Interview with Jeff Rivera

                           

KS: Welcome to my blog Jeff. I’ve looked over your site andhave a few things I’d like to ask you. Inquiring minds want to know…

 

JR: Great, Kissa, bring it on!

 

KS: I’m often inspired by roadblocks that people overcome toreach their dreams. Could you tell me some of the things you’ve overcome inyour quest to be published?

 

JR:  You know mybiggest roadblock was all internal, just wondering if I was good enough. It wasthe self-doubt. Once that was overcome the world was my oyster. I really dobelieve that things are as hard as you make them. You have to start thinkingand really believing this is all fun. If it’s fun then you enjoy the process.

KS: I see that Forever My Lady was self-published atone point and then it was picked up by Warner Books. Tell us about the day yougot ‘the call’.

 

JR: I was in such a trance I didn’t think it was realbecause it was exactly as I had visualized. I was at my day job when I checkedmy voicemail and I had a message from my agent that Warner/Grand Central wantedForever My Lady. It took me months to believe it and I still don’t believe itactually happened to me.

 

KS: Tell us about one of your hobbies.

JR: I love traveling, meeting new people, having fun withfriends, seeing my family, those are my hobbies.

KS: What is your writing schedule like? Is this yourfull-time job?

JR: Writing is my full-time job and it’s more challengingthan you would think because you imagine that you’ll be the one person that’sdifferent that once you quit your day job and write full time you’ll write fromdawn to dusk but it’s so easy to get distracted.

KS: Who is your favorite author?

JR: My favorite author is definitely, Nicholas Sparks. I hada chance to meet him in Miami, him and his wife. He was amazing and incrediblygenerous with his advice.

KS: The all important personal question…Is there a Mrs. JeffRivera?

JR:  Haha! Whowould ever have me? I would love to have a family one day soon. In fact, I’dlove one in the next 3 years if at all possible.

KS: Tell us something about your background.

JR:  Do you meanmy ethnic background?  I am BlackAmerican, both of my grandmothers were half-Native American, my stepfather isFilipino and my cousins are Puerto Rican and Jamaican. We have a real UnitedNations family!

 

KS: Dio seems like a misunderstood character. Did you modelhim after someone you’ve known before or was he conjured up in only yourimagination?

JR: He was modeled after a number of people but probablymostly my brother at the heart. My brother was the type of kid who I guess peoplethought was a trouble maker, they treated him like it so he became that. But hehad the biggest heart in the world. I always felt misunderstood too.

KS: I see you’re working on a sequel to this story. Care toshare something from your upcoming release?

JR: Well, I’ve been tinkering with the sequel forever andpeople have been hounding me for it for a long time. It’s actually been donefor a long time but it has to be perfect. Me being the Virgo it’s gotta be justright.

 

KS: What would you like to share with us that I haven’tasked about?

JR: I just want to encourage anyone who’s ever thought aboutdoing anything to not limit themselves by what other people say they can orcannot do. Go for it, there’s no reason why you can’t go where you want to goin life. If I came from being a homeless kid to a published author anyone cando it.

 

KS: Where can readers find out more about you? And where canthey contact you with the accolades?

JR: They can visit me on www.JeffRivera.comor they can try to email me at: Jeff@JeffRivera.com. They can also get a copy of Forever My Lady at their local bookstore orAmazon.com

KS: Thank you so much for dropping by. I can’t wait for youto visit again!

JR: No, thank YOU!