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Interview with TM Brown, Author of A Life Not My Own

Author’s Bio: Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, TM Brown holds a BA in Psychology and MS in Systems Engineering. Tina is also the mother of two amazing people and the grandmother to the cutest little boy ever! Her books include:

·         A Life Not My Own -  Tina shares her personal experiences of child abuse and neglect, her struggles as a teenager and in her young adult life.

·         Just Between Us – Inspiring Stories by Women.  Tina joined forces with Janice Ross, Selena Haskins, Adrienne Thompson, Tamika Christy and Nicole Dunlap as they share a collection of short stories about the life challenges that they overcome. 

·         The FAPA award winning and bestseller Struggles of the Women Folk.  An engaging, fictional, though powerful piece from the stories that her grandmother shared with her as a child.

·      Tethered Angel - PART TWO of Struggles of the Women Folk. Angel has a special gift hearing the thoughts of the people around her, but only if she reminds pure in mind and heart.
She shares her inspirational stories of encouragement and invites you to visit her website at www.authortmbrown.com or contact her directly - tm.brown35@yahoo.com

What inspired you to write your book?  I was struggling in my personal life and began journaling, evidentially deciding to share my experiences with others life me.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
There are many.  Ralph Ellison’s book, invisible man, really opened my eyes to the possibility of writing our truth as black Americans.

Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and finish your book? 
A Life Not My Own was my first book.  I waited 15 years before publishing it.  My journaling was therapeutic but I also wanted to be respectful to my family who were unaware of many aspects of my past. 

Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?
I just let it flow.  My writing process is a visual exercise, capturing what I see in my mind’s eye.

Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme song for this book?  
No, I often do my best writing in the tub with the water running

What are the keys to success in getting your book out to the public? 
Continually reaching out to new readers.  My readers often recommend my books to friends and family.  I also participate in a lot of vendor events.  I’m hoping that 2017 will offer more opportunities to do group talks and discussion.

What advice would you give to new authors?
Just keep writing and dig deep.  The best work comes from the heart.

How about sharing an excerpt from A Life Not My Own?
In all of my books, readers can expect to feel an emotional response when they read the words, “It was a day like any other day”: 

It was a day just like any other day. Ya know, that’s the really crappy part about death, it doesn’t usually come to my door in the expected form of, for example, a sick relative departing. No, it’s been much sneakier in most of its dealings with me. Well anyway, I was sitting in the living room doing my homework before dinner, just like any other day, when the telephone rang:

“What, what, what did you say? No, you don’t know what you’re talkin’ ’bout. No she ain’t. Who is dis? Hello, hello . . .”

Crying: “Oh no, oh no, oh no.”

I had never seen Ma cry before. She was always so strong. Even when something bad happened, she would say things like, “I told dem, if dey keep going like dey going . . .” This was very different.

Shortly thereafter, a policeman knocked on our door and confirmed what the mystery caller had said. Betty was dead. My heart was filled with guilt and relief. Guilty about telling her not more than two months previous that I did not want to live with her and relief that she wouldn’t be hurting herself doing those drugs anymore. The dream that I had came to mind as well. I was sure that somehow the two were connected. Betty’s death would be the beginning of a test for me. I knew that.

What’s next for you?
I’m currently writing an untitled piece about a young girl who runs away from a dysfunctional family existence.  I’m not sure how the story will unfold and that exciting to me.

Where can readers find out more about you and your book(s)?
It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.




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