Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Anisa Damien. Thanks for being here today Anisa, welcome to FAR! Thanks for having me

When did you first start writing?

Well, just tinkering around was when I was in the 8th grade. Seriously writing when I was in my early twenties and joined the RWA.

What made you want to become a writer?

The power to create characters is addictive. I love building characters and watching them become real. Once I started, I had to know more and just how far I could go and creating heroes is a plus

How do you keep your ideas fresh and imaginative?

People watching, listening to the odd bits of news or even magazine articles and then I twist that idea with another element, whether it be suspense or drama.

You are the host of The Mahogany Lounge on Blasé Skip Radio. Could you tell us more about your program and how it came about?

Luck! One day I received an advertisement from Lori Soard about her promotional services and inquired about her radio shows and also explained my idea for a multicultural romance radio segment. Lori loved the idea and here we are! My intention is to have Mahogany Lounge showcase Multicultural romance authors and their works. Also, to be a source of information for aspiring Multicultural romance authors as well. A new show is broadcasted every week on Blase Skip. Readers may go to: http://www.blaseskip.com/mahogany-lounge/index.htm to listen!

Who are your favorite authors?

Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers, Beverly Jenkins, Cheryl Holt, Patti Berg, Jamie Denton, Deanna Lee, Lena Matthews and the list goes on and on.

Who inspires you?

One of the greatest sources of inspiration was a good friend of mine who passed away a few years back. Her advice to me - when I was first pursuing writing seriously - was to believe in yourself because sometimes that's all you have to fall back on. And when I go through those bouts of doubts - her voice enters my head. She was a special person.

Could you tell readers a little bit about your current release, With Every Breath?

With Every Breath, stars Gabe Sebastien and Cassidy Raleigh, who is not pleased to hear her ex-husband is back in town. Cassidy is a strong woman, who has been hurt by the one she loved the most and Gabe is an ex-spy looking for redemption, but when danger lurks it pushing Cassidy right into Gabe's arms - the place she thought she didn't want to be ever again.

Have you created any secondary characters that you'd like to feature as the main character in a book yet to be written?

Yes! I have a file of stories just like this just waiting - not enough time in a day!

Almost every author at some point or another suffers from writer's block. Have you ever had that problem?

Oh yes! I refer to a book I found called the Seven Steps on the Writer's Path. The Journey from Frustration to Fulfillment by Nancy Pickard and Lynn Lott. I love this book and pick it up often. But basically, writer block for me happens for a couple of reasons: one something else that's going on in my life is out of whack, or I've started in the wrong spot in a story or I need to find out more about a character before I continue.

How do you deal with it?

Depending on what the source is, I try to address it. If that fails, I give myself permission to take a break for a couple of days.

Can you tell us more about your new series Brown Suga, Inc that’s coming out in April?

Brown Suga is about Tatiana "Tate" Brown who is an ex-dancer turned PI. She's about to meet her match with Detective Julian Brown, who is the son of a notorious gangster. Together these two spar, do battle and try to solve the mystery solving the disappearance of Julian's ex-wife. Meanwhile Tate has just undergone the shock of her life - finding out that her whole life has been a lie. Brown Suga is placed in Las Vegas - and as you know, anything goes!

I have found that some authors listen to music while they write. Do you listen to music or is it something that is distracting to you?

I love listening to music. My ritual is to light a candle, get my headphones and write. (Now that's if life doesn't intrude but it does - always!)

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?

I'd like to touch as many people as I can. Words are a powerful thing and they might as well be about the greatest power there is - love. Also, that multicultural romance is a wonderful genre.

What comes to you first, the character(s) or the plot?

It depends. Sometimes sketches of a character come to me and piece together slowly and others the plot is roaring to go.

What's your next step to help flesh out your story and do you have a formula that you follow to create your characters?

Yes, I do. I have an actual sit-down with my characters. I ask them what is it you want? I think that's the key question. That desire is what is going to shape your story. If I can't see them in my mind before I'm writing I feel like no one else will when they read my story.

What’s one thing you would like your readers to know about you?

I have some exciting new stories coming up, venturing into paranormals - a witch series, and a Multicultural historical set in the Old West.

Thank you for taking time to speak with me today Anisa.

It was my pleasure, Tammy!

Readers be sure to visit Anisa’s website at www.anisadamien.com where you can read her blog, sign up for her newsletter and find out more about her books.

Interviewed by: Tammy