Authortrek's INterview with Lakishia N. Smith

Lakishia N. Smith interview


This interview with Lakishia N. Smith, author of What Ever Happened 2 My King and Life's Pains Destiny's Gain was conducted in September 2007.



Where were you born and raised?


I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland in a small project community on the Southside named Westport.



What was it that first got you into writing and when did you start writing?



I realized I had a passion for writing by the time I was 9 years old. Growing up in one of Baltimore’s most violent project community’s there was always some drama or something else crazy going down. Whenever I’d become down over something, I’d go to my room, grab my pen and pad and write, write, write, and it took me somewhere; whatever I wrote, is where I was at the time; I would be in a zone. It was at that time that I realized that this was my passion.



Which writers have influenced you the most?


I admire, Sistah Souljah, Omar Tyree, K’wan, Vickie Stringer because she is indeed the lady!!!! I admire the legendary Maya Angelou who I’ve just admired since a kid. Her way with words is just one of a kind, she’s bad!! Donna Hill who we have to give a standing ovation to!! The sistah has over 50 titles with her name on them!!! There are just so many people who I admire. Ohh and I must say Teri Woods!



What kind of things do you write?


I write urban fiction. I write things that people from the urban community could relate to and a person that’s not from that side of the track could learn from. I write about things that maybe I have gone through in life. Things that I’ve seen people around me go through; I write about things I hear, things I see, things I know. My books are fiction but many of the things that the characters in my books go through is reality to many.



What are you working on now?


Well, I’m working on my 4th novel. I cannot give you the title because you know there are people out there that love to steal ideas (smile). This book is gonna be a different one. It’s still gonna be urban and all, but just different then what’s already out there. I’m also starting my own self publishing company. I wanna offer other talented writers the chance to be heard.



What is your writing day like?


I’m always working on more then one title at a time so whatever mood I am in, that’s the manuscript I’d work on that day. I write when I feel like I could get into a zone.



What’s the most exciting thing about writing for you?


The fact that God has given me the gift to captivate and inspire others with my words. I’m from the projects and coming from the hood we don’t have many people to look up to. It makes me feel good to be looked at as an idol in my neighbourhood.



What’s the most frustrating thing about writing for you?


I guess the fact that at times you get writers block. I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to complete a novel, but it ain’t easy. Especially when you want to always keep it real with your people and not just write because you know that you can. Some people write just to entertain, but I have to always think up some lessons to throw in my books and I have to throw them at my readers without them even realizing that’s what I’m doing. I get frustrated at times when the words don’t come out right.



What’s the best piece of feedback that you’ve had from your audience?



Well the feed back that I’ve been receiving from my readers has been CRAAAAZZZZY LOVE!!! But you know what makes me feel good. The great feed back from the fellas! The fellas is loving this book!! That feels good. People are saying that they read the book in a day or two. This book is 333 pages! Then I have people that say that they read it 3, 4 or 5 times. It just feels good when people can feel and relate my story!



Do you write for a particular audience, or is your first priority to satisfy your own creativity?



I write for everyone! Male, Female, Urban and Suburban, I just believe that everyone could learn something from my books!



Do you have a homepage? Do you have any short stories or poems published online? (If so, please provide the URLs):



Yes my website is http://www.lakishiansmith.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/lakishiasmith; I would recommend that my readers do a Google search on me: Lakishia Smith, there is so much information that comes up on me, poems, interviews, all kinds of great stuff.