Today marks the last of our discussions from our E-Book Reading Challenge, so a special thanks to everyone who has joined us over the past 8 weeks. We are chatting with Janaya Black about her book, Beautiful Rage: The Break of Dawn.
Revenge is a dish best served cold…
Vanessa Jackson has become “the voice” of the women trapped inside the confines of the Wayne County Women’s Correctional Facility. As she continues her crusade to tell the stories of the lost and forgotten souls that inhabit the prison walls, she begins to fall deeper into their world of pain, loss, and sorrow.
This time Vanessa has been assigned to interview Dawn Langston, a woman turned vigilante after the brutal kidnap and murder of her sister. The violently cold-blooded and savage nature of the crime leads Vanessa to question her ability to execute her assignment successfully without losing herself completely.
Go with Vanessa as she continues her downward spiral into the mind of a woman who flawlessly executed the kidnapping, torture, and murder of the man that changed her life forever.
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Author’s Website: www.black-smithenterprises.com
Janaya, thanks so much for participating in our E-Book Reading Challenge and joining us today. Please start off with an intro of yourself, your publishing company and how you began writing and then we’ll jump into the book discussion.
I will be out all day today, but some of the lovely RAWSISTAZ will be moderating and making sure things go well. Y’all have fun and I’ll be peeking in via my phone from yet another school activity with my daughter.
-Tee
Hey Janaya! I have been waiting to discuss this book. I have a few questions to start…
1. How did you come up with the plot for this book? Was it based off of real life stories you heard?
2. Please tell us more about the complete series and if you will be writing more books?
3. Were you trying to send a message with this book?
For the Readers-
1. Was Vanessa a character you liked or disliked and why?
2. Do you think Vanessa should have responded differently?
3. Would you have turned yourself in?
4. What do you think about the detective being willing to give up his career? Was that true love or a stupid decision?
5. Was Vanessa justified?
I’m sure I’ll have more questions later, I just thought I’d throw a few out there.
Criss
OOPS. I was so excited I used the wrong name!! Let me try the second set of questions again.
For the Readers-
1. Was Dawn a character you liked or disliked and why?
2. Do you think Dawn should have responded differently?
3. Would you have turned yourself in?
4. What do you think about the detective being willing to give up his career? Was that true love or a stupid decision?
5. Was Dawn justified?
Hello everyone and welcome to the chat ! We look forward to the discussion. Thanks Criss for getting us started !!
Hello Tee and Criss! Thank you so much for having me today!
@Criss,
I came up with the plot for the Prison Chronicles Series because I am always so deeply disturbed when I watch the news. And working in media and knowing how sometimes things are spun to get ratings or sell papers, I saw this series as a way for me to provide insight to what drives people to do some of the things that you read about in newspapers or hear about on the news. So in all 3 of the books you can relate the situations to things you may have heard about in real life.
I do plan on writing more books, but I still haven’t decided if I am going to continue with the Prison Chronicles series because it was really heavy for me even though they are fiction stories. I grew very close to all of my characters.
The message of the books is that you can’t judge other people unless you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. Judge not lest ye be judged.
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
Janaya,
Do you have any books other than the Prison series? Are you working on anything else now?
What made you go the ebook route with this novel and have you seen it do better in one area over another? (I noticed you have the paper copy available too)
Hello Everyone.
Janaya, it is good to see more of my hometown(Detroit) authors representing. Detroit has wonderful talent. Detroit is not all bad as they report.
I am just hearing or your book. What inspired you to write about this particular subject?
Hi Shai,
I was inspired to write about this subject because I feel that people are too quick to judge others without knowing all the facts. I understand it’s human nature and I’m not trying to justify anything, but I feel that if people knew some of the things that people go through in life they would be more compassionate and less judgmental.
I would love for you to get a chance to check out some of my work! I think you would enjoy it. I have a very interesting imagination (lol).
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
For those who haven’t read the book yet, you can join in too.
