Tell me about yourself! How old are you, and where are you from?
CC: I am a 36 years old mother, teacher, creator, artist, motivator, coach, author and entrepreneur and I am from Lawton, Oklahoma.
In 100 words or less, give us a summary of your book.
CC: Wrapped in Gold, Kissed by the Sun is a poetry book with colored paintings, also painted by me. Each poem tells a story that will explore the different faces of love, sex, lust, lost, death, rebirth, self-love and expression. These stories are a compilation of experiences, not all my own and some are just expressions that flowed from my mind to the notepad, like paint to a canvas, painting a lucid picture through script. Through script I use metaphors, alliteration, rhythm and rhyme to deliver an abstract experience to your mind, forcing it to think beyond the words.
What inspired you to write poetry?
CC: I’ve written poetry since middle school. It’s always been a way for me to cope, a way I show feelings to someone special or just me getting my thoughts out on paper. Now, life, my daughter and my mood inspire me to write.
When did you publish this book, and what was your biggest challenge while publishing?
CC: May 3rd, 2018. My biggest challenge was getting my artwork to show up in my book just as beautiful as they are on the canvas and then deciding what my book cover would be.
If you could pick one song to describe the first poem in this book, what would it be?
CC: Not Gon’ Cry- Mary J. Blige
Have you written any novels as well? If not, would you and what genre?
CC: No, not yet. I am working on my second poetry book though. It kind of goes with the first.
What are two of your favorite books? Least favorite?
CC: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle And Superbrain by Deepak Chopra & Rudy Tanzi. I don’t really have a least favorite because I feel all the books I own have some sort of purpose. If I don’t like it, I probably don’t have it, or I gave it away.
Do you have any other hobbies, businesses that you would like to share?
CC: Fitness and Wellness Coaching, I handmake gemstone jewelry and I am a painter.
Do you have any upcoming book specials/giveaways or events?
CC: None currently, but I am working on my second poetry book. I do post promotions and the events I vend at on my social media though.
How can readers keep up with you? Post your social media usernames!
CC: Instagram: OddlylacedDesigns
Facebook: CandiceHS
Website: Oddlylaced.weebly.com
Anything else you would like to share?
CC: Writing this book was part of my healing process of my own recent traumatic experiences. I proved to myself that I am a lot stronger than I thought. My book is for men and women, not children, because of the content, not just the sexual content but the content of life that we all have passed through at some point in time. I wrote this book in memory of my Grandmother, as I shared with her before she passed that I was thinking about publishing a book and she told me do it, so I made sure I followed through.
Check out Wrapped in Gold, Kissed by the Sun on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/Wrapped-Gold-Kissed-C-C-Hairston/dp/0692117202
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