About K. Lowery Moore
Since the release of When I’m Loving You in 2007, K. Lowery Moore has participated in several book signing events and her book was selected as book of the month for local book clubs. She was interviewed on Harambee Radio, an internet radio show, and appeared on a local Washington, DC Cable Television show called, Success Filled Living. This interview segment aired in May 2008. Why did you decide to Self-Publish? I decided to self-publish for a variety a reasons. Mainly, I wanted my own business, so I figured I would set up my own publishing company in order to pursue becoming a published author. To be honest, when I first wrote my book, it was never my intention to submit my manuscript to a major publishing company. I want a play to be adapted from my manuscript so I can see my work on stage. I always tell my friends that I don't want to be a "shelf" author. With that I mean, an author that just has books on the shelf just for people to read. I want to see my characters on a stage or on the movie screen.
K. Lowery Moore is the author of the sizzling novel, When I'm Loving You and the poetry book, Moments in Love: Reflections through Poetic Expressions.
Born Katina Anjanette Moore, this author and poet is a native of Washington, DC currently residing in Temple Hills of Prince George’s County, MD with her two sons. As a summa cum laude honor graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Marketing, from Strayer University.
Moments in Love: Reflections through Poetic Expressions was released in May 2008. She continues to share her poetry at various venues in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area and is scheduled to be a part of the Congressional Black Caucus on Thursday, September 25, 2008 as a participating poet.
She is the founder of So Sophisticated Publications, an independent publishing company, which she established to publish and maintain control over her work.
Q & A
How long have you been writing?
I started writing when I was about twelve years old. My mother died from a sudden heart attack when I was 10 years old (almost eleven) and I had a very hard time coping. I didn't really write about my feelings regarding my mother's death, but anything that would keep my mind off the fact that she was gone.
When did you discover that you really had a true writing talent?
I always felt that I had a writing talent, but it wasn't until I was attending graduate school at Strayer University that someone else pointed out that I had a true writing talent. One of my professors asked if he could use my research paper as a sample for future classes. He told me that he wished more students would turn in a paper like mine because it was very well thought out. I was ecstatic.
What inspired you to become an author?
I had an idea for a stage play so I decided one day to just start writing. I found script writing to be challenging since that is not my background, so I figured I should write it as a novel and have someone adapt a play from it.
So is most of your story true?
The story is based on some actual events that happened to me or around me; however, a large portion of it written from fantasy. I am a day dreamer so for instance, I would meet a guy and I would write a chapter or two about how I think it would be if we got together. That's how I came up with most of the story, from fantasizing. Most of my characters, especially the male characters, are a blend of people that I've come in contact with and they left an impact on my life both positive and negative.
What about the female characters? Are they based on actual people?
Now this is an interesting question to answer. I based my three main characters, Natasha, Dianne and Lynda on different aspects of myself. Almost as if I have a split personality.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
I am a huge fan of mainly contemporary and romance authors. My favorite authors are Terry McMillan, Mary B. Morrison, the late Bebe Moore Campbell, and Michael Baisden, although he doesn't write books right now. Those authors have heavily influenced my career. I've recently discovered some romance authors that I enjoy and they are Francis Ray, Brenda Jackson and Wayne Jordan.
Are there any books that you've read that have influenced your life?
Oh my goodness yes. I remember reading Iyanla Vanzant's book, In the Meantime, and I felt like a different person by the time I was done. It made me take a deep look into my soul. Then A few years ago, I was feeling down about my job and life in general and a co-worker purchase a book for my birthday and it was called, Your Best Life Now, by Joel Osteen. That book is what gave me the courage and strength to really pursue my dream as an author. And finally, The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter. I probably wouldn't have pursued publishing my book myself if it wasn't for this manual.
Do you have plans to write for film?
Oh absolutely! The person I want to bring my characters to life is Tyler Perry. Also, my sister is an independent film maker. I would like for her to bring my characters to life as well.
What is next on the menu for K. Lowery Moore?
I am currently giving my first book, When I'm Loving You, a complete make-over. I've learned so much since I published the book in November 2007 that I want to implement some of the things I've learned. I love that book so much that I am willing to keep rewriting it until I see those characters on someone's stage or on film. That is my goal, period.
I am also working on the sequel to When I'm Loving You. I know a lot of people are waiting and I don't want those readers who have enjoyed my work to forget about me. I plan to release the sequel early next year.
A non-fiction, women's inspirational book and another poetry project is on the way as well in 2009.
What have you found most challenging while pursuing your writer career?
What I find most challenging is the marketing and promotion aspects. I have a lot of ideas but being an independent publisher, I don't always have the same resources as the larger publishers. I have to find creative ways to let readers know that my books, the novel and the poetry book, are worthy of reading.
Is there anything else that you want your audience to know about you? Any final words?
Yes, I want everyone to know that I am very passionate about the stories and poems I write. I am an author who writes from a positive perspective on love and life in general. It will always be my mission to motivate and uplift others.
More importantly, I am a survivor of gun violence. The day I got hit by a stray bullet that missed my spine by less than one-inch, was the day the Lord spoke to me and let me know that my purpose here was not over. That no matter how hard I feel life is, I have to keep believing and keep standing on faith. There is a song that I listen to whenever I feel down and it's "Victory" by Yolanda Adams on the Gospel Soundtrack. In that song she says that "You can't tell me that God isn't real, 'cause I got the victory and that's why I am still here." Just those words, "I'm still here," means so much to me. So no matter what I'm going through, I keep in my mind, that I have the victory from God and it is my calling, through my writing, to let others know they do as well.
