A CONVERSATION WITH ELECTA ROME PARKS

A. Umm, that’s a hard question. It’s not easy to define or describe one’s self in a condensed version, but I’ll try. I was born and raised in Georgia. So yes, I’m a true Georgia peach even though I lived in Chicago and North Carolina for many years. Basically, I’m just your average, down to earth, wife and mother of two who has a great passion for writing and reading. Honestly, I don’t think I could live without books and the written word. I’ve found that a pen to paper is a powerful tool!

Let’s see, what else can I divulge about myself and keep you interested (smile)? Believe it or not, I’m actually kinda quiet and laid back. I can be moody and oversensitive (Pisces trait). So. . . be careful what you say about “Almost Doesn't Count” because I’m sensitive about my stuff (LOL).

I have a very vivid imagination that is evident in my books and I believe in a lot of theories that most people would think bizarre. Let’s just say I absolutely love “X-Files” and the entire concept of spirits, spirit guides, guardian angels, and karma. I once had a palm reader to tell me I was a writer in another life and that’s why writing validates and elevates me to be in complete sync with my spirit. I thought that was so profound and so unbelievably true.

Bottom line, anyone who truly knows me will state that I’m real. I’m very approachable and have a genuine caring nature (another Pisces trait). I have my “few” imperfections (i.e., control freak, temper tantrums and impatience to name a few) and struggles just like the next person. However, I believe in order to really get in touch with our true spirit, we need to discover our gifts. I feel that we are all born into the world with a special gift and I’ve found mine. That brings me great joy!

What else? I pretty much suck at any sport, my favorite color is purple, I’ve never weighted more than 112 pounds my entire life, my all-time favorite movie is a toss between Soul Food and The Best Man and I have tons of stories to share with my readers.

Q: What do you want people to come away with after reading your novels?

A: Primarily, I’m writing for entertainment value first. I write for the readers who want a mini-vacation without ever leaving the sanctuary of their home. I write for that reader who on a cold, wintry day, wants nothing other than to curl up under a warm afghan in front of a toasty fireplace, sip on some hot tea, and read about somebody else’s life. Not just read about it, but get pulled in, engulfed by it and feel the pure emotion. Feel the heat!

If readers take something away in the process, then that’s great too; that’s an added bonus. I’ve accomplished my goal and much more; it makes it all worthwhile.

Every time I feel like giving up because the publishing industry is too stressful or the monsters (insecurity, impatience and doubt) have reared their ugly heads, I receive an e-mail or a personal letter from an avid reader and it makes my day to realize I’ve made an impact on somebody’s life. I can’t describe that feeling.

Q: Why do you think your writing is so well received?

A: I'm an avid reader myself and I know what is entertaining for me to read. I feel that if readers crave elements of high drama, exciting relationships, smothering spiciness, more drama, compelling characters, and added twists and turns, then they'll embrace my books, which they have.

Also, with these correct blending of elements, I feel my books come across as real, i.e., my characters are ordinary people who are going through realistic "episodes" in their every day life that readers can relate to in one way or the other.

Q: Okay, you know folks are nosey when it comes to celebrities. Tell us what it’s like being Electa Rome Parks? What does your day consist of?

A: What's it like being Electa Rome Parks? Readers, by the way, my first name is Electa, not Electra (LOL). That is such a pet peeve of mine because I've gone my entire life with people calling me Electra, Electricity, Electron, etc. I remember back in middle school when. . . (LOL). Man, I kinda got off the topic on that one. Sorry (smile).

First of all, I definitely wouldn't classify myself as a celebrity! But, my day is pretty basic and boring; nothing out of the ordinary here. Since I now work full time as a writer, I try to remain disciplined and balanced. For those of you who know a little about me, that's easier said than done.

A typical day goes something like this: After dropping off my children at elementary school and picking up breakfast at Chick Fil-A (I love their biscuits and sodas (LOL)), I head home, sign onto my PC and check and respond to e-mails first.

Then, I'll usually check out some of the yahoo groups and see what's going on in the literary industry that may be of interest to me. Finally, if I'm working on a project, I'll get the creative juices flowing by re-reading what I've written the day before, focusing on my characters, and channeling in on their voices. Then it's on.

