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Above The Fold - June 21, 2010
MONIQUE MENSAH
Impassioned Author-On-The-Rise
MONIQUE D. MENSAH is a native Detroiter with an innate love for the written word. She has been an avid reader of fiction since her early years in elementary school, when she used to read The "Nancy Drew" and "The Babysitter's Club " series. Monique inherited her fondness for the arts and African-American fiction from her mother, who regularly enjoyed black literature and encouraged her to read at least two novels per month - with a promise of increased allowance during the summer months away from school.
Monique's talent for writing was first discovered by her third grade teacher, who regularly asked the young student to share her short stories with the class and sometimes the principal and other school administration during assemblies and PTO meetings. At that time, she declared her dream to become a published author - as she believed it was what she was destined to be. Monique continued to receive praise for her writing throughout middle and high school.
After being prompted by her best friend to "just write a book," Monique started her first novel. Finding time during lunch breaks at work and late night evenings, Monique completed her first manuscript, Who Is He To You. Shortly after, she launched Kisa Publishing and published her debut novel. Stay tuned for more drama-filled pages of literary adrenaline as this break-through author gives readers fresh perspectives and edgy plots as never written before.
To learn more about Monique, visit her website at:
BOOK VIDEO TRAILER:
Who Is He To You?
(Monique Mensah)
Who Is He To You?
(Monique Mensah)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Monique Mensah (Who Is He To You)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Monique. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book with our readers.
What inspired you to pen this quite compelling, emotion-filled tale?
Monique Mensah: I like drama. I like to read it and watch it on television and the big screen. It keeps my attention and it keeps me talking about the story for a while afterward. As a writer, it’s natural for me to write what I like to read. I knew that I wanted to write an unconventional story that played on readers’ emotions. My characters are going through a lot and my goal was to make the readers feel the plights of Simone, Jessica, and Ryan. Those books that pull at readers’ emotions and provoke audible reactions are the ones that stick in their minds. I wanted to create a story that would stay with readers for years.
AR: Are any of the characters based on people you know or have known in real life?
MM: Yes. Ryan, Anthony, and Lauren’s characters are loosely based on a messy relationship I’ve had in the past. I actually pulled a lot of Ryan’s experiences with Anthony from my own. She’s kind of like an exaggerated version of me. I’ve never had a drug addiction or anxiety attacks, but I have dealt with a real life Anthony and risked losing a good friend (Lauren) because of the relationship. Simone and Jessica, although faced with issues that women have to deal with everyday, were figments of my imagination. I started the concept of the novel with three basic characters, Simone, Jessica, and Ryan, and I just let them tell me the story creating their personalities and experiences along the way.
AR: How do you manage to craft such realistic plotlines?
MM: I will never write a story that I can’t realistically envision. I have to play every scene out in my head as if I were actually there. If I can’t place myself or real people in the scene or the story in general, than it doesn’t work for me. Real life is dramatic enough, so I will never run out of material. I do as I imagine a lot of authors do: I pull from real life experiences, whether it’s something I’ve gone through, heard or read about, or watched on TV. Realistic plots make it easier for the readers to connect to the characters and the story. I would like for my readers to see just a tiny bit of themselves in at least one of the characters of each of my stories.
AR: What kinds of reactions have readers had to the book thus far?
MM: Overall, the response has been overwhelming positive. The reactions range from shock, to awe, to tears and anger. I’ve had people tell me that some parts were hard to read because of the realness of Simone’s tragic situation. Others have confessed to me similar situations of their own. I’m happy to know that I have touched some lives out there with the message of self-love and redemption.
AR: Is there a central message you'd like readers to take away from the story?
