Author Interview: Rip the Writing Runway with Bestselling author Terrie Branch!
Welcome to Untamed Publishing's Author Interviews! As a company that caters to the self-published and independent author, we want to highlight and support indie authors. There is a vast array of talent amongst us, and here's the opportunity to connect the readers to their next favorite author!
This interview features, author Terrie Branch. In the words of Bruno Mars, it's time to 'Activate Your Sexy' and catch up with Terrie as she blazes trails on the writing runway!
Welcome Terrie! It's a pleasure to have you join us. I just have to say you wear MANY hats, so before we begin, please tell the readers a little about yourself.
My name is Terrie Branch and I'm a Hampton, Virginia native. I'm the mother of two young men. I truly love the Lord and give him all the glory for my successful journey. Professionally, I'm a published author of 8 novels with two upcoming releases. I've been writing now since 2013. I wear many hats including being an entrepreneur for 18 years. I have a salon, a school, an entertainment company as well as a cosmetic line all based out of Virginia. I am also a motivational speaker. I am a hairstylist, barber and makeup artist by day and also a Commissioned Notary Public. I love sharing my story with others with hope that it'll help them in some way. People usually say that my energy is contagious but I'm truly only being myself. I just love people.
Wow! You are the ultimate Fempreneur! With all that you have going on, what influenced you to make the decision to become a published author?
Becoming a writer was never a dream of mine it kinda happened by accident. I was actually in my salon one day and after giving dating advice to a few of the ladies, they suggested that I write a book. I, of course, looked at them like they were crazy and said, "I'm a hairstylist not an author!" I was actually styling a minister at the time and she had just become an author. She suggested that all the advice that I was rendering to folk, be written down. So that's what I did. Then she came to me and said think of some titles. I then started my self-help dating book "The Game From a Woman's Perspective”. After writing for a minute I began to like what I was writing (It was my baby, my test run). So I decided to add a twist to it including a fictitious portion to the beginning, to make it fun. It took off! I got great reviews from it and the fire was ignited. I started my next novel immediately after and then landed a contract with Best-selling author Kiki Swinson's label for my "Gotta Be Shiesty" series. I was ecstatic because this was my favorite author telling me that my work was good enough for her to put her name on it! So that's where it started. It wasn't a dream or schooling just a gift that God revealed to me that I wasn't even aware that I possessed. I came up with a story that I was writing since way back because I wasn't. I think uniqueness of every author is so amazing and I'm grasping onto mine.
We have something in common because Kiki Swinson is one of my fave authors too! And that is indeed an honor to be recognized by someone who you admire. You mentioned uniqueness and I agree that you truly are. So please tell us, what makes your writing stand apart from other authors?
I think my writing is very descriptive and that is one thing I think makes my writing stand out.
Let's delve into some fun personal facts about you as a writer, Terrie. When it comes to writing, are you a morning person or a night owl?
I work long hours. So sometimes I wonder where I muster up the energy to even write, but with that being said, I write throughout my day while my clients are under the dryer, at home after work before I go to bed and on my off days.
Tell us a unique writing habit that you have.
I think what makes me unique is how much information I collect before actually building my characters. I love to do my research when it pertains to certain subjects, just to add a bit of reality to the story line. I recently wrote on an anthology "Sex Therapy" and produced a book of my own "Playing With Fiyah" which was about a character suffering from a sexual addiction. I sat with a Sex Addiction Therapist at his office to get input on how he would answer certain questions. I took note of his body language, his office setting, all the way down to the various degrees that hung on his wall. He happened to be an ex sex addict himself so I was able to get a point of view from both sides of the fence to help me with my characters journey.
If you were to write a book about yourself what would you name it? Why?
I'm actually writing it now. On the Runway of my Life. I chose this name because there are so many things that I have conquered as a single mom. I think these things can encourage other single parents and not just women, men too because there are a lot of good dads as well.
What genres do you write or wish to write?
I have written self-help, Erotic fiction, urban fiction and now a murder suspense. Every day that my eyes open I challenge myself to do something different and to do the best I can. So the sky is the limit. I am looking forward to the challenge of several different genres.
And you do push the limits! This leads me to your current project; please tell us more about it.
I recently had an idea to release a flip-sided book. I wanted the characters dialogue to connect. I knew that I wanted them both to have contrasting sexual addictions but a wanted a male author to help me bring my vision to life. I came up with the titles my side (female) being "Playing With Fiyah" and the male side being "Fiyah Starter". I then asked Justin Q. Young to collaborate with me on my project and he agreed and added his twist to it. We then introduced the world to Kara and Dakari. They both had interesting back stories to the reason they had these problems. It is a sexy read!
What is your upcoming project about? When will it be released?
