How did you become a writer? 

Love this question! It all started with a love of reading books. Did I ever read loads of books when I was a kid. In fact, I read about 30 to 55 books a week as a kid. Plus, I was active and outside a lot. I just loved to read. When I was 10 years old, my sister came running up the living room steps carrying a book of poetry by Gwendolyn Brooks. Back then, there were next to no books written by or about African Americans in secondary schools, etc., so the book definitely caught my attention! No sooner did my sister put that book on the bed that we shared did she turn and, rocking a full, energetic smile, say, "Bye! I'm going back outside!" To this day, I don't think my sister (she's a school teacher today) EVER read that book. I was in a funk, but I soon picked the book up and started reading. Those characters and those scenes that Gwendolyn Brooks wrote about came alive! Did they ever. I'm telling you, I did not want that book to end. After I reached the end, I sat on the edge of the bed and this odd, eerie, peaceful feeling came over me. It came from deep down inside me. I paused in curiosity as to what caused the feeling. Then, my mouth swung open and I exclaimed to the empty room, "Ah! I'm a writer!" I call that my "burning bush" experience. The awareness/revelation came from deep down inside of me. I've been writing ever since. 

Name your writing influences (writers, books, teachers, etc.).

My favorite childhood book character remains the one and only, Pippi Longstocking! Love her spunk, her courage and her imagination! Also, loved Mildred Taylor's "Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry". Then, there was an aunt who read to me and my siblings with so much energy, it was like she was performing live on stage. Did she ever bring a story to life while she read out loud! They were definitely early reading/writing influences.


When and where do you write? 

Generally, I write novels while sitting at my small, round dining room table. One of my laptops is on this table, making it convenient to write at the table. When I first started out, I actually wrote in cursive in a spiral notebook. From there, I advanced to a manual then to an electric typewriter (Remember those days?!) Regarding "when" I write . . . I write at least once a day. On weekends, I write in the afternoon or evening. On Saturdays, I write at any time. 

What are you working on now?

Thank you for asking. My new novel, "Escaping Toward Freedom,” will be out January/February 2022. This story deals with a topic making headline news —human trafficking. It's a straight up, high paced mystery. Think it'll keep readers turning the pages without a second thought. Then, the second book in my middle-school "Rosetta" book series should be out around summer 2022. Rosetta is a spunk 10-year-old. Her mother is an artist and her dad is marketing executive at a major firm in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rosetta is mischievous and courageous. She comes up with the most off-the-wall, creative ideas! And, things just don't go as she plans. In this second book, she's decided to put on a city-wide skateboarding competition.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? 

No. I don't think I've ever suffered from writer's block. I've felt tired and didn't want to write at times. A tip for those who might be dealing with writer's block is to try sitting down and just writing (or typing) anything, and I do mean anything. Just get words down. Another thing is to remind that the juice in the story is coming through the first draft. You can always edit and try to make it "perfect" later.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Write that first draft for yourself. Edit and market the story from the reader's point of view. Oh, and — write every day. The more you write and read, the sharper your pencil will get.

What’s your advice to new writers?

If you want to write, do just that — write. Book sales don't always reflect a story's depth or quality. If a story moves you (and I'm talking "really" moves you), it has one reader it impacted deeply and, to me, that's worth it. If you want to earn an income from selling books, write stories to market. In other words, write stories that have a sizable audience, people who will quickly and eagerly buy the story. Believe in yourself and let yourself absolutely love creating awesome stories!

Denise Turney (www.chistell.com) is a professional speaker and writer who brings more than forty years of book, newspaper, magazine, radio and business speaking and writing to a project.  She has been listed in various entertainment and business directories, including industry leaders such as Who’s Who, 100 Most Admired African American Women and Crosswalk.  Denise Turney’s works have appeared in Parade, Essence, Ebony, Madame Noire, We The People, The Trenton Times, The Pittsburgh Quarterly and Obsidian II. This talented speaker/writer is the author of the books: Portia, Spiral, Love Has Many Faces, Rosetta, The Talent Show Queen, Rosetta's Great Hope, Long Walk Up, Awaken Blessings of Inner Love, Pathways To Tremendous Success, Gada's Glory, Love Pour Over Me, and Escaping To Freedom.