Author Renee A. Moses
Tell us about yourself.
For the personal stuff, I’m a mom of three and I’m from Houston, Tx. I’m a University of Houston grad with a degree in Computer Engineering Technology. I never used it though. I minored in Creative Writing but my senior year got a little too heavy to do both. Unfortunately, I dropped my minor. However, my goal to pursue getting published never left me.
I’m a Black Romance and Contemporary Fiction Author. I write books about Black women finding themselves. Sometimes they will find love or finally love themselves enough to walk away from relationships that aren’t for them. I’ve been writing for more than a decade but didn’t publish until 2018.
I was the type of person who thought everything had to be perfect before making a move and that is the most paralyzing thing to do to yourself. I was so scared of rejection or of making a mistake that I made excuses until one day I said, “screw it.” I never looked back.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is the closing book for The Harris Sisters Series. It’s titled I Want It All With You. I wanted to explore different types of relationships in this series while also giving the readers a complete view of my heroines’ journeys to real love. Some of the relationships that the books started with could have worked but circumstances made room for the real thing to come in and give the women a happily ever after.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
So far I’ve written twelve books. I am writing one now that is possibly my favorite because of how close to home it is. However, with what I’ve already published, I’d Say Not Good Enough For You. The reason is in the title. It’s something that has always been a part of me. Not feeling good enough for a person or something I was doing.
Lyric was a woman who didn’t have everything working for her as a child, so she made decisions she felt were best for what she wanted in life and had to live with the consequences. Once she found herself again and fell in love with herself, she was able to feel worthy of the type of love she deserved. Now, Elijah and his family played a small role in Lyric's insecurities. In the end, Lyric knew her worth and finally experienced real love.
What types of questions do you ask yourself when planning a new book?
When I plan a new story, it has to be a story I’ve never told and one that will resonate with readers. So, my questions are almost always, is anybody going to care? Lol. Do I care enough about the topic or the takeaway to follow through?
I’ll have an idea, and if it isn’t enough to teach a lesson or be a mirror for myself or a reader, then I’ll let it go or up the stakes. I also want to make sure I’m not rewriting the same story. There’s no real way around writing a book similar to another author’s since I don’t know anyone’s book if I haven’t read it. Still, I don’t want my books to be the same old thing over and over. Even if there is a similar aspect, I ask myself if I have done this before. Or did another character already say this or that?
I try to just keep it there and then let the characters live their lives from my imagination to the manuscript.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love watching movies with my kids or alone. I’ll have a snack and a little sip of something and chill. My favorites are Romantic Comedy or murder mysteries. Stuff like all the Law & Order shows or Investigation Discovery shows. I will never let go of 90’s sitcoms like Martin or Living Single. I like to play board games or card games with my family. Laughter is like my love language. My kids and I would literally sit for hours telling dad jokes. I’m super goofy and so are my kids. We just have a lot of fun together doing the least when I’m not working.
I lived in Minnesota for four years and my favorite thing to do was take my kids to the park and sit on the bench and absorb the breeze and vibrant fall colors. It is nothing like Houston and that park bench was my happy place. I hope to move back there one day.
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?
For me, the hardest part is starting and staying focused on the story enough to reach the end. Life can grab you in all directions. When you start writing, you need a goal and possibly an incentive that will keep you motivated. Sometimes, the story just flows and you can’t help but write. As of late, my priorities have shifted so much that my most difficult task is starting and not stopping.
What is your favorite part of being a writer?
My favorite part of being a writer is sharing the stories in my head with the world. I actually get to have a thought, or scene in my mind, or a vivid dream and create a story from it. Then I share that story with whoever is willing to read it. It’s an amazing feeling that I wouldn’t get any other way.
Being quiet and preferring to stay to myself, my imagination or thoughts would usually stay with me. As a writer, I’m blessed with the ability to not only write fiction, but I get to publish my words and then see what readers think about it. I get to see if they connected with the characters or felt what I felt when I first met them. It’s like living in another world outside of myself that allows me to connect with people like me.
What do you think makes a good story?
For me and my preference, it’s sexual tension. Waiting for the man and woman to finally admit they are feeling each other and then come to the moment when it goes down…I think that anticipation is everything.
Stories have to keep readers engaged and wanting for more. It’s those types of books that I will skip sleep just to indulge.
Good side characters are so necessary. Sometimes we want to know who influences the main characters and see how they interact with those closest to them.
A good story will have major development of the MC. She or he will not think the same as they did when the story began or they will experience something that will flip their world upside down so that we can see them rebuild the right way.
How important are book reviews?
Reviews are extremely important. It’s pretty much like social proof that a story is worth reading. Sometimes books have tons of reviews but they aren’t for everyone. I’ve been enticed by the amount of reviews and then finish the book and wonder why or how. But the reviews did their job, they got me to read the book. Authors need reviews to gain new readers. They are a game changer.
What would you like to say to your readers?
I’d like to say thank you from the bottom, top, and all up and through my heart. When a reader contacts me and tells me what my book did for them, I forget all of my troubles that day. It means that much to me. Being an author means nothing to me if no one is reading my books. No one is obligated to read my work so when they do, I tremendously appreciate it. So, for all of you who gave this girl a chance and then came back for more, you mean a great deal to me and my journey as an author. I do it not only for myself but also for you. I feel like I’m pouring my heart into these characters and stories all so you can be entertained or touched in some way. May God bless each and every one of you.
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Books can be purchased at Amazon and Payhip.
Upcoming events for Author Renee A. Moses
One Love Reunion in Charleston, SC from August 2nd - August 5th.
Head over to https://onelovereunion.com/ for more information
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