MM: When I started writing Who Is He To You, I did so with the sole purpose of entertaining. It wasn’t until after I completed the manuscript and read the story in its entirety, did I recognize the underlying messages weaved throughout the plot. Women too often count on the men in their lives to make them happy, to validate them, or complete them. For Simone, it was her father, Jessica’s husband, and Ryan’s boyfriend. Women must learn to love themselves more than anyone else and more than anyone else loves them, recognize their self-worth, and learn to be happy instead of expecting a man to fill in the gaps in their lives. If you’re not happy and satisfied with yourself, independent of anyone else, you may never have a successful relationship. Simone, Jessica, and Ryan had to learn this the hard way and so did I. I want my readers to identify with my characters and their struggles and hopefully they will learn something from their journeys.
AR: Is there a sequel in the works?
MM: I originally didn’t plan on crafting a sequel. I wanted the story to end as it did, but I am getting a lot of requests for more. Readers want to know what’s going to happen to Simone. So, I may do something a little bit further down the line. If not a sequel, maybe a spin-off.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your publisher, Kisa Publishing.
MM: I am the principal and founder of Kisa Publishing. I created the company in 2008 with the sole purpose of publishing my work. As it stands, all of my novels will be published through Kisa. I may choose to open it up in the future to publish other authors, but for now, the focus is on me and my books.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
MM: My readers can expect more dramatic, intense novels filled with literary adrenaline. I will always provide original plots, real dialogue and compelling, believable characters. I like to read the type of books that make me want to flip back to the beginning once I’ve finished. I hope to provide that same type of experience for my readers. My novels will evoke strong emotion and audible reactions. Overall, my readers can expect a unique experience.
Just about every author has dreams of topping a bestseller list and I am no different. I want to be able to reach a wide range of readers and make my mark on the literary world. I am currently working on my second novel, INSIDE RAIN, and I plan to keep going from there, making a successful career for myself as an author. My ultimate goal is to earn the privilege of being a full-time author. I look forward to the days when I will make a living from my passion.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
MM: I encourage everyone to visit my website: www.MoniqueDMensah.com. On the site, you’ll have the opportunity to read the first chapter of WHO IS HE TO YOU, watch the trailer, read reviews, and keep up on my latest events and appearances. My latest projects will always be listed on the website as well.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
MM: Email me at Monique@MoniqueDMensah.com. I am also on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Good Reads. My website lists all the ways to stay in touch with me. I also encourage readers to visit my blog: www.MoniqueDMensah.wordpress.com to read up on some of my personal thoughts and journeys.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
MM: Thank you, Apex Reviews for giving WHO IS HE TO YOU such an awesome review. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I look forward to getting your thoughts on INSIDE RAIN, due for release late this summer.
WHO IS HE TO YOU is available through my website: www.MoniqueDMensah.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble (online) and all other online retailers where books are sold. You can also download 50% of the ebook as a free sample, then purchase the rest for just $4.99 through Smashwords.com or Amazon.
AR: Thanks again, Monique, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Monique. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book with our readers.
What inspired you to pen this quite compelling, emotion-filled tale?
Monique Mensah: I like drama. I like to read it and watch it on television and the big screen. It keeps my attention and it keeps me talking about the story for a while afterward. As a writer, it’s natural for me to write what I like to read. I knew that I wanted to write an unconventional story that played on readers’ emotions. My characters are going through a lot and my goal was to make the readers feel the plights of Simone, Jessica, and Ryan. Those books that pull at readers’ emotions and provoke audible reactions are the ones that stick in their minds. I wanted to create a story that would stay with readers for years.
AR: Are any of the characters based on people you know or have known in real life?
MM: Yes. Ryan, Anthony, and Lauren’s characters are loosely based on a messy relationship I’ve had in the past. I actually pulled a lot of Ryan’s experiences with Anthony from my own. She’s kind of like an exaggerated version of me. I’ve never had a drug addiction or anxiety attacks, but I have dealt with a real life Anthony and risked losing a good friend (Lauren) because of the relationship. Simone and Jessica, although faced with issues that women have to deal with everyday, were figments of my imagination. I started the concept of the novel with three basic characters, Simone, Jessica, and Ryan, and I just let them tell me the story creating their personalities and experiences along the way.
AR: How do you manage to craft such realistic plotlines?
