We were lucky to catch up with Harper Black recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Harper, thanks for joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
I’ve had the desire to write/create stories for a long time, but never really thought about pursuing it until a few years ago when I took a creative writing course. I enjoyed the course, and after completion, I considered the possibility of publishing a book of short stories or essays. Work and Life took over, so those thoughts were pushed to the back burner.
While volunteering at a community event, I was talking with another volunteer, and the topic of books and writing came up. That conversation reminded me that while I hadn’t gotten the opportunity to do much writing, the wish to do so was still very much with me. While researching publishing options, a friend mentioned a writing program. It was targeted at potential screenwriters, but I thought it might be a good learning opportunity. I applied and was accepted. I learned a lot from the program. Perhaps the biggest lesson was that in screenwriting, less is more. With essays, novellas, and novels, it’s “use all the words you need and not one more.” That understanding gave me clarity on two things: One, the characters in the project I worked on while in the writing program wouldn’t stop talking (in my head. lol). And two, in order to silence them, I was going to have to tell their story.
Now that my mind was made up, I needed to put together a plan on how to make time to get the words on paper and create the book. I attended a few writer/author conferences and was able to talk at length to many of the authors about their journey to publishing. Many of them were self-published and gave me referrals to resources that were very helpful. From there, I created a writing schedule and wrote my first book “A Day in the Life of Strangers.” I contracted with Tenth Muse Enterprises which does publishing consulting and brand strategy, to work with me to create a plan for the next steps and the launch of my book.
Harper, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve had a love of reading and a curiosity about the world since childhood. That curiosity, a desire to get a college education, and a sense of adventure led me to enlist in the U.S. Navy. My career took me to many destinations around the world, both intrepid and romantic, embarking on a journey to achieve my professional goals while navigating the ebbs and flows of international living. My experiences in travel and dating inspired me to write about romance. In my stories, I craft romantic adventures that reflect diverse cultures and encourage readers to follow their desire for true love wherever it might go.
As I mentioned earlier, I write in the romance genre. My stories fall under the following subgenres:
• Contemporary
• Second Chance
• Over 40 (years of age)
• Interracial (IR)
• Multicultural
• Small Town
• Historical
I get asked a lot about why I write romance and the answer is simply that I enjoy it. The stories I write are sparked by places I’ve visited and experiences I’ve had. I get ideas from people watching, riding trains, events I’ve attended, etc. I didn’t start writing until after turning 40, so that influences my creative process as well. There are a lot of interesting things happening in the over-40 romance/dating world.
The authors in the IR/Multicultural community that I contacted, and a few other author information groups, have been helpful and very supportive of my endeavors along this publishing journey, which can at times be overwhelming to a new author.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The process of writing, hearing from, and talking with readers who’ve read my stories, exploring new places, and meeting new people are the most rewarding aspects of being a creative.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to continue to create stories readers will enjoy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.HarperBlackWrites.com
- Instagram: @harperblack10writes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091906682081
Image Credits
Photo credits: Satarah Latiker, Theresa Thurman, Artlogo, Book Brush