Interview with Lyrical Storm - Hip-Hop Artist and Author of the Contemporary Romance A Cheater's Lies.
Lyrical Storm is an independent Hip-Hop Musician and Author. He describes himself as a lyrical storm because he has many talents that make him a threat in the entertainment world, but his true strength is the power in his lyrics. He loves to use the power of words to engage fans into his work.
He has been writing for over 17 years. He first started writing when he was in middle school. He wrote poetry to express his feelings to girls. Then he became a rapper evolving his writing into making songs. Last year, he decided to venture into writing novels for the first time.
A Cheater's Lies is Lyrical Storm's Debut Novel.
Interview with Author Lyrical Storm
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| Author Lyrical Storm |
Lyrical Storm: I have been writing since the age of 13. I first started writing poetry to express my feelings. I has just been recent to where I have moved into writing novels. Before my current novel I wrote three poetry volumes in a series known as Uncharted Vaults.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
My favorite writers are Langston Hughes and Spike Lee. I find their writings can depict an imagery world through the power of their stories. My favorite books are the Bible and the dictionary. I’m just generally a person searching for knowledge. Two of my biggest influences are women and new environments. I can’t write new material without either one growing or moving on to a new experience.
"I love the power I have when creating stories."
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Writing is therapeutic for me. It keeps me calm mannered. The first time I received feedback from my writing made me realize how powerful my words could be to readers. Knowing the storytelling has that much power hooked me into being a writer. I love the power I have when creating stories.
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
When I’m writing poetry or a novel it’s making a fantasy come alive. First I keep in mind whom my audience is then I write in a way that would pull them into my words and story. After that all I need is smooth music or silence to get into my writing flow. Sometimes an outline works as well.
"The hardest is making a living from it."
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
I would say that growing is the easiest. You just have to be open to change. The hardest is making a living from it. This involves working with other people who can either help you or hurt you along your career. These are requirements every writer needs though.
Lyrical Storm, please tell us a little about your debut novel 'A Cheater's Lies'.
ACL is my first romance novel about a group of college graduates ready to take on the world. It centers around four girlfriends who model their friendship as a close sisterhood. Based in Chicago, IL these women inquire relationships with wealthy men in fields of professional accounting, professional basketball, medical surgeons, and the mainstream music industry. Without giving away too much information of their storylines I will say that it’s something like the reality show Love and Hip-Hop just with college student characters. There’s marriage drama, financial drama, and of course cheating drama.
.jpg "A Cheater's Lies by Lyrical Storm") |
| A Cheater's Lies by Lyrical Storm |
What inspired you to write the book?
Part of it was from personal life experiences. The rest was just events going on around me that I know other people can relate to. Some characters might resemble old friends I fell out with and others might seem like people I have just met. I just put spins to each personality to where people can identity that type of friend in their lives.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
I know my target market is college students and up (majority women) between the ages of 18 to 45. For a limited time fans can buy the complete novel in PDF format for only $1.00 at my website www.LyricalStorm.com. Also there is a version available on the kindle marketplace for $9.99.
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
We are still early in the marketing and review process but reviews and sales are going as planned. I have a goal of 1000 sales per targeted city with physical copies released to those targeted cities that reach the quota.
How long did it take it to write the book?
I was able to write this novel in around 6 months with about a third of it in just 3 months.
Please, tell us where you self-published the book.
I own an independent publishing company and self-published my own novel. My publishing company is called C.N.E. Publishers. Meaning Calm, Nice, and Evil (C.N.E.).
Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
I worked with my design team and purchased professional cover art from a well- known source for this novel. I’ve had this novel proofread, but the final physical edition with an ISBN number will be completely edited by a professional company.
"...make sure you copyright your work. "
Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
Before putting any of your work in a public domain accessible area make sure you copyright your work. Far as self-publishing do your homework! Know your target market and how to advertise to them. If you have written a good book it will sell itself, but people have to know about it.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
When I release physical copies of ACL next year I will be releasing PDF copies of its sequel (Love and Lyrics) on August 10, 2013. Besides that I will be releasing PDF copies of my two remaining unpublished poetry volumes of the Uncharted Vaults series.
"There is really no reason for an author with an audience to split profits with a publisher anymore."
Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to have one of your next books to be traditionally published?
There is really no reason for an author with an audience to split profits with a publisher anymore. I think now is a perfect time for anyone with a good story to jump into the self-publishing market. eBooks make the operation cost affective and many companies can make traditional books for your non technology readership. And Google and Apple apps are here to stay! There’s no need for a special type of reader to read your favorite books nowadays.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
Traditional stores are still popular for meet and greet signings with authors so they will always be around. That’s something I’m happy technology can’t change. But I’m sure the eBooks will have taken a stronghold on the consumers by then. Right now I’m eagerly watching to what will happen next.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
I write full-time but writing is not my only job. I have other jobs that are subsidiaries until my eBook sales make higher profits.
How can readers connect with you?
I’m a social media junkie so fans can find me on Google +, Twitter, Facebook, and my personal website. Interested Readers can also Google the name Lyrical Storm.
Thank you very much for the Interview, Lyrical Storm.
About the Book A Cheater's Lies
Each pursues their personal quests for love. These strong independent women build relationships with wealthy men in the Hip-Hop industry, medical field, and accounting firms. Each couple experiences changes ranging from unplanned parenthood to long distance communication problems that result in different outcomes to their lives.
Some couples remain committed in crazy relationships and others lose the fire that sparked early in their college years.
In a mainstream industry of money, power, and influence eight beloved friends change in the midst of gaining their dreams in A Cheater's Lies.
Links to the Author and the Book
Connect with the Author via Facebook
Connect with the Author via Twitter: @LyricalStorm
Link to the eBook A Cheater's Lies at the Author's Website as PDF $1.00
Link to the eBook A Cheater's Lies on Amazon - $9.99
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