Do you feel there is ever a case where revenge is mandatory? (in this case Dawn’s sister was kidnapped and murdered)
Should people who do revenge killings be punished under the same system as those who committed the first vicious act?
That’s a very hard question to answer. I really identified with Dawn because I really think that anyone who has ever been in a situation where one of their loved ones was harmed or murdered more than likely felt very strongly compelled toward revenge.
I also think that people on the outside of those situations can understand how the family might feel, but they are also torn between morality and doing what’s right and I was able to show that struggle in Vanessa.
But overall, I don’t condone violence in any shape, form or fashion, but I can certainly understand why someone would feel those feelings of rage in that sort of situation.
As far as people being punished for taking the law into their own hands, I sincerely feel that every instance should be looked at individually. I don’t think people should be allowed to take the law into their own hands, but I can’t honestly say that I think that a father who acted in a way that Samuel L. Jackson did in a Time To Kill should spend life in prison either.
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
Hard questions but my answer is the same off the record answer as Det. Chris Jones when Vanessa spoke wihim.
lol…I know that’s right!
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
Hello Janaya,
Just popping in for a quick moment. I wanted to say hello and
that I enjoyed your book Beautiful Rage. I also read The Breaking Point.
Both books were like a movie being played out. Both were such page turners
that once I started reading them I did not want to stop until I finished.
Thank you for your continued support!
Hi Janaya. Thank you for joining us.
I am so with you on being “disturbed by the news” here in the Detroit area and others. I’m a huge fan (if you want ot call it that) of Snapped and I’m always interested in knowing the story behind the headlines. I’ll have to go back and read some of the responses to the great questions Criss asked but wanted to chime in and say great. job.
Thank you Wana! I love that show too.
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
Wana,
You love Snapped too? Girl, I can watch an entire marathon all day long. Im just intrigued by the things that people do, the reasons they do it and the measures they will go to for the cover up.
.-= Unika Howell-Molden´s last blog ..The Unique Reviewer Welcomes AAMBC Spring Tours with Author K. Reid =-.
I can’t get enough of the show and I’m amazed at the length some people go to and the crazy reasons they do it. I had to stop watching it for a minute because hubby was like that’s all you watch are you looking for some ideas and I just looked at him, smiled and said “of course not”
Janaya please tell us about yourself and what prompted you to begin writing.
Also what are you working on now?
I am a woman that wears many hats…lol- I think that pretty much describes all women. But I am a wife, mother and a writer. I love creating things that other people can enjoy and learn from. Writing has always been my purest form of self-expression and I have been doing it since middle school.
Right now, I am actively promoting me new movie Till Death…Do Us Part which is a drama suspense thriller about a man who gets into some money trouble and then decides that the only way to get the money and save himself is to kill his wife and get the life insurance money. ( I know I have a twisted imagination!) And I also have some other movie scripts that I am working on.
I am also doing a lot of work on my youth program which encourages high school and middle school students to achieve and maintain honor roll status.
I would like to be able to sit down this summer to start on my next book and I will be putting on my first play based on my first book The Breaking Point in September of this year.
For the Readers-
1. Was Vanessa a character you liked or disliked and why?
I liked Vanessa, a strong character and mind set, determine
2. Do you think Vanessa should have responded differently?
Being so close to her sister, to me Vanessa could only see revenge.
it had to have hurt when he got off and set free, then turnmed to smile at her.
I think if he had smiled at me in the court room, I would have lost it and started screaming at him. ( I think) probably I would have set there crying>>>>.
3. Would you have turned yourself in?
No , i wouldnt have turned myself in (smile) I would have waited…especially if the policeman were going to help me…sorry…but I wouldnt have turned myself in…
4. What do you think about the detective being willing to give up his career? Was that true love or a stupid decision?
that had to be true love……
1. Vanessa is a character that I like a lot. She is a lot like me: inquisitive, compassionate, and she sometimes struggles with her feelings. She is also very strong in her convictions of right and wrong and she’s a reporter like me.
