We sat down with Lady Lissa to discuss her latest novel called Dirty Lay that drops February 18, 2015. The book is written from a view of personal experience that she feels all women will be able to relate to after reading.
Tell us about your new novel Dirty Lay.
My new novel is called Dirty Lay. It’s a book that depicts from when a boy becomes a man. My main character is Antoine Williams and he has a lot of growing up to do. His friends call him Ant. Antoine is a free spirit who likes to give his goodies away without wrapping his package first which tends to get him in trouble because he has a few baby mamas. While he is out making the babies, he does not want to take responsibility for his kids. He feels that it’s the woman’s fault that they got pregnant and they should have gotten the birth control. I think a lot of women will laugh at the character or be mad at him.
This was the easiest book to write about because it comes from past experiences. Every woman either knows or has at least one man in their life who doesn’t do what he should do on behalf of his kids. I feel that if you made the baby you should take responsibility for that child, but I know a lot of men who do not take that responsibility. This book was written to touch the lives and hearts of both men and females alike. I hope they enjoy it.
What type of message do you want your readers to walk away with after reading your novel?
I want men to do what is right when it comes to their lives and kids. I want women to know that just because that man left you doesn’t mean that you can’t still be a great parent without him. I want them to understand what it means to be strong and not live their lives according to what that man wants. Being a single mother has made me especially strong in how I handle life and how I raise my children. I teach them that with the right amount of determination, they can make things happen on their own without having to depend on anyone but themselves.
How would you describe your writing style?
Lady Lissa: I write according to my experiences in life. At the age of 46, I have gone through so many experiences; heartbreaks, heartaches, pain, happiness, motherhood, and divorce. I feel that when I write I can share with the readers because there is always at least one person who can relate to me. I have so many experiences to share with people and I want them to know that they can take their experiences and become stronger from them. My writing style is life changing because hopefully someone will open their eyes and realize what they are missing out on and how they can become stronger human beings because of their experiences.
What writers would you say your writing style is compared to?
I’m not sure because a lot of books that I read are urban fiction and it is just that fiction, not real. Although my books are fiction for the most part, they are also real. My favorite writers are Carl Weber and Kimberly Lawson because they deal with the “real” like issues that plus size women deal with and just things that I find fascinating. I do love Carl Weber, he is absolutely one of my favorite author’s mostly because he gets into the minds of women. His books Big Girls Don’t Cry that touched me because it made me want to have confidence. I don’t think I ever had that confidence until I read that book and the series that follows.
What inspires you to write?
I have always had a fascination with writing and actually had ideas to write since 2008, but it wasn’t until I began taking communication and journalism courses while studying for my Bachelor of Science degree that I did get the courage to put my writing in novels. I love writing and my greatest joy is having others read my stories. Listening to their opinions about my novels and how they felt for my characters puts a huge smile on my face. I could not have done any of this without the encouragement of my son and my mom. Without them I probably would not have the nerve to reach out to publishing companies. But my God, has been my biggest supporter because without Him I would not have gotten this far. So to anyone who has a dream to write and think they cannot do it, have faith because if I can do it then so can you.
Are you working on any other projects?
Oh yes indeed! 2015 is going to be a hot year for my son and me. We turned in a novel that is off the chain. We don’t have a release date on it yet, but it should be soon and it is a great read! I am currently working on Dirty Lay II and we also have ideas for several other novels that will blow the minds of readers for years to come. We are so excited about this year’s releases and working with Leo Sullivan and the rest of the family. We are going to bring great things your way so get ready!!
You can learn more about Lady Lissa by following her on social media at www.Twitter.com/MsStJulien and www.Instagram.com/Lady_Lissa832. Pick up her latest novel, you most definitely will not be able to put it down.
Photo credits: Courtesy of Lady Lissa