Interview With Shelia Goss

Shelia  M. Goss is a national bestselling author and a screenwriter. The  Joneses is her seventeenth book in print. 
 
Where are you from and what jumpstarted your writing career?
 I am from Louisiana – home of good food and good people (smile). I’m also an alumni of Southern University. I’ve been writing since I was 9 years old. When I was in elementary school, my teachers submitted my poems to Seedlings. In school, I’ve been on the yearbook staff, newspaper, etc. I decided to pursue writing as a career back in 1997. My first book outside of school was actually a collection of poems. It was called Embraced by Love – The Relationship.
 
Writing was always something that I wanted to do, but I originally had planned on waiting until I retired. After losing my dad and hearing of Princess Diana’s death, it dawned on me that life was too short and I shouldn’t wait to pursue my dreams. So, while I was still working, I would write at night, during my break,
at lunchtime, etc. When the right opportunity came, it was just the right time to go ahead and put everything I had into it.
 
What genre(s) do you write?
I write in multiple genres: women’s fiction, romance, Christian fiction, suspense, young adult, etc.

What is your favorite sort of character?
One that is flawed. No one’s perfect in real life, so the characters in my books  aren’t either. They have issues just like a friend, a co-worker or a stranger on the street would have.
 
What's  something about yourself that readers may not know?  
 I love to play spades and dominoes. I'm a Virgo and Prince is my all time favorite music artist. 
 
Were there things from “your world” incorporated into this storyline?
I don’t write about my real life. All of my books are fiction; any resemblance to anyone real is purely a coincidence.

 What words of advice would you give an aspiring writer?
The best advice I could give an aspiring writer is to write, write, write. Write a complete manuscript, revise, join networking groups and research. Google is a writer’s best friend. When asking questions to other authors, be specific. A generic question like “how can I get my book published?” will not yield you the
response that you want. Why? Because there’s no magic formula to getting your book published, but yet, there are many books written on the subject.  Asking specific questions will show that you’ve taken the time to do your research and possibly read some of those books or articles and that you’re serious about the craft of writing.

 What's next for Shelia Goss?
 2014 is off to a good start. I have several pending projects that I hope to finalize in the first quarter. I'm working on a couple of new books as well as writing a couple of screenplays.  Thirsty-The Movie that's based on one of my original screenplays has a Facebook page. To keep up with the process of what's going on with the movie, be sure to "like" the page: https://www.facebook.com/theThirstyMovie.

To keep up with all of my projects, be sure to bookmark my website www.sheliagoss.com.
 
About
The Joneses: 
 Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t all it’s made out to be. In this intriguing novel full of drama and plot twists, one family tries to hold on to their “perfect” life before their secrets, lies, and scandals are exposed.

On the outside, the Joneses seem like the ideal family: Royce Jones, a funeral home mogul, and his wife, Lexi, are parents to Charity, Hope, and Lovie—and everybody wants to be them. But it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, and the Joneses are harboring secrets that can’t stay hidden forever…It’s only a matter of time
before the Joneses’ perfect life goes spinning out of control. 

Order your copy of THE JONESES from Simon & Schuster (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Joneses/Shelia-M-Goss/9781593095222) or
purchase from other online retailers such as: 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593095228/simonsayscom
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-joneses-sheila-m-goss/1115884720?ean=9781593095222
IndieBound:
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781593095222
 
Available in stores everywhere on February 18, 2014.

More About the Author:  Shelia Goss writes in multiple genres. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…” She's received many accolades in her career, including being a finalist in the mystery category for the 2013 AA Literary Award Show and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. Her books have been on
several best sellers lists, such as: Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Black Expressions Book
Club. Shelia loves to hear from readers so feel free to contact her via her website: www.sheliagoss.com or
follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheliagoss or
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss.