Platinum Plus, and more. Janine is currently attending law school, and is hard at work on her next novel.

Excerpt of Diva Diaries: (Click This Link)

Author's Site: http://www.janineamorris.com

Author's Blog: http://janineamorris.com/blog

Email The Author: janineamorris9@yahoo.com

Urban Reviews: Give us a brief synopsis of Diva Diaries.

Janine A. Morris: Brief? Three females that we all know. Going through things we all go through. Dealing with issues we all face, trying to handle it the way we all try to. I can truly say you will DEFINITELY relate to one of the females, and/or someone you know very well is one of them.

Urban Reviews: What inspired you to write this novel?

Janine A. Morris: I have always enjoyed writing, and I always wanted to write a book. The inspiration came from wanting to write a book that reflected the everyday woman.

Urban Reviews: You are currently the music coordinator at Emmis Communications and attending law school. What made you decide to pen your first novel?

Janine A. Morris: It was just always a dream of mine, so despite the other things on my plate I had to still pursue the dream.

Urban Reviews: How difficult was it secure a book deal? Was there any rejection letters?

Janine A. Morris: I must say it was a blessing. No agent, no rejection letters. I was so preoccupied with work and starting law school, I wasn't able to pursue a deal correctly. So, God blessed me and basically made it simple. A few phone calls was all I did for the most part, and then after the storyline and a few chapters was read- I was offered a deal.

Urban Reviews: What have you learned about the book industry so far? Is it as competitive as you thought it would be?

Janine A. Morris: In one degree, not at all. The authors are friendly and helpful. Candice Dow has been nothing but a sweetheart to me. Nina Foxx, Daaimah Poole, and some others have all given advice. However, it is competitive in the sense that there are millions of books out, and a lot come out at the same time. So your book is truly a needle in a hay stack.

Urban Reviews: How do you balance the huge task of your 9-to-5 job with school and writing?

Janine A. Morris: God. Nothing I'm doing. Just God blessing me with the strength and my twin brothers spirit reminding me of the goals we set.

Urban Reviews: Who are some of your current favorite authors or books?

Janine A. Morris: As always Terry McMillan and Eric Jerome Dickey. I am waiting to dig into some of my new author friends books, like Candice Dows Caught In The Mix, but haven't had a moment. Soon though, I hear her books are good.

However, still my all time favorite so far is Sister Souljah's The Coldest Winter Ever.

Urban Reviews: What advice would you give someone would wanted to write their first novel?

Janine A. Morris: Stay focused. Writing a book is a daunting task, takes a lot to get to the end. So- stay focused and set goals for yourself, unless you have an editor who sets them for you :)

Urban Reviews: What do you want people to know most about you?
Janine A. Morris: I am not Mrs. Diva. I too am one of the females in my book, a diva in my own right, but surely not the type that always has something to prove. I am an everyday woman as they say :). That's all I want people to know. That I am not gassed- but I do know that I am blessed :) ... big difference.