Around one o'clock or so, I break for lunch, run errands to my post office box, do mail outs, and return phones calls, etc. I arrive back and continue writing some more until my kids arrive home on the school bus. Once they are here, we chat and eat a snack, then I re-check e-mails, write some more and eventually call it a day no later than six o'clock. However, the problem is that my working mode never cuts off. So, I can find myself, back on my PC in my hustle mode, throughout the remainder of the evening and night. I'm absolutely obsessed. Weekends are filled with book signings, book club meetings and other literary events.

(Stop yawning.) See, I told you my days were pretty boring. This year, I'm going to attempt to write my next manuscript on my newly purchased laptop. This way I can get away from the house, go the library or wherever, and see other human faces and not have my desktop as an extension of my body (LOL).

Q. What has been the most gratifying part of being an author?

A. Hands down, the most gratifying part of being an author has been meeting and greeting new and interesting readers who are embracing my stories and e-mailing me and writing me and meeting me at signings and telling me how much they've enjoyed my books! We talk about my characters like they are old friends. No matter how many times I've experienced that, it always makes my day. Puts a big Kool-Aid smile on my face. (LOL)

Their (the readers) feedback and reactions totally validates that my craft is a gift from God! If I can touch a number of people with my stories or even if I only entertain them and they don't walk away with a life lesson, then I've still done my job.

As you know, my stories are typically relationship based, very drama filled with an ounce of spice thrown in, well maybe a pound of spice thrown in, and they usually cover a topical issue that is prevalent in today's society. Believe me, I have so many characters screaming inside my head, waiting to tell their story, that I feel like the lady from the movie Sybil. (LOL) So, bottom line, I pray and claim that my readership base will continue to grow and I'll have wonderful opportunities to meet many more fans.

Q. Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?

A. It’s all about continuing to elevate myself to the next level. There’s always room for growth and improvement. Ten years from now, I’d love to see myself as a full-time writer entertaining my readers with fabulous, refreshing, dramatic stories of love, life, and relationships. It’s not about the money; it’s all about the passion and joy you feel with each and every heartfelt word that turns into a sentence, then a paragraph, and eventually a completed novel. Being a writer is like being a creator of life…like giving birth. What can be better than that?

Q: How do you define success?

A: Good question. Personally, I define success as being able to do something you truly love on a day to day basis, getting paid for it in the process, giving back to the community (to whom much is given, much is expected) and being the best person you can be which enables you to sleep peacefully at night. To me, those combined elements make you a successful person. And. . . if you place God and your family first, the sky's the limit!

Q: How do you deal with adversity and failure?

A: I stress out! I totally freak out, have a pity party, and take to my bed (LOL)! I'm laughing, but I'm pretty accurate. I'm so hard on myself, I'm my worst critic, and I've got to stop doing that. I can't enjoy my successes because I'm too busy worrying about what I could have done better or thinking about the next venture.

After I finally pull myself out of bed and stop my pity party (this usually lasts for roughly 24 hours), I analyze my situation like I'm breaking down a trigonometry problem. After all is said and done, I learn the lesson, file it in my permanent memory bank, remember I'm still standing and move on. In afterthought, life lessons are wonderful, even the ones filled with adversity and failure; they make us stronger and wiser and who we are today.

Also, if I may add, I have a good support team in place with my family and friends. Plus, I have a solid spiritual foundation that keeps me strong and undaunted by the dream dashers.

Q: Has there been a significant life lesson for you?

A: A significant life lesson was my mom dying of breast cancer back in 1997. Her death at age 52 (my dad died at 32) made me realize and appreciate how short and precious life truly is. After her death, I made the commitment then and there that I'd follow my dreams because I didn't know what tomorrow held. People are so caught up on playing it safe, sound and conservative; much can be said for that. Unfortunately, sometimes we look up and our lives have passed us by in the blink of an eye and all we can say is "what if". I don't want to ever have to ask myself "what if."

Q: What do you do to stay grounded and maintain a sense of balance in your life?

A: By spirit, I'm a pretty grounded person, but yet, a person with a negative aura can throw my system totally off. I'm very perceptive and can pick up on and take in people's energies fairly easily. I try to distance myself from negative people (you know who you are) and their damaging energies, however, when I find myself losing my sense of balance I do several things. I meditate to clear my mind (I always picture myself near water because water centers me), I pray to God for guidance and strength, and I talk to myself. Yes, I talk to myself, but not in a "crazy" way (LOL). I give myself little pep talks and cheer myself on.