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Urban Reviews:
Tell our readers about FLOSS.
Monica Marie Jones: FLOSS is about six socialites who use money, cars, jewelry, good
looks and other material possessions to measure their worth.
The men get the money to impress and get the women. They women
use their looks and their bodies to get the men with the money.
The main character, Dionysus has that "It Factor" where she merely
enters a room and everyone is drawn to her. She uses that to
her advantage...She uses what she has to get what she wants and
ends up with more than she bargains for...
Synopsis
Friends since childhood, Abel, Solomon, and Jabez strive to climb
the social ladder. Cousins Dionysus and Torah strive to climb that
same ladder, but they would much rather travel on the backs of men
like Abel, Solomon and Jabez. Tyse wants to climb that ladder as
well in the company of men like Abel, Solomon and Jabez while
attracting women like Torah and Dionysus. Will they all be able to
get up the ladder without pulling some down or walking over others?
Will the ladder be able to support all of their weight, or will
jealousy, envy, and betrayal cause everything that they have worked
for to all come crashing down around them?
When the worlds of these six socialites collide and become
intertwined the outcome is scandalous. Will the controversies
that they encounter be worth the cost that it takes to FLOSS?
Urban Reviews: Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Monica Marie Jones: About six years ago after graduating college, I changed my
lifestyle and lost 65 pounds. As a result I started modeling.
Life outside of the shelter of college life and within the modeling
scene was a whole new world for me. In observing the people around
me and the environment that I was in, I realized how much people
were driven by material things and external factors. People
seemed to go to any length to impress or give the impression that
they could keep up with the Joneses. Based on those
observations and experiences, I created a cast of characters that I
felt represented all aspects of the flashy lifestyle that we refer
to as Flossin'.
Urban Reviews: What made you want to get into writing? Is it something
you see yourself doing long term?
Monica Marie Jones: As a child I would always journal to process emotions.
This is something that I have practiced throughout my life. I
have also always been an avid reader. My writing was like my
therapy, but when I shared what I had written with a few people, I
noticed that it evoked emotions in them that I never thought my
little old words could. It was then that I realized that
perhaps my gift was meant to be shared with and not hidden from the
rest of the world.
Once I delved into writing, I realized that there was nothing
that I would rather do more. I began getting frustrated when I
was engaged with activities that left me with little time or energy
to write. This is why I decided to step out on faith and leave
my full time job (with benefits!) to write full time. This
month will make a year since I left and I have yet to be homeless,
hungry, or unable to pay my bills. So, writing is DEFINITELY
something that I see myself doing long term.
Urban Reviews:
What things did you do to help prepare yourself for the book
business?
Monica Marie Jones: I believe that the mandatory prerequisite to being a writer
is being an avid reader. I read books of EVERY genre, but pay
special attention to books that are the same genres that I write, as
well as books on how how to write, promote, publish and market my
books. In the new year I plan to take some creative writing
and screenwriting classes at UCLA.
Other than that I stay on the Internet for hours promoting my
books and building relationships on various social networks as well
as doing research on the literary world as a whole. I also
blog regularly and contribute to online and print media to make sure
that I am writing everyday.
Urban Reviews: You also have a previously release titled The Ups And Downs
of Being Round. Can you share what that is all about?
Monica Marie Jones: The Ups and Downs of Being Round is an inspirational
fiction/self-help book that is a coming of age story about a girl
who struggles throughout her life with issues related to weight.
It is loosely based on my life because as a result of my fluctuating
weight throughout the years I have dealt with self-esteem
issues while learning to love myself from the inside out. I
realized how many other women were struggling with self love based
on how they looked, whether it be that they feel to skinny, or they
are unhappy with the complexion of their skin. I have even met
a lot of men that deal with this as well. So the book has the
theme of loving oneself from the inside out weaved throughout.
It also helps readers to realize that external changes do not
guarantee happiness. It address the fact that physical changes
are far more psychological and emotional than people realize,
therefore it is important to be aware of and prepared for that as
well. I also include a guide in the back that outlines how I
lost 65 pounds by changing my lifestyle as opposed to dieting.
Urban Reviews: With so many books coming out these days, what things are you
doing to promote your book?
Monica Marie Jones: After a lot of trial and error I have realized that selling
books is more about building relationships than it is just trying to
get everyone to buy your book. As a result I have been
focusing on doing speaking engagements, readings at open mic poetry
nights, workshops, seminars, training, consultation and dance and
fitness classes. I also do a lot of communication on all of
the many social networks that are on the Internet because I realize
that that is where a lot of people spend their time. I
launched my BreakThrough BookTour in September and I travel to as
many independent bookstores, literary events and basically wherever
people will have me all around the world.
Urban Reviews: Are you working on or have any ideas for an upcoming
project?
Monica Marie Jones: Oh Yes! I plan for FLOSS to be a series. The
next installment is not a sequel, but it is a book with a related
theme called SWAG. It is about an aspiring singer who after
being frustrated with her stagnant relationship decides to accept
the offer to be a guest on a popular reality TV show that teaches
entertainers with potential how to have swagger by becoming
multifaceted mega stars. I am also working on the sequel to
FLOSS which is tentatively titled INTRIGUE and the sequel to The Ups and Downs of Being Round which is called The Flip Side of Fat.
Urban Reviews: Do you have any favorite authors or books that you enjoy
reading?
Monica Marie Jones: My favorite author is Jacquelin Thomas. I really love
reading inspirational fiction that deals with real characters that
deal with real issues.
Urban Reviews: What do you like to do outside of writing?
Monica Marie Jones: Outside of writing I have recently developed an absolute
love for kickboxing. I teach a kickboxing classes at a local
community center four days a week and I take classes at a boxing gym
when I can. I also love to do praise dance and travel.
When you are a full time writer you have to be creative about how
the bills are paid so when I am not selling books I travel as a
trainer and consultant for the Center for Youth Program Quality.
With that I train adults on research based, and best practice
approaches to working with youth. I also train adults on how
to become trainers and facilitators.
Urban Reviews: What else would you like to share with us about
yourself or your novels?
Monica Marie Jones: I am just really loving my life right now which is why I
want to encourage everyone to follow their dreams. I am a
living testament that it is possible! With that said I write
not only to entertain but to inspire, educate, motivate and add
value to the lives of others. I hope that in reading my work
you will find that you experience at least one of, if not all of
those things. For more information about me or my books you
can visit my website at
www.monicamariejones.com
or email me at
monica@monicamariejones.com
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