Nina’s Whisper looks like a great read. What can you tell us about Nina? Nina is
self-assured, confident and assertive. At least she thinks she is. When she
meets Page, a seductive, attractive older woman, Nina falls quickly in love.
The relationship is a roller coaster and Nina struggles to make sense of it
all. Ultimately, it’s a story of allure, trauma, survival and triumphing over
it all. Readers will be moved.
How did you come up with the story in Nina’s Whisper? I’m an author of several books
(non-fiction, comics, graphics novels) as well as a documentary film called Remixing
Colorblind. I’m constantly trying to push myself as a writer – to expand. As
a survivor of domestic abuse at the hands of another woman, I felt it was
important to represent a side of lesbian relationships that is not often talked
about. Women can and do abuse other women. Hopefully this creates awareness
around mental, verbal and physical aspects of domestic violence between same-sex
couples. Often times, manipulation, gaslighting and verbal abuse go ignored in
the court room and in our personal lives – this book is showing the full range
of rage at the mercy of an abuser.
What will readers get out of your book? They will be
taken on a fascinating and entertaining journey of several emotions. The reader
will feel emotions as Nina feels them throughout the book- happiness, lust,
confusion, disgust, love and freedom.
What inspired you when writing Nina’s Whisper? The void in media around domestic
violence in the LGBTQ community inspired me. I wanted to tell the story of so
many women who have been abused by their female partners, only to be dismissed.
Also, Carmen Machado’s book In The Dream House was a big inspiration.
That book was a memoir, but it gave me a glimpse into how a writer can talk
about domestic abuse. Although Nina’s Whisper is fiction, readers have
told me that it feels real, it feels raw.
Also, I’ve partnered with Womanspace, which is a non-profit
in New Jersey that provides comprehensive domestic violence services. For every
book sold between April 19th and May 19th, $1will be donated to Womanspace. I am hoping
to sell $1,000 books!
When writing Nina’s Whisper did anything stand out
as particularly challenging? Actually,
coming up with the names of the characters was really difficult for me.
Ultimately, I chose names from things and movies I like. For example, Nina is
the main character from one of my favorite movies – “Love Jones”. I have a
connection, in that way, to most of the characters in the book. Also, setting
the scene was difficult at times. I wanted to be descriptive enough so that the
reader feels like they are there and can touch and feel what is happening, but
I didn’t want to overdo it either.
What do you like to do when not writing? When I’m not
writing, I’m taking care of my toddler and working full-time as an Associate
Professor of Communication at Rider University. I hang out at my co-working
space in Philadelphia and I really like doing speaking engagements – talking to
people one-on-one.
Where can readers find out more about your work? They
can check out any online store where books are sold. They can go to Amazon for
the book. Retailers who are partnered with Ingram Spark can order the book
there. I will be running a book promotion soon, so those interested should
check out my social media’s as well as my website, www.sheenachoward.com.
Twitter: drsheenahoward
Facebook Fan Page: Dr Sheena Howard
Instagram: Dr Sheena Howard
Amazon Book link here: https://www.amazon.com/Ninas-Whisper-Sheena-Howard-ebook/dp/B0848YGLTL
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