MM: I will never write a story that I can’t realistically envision. I have to play every scene out in my head as if I were actually there. If I can’t place myself or real people in the scene or the story in general, than it doesn’t work for me. Real life is dramatic enough, so I will never run out of material. I do as I imagine a lot of authors do: I pull from real life experiences, whether it’s something I’ve gone through, heard or read about, or watched on TV. Realistic plots make it easier for the readers to connect to the characters and the story. I would like for my readers to see just a tiny bit of themselves in at least one of the characters of each of my stories.
AR: What kinds of reactions have readers had to the book thus far?
MM: Overall, the response has been overwhelming positive. The reactions range from shock, to awe, to tears and anger. I’ve had people tell me that some parts were hard to read because of the realness of Simone’s tragic situation. Others have confessed to me similar situations of their own. I’m happy to know that I have touched some lives out there with the message of self-love and redemption.
AR: Is there a central message you'd like readers to take away from the story?
MM: When I started writing Who Is He To You, I did so with the sole purpose of entertaining. It wasn’t until after I completed the manuscript and read the story in its entirety, did I recognize the underlying messages weaved throughout the plot. Women too often count on the men in their lives to make them happy, to validate them, or complete them. For Simone, it was her father, Jessica’s husband, and Ryan’s boyfriend. Women must learn to love themselves more than anyone else and more than anyone else loves them, recognize their self-worth, and learn to be happy instead of expecting a man to fill in the gaps in their lives. If you’re not happy and satisfied with yourself, independent of anyone else, you may never have a successful relationship. Simone, Jessica, and Ryan had to learn this the hard way and so did I. I want my readers to identify with my characters and their struggles and hopefully they will learn something from their journeys.
AR: Is there a sequel in the works?
MM: I originally didn’t plan on crafting a sequel. I wanted the story to end as it did, but I am getting a lot of requests for more. Readers want to know what’s going to happen to Simone. So, I may do something a little bit further down the line. If not a sequel, maybe a spin-off.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your publisher, Kisa Publishing.
MM: I am the principal and founder of Kisa Publishing. I created the company in 2008 with the sole purpose of publishing my work. As it stands, all of my novels will be published through Kisa. I may choose to open it up in the future to publish other authors, but for now, the focus is on me and my books.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
MM: My readers can expect more dramatic, intense novels filled with literary adrenaline. I will always provide original plots, real dialogue and compelling, believable characters. I like to read the type of books that make me want to flip back to the beginning once I’ve finished. I hope to provide that same type of experience for my readers. My novels will evoke strong emotion and audible reactions. Overall, my readers can expect a unique experience.
Just about every author has dreams of topping a bestseller list and I am no different. I want to be able to reach a wide range of readers and make my mark on the literary world. I am currently working on my second novel, INSIDE RAIN, and I plan to keep going from there, making a successful career for myself as an author. My ultimate goal is to earn the privilege of being a full-time author. I look forward to the days when I will make a living from my passion.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
MM: I encourage everyone to visit my website: www.MoniqueDMensah.com. On the site, you’ll have the opportunity to read the first chapter of WHO IS HE TO YOU, watch the trailer, read reviews, and keep up on my latest events and appearances. My latest projects will always be listed on the website as well.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
MM: Email me at Monique@MoniqueDMensah.com. I am also on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Good Reads. My website lists all the ways to stay in touch with me. I also encourage readers to visit my blog: www.MoniqueDMensah.wordpress.com to read up on some of my personal thoughts and journeys.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
MM: Thank you, Apex Reviews for giving WHO IS HE TO YOU such an awesome review. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I look forward to getting your thoughts on INSIDE RAIN, due for release late this summer.
WHO IS HE TO YOU is available through my website: www.MoniqueDMensah.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble (online) and all other online retailers where books are sold. You can also download 50% of the ebook as a free sample, then purchase the rest for just $4.99 through Smashwords.com or Amazon.
AR: Thanks again, Monique, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!