It's A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Sandra Manigault, author of The Vanessa Trilogy: Vanessa - a Love Story; Vanessa - The Next Chapter; and Flora's Saga

Author’s Bio: Sandra Lynn Manigault spent her childhood studying music, and attended New York City’s esteemed High School of Music and Art, where she played the cello and continued her extensive piano training.  Sandra chose to major in mathematics and received her B.S. and M.A. degrees by the age of 22 from Long Island University and Penn State University respectively.

She taught high school and community college in New York City and Fairfax County, VA.  Along with her husband, Donald, she formed The Manigault Institute which afforded them the opportunity to transform the lives of thousands of teens and children over the decades through its varied educational programs.

With inspiration from Colorado’s Teaching for a Change conference and the transformative book, The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, she published The Book for Math Empowerment followed by The Children’s Book for Math Empowerment.  In a creative writing course, her acclaimed memoir Fragments of a Woman’s Life” blossomed.  The most memorable comment made of it was, “As I read your essays, I could not help but think what my life would have been like had you been my mother.”

In 2016, Sandra published her first novel, Vanessa – a Love Story, followed by a sequel, Vanessa – The Next Chapter in 2018.  These two extraordinary novels will comprise part of The Vanessa Trilogy when the third book, Flora’s Saga, is published in Spring 2021. 

Believing every woman needs a written testament of her life for future generations, Sandra created “LEGACIES” a memoir writing and healthful eating workshop to inspire other women to write their stories and transform their lives and bodies.  She teaches LEGACIES and shorter (2-hr) writing workshops to church groups, book clubs, and other women’s organizations in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, and NOW VIRTUALLY – anywhere there is internet access. 

Sandra is a transformative speaker who has graced multiple audiences.  She has appeared twice as a guest on The Writer’s Haven Show with V Helena, and on Ingrid’s World to discuss her VANESSA trilogy.  She also was the guest of David Whettstone of WPFW FM Pacifica Radio, DC (Community News and Comment) in reference to The Book for Math Empowerment. 

Sandra is a loving wife, mother of two, and grandmother of two. 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? 

Sandra Manigault: The Vanessa Trilogy began with book one, Vanessa - a Love Story, in a creative writing class. It actually grew out of a homework assignment in which we were asked to write a scene in which sex was or was not the inevitable outcome.  I chose the option in which it was.  Although the assignment produced only the first four chapters, it was a great launching platform for the story. 

DL: How do you handle writer’s block? 

SM: Because of how I began my writing journey, essentially, I don’t have writer’s block.  My journey began with a phenomenal book, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.  In her book, I learned to write “intuitively,” and to create a journaling habit called “the morning pages.”  By journaling daily for years, I learned to write quickly, anytime I had to.  It was a tremendous tool that took writer’s block off the table.  Another habit is prayer.  It keeps me confident and helps me trust myself. 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

SM:  In writing the first book the major challenges were 1) writing the love scenes, and 2) deciding how to end the story.  It took a while, but I got over my shyness about “going there” in book one.  By book two, those love scenes were much easier to do.  It also took me a while to convince myself that book one was actually a good book.  When it was actually published, I heard over and over, “I could not put it down,” from my readers. 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? 

SM: I was not at first going to address this question, because there is no one author that influenced me.  However, I fell in love with books, not as a child, but as an adult woman.  I did so by discovering and reading books primarily by African American women of the 20th century.  I spent one summer reading everything I could find that resonated with me. After that I became a voracious reader. 

DL: What was the best writing advice you’ve ever been given? 

SM: Two things primarily:  1) “Vomit on the page.” (The first time I read this was in a book by Brenda Ueland (now deceased) and 2) Not to try to write and edit at the same time.  (I learned this from Julia Cameron.  She says that the act of writing is creative and driven by the “right brain.” The act of editing is driven by the “left brain.” They should not be done simultaneously.)  This is easier to implement, in my opinion, if one writes longhand, and more difficult to do when one is writing on an iPad.   

