To read Norm's Review of Transitions: Boy Krazy CLICK HERE

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Rosslyn A. Ruffin author of Transitions: Boy Krazy.

Good day Rosslyn and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

When did your passion for writing begin? What kept you going?

Rosslyn:

I always wrote things down. I never kept a journal, but if something happened that I felt was memorable, good or bad, I wrote it down.  It wasn’t until 4 years ago that I decided to write a book.

Norm:

How did your book come about? Why did you feel compelled to write Transitions: Boy Krazy?

Rosslyn:

I was broken hearted while on vacation with my family. We were sitting around talking about our issues, when one of them told me that I was going through transitions.  It stuck with me. On the plane ride home, I began to write down, what I wasn’t going to accept in a relationship anymore. Then I began to wonder, why did I accept these things in the first place?  A few weeks later I re-read what I had written, and I thought to myself, this can really help someone.

Norm:

Is there an underlying message in your book for teenagers?

Rosslyn:

Yes, I want teens to know that you can overcome your problems. No matter what they are.  No matter how bad they seem.  You will always see tomorrow and tomorrow is always better.

Norm:

What has your experience been like with self publishing? Do you recommend it over traditional publishers?
 
Rosslyn:

I did not self publish, I used a small local company called Publish America.  I think that if an author can sell their plan to a traditional publisher that would be a great way to go. If they cannot, I don’t think they should give up. I think they should self publish or use a smaller publishing company.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Rosslyn:

Staying focused was hard. While I was writing things were constantly going on around me. I found it increasingly hard to stay on task.  What I had to do was find complete silence. That is when I do my best thinking.

Norm:

How much real-life do you put into your book? Is there much “you” in there?

Rosslyn:

Lots of real-life is in there. I saw a need to address a certain subject and I tackled it, from my past to my current mistakes. There is so much of me in this book. It was therapeutic for me.

Norm:

When you wrote Transitions: Boy Krazy, did you have a particular audience in mind?

Rosslyn:

Not when I first wrote it.  When I first wrote it, I thought it would be helpful to women my age. I went to a women’s conference and Pastor Paula White said “If you want God to save you, you should take him to where you think you died.”  I died in High School.  That is when most girls start to develop into who they are going to be. It is a very emotional and important time of their lives. 

Norm:

Your novel contains for the most part detailed dialogue. Where did this dialogue come from?

Rosslyn:

Where ever there are teens silence is far away.  They are always talking and someone is always a smart mouth, someone is always brilliant, someone is always shy and someone is always self absorbed I could go on… But, teen girls love to talk. I went onto Teenpeople.com and read their bulletin board one day.  I could not believe what those girls were going through. I thought it would be best to show the reader that you can talk out a problem…

Norm:

Who are your favorite authors and do you do a great deal of reading?

Rosslyn:

I like murder mysteries, so Walter Mosley is a favorite of mine. I like to introspect, Juanita Bynam she reaches deep into you and pulls you out. 

Norm:

Do you have anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Rosslyn:

One thing I would like to share with the readers is to encourage the teens to live their life. Be true to themselves and to give 100%. They sure could use it.

Thanks once again and good luck with Transitions: Boy Krazy