Author Bio: Imani L Hawkins is a writer of all things supernatural, paranormal, and urban fantasy. Growing up in New Mexico, the land of enchantment, she’s always surrounded by beautiful scenery that inspires most of her tales.
Caring for her two children with the support of her loving husband, she’s found the courage to write stories filled with intricate plot lines and characters she sure anyone would be able to relate to. A love of all things creative, she spends her free time playing the alto saxophone, making designer soaps, painting, playing around with digital design, and writing stories she hopes will inspire others. |
Imani's new release:
- Book title: Dark Descent: A Dark Allegiance Book Prequel
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
- Publish date: February 13, 2019
- Publisher: Pyramese Publishing Group (view a picture of the publishers below)
She had to kill him to save her kind...
Twenty years have passed since Naomi publicly executed a United States Senator on live television. In the beginning, she was celebrated. Magic wielders stood with her in solidarity to save her life and honor her sacrifice. But as the humans became increasingly hostile toward the wielders, Naomi was pushed aside, discarded, and forced to live outside of society. Everything changed the moment Toni waltz through her home, an alley in Channingsburg Nevada that boasted brick walls, broken bottles, and trash that littered her new home. Where once she'd thought she'd disbanded the Fraternity of Purifiers, she is faced with the knowledge they still existed and the daughter of the man she'd killed leads them. Thrust between a woman who wanted nothing more than to see her rotting corpse plucked clean by vultures and wielders who wanted her to stand for their cause, Naomi must make a choice to either sacrifice her life to save the woman who hates her, or stand in solidarity with the ones who'd turned their backs on her.
Author interview by Kasper
Welcome to our levitating Readers' Lounge, Imani L Hawkins. I'm stoked you managed to squeeze this in with your huge writing schedule. Your work rate is impressive.
Imani: Hi Kasper. Nice to be here. I guess I am rather busy.
I released my first two stories in December: Last Holiday: A Sweet Revenge Story and Myleah: Fallen into Shadows Prelude.
Then in January was From Darkness: Fallen into Shadows Book One.
The prequel ha just been released: Dark Descent: A Dark Allegiance Book Prequel
I like to work hard and have plans for plenty more.
Wow. You're going places, Imani. Speaking of going places, I'll just launch this Lounge into the stratosphere.
Oh, Kasper, wait up a tick. Looks like we have some unexpected companions running up to join our flight. These are my children.
Hi Kiddies. Welcome aboard. Psst...there is a secret compartment in the Lounge here with mints. Would you like a sweetie? OK then, Imani, I know you by a different name. Is Imani L Hawkins a pen name and why?
Yes. Imani L Hawkins is a pen name. I wanted a name that represents my reasons for finally pursuing my writing career. And what better reason than these?! Imani for the little girl on the right, and L for my son Lyndon.
What was the defining event that made you start writing?
I was bullied in school and there was one book that made me feel less alone. It was The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. I was fascinated by the book and way I was able to escape into a story, leaving the world behind. At six years old, I found myself thinking I would like to provide others like me with the same escape, so I penned my first short story at the age of six. |
What made you choose the Urban Fantasy genre?
Initially, I wanted to write romance. That was until I realized how awful I was at it. (Kasper chuckles). The men always came out sappy and corny, the type of men I’d like to punch in the face while screaming, “Man up, you wimp!” Okay, wimp isn’t exactly the word I’d use but it’s better to digest. Anyway, I love being able to blur the lines between realism and fantasy, with a cast of characters that wield magic, and avoid those sappy love scenes that make me cringe. Urban Fantasy was perfect for that.
How do you develop your characters?
Simple answer, I don’t. For example, I came up with a character who was supposed to be the sweet innocent type. I wrote up her biography, her looks, her family, her personality, and her likes and dislikes. But when I tried to write her, I could hear her screaming in my ear, “That’s not me! I wouldn’t do that! Why are you doing this to me?!” So, she took on a life of her own and it felt more organic to me. The character became real and I felt I could write her as if I was just getting to know her as I hope the readers would be doing at the same time. *Okay. I’m not crazy! I know there are other writers out there who speak to their characters, right?*
LOL. That's a great answer. I like the way they develop.
What’s your writing routine? I set a schedule for myself. Oddly enough, I can’t write without chaos surrounding me. Luckily, I have a three-year-old and a six-year-old who love to bring the chaos. I turn on the television, find my favorite spot on the couch, thank my husband for putting up with the kids, and write in sprints. I write for an hour straight, then take a short break. I do this throughout the day until I’ve hit my goal for the day. You are so disciplined. Congratulations. I also have to give you a special mention for winning the highest total word count in our Readers' Lounge writing challenge for January. Our readers can check out the award here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2043978469031165/permalink/2103121123116899/ |
I am actually working on an origin story about naguals, shapeshifters. I plan to build an entire world around them that spans across nine full length books.
What song would you choose as the theme song of your book?
Red: The Darkest Part of Me
What do you do when you have writers’ block?
I’m usually working on more than one project at a time. So, when I get stuck on one project, I move on to another.
That's a good one. I'll have to remember that.
Are there any writing styles or genres you dislike?
I may upset a lot of writers by saying this, but I actually have two pet peeves that stem from my time spent as a developmental editor. *puts on my bulletproof vest*
- Erotica. While I love some good heat, I can’t stand a book that is so riddled with corny sex scenes there is no actual storyline to follow. I always find myself skipping through pages of sex scenes, trying to get to the meat of the storyline, only to be disappointed there was none.
- I am not a huge fan of first-person present tense, especially when they use more than one perspective. *Don’t shoot me!* When I read it, I’m always wondering what is going on around the character? What does the character feel now that they’ve gone through this event? What else am I missing?! I also find it difficult to connect to a character when the perspective is always changing.
You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be? Celine from Underworld. That b*tch can kick some ass! Quick quiz: Favourite thing to cook: Shrimp cerviche Silliest saying: Ummmmm…*thinks* I decline to answer on the grounds I may incriminate myself. Best holiday spot: Ruidoso New Mexico Most played song: Breaking Benjamin – I Will Not Bow (my theme song) With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Plotter, unless my characters scream at me. Do you prefer SciFi or fantasy? OMG Don’t make me choose!!! *bites nails* Fantasy, but don’t tell my husband. |
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Punch Oprah in the face. (Hey, I have my reasons.)
Links
Website: http://www.imanilhawkins.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imanilhawkins/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Imani-L.-Hawkins/e/B07L8W6C11/
Thanks for coming for a ride with us today, Imani and kiddies. Have you had a good time?
(Much head nodding while sucking on sweets).
Imani: Yes, thanks Kasper, it sure has been fun. It's a very comfortable Lounge.
Readers, please check out Imani's links and keep an eye out for her in our Fantasy Sci-Fi writing challenges.
Imani's award for Highest Total in the January writing challenge in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi Readers' Lounge. |
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