My next novel is "Damaged Goods". It’s an anthology that I put together and included several authors, some from Detroit, Atlanta, and Virginia. I included seasoned authors A.G. Hobson, Shaun Sinclair, Anitra Hill and myself. I then introduced two new authors in this novel Eli-Je' and Blacc Luccy! This novel contains several short stories that are related to domestic violence. They all end differently. The purpose behind this novel is to encourage others that love shouldn't hurt. We have several events in conjunction with this novel coming up! It is due to release early March.
What are some of your other aspirations for your writing career?
I am aiming to write for a stage play soon. That is definitely a goal of mine.
Name your top 5 favorite books by indie authors. Why are they your faves?
I really don't have any particular favorites. I just love to read overall.
Would you like to collaborate with other authors on a book project?
Yes, I would love to collaborate with Xyla Turner.
Now, let's find out more about who Terrie is. Outside of writing, what are your favorite past times?
My favorites are spending time with my family. I love music & vacationing even though I don't as much as I might need to.
Tell us one thing about you that is a little known fact.
I am actually shy. (People don't usually believe me though)
What is one myth about being a published author that you've learned and would like to share?
Once your book goes to publishing your job is done. That's a myth because if you want it to grow you have to nurture it. You have to feed it to the public, the stores, the press, radio and blogs etc.
What is one lesson you’ve learned since becoming a published author?
Stick to your uniqueness and be the best you that you can be! People tend to worry about what others think so they alter their gift trying to please everyone. In my styling career I learned that you can’t please everyone. There are so many people in this world that have gifts and give up on them because they are scared of what somebody's opinion might be. Have fun with it because the moment you lose the love for it you will lose your gift. Don't let someone take that away from you!
Terrie, it has truly been a pleasure to interview you, and we look forward to your future works. Please connect with the author and pick up your copy of her red hot book co-authored with Justin Q. Young, Playing with Fiyah/Fiyah Starter!
Terrie Branch
Social Media Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BossladyTerri
Google+: Terrie Branch
Pinterest: @strongwomanofcolor
Business Profile:
Website: www.TerrieLBranch.weebly.com
Booking Email: strongwomanofcolor@gmail.com
Publisher: www.KenerlyPresents.com
Purchase Links:
Enjoy This Snippet:
(Warning: 18 years and older only please!)
Synopsis:
Meet Kara and Dakari, both are suffering from contrasting sexual addictions in the riveting collaboration of two best-selling authors, Terrie L. Branch and Justin Q. Young. This red-hot sexy read will definitely leave you with a fire needing to be extinguished!
Snippet:
He sat looking in her direction for a moment, and then he stood, and walked towards her. Her nerves were shot. Her adrenaline was pumping. She sat hoping that he didn’t come over to the table. She ran her free hand through her heavy bangs that accented her pixie cut trying to remain cool. The closer that he came, the more intense she stroked Fiyah!
Damn! His body should have come with a WARNING LABEL! The notion that crossed her mind as he approached her…
See having such a vivid imagination is where sh** usually got interesting. She imagined his hands around her neck as he pushed his thick d*** inside her p****. Slightly moaning at her thoughts while rotating her hips. Never experiencing intercourse personally, but seeing enough of it through her XXX videos that it created a vision in her head that she knew sex but avoided experiencing it!
Her fingers soaked with her very own juices. Her heart racing, adrenaline pumping at an ultimate high while the black table cloth concealed her performance! She was mesmerized by him. Playing with Fiyah wasn’t unusual for Kara. She just couldn’t control her. As much as she wanted to── Fiyah usually called all the damn shots! She avoided eye contact, as he got closer. Then out of nowhere this random guy popped up.
“Hey there sexy! You mind if I sit here?” the dude said with broken English. His accent so thick she could barely understand what he was saying. He was seemingly a foreign descendant of some sort, but she didn’t give a damn. She just wanted him to get the hell on.
“… Ah… No, I mean, yes!” She over corrected what she meant as ‘HELL NAW!’ Then this random f***** sat down. Surprisingly, he didn’t even notice the scold on her face. She looked up, catching a glimpse of the fine ass guy that she observed prior as he turned and headed into the men’s restroom.
Geez! Close call, but damn would this stank a** n**** here just f*** off! He just f***** up my vibe!
Hmph…
Kara looked around in an attempt to find an escape route. She then removed the napkin that her glass sat on, to wipe her saturated fingers. She threw the cold shoulder towards the dude, but he still pursued her. She usually wasn’t the rude type, but he really irritated her. So without a warning, she scooted out of the booth and headed for the dance floor where the girls were, leaving the drunk damn cock blocker sitting where he was. She could faintly hear his crazy a** over the music in the club as he motioned for her to come back.
