Welcome to my blog, Tyora! Tell my readers a little about yourself.

Thank you for featuring me today on your blog, Rhonda. I appreciate it.

Let’s see, I’m the typical introvert and also a workaholic. I’ve been schooled lately on doing too much though. LOL!  I really enjoy what I do which consists of designing book covers, promotional materials and websites for authors. I love seeing people’s ideas come to life. My design and marketing work started as hobbies and have since become opportunities for me to work with authors going on about twelve years now. It’s a bit surprising an exhilarating to be on the other side as an author myself. I’m still a bookworm and a big fan of mystery and suspense novels.  When I’m not working on something literary, I love watching animated films and big action movies. I also enjoy hanging and traveling with family.

List your published books.

When Rain Falls is my debut novel. Readers had their first introduction to my writing in a short story, Birthing Pains, in Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships. The anthology was published November 2010.

Which book did you find the hardest to birth?

Since When Rain Falls is my first novel, I would have to say it’s been the hardest one thus far. I feel blessed that my debut novel is actually the first novel I’ve written. This didn’t happen overnight. I started writing When Rain Falls in 2006 and didn’t have a version I was really satisfied with until 2008. It has gone under a few more editorial changes since ‘08. Writing a book, especially a novel, is definitely a process.

Tyora, tell us about When Rain Falls.

Sure, you can check out the book trailer and synopsis below.

OR click here to view the trailer http://youtu.be/j3OV19T9Cx8

“Why does God keep taking away the people I love?” This is the lamentation of widow CANDACE JOHNSON when her best friend is brutally murdered. Ensnared by a deep-rooted bitterness, seeping her faith day by day, Candace is determined to seek justice.

Detective Darnell Jacksonis in need of clues fast. The police captain is coming down hard on him and his partner to find out who murdered Pamela Coleman, the daughter of a high profile judge. Darnell confers with Candace to get the inside track on events leading up to the murder. As the investigation heats up, his growing attraction for Candace plays havoc on Darnell’s judgment.  

Little does she know, Candace’s quest to find the truth has led her straight to the killer. She’s already lost loved ones. Now Candace must choose to completely trust God with her own life.

How would you describe your writing style?

Well, I started out like most writers by writing what came to me. That didn’t work out to well for me. LOL! A few author friends described to me how they used outlines. With my analytical brain, an outline was the best thing for my writing process especially since I write mysteries. I spend quite a bit of time researching and developing an outline. Now just because I outline that doesn’t mean there is no flexibility. After I start writing the scenes, sometimes I will see visually how one scenes works better earlier or later in the timeline. It also helps me build in red herrings.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?

Sometimes I do. Depending on the mood, I listen to gospel, jazz or easy listening music.

Tell us anything about you as a writer that you think might be interesting or unusual.

I don’t know if there is anything unusual about me other than I’m just as passionate about my design work as my writing. I’m just a creative individual who really loves to see ideas grow and come to life.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

You need perseverance and patience. Whether you want to be signed with a traditional publisher or self-publish. This is not an easy journey. First, you have to be willing to put your manuscript through many types of edits so that the story really shines and attracts readers. Next, is the part that most authors don’t like, marketing. You have to be willing to stretch yourself so that readers are even aware of your book. Prepare yourself now by developing a platform. They recommend platforms mainly to nonfiction writers, but fiction writers also have to prove they have an audience. The best way to build an audience of readers these days is via social media.  Social media platforms include blogging and social networks like Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Writers are often encouraged to write what they know. Have you found that to be the case with your writing?

I wrote what I wanted to read. I didn’t see enough mysteries and suspense with African American characters in the Christian Fiction genre.  I stretched myself a bit with my main character Candace. She is a mother with two teens and I’m not a mother. I didn’t have to look to far when it came to writing about Candace’s profession. My mother is a cosmetologist so I grew up working and getting my hair done in her beauty shop. So, in those scenes I wrote what I knew.

About The Author

Tyora “Ty” Moody is an author and entrepreneur.  Her debut novel, WhenRainFalls, will be released March 2012 (Urban Christian/Kensington). This is the first book in the Victory Gospel series.  She is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers. She owns and operates TywebbinCreations.com, a design and marketing company. Her company’s niche is assisting authors with branding and developing an online presence.

Where can readers find you online?

Visitors can find me at:

• http://www.tyoramoody.com
• http://facebook.com/AuthorTyoraMoody
• http://www.twitter.com/tyoramoody

Thanks again for having me on your blog today, Rhonda.