10 Burning Questions with Rising Author, Auketria Manor [Interview]

It has been a couple of years since author and guest blogger, Auketria Manor, released her first novel, “Catching Feelings.”

A couple of years ago, I decided to track down the Austin, TX native to find out how she came to write such an intimate novel with so much appeal.  When the book was first released, Manor received glowing reviews as this novel touched the hearts of many people’s lives as if they were living the experiences she wrote about.

On a personal note, Ms. Manor and I are longtime friends who worked together and stayed in touch. After learning of her new title (author), I can say I was truly proud of a woman who works so hard and remains dedicated to perfect anything she gets her hands on.

When I successfully tracked down Auketria, I asked all the burning questions – who, what, when, where and how?

Check out the 10 questions that were asked and how the proud mother-of-two answered:

1. When did you decide to become a writer?

I can’t really say that I “decided” to become a writer. I’ve exercised my writing muscles over the years while I pursued a career in music but never did I set out to write a novel. This type of writing happened organically for me; it’s amazing what life will pull out of you. Talents that you didn’t know you had been blessed with.

2. Were you good at English?

You know I always enjoyed English class especially when we were assigned free writing assignments. Although those assignments required us to write about something factual, it could be on any topic, social issue or experience that we chose. Even then I didn’t realize that my ability to write detail papers was novel-worthy. It’s safe to say that I maintained at least a B average…lol.

3. What is your book, “Catching Feelings” about?

“Catching Feelings” chronicles four best sister friends as they enjoy the fruits of their labor from various career fields. They have it together professionally but they face some friendship challenges and relationship challenges for many different reasons.

You’ve got your divorced mother of two who finds herself in love with a narcissistic cheater just a few years after her divorce; a single woman with no children whose desperation for love causes her to make dating choices that can alter the friendships; the bitter single woman who doesn’t even notices when a man is genuinely interested in her because of emotional bruises that began in her childhood on through young adulthood and finally the consummate business woman like no other that is so content not having a companion while she builds her business that she literally bumps into love but even that comes with some unfortunate surprises.

4. Give us insight into your main character. What does she do that is so special?

I’d like to believe that the four of these women are all main characters, however, “Naomi” is somewhat of the nucleus of this group of friends because she constantly reminds them of the things in life that matter – the Lord, love, and forgiveness. She’s able to do this even in the midst of her few challenges. She’s the prayer warrior of the friend circle, if you will.

5. Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your book?

Oh, wow, that’s hard! I have so many actresses that I’m a true fan of their artistry. Since I have so many favorites it would be:
(1) Regina Hall as Naomi, the divorced mother of two (2) Jill Scott as Rita, the single no-nonsense salon owner (3) Taraji P. Henson as Jaimie, the single desperate event planner (4) Brely Evans as Adrienne, the single, career-focused realtor.

Pictured: Auketria Manor and her offspring – Joshua and Aryah

6. What is the hardest thing about writing?

For me, allowing too much time in between writing sessions. Sometimes you can’t avoid it because writer’s block really does exist and at that point, all you can do is step away from “the lab” until you have another “aha” moment or the story picks up and you’re able to start translating it through the keyboard again.

7. Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

Give yourself and the project some space. When you begin to force the story and not allowing it to happen organically I think you compromise the quality of your work. When the quality is compromised, your readers aren’t going to respect it because you’re just putting something together in order to complete it. I can’t stress space enough when facing writer’s block.
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When you begin to force the story and not allowing it to happen organically I think you compromise the quality of your work. When the quality is compromised, your readers aren’t going to respect it because you’re just putting something together in order to complete it. I can’t stress space enough when facing writer’s block.

I can’t stress space enough when facing writer’s block.

8. Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.

In all transparency, the covers (neither of the two) was my idea. They were designed by a graphics artist that the publisher of the book selected. Hopefully, for my next novel, I will be more hands on with details like this because covers can be a deal breaker for some readers.

Manor signing book copies. Check out that “Catching Feelings” Tee!

9. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t you rush to get old! I am grateful for how I’ve matured over the years but I would tell the young

I am grateful for how I’ve matured over the years but I would tell the young Auketria to be patient, don’t just enjoy your youth but use it to your advantage. I would tell her that the choices you are making right now will have a

I would tell her that the choices you are making right now will have a long-lasting effect on the days ahead.

10. How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Anyone interested in reading “Catching Feelings” can visit Amazon.com, and they can either purchase a paperback or electronic copy.

Auketria is a featured writer here at Blog Xpressions. You can read all of her awesome posts here.

She’s currently working on her second novel. We’ll keep you posted on the release date.

If she has the time, Blog Xpressions will try and host a live Q&A with Auketria for all you aspiring authors out there! She can give some great advice, like she did here in a recent Facebook post:

What did you think of the interview? Are you down for the Q&A? Leave your comments below.

Smooches! ♥