Fab Friday Features, Sheena...

Welcome, readers! This Fab Friday we're featuring an interview with Sheena Binkley, getting to know her up close and personal. Jump on in, grab your favorite beverage, and curl up for a good chat.

The Interview...

CHELLE: Plotter or Pantser? 

SHEENA: Definitely a Pantser

CHELLE: Tell us a little about yourself? Who is Sheena the woman?

SHEENA: I am a very ambitious, driven, goal-oriented individual who loves a challenge. I love to be creative and go outside of the box with each book that I’ve released. Even though I may be bold with my writing, I’m completely different in real life. I’m very quiet and a bit shy.

CHELLE: Wow! I wonder how many of your readers would have guessed that. Your personality online is anything but. (LOL!) You definitely exude confidence when you engage your readers online. Writing can be demanding, not to mention marketing your books. How do you create work/life balance being an author?

SHEENA: Having a work/life balance can be extremely hard, especially when you have a family. When I have an off day and my son is at school and my fiancé at work, I allow myself a few hours to get some writing done. When I do have a deadline to fulfill, I do spend more time writing; that includes late-night writing. I even write while I’m at work too (when I have the down time, of course).

CHELLE: I recall those days. I miss being able to do the writing at work during the downtime. I still sneak time in late nights every so often. But back to you. LOL!! Describe a day around your house and in your ordinary life where writing is not key.

SHEENA: When I’m not writing, a typical day at work include either going to work, or on my off day, taking and picking up my son from school. After school, I’ll help with his homework, and later we all have family time where we all discuss our day.

CHELLE: Most authors have a routine they settle into when they prepare to write. Yet, others toss routine out the window and go with the flow. Tell us about your writing routine.

SHEENA: When I first started writing, I did have a routine in which I would plot, plan and execute a particular storyline. Now, I’ll just go with the flow and write whatever’s on my mind. I’ll have a lot of ideas in which I’ll just start writing when I have a chance to.

CHELLE: Being a pantser is such a freeing experience. Pandora or Spotify? What would we find on your playlist?

SHEENA: Definitely Spotify. As for my playlist, I love old school music, so you’ll find Earth, Wind, & Fire, Isley Brothers, MSFB, Cameo; the list goes on. You’ll also find some other artists, including Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Solange, and even Shawn Mendes (yes, I love his music!).

CHELLE: Cameo, EW&F, and Isley Brothers…girl, you took it way back! I think you’ve just inspired me to create an EW&F and Isley Brothers station. Now that can definitely get you in a writing mood for some steamy love scenes! Either that or making babies one. Whew! Okay, Sheena…Did you keep a journal or diary as a child growing up? If so, what secret did you not want your parents to read?

SHEENA: I kept a diary when I was younger, but I didn’t have any secrets, lol. I was on the straight and narrow, so I didn’t do anything bad growing up.

CHELLE: Mm-hmm…you saved it all for the books. I see you. What genre do you write and why? What authors have influenced your writings?

SHEENA: I mainly write romance, but I have released books in several sub-genres, including New Adult, Interracial, and Urban. The authors that have influenced my writing including Carl Weber, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, and even new powerhouse authors, Christina C. Jones, and Alexandria Warren.

CHELLE: Christina is definitely out there doing her thing! If you could pair up with another author to write, who would you choose and why?

SHEENA: I would love to collaborate with Alithea-Jae Smith. She’s one of my authors from my publishing company, and she is such a talented author. Our writing style is sort of similar to each other’s, so I know if we ever do a story together, it would be a perfect fit.
We have talked about collaborating, but with our busy schedules, we haven’t found the time to. Hopefully we will in the future.

CHELLE: Sounds like you just have to make it happen. Stop and set an appointment on your calendar to reach out to her and map it out. I’m sure both of your fans would love it. If your latest release were turned into a movie, what actors would you select to play the starring roles, and what music would comprise the soundtrack?

SHEENA: I would have to go with my Love, Life, & Happiness spin-off, Real Love for this one. The actors I would select to play the heroine and hero would be Keisha Chante (Riana) and Trey Songz (Shawn).
With the soundtrack, I actually have a book playlist that includes “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars, “You Know That I Love You” by Donnell Jones, “Love Me Now” by John Legend, and “Say Yes” by Floetry.

CHELLE: Okay, so I had to go to Google on that one. I’ve never heard of Keisha Chante before, so I’ll have to check out her music. That playlist is an excellent one…I love Donnell Jones, especially that song. How do you handle writer’s block?

SHEENA: With writer’s block, I usually would take a break and watch TV or listen to music. When I listen to music, it does give me ideas on a certain scene and it helps me to get back on my computer and write. So listening to music does help a lot.
 
CHELLE: Mountains or the beach?

SHEENA: The beach

CHELLE: Provide one marketing tip for upcoming authors that has worked for you.

SHEENA: Having a social media presence does help market your brand. Getting to interact with your readers is so important as an author; therefore, being able to go online at any time and posting about your books or even random comments will not only help with creating a great relationship with current readers, but also with readers who are interested in your work.

CHELLE: Thanks for sharing that tip with upcoming authors, Sheena. That’s an excellent one that authors can work well. If there was one thing you would want your readers to know after reading your works, what would it be?

SHEENA: That writing is my passion and I love HEAs, so each book that I have published is from the heart and that I put my all into every book that I have created.

CHELLE: Writers often have to forsake time with friends and family when deadlines are looming, or the creative muse is flowing. What one person has been your greatest supporter on your publishing journey?

SHEENA: Wow, I would have to say my fiancé. He has always been understanding with my writing and that’s something that I would always appreciate from him.

CHELLE: Awww…that’s so sweet. I’m sure he appreciates you, too. Describe your idea of the perfect “me-time.”

SHEENA: Getting a mani-pedi and just relaxing.

CHELLE: Kobe or LeBron?

SHEENA: LeBron. Never liked Kobe.

CHELLE: Ohhh! Don’t say that, Sheena. We live life beautifully inspired here, at The Beautifully Inspired Blog. Leave us with an inspirational post, comprised of three words.

SHEENA: Motivated, happy, blessed.

CHELLE: Beautiful words! Sheena, thanks darling for dropping by. It’s been a pleasure. Well, people, you’ve gotten a different glimpse of Sheena than you may have seen before. Check her out at the links below, and leave her a comment. She’d love to hear from you.

Connect with Sheena...

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sheena-Binkley/e/B00CSTNTIG/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Email: sheenabinkley@live.com
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/authorSheenaBinkley
Blog: http://sheenabinkley.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sheenabinkleyauthor (Like Page)
Twitter: @ChevonBink
Google +: https://plus.google.com/+sheenabinkley
Pinterest: Sheena Binkley
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/577100099053119/?fref=ts
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/bY22E9

Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday Feature! Please leave a comment below. Sheena would love to hear from you!

To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

For exclusive content, contests, cover reveals, and more join my newsletter.