Interview with Author Monica Handy

Monica Handy

Chicago, Illinois

USA

Good morning, Monica, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the place for Art and Authors. It's a pleasure to have you here this morning! Can you tell us what you've written?

 I am an Indie Writer who, in 2010 created COOTW (Coming Out Of The Wilderness) E Magazine; a publication with the sole intent of inspiring and encouraging its reading audience. The publication ran until mid-2015 at which time I took hiatus aspiring to become a novelist. 

I’ve penned three books. The first was in 2009, entitled Revelations of a Promise (ROAP). This book was a set of memoirs and revelations I’d accumulated throughout my life and blogged about for years. It is being rewritten and will be released as Chronicles of a Well Woman-The Bliss Fix. The most recent titles are a sequel, entitled And… The Mirror Cracked and How To Kill A Lie. They are fast-paced, suspense-thrillers with moments of steamy romance. I have written for social networks with topics ranging from religion to relationships, all the way to food. And, last but not least, I wrote a stage-play entitled, “You Reap What You Sow”. The piece was based on a book entitled, “Battled Clergy-From Victim to Victor” by Dr. Joseph B. Howard Sr. It debuted June, 2015 in Chicago to a sold-out venue.

What is your favorite genre to write?

I love “Inspirational” but dramatic themes have become my passion!

Favorite food. 

Hamburgers!

Tea or coffee? 

Coffee

Pizza or ice cream? 

Ice Cream

Wine or beer? 

Wine

Where would you like to visit? 

Cortona in Southern Tuscany (Italy). I saw the 2003 movie, “Under The Tuscan Sun” and couldn’t get that scenery out of my mind.

I've been there, Monica, and it is as beautiful as in the movie. You must go! But don't look for the fountain in the center of the village. It's in another town. But go. Okay, back to the interview questions...

Favorite musical artist. 

That’s a hard one… I love music that invokes emotion. That could be a heart-felt ballet to the belting out of some bluesy rock song. 

Do you listen to music when you write? 

Sometimes. And sometimes I demand pin-drop silence, so I can hear my characters thinking.

What? 

Don’t laugh, but the soundtrack from the 1970s sitcom, The Odd Couple-It picks me up. I like M2M, Nickelback, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Heather Headley, Patti LaBelle and Barbra Streisand etc…

What makes you laugh?

Quick witted, dry humor like Frasier. The facial expressions of Martin Lawrence and Kevin Hart. My family-they are hilarious!

Favorite work of art or sculpture. 

I’m not sure if I’ve seen it yet.

When you go to Italy, check out the sculpture. It's everywhere, inside, outside, fountains in the streets, etc. You'll find one you love.

How old were you when you started writing? 

I was nine years old and raised in a very strict household, where self-expression was limited. But not so with written words. That, coupled with a vivid imagination and a lot of faith; my stories survived.

Describe your perfect evening. 

Good friends and/or family sitting around the table after a perfect meal talking, laughing, reminiscing, and sipping great Sangria!

Where do you get your inspiration? 

From the little girl who was to be seen but not heard, from pain and shame that demands a solution, from loves that could have been-should have been, and from days I wish would never end.

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 

I get up and move around and then when I least expect it, I am flooded with brand new ideas that have the right fit.

Who is your favorite author? 

Anyone who sees the best in people and inspires them to unleash it.

Best book you ever read. The Bible

Last book you read. 

Love’s Fire by Alex Carey

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer? 

I would run a non for profit organization that helped women obtain their full potential (greatness).

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why? 

My life stands on the platform of those who prayed for and instructed me through the years. I am the product of those who loved and cared for me. There is no “one person”.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why? 

Morpheus, from the Matrix because he unlocked Neo’s limited beliefs about himself and inspired him to greatness.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? Write it and then pound it out until it makes sense to you.

Do you any links for us to follow you?

Amazon Authors Page http://www.amazon.com/Monica-Denise-Handy/e/B004GYDQT8/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Amazon Books http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Ms+Monica+Handy+

Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/And-The-Mirror-Cracked-1548045135407434/

Wesite http://www.cootw.com

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14190187.Monica_Handy

We at Vision and Verse wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors. You are delightful, Monica. Come back and see us anytime.