Intimate Conversation with Carla S. Pennington
Hosted by Ella Curry, Black Pearls Magazine
Author Carla S. Pennington was born and raised in Prichard, Alabama where she continues to reside with her family. She became a teen mother in 1992 and was advised that she couldn't return to school for an entire semester after giving birth. This devastated Carla, but she refused to be held back. Her dedication and hard work paid off. She ranked number five in her graduating class and received an advanced diploma with honors. In 1995, she graduated from Mattie T. Blount High School, an all black school.
In 1996, Carla was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Over the years, the disease has halted her, but she refuses to let it stop her. She is currently working on a number of other projects that she plans to have published in the near future.
In 2002, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in journalism from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. After graduation, Carla decided not to pursue her career in journalism. Her heart and mind were elsewhere. She wanted to write fiction novels and short stories, something that she had been doing since she was a young girl.
In 2005, Carla published her first novel, Fling and from there several short stories which appeared in anthologies across the country. Finally, she landed a book deal with Life Changing Books which released the wildly anticipated novel, the Available Wife in January 2011. Readers can reach Carla S. Pennington on FaceBook and Twitter as: carlapennington. Email address: carlapennington@hotmail.com
Carla, tell us about your passion for writing. What drives you? What impact do you want your book to make?
Carla: My passion for writing began when I was in elementary school. Once I started reading, I became fascinated with words. At first, I was into poetry and that turned into short stories and that turned into full length books. I write because it feels good. Writing is a de-stressor for me, my escape from reality. It's my drug of choice. What drives me to write is the fact that I can write what I want. It's my choice to do a love story, an erotic piece, an abusive relationship, etc. The impact that I want my book to make on readers is: "I want to read more books by this author. She is fire!"
Finish this sentence- "My writing offers the following legacy to future readers..."
Carla: My writing offers the following legacy to future readers and authors: to the readers, read with your eyes AND mind open. To the authors, be you at all times. If you can imagine or think it, you should write it. You should never be afraid of your imagination and thoughts. That is what makes you stand out from the rest.
Introduce us to The Available Wife and Niquole Wright.
Carla: Niquole Wright seems to have it all; a loyal and devoted husband, two children and a rising record label that she dedicates more time to than her family. Everything is perfect except for one thing...her husband Germaine. She has run her course with him and he needs to be replaced. When the handsome and seductive Kingston enters her life, he becomes the perfect substitute. Clueless to his wife's plan, Germaine continues to be a loving naive husband while Niquole's full blown affair quickly becomes her obsession.
Niquole is unhappy with her spouse. She falls head over heels for Kingston who doesn't possess the same feelings that she has for him. Niquole comes from a once happy home and blames her mother for making it unhappy by kicking her father out when she was a teen. She's looking for love, but going about it in the wrong way.
Desperate to start a new life with her new man, Niquole does everything in her power to push Germaine out of the picture. However, little does she know Kingston plans are different from hers. Sit back and see what happens when a wife learns that the price of betrayal can have a shattering toll.
With this book, I am offering the reader a chance to explore the side of a selfish adulterer, an emotionally abused husband, a dysfunctional mother/daughter relationship. The list goes on.
Were there experiences from "your world" incorporated into this storyline?
Carla: I originally wanted this to be a love story with a not so happy ending as I've seen happen on a number of occasions. As I dug deeper into the writing, my direction changed. I began thinking about a few dysfunctional relationships that some of my girl and guy friends as well as I have had where we thought we were in love and vice versa. Some of the crazy thoughts we shared amongst each other over the years swarmed my head so the entire concept of the book was changed. So, I guess you can say that some of my world was incorporated into the storyline.
What was the most powerful chapter for you to write?
Carla: I'm not sure which chapter it is now because of the formatting but the most powerful chapter for me to write was the one when Germaine uses reverse psychology on Niquole to make her reveal a huge secret. Later that night, she tries to seduce him hoping her actions will keep him from revealing her secret to others. He lets her know that he knows what she is doing. Her plan backfires and he makes he go through with her original plan. She hates it. He regains control.
What do you think makes your book different from others?
Carla: I think what makes my book unique is that I haven't come across many that deal with domestic abuse toward men. Women are always perceived as the victims when it comes to domestic abuse, but men are being abused as well. For men, abuse is a current problem but a hidden crime.
How can our readers reach you online?
Readers can reach me on FaceBook and Twitter as: carlapennington. Email address: carlapennington@hotmail.com
Thanks Ella and Black Pearls Magazine for the wonderful interview segment!
Carla S. Pennington, author of The Available Wife
Order your copy of The Available Wife today!
ISBN-10: 1934230170
ISBN-13: 978-1934230176
Life Changing Books -
www.lifechangingbooks.net
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