About the Author:
Donna Ramos is a New York native currently living in California. She holds an A.A. in Social Science and a B.A. in Government. She writes several (contemporary and historical) multicultural, romance novels simultaneously. Her journalism career as a Senior Staff Writer/Reporter for THE HUB Magazine has yielded interviews with Maxwell, Venus and Serena Williams and HRH Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York, to name a few. As a self-published author, Ramos received acclaim from Essence Magazine and BlackbookPlus.com by being on their best seller lists for her contemporary romance debut book "HIGH RISE."
Her latest book, “CHOCOLATE IN THE CITY” Part 2 was released June 2020. “CHOCOLATE IN THE CITY” was released September 2019. Her first Tweener book, “DEAR DIARY…NOT QUITE” was released, December 2019.
The author of 10 books is currently writing "M&M: MADNESS AND MAYHEM", the final book in her “HIGH RISE” Trilogy. Her best seller “HIGH RISE” is currently in its 2nd printing and will be available September 2020. Donna partnered with another author, Brooklen Borne to write a 4-book sci-fi thriller series, "Absorption."
Last year she was named “Author of the Year” by Write-On! Awards for Literary Excellence. Currently she is honing her screenwriting skills, turning her novels into screenplays; submitting them to studios searching for fresh new script concepts for TV and movie projects.
Donna on the Web:
Interview with Donna Michele Ramos
When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?
I was 9 years old in the 4th grade and we had to do a class composition. My teacher liked mine so much she read it to the class. Then she showed it to the principal. He liked it so much he read it over the P.A. system to the whole school. At lunch I was a mini celebrity. I liked it and decided to keep writing.
What inspires you to write?
I have so many stories and characters in my head and I have to get them out. I love sharing them with my readers.
How did you come up with the idea for your current story?
My current eBook and paperback books, CHOCOLATE IN THE CITY AND CHOCOLATE IN THE CITY 2 were inspired by my friendship with my 3 best friends and my life in New York City prior to moving to California. It is a story about true friends and how they are always there for each other, helping each other go through all the changes life takes us through. They have fun, they cry but most of all they always have each other’s back.
Are there some stories tucked away in a drawer that was written before and never saw the light of day?
Yes I have so many books of all kinds of genres that I have in various stages of development. I write a little on them and put them away, while I work on the books I am schedule to release. I have books I started writing from right after high school to now. I have romance stories about pirates, knights, New York during the Civil War, 2 friends traveling in Italy, a fan who is pulled onstage by a famous singer and winds up in a relationship with him. Plus many more. I have several children’s books too.
Tell us about your writing process.
Usually I get a thought and I live with it a while. I map the story out in my head. If I have a lot of characters I’ll do a matrix for each character so I don’t mix them up and I remember everything about every character. If it’s not real involved I just write the story down. Very rarely I’ll do a sort of outline.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
My writing process is old school. I write everything down on paper. Then I type it up. I cannot create on the computer, when I write it has to be organic and it only flows from pen to paper.
Do you read? Who are your favorite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
Yes I love to read. I love romance novels contemporary and historical. I got hooked on old school romance novels from the 1980’s. my favorite authors from then are: Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Johanna Lindsey. For the last few years I’ve been into Bertrice Small’s historicals. These ladies have influenced my writing style because I read so many of their books I realized I could write them too after I got their formula down.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Just get started. That’s the hardest part. People often ask me at books signings how to get started. I tell them get a notebook and a pen and start writing. They think I’m kidding but that’s all you have to do. If you’re stuck, try a free writing exercise. Just write words and don’t stop. They don’t have to make sense but if they do that’s a bonus. The object of free writing is to get you writing. It’s amazing how many people are scared to write. They still have PTSD from high school when they got their paper back and it looked like a battlefield because it had so much red ink on it. Now if you write no one is going to do that. These are your thoughts; they are not wrong.
How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
I love traveling, shopping, spending time with my family and entertaining, reading and of course writing. I love any tropical location. I need sand, surf, palm trees and lots of sunshine.
What do you have in store next for your readers?
Between now and next year, I’ll release CHOCOLATE IN THE CITY 3, HIGH RISE (2nd edition), and my first children’s book “Little Miss Diva.” My eBook CAN’T LET GO, will be released September 30, 2020.
About the Book:
We conquered the City, now what?
Lashell Johnson tentatively starts a relationship with Robert Waverly. But will she change her mind before they can really give it a try?
Zarilyn Hudson is still recovering from a disastrous break-up. Now that she knows what her triggers were that made her overeat, will she be able to take control of them?
BeBe Lopez breaks up with Thad Gardner for no reason or was there one? Is there any hope for them that their second try will work?
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