2. I definitely think that Dawn should have responded differently, because at the end of the day she is going to spend the rest of her life in prison for something that gave her a few moments of satisfaction. But I can definitely understand why she did what she did because in my mind that’s exactly what I would have wanted to do to someone who did those awful things to someone I loved.
3. lol…I definitely wouldn’t have turned myself in!
4. As far as the detective, it was true love and he also felt that justice had not been served. I thought is showed a lot of character for him to want to help her because I think there are a lot of good cops out there who get frustrated when all of their hard work to put criminals away is minimized because of money and politics. Again, not saying that what he did was right, but I understand where the sentiment comes from.
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
I will find it interesting with you using Detroit landmarks in the story. I like to read stories with Detroit as part of the plot.
I had a cousin who worked for Wayne County jail, she had to draw blood from inmates. They test them for STDs and what not, when they are convicted.
When in high school living in San Fransciso, I worked at City Hall from noon to 5pm.
I will never forget this one court hearing.
A man was on trial for raping a 7 year old boy. He had relatives that was high profile
He was set free of the charges. While walking out the father of the boy shot him point blank. I remember it because it made me so mad..the man that was set free..was just smiling as he was saying no one can touch me……..that night on the news they just kept
Showing it over and over from the release to the shooting….The father had pretend like he was on the pay phone and once the man walked by him, he shot him..
Should people who do revenge killings be punished under the same system as those who committed the first vicious act?
I guess…so since murder is murder….treatred the same
but if I ever and I mean ever get to that point ( I not crazy- believe me)
If i ever did a revenge killing it would probably be ( if someone harmed my sons or mother) I wouldnt turn myself in if I thought I could get away with it…
but then I would be walking around crazy huh…………………………
That’s exactly it! As a mother, I identify with what that man did completely. Was it right in the eyes of the law? No! But how can anyone in their right mind allow someone who did something like that to a child go free? That’s awful and it’s scary. Even in the Bible murders were dealt with swift and justly.
It’s a beautiful thing to have the power of the pen that enables you to create a world of your own where all wrongs are made right.
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
Janaya what type of research did you do for the Prison series? Did you visit any inmates?
My books are fiction, so I didn’t have to do any extensive research. The only things I really had to research were the correct sentences for the crimes that each woman committed. Since writing the books I have had women express interest to me about doing their stories, but I have to admit that I would be a little intimidated by that.
It was hard enough for me to shake off the realness of the stories of my fictional characters, and that’s why I’m still grappling with the idea of continuing the series. So I can’t imagine what the emotional struggle would be to deal with someone up close and personal who really went through a situation like the ones I write about.
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
I have to get ready to head out but I wanted to give my input real quick. Janaya, I loved this book from the moment I read the first page. The storyline pulled me in and I wanted to know what was going to happen. You really brought Dawn to life and added complexities that made her a very well developed and well rounded character. She was hard as steel for the most part but I enjoyed the moments where you showed her soft side and that despite her training she had feelings. The relationship aspect came out of the blue but I was happy that she found some one even if I knew it couldn’t last. I was really surprised that the Detective would give up his career after only knowing her for a short time though.
Overall, I really, really liked this book. It moved so fluidly and I could picture things happening. I didn’t know it was part of a series while I was reading but I am going back to read the others soon. You won me over!
I’m off for now but will probably check back tomorrow to see the rest of the chat.
PS. If you haven’t read the book, you need to.
I agree Criss. It also had me from the first page and it really had me when Vanessa was talking to her boss because I got another glimpse in what her job was about. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I can say I have enjoyed Janaya’s work since the first book.
I believe the point of view she takes in each story is a fresh new take on urban suspense and each book I could not put down until the end.
Wishing you success and love and more success. Be blessed.
.-= Sylvia ´s last blog ..Having Trouble Focusing and Finishing on Your Writing Project ? Join Us! =-.
Thank you, Sylvia!
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
Janaya, do you have any questions for us?
My question for you is: If I were to continue this series, what types of story lines would you like to see me explore?