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?  SM: Tananarive Due (because I love her riveting fantasy fiction.) Anita Shreve (because her stories are so true to life and she writes like a poet).  Tina McElroy Ansa (because when I read her books, I can hear the voices of my mother and her friends.  I can identify with the voices/experiences of black women in her books).  I believe all three are among the best women writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers? 

SM: Believe in yourself and understand that creativity is God-given and God-driven.  Read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and do the exercises in the back of each chapter.  Don’t try to imitate someone else.  Be authentic in your writing.  Allow yourself to be vulnerable. 

DL: Please share an excerpt from VANESSA - a Love Story (Copyright 2016 by Sandra L. Manigault)

SM: Sure, in the following excerpt Vanessa is captivated by the artist and poet Miguel, whom she met a night earlier. 

Chapter 2 

     Vanessa waited for him in the lobby of the Grand Hotel. Why did I agree to come here? she thought.  She hardly knew him.  Last night his poetry reading caught her attention and plunged her into an ongoing fantasy.  She liked his face, admired his hands, sought his voice, felt his smile, and reveled in his conversation.  He only invited me here out of politeness, she thought.  She had asked to see his art (awaiting exhibition) and he felt obliged to accommodate her.  That was it.  No need to make a big deal of it.  It was a courtesy, or was it? 

     Miguel appeared to react to her energy last night, or more specifically, to the energy that seemed to exist between them, so she thought.  But had he also cautiously concealed any presumed interest in her, given the presence of the others at the impromptu supper that followed his reading?  Although her eyes were riveted on his face, he conversed casually, spiritedly, emphatically with everybody, as he discussed art in politics and politics in poetry.  He was the consummate artist, and she was now consumed with him.  

     The ornate lobby bustled with people confirming their reservations and seeking information.  Vanessa sat tensely in a red velvet winged-back chair, physically comfortable but emotionally knotted.  She felt beautiful and vulnerable.  Her hair hung in gentle tendrils like little flowers draping her face.  Her body was warmly wrapped in soft moss green wool, a one-piece body of a dress that screamed for attention.  Black stockings and pumps completed her outfit.  She reached into a black velour purse for her compact.  She checked out well: skin smooth, eyes bright, lips reddened, just like last night’s wine. 

     She could not face the elevators.  She would seem too anxious.  When the elevators chimed, she was not surprised that he caressed her shoulders hello. 

     “Have you been waiting long?” Miguel’s eyes met her lips. 

     “No, actually, I haven’t.” She smiled. 

     “You look wonderful.” His eyes swept her face, hair, neck, and dress. 

     “So do you,” Vanessa returned, enjoying his deliberate attention. 

     “Come.  I made reservations for dinner.”  Miguel reached for her hand, and she gave it to him and stood. 

     He talked while leading them into the Blue Peacock.  “Are you very hungry?” 

     “Only sometimes,” she flirted. 

     “That could get dangerous.”  He met the look behind her eyes, appearing to savor the energy that she generated. 

     “But,” she said, “Only if this is one of those times.” 

     “It is.” 

     His almond skin looked more rugged in the afternoon light beneath his white silk shirt.  His deep brown eyes challenged her, as did the mouth that moved so smoothly beneath his peppered beard.  She liked the strength of his mind and body, and the creative fever his words promised her imagination. 

     They were seated promptly, and he wasted no time. 

     “So, what would you like to have?”  He avoided eye contact and read the menu.

     “What do you recommend?”  Vanessa watched his face. 

     “I recommend we eat light, but for strength...                                                                   

DL: What new projects are you currently working on? 

SM: Prepping FLORA’S SAGA for its debut in spring 2021, and completing the draft of my next book, The Between Years. The title is aptly chosen as it occurs before the epilogue of book 3 of the trilogy.  Rather than one love story, this book contains two.  (Flora has twin sisters.  Who knew?) 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

SM: Folks can learn more here: 

• My Website: https://sandralynnlegacies.com
• Amazon: Sandra Manigault books
• LinkedIn:  Sandra Manigault (to follow me)
• Blog:  https://www.sandralynnlegacies.com/
• Book Buy Link:  https://www.sandralynnlegacies.com/books/

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

SM: Thanks for having me.

 Book #3

Book #2

Book #1