Interview with Connie Brown

Author of The Big Deception – A Book About Relationships

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I am a native of McComb, Mississippi. At present, I reside in Fort Worth, Texas.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I wanted a better head space. Somewhere that could accelerate my thinking and ambitions to their next level. Mississippi is a nice place to live; it’s quiet and reserved, but I wanted somewhere I could explore my dreams and would offer more opportunities for me to flourish.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

The cry of the people who wanted some answers as to why their relationships were not working out. I wanted to address the thing people were hurting about most… their inability to find true love. You know, the kind that lasts through thick and thin. The kind that gives your life, energy, and happiness. And being deeply in love was at the crux. I’ve always been writing since my early 20’s. I’ve written poems, songs, and short stage plays. Hence, I decided that my first book would address this problem and offer some much sought after solutions.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I would tell them that the lives of the characters in my book mirror so many people’s love journey. I would highly doubt they could read it without finding themselves in one of the characters. Each of them hint at so many elements: deception, revenge, sex, romance, betrayal, healing, and forgiveness. We experience these in our own lives. And as mystifying as it may seem, finding love isn’t really that hard. It just takes being opened to it and finding someone who is just as opened as you are.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Those who have become burnout on the notion of ever finding true love. They feel it’s not out there for them. There was a movie where the actor, Morris Chestnut was lying on a therapist’s couch and in his distress over not being able to find love, he cried, “I’m looking for love, but love isn’t looking for me. It’s like it’s running away from me.” That’s the way so many of us feel today. We feel deserted and alone as if love is running from us. Many feel forgotten. But, this book offers hope that you’re not alone. Love is out there waiting on you. But as Marcus, the main character in my book has proven, it’s just a matter of walking in your truth and love will find you.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

First, I learned, “Wow, I can write! I mean, like really!” (Laugh) Then, I learned that all the hard knocks I’ve experienced in my previous relationships were very helpful. Through my failures, I’ve discovered my strengths. Writing this book helped me to stop focusing on the faults of my partners, and see my own. Being open and honest with myself about the role I played in the demise of my relationships were very freeing. The characters in my book offered a road map to healing. I needed healing from past hurts and pain, and this book helped me so much in my transformation process!

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

I would say: “Young lady, don’t be so hard on yourself when it comes to relationships. NO ONE ELSE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE DOING EITHER! Love is a journey. Ride it out as if you’re on a Harley-Davidson. Let the wind blow through your hair. Learn from your mistakes. Grow. Mature. And then, teach others how to gracefully ride out their journey.”

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

A million would be nice. I want the masses to know that they’re not alone on this journey. So many want to find true love. And while many others are already involved in relationships, they feel stuck. It’s like what Oprah Winfrey said in an interview, “At the end of the day, people just want to know these two things: Did you hear me and do you care?” I want my readers to know I hear their cry for true love and I care. So giving them hope that there is someone out there for them is at the heart of my writing.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

The biggest challenge and frustrating during the writing process has been distractions. I don’t get writers block, but I do get distracted….a lot. I was letting so many things get in my way. So, rather than taking three months to complete this project, which was my target time, it had taken nine months instead.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

The biggest challenge and frustrating during the writing process has been distractions. I don’t get writers block, but I do get distracted….a lot. I was letting so many things get in my way. So, rather than taking three months to complete this project, which was my target time, it had taken nine months instead.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

My biggest weakness when it came to these things was being able to proof the pages of my book and keep writing about the characters without being distracted by their stories. That was hard to do. One of my things is that when something is good, I tend to spend a great deal of time imagining why it’s that way. There’s so much suspense going on here. I’d often find myself drawn into the shoes of different characters to see what it must have felt like to be them. Feeling their pain. Relating to their struggles. And relishing in their victories. Taken back by their stories, the characters really helped me a great deal. I found myself in the pages of my own book and there I sought my truth. This was a good thing, but it became my weakness when trying to finish the work on time and deliver it to my readers.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I’m currently working on some projects. Eight of them to be precise. I’m so excited! They’re going to provide a lot of eye-opening inspiration to my readers ranging on topics from relationships to religion, and self-confidence to self-love. I’m working on getting the first two published because they’re already completed. They’ll be out by 2020. My readers will have the option of getting e-books, audios, and soft cover books. They will be featured on several online markets including Facebook, Shopify and Amazon.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I’m self-published. However, my next projects will definitely involve a hybrid publisher. I think they have more to offer.