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
I would love to know if there are any lasting effects on Vanessa and if she decides to go back the series. There is also a twisted part of me that would like to see Vanessa is a situation where she has to make the ultimate decision…kill someone or live with the decision of the justice system.
That’s very interesting…lol! I may have to work that out somehow. We’ll see….muahhhhhaaaa! (That’s my sinister laugh)
Wana, that would be a great twist.
Please tell us more about your upcoming movie, Till Death…Do Us Part. Who’s is and all that good stuff. Will it be released nationwide or to select markets?
Till Death…Do Us Part is now available on DVD. We are working very hard to get distribution for it. Once distribution is secured, I would love to see it released nationally! That is my dream to see one of my films on the big screen in all the major markets.
But for the time being we are doing a series of free screenings with various groups to generate a buzz and to get feedback, and thus far it has all been very well received. If you liked my books, you will definitely enjoy the movie!
We would love to come to ATL and do a screening with Raw Sistaz!
You can view the trailer by clicking on the following link:
http://www.black-smithenterprises.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=29
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
Janaya,
I really enjoyed reading Beautiful Rage. It was really hard for me to put it down because I just had to know what happened next. I was hooked from page 1. I have a couple of questions for you.
1. Where did you pull from to get the graphic details of what Styler did to Carmen? Did you use some of the stories on the news as motivation?
2. Did you ever think about writing an alternate ending to Beautiful Rage? If so, how would it begin?
3. Does or will Vanessa have her own book?
.-= Unika Howell-Molden´s last blog ..The Unique Reviewer Welcomes AAMBC Spring Tours with Author K. Reid =-.
Hi Unika!
Thank you for chatting. To answer your questions:
1. The details of what Styler did were ideas I came up with based on other movies, books or things I’ve heard about at any given time. The motivation for the story just popped in my head from conversation I had with a friend about a hypothetical situation and what we would do in any given situation.
2. I never thought about doing an alternate ending. I’m not really a “re-mix” type of person. I’m usually married to whatever version comes out first. I don’t know why, but I usually don’t like it when things I like are re-done differently. I’m just weird that way.
3. I think that if I were to continue with the series it would be a very real possibility for Vanessa to have her own book. I’m still on the fence with her about a lot of possible avenues I could explore with her.
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.
For the Readers-
1. Was Dawn a character you liked or disliked and why? I really liked Dawn. I respected the bond that she had with her sister, I guess because I am an only child.
2. Do you think Dawn should have responded differently? I do think that Dawn should not have taken justice into her own hands. However, but I saw myself as on the outside looking in. I never know what I would do if I were in her shoes. And to have the murderer of her sister get off and feel as though he was untouchable just took the cake.
3. Would you have turned yourself in? I most definitely would not have turned myself in. Dawn’s plan was so well thought out and planned.
4. What do you think about the detective being willing to give up his career? I think that the detective was falling in love with Dawn and he was speaking on impulse. I believe that given the opportunity to really think about what Dawn had done, he may have reconsidered. Was that true love or a stupid decision? I believe that was true love and a stupid decision.
5. Was Dawn justified? No, I dont believe that Dawn was justified.
.-= Unika Howell-Molden´s last blog ..The Unique Reviewer Welcomes AAMBC Spring Tours with Author K. Reid =-.
Questions for the Readers……….
1. Do you think that Dawn was just born a “bad seed” so to speak? Why? Why not?
2. What do you think could have caused Dawn’s love of violence?
3. What do you think about Valerie’s mother’s assessement of Dawn’s situation?
4. Do you think that Dawn was selfish in her actions? Her parents had already lost Carmen and she saw the devestation that caused?
.-= Unika Howell-Molden´s last blog ..The Unique Reviewer Welcomes AAMBC Spring Tours with Author K. Reid =-.
I will have to pick up the book. It sounds good.
Regina
Me too. I recently re-joined the group and I don’t want to spoil it for myself by reading something too juicy. (smile)
Dana
Well, I’m excited to have you as new readers!
.-= Janaya Black´s last blog ..Obie Trice Launches New Label =-.