1. UM: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. What inspired Over and Over Again?

When I started writing the book it was supposed to be a tribute to my children. I had a daughter that passed away named Dionni. She lived to be 40 days old. The combination of all of my daughters is who I created this character to be. I combined the features of my other daughter’s Destani 15 and Diamond 10, and came up with this character. I believe the characteristics, and the description that I created in this story is how my real Dionni would have been.

Then like other artist who has written about relationships, I was hurt. The pain that I was feeling allowed me to take the story line and my characters to another level. It allowed me to express how my self and the way other women in the world may feel after trying to make things work over and over again.

2. UM: The writing process is different for every writer. Describe your ups and downs when writing Over and Over Again.

Like I stated before, in the beginning it was a story created as a tribute to my children, but once I got into it, I went into another direction. At times I had writers block, but I would just stop and go to another section. I work a full time job and I am getting my MBA. So when things would come to me at work or at school, I would just jot them down, and work on it in the wee hours of the night. Once I established the pain in the story line, it was a lot easier for me to complete. A natural flow was then established, and while listening to music I was able to complete the manuscript.

3. UM: Is there a moral to the story or a message you want to communicate to readers?

I want my readers to be entertained but at the same time display that even through the trials and tribulations that life may bring, us as women can still be independent and successful.

4. UM: What is next for you? Any future events or information you want our audience to know about?

I have already started my next book “The Appetizer,” and right now I am just promoting and preparing for my book release in July. I was just at the Las Vegas Black Book Festival as one of the 20 a featured author, and I have a host of other events such as:

Apr 4 Maryland Writer’s Conference

May 28 – 31 Book Expo of America – New York City, NY

Jun 18 – 20 Black Writer’s Conference – Las Vegas, NV

June 13-14 AAMBC National Meeting – San Antonio, TX

July 18 Harlem Book Fair – Harlem, NY

July 31- Aug 2 National Book Club Conference – Atlanta, GA

5. UM: How can our readers contact you and support your endeavors?

The readers can check out my website: www.nicolacmitchell.com or join my fan club site nicola.ning.com. My email is nicola@nicolacmitchell.com

Thank you

A Jamaican native, Ni'cola Mitchell published her debut novel Over and Over Again through her independent publishing company NCM Publishing. Much of her work revolves around situations that are a compulsive desire to see women overcome challenges.

You currently have three books in print, and a fourth scheduled for release in December. What are the titles?
Over and Over Again, The Appetizer When you're Not His Main Course and Between the Sheets. My upcoming novel Twisted is scheduled to be released December 2010.

Those are provocative sounding titles. Over and Over Again was the first book you published. Tell me a little about it.
It’s a fictional work based on my own life experiences and people I’ve met along the way. Set in present day Las Vegas, it revolves around my main character Dionni Stone, a successful business owner. To the outside world it appears she has everything under control, but in actuality, it is not always what it seems.

Is there a message you wanted to convey with this book?
Yes. It is very simple. In life everyone in the world, especially women are faced with trials, tribulations, and hardships, but what allows them to be classified as a strong woman is the way they overcome and rise above it.

I can relate to that. I had my share when I was cracking through the glass ceiling in the 80’s, not to mention some pretty radical ups and downs I never saw coming. That book earned you some recognition and nominations. 
Yes, I was selected to be featured in the second edition of Who's Who in Black Las Vegas. The awards ceremony was held September 8, 2010. I was also nominated for Self Published Author of the year by the African American Literary Awards Show. Over and Over Again was featured as #10 on EDC Creations Recommended Reading list for the 2009 fall season under Mainstream Fiction and Women's Fiction.

How did you create your characters? Were they real people or were they born in your imagination?
My characters are fictional, but I did take situations, mannerisms, and characteristics from real life people to create them.

You had a wonderful reason for writing this book. It shows the concern of a loving mother and your children are lucky. My mother was like that and I credit her for everything I’ve accomplished in life.
I was inspired to write this story because I wanted to demonstrate to my children that if they follow their heart; anything is possible. I addressed many issues in this book such as infidelity, deceit, low morale and self worth, sex, lies, relationships, and prostitution.

I also hold a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management and am currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration in Health Care Management.

I always admire people who set themselves a goal, then go for it. No excuses, no reasons why they can’t achieve, just a straight line to the goal and they don’t let things get in the way. You are one of those people.
The main goal that I wanted to accomplish in writing this book was to allow the story in my heart to be told. What I learned about publishing is if you stay grounded, focused, and believe in yourself, you can put out a successful book and it can hold its own among other works in your genre.

Over and Over Again was followed by a book with one of the best titles I’ve seen in a while.
The Appetizer, When You’re Not His Main Course was released in February of this year. Glad you liked the title.

I didn’t just like it. I loved it. We all know both men and women can find themselves in precarious relationships. What does The Appetizer offer to that person who might be seeking a little education while reading an entertaining book?
The Appetizer teaches many lessons, but there are two that stick out the most in my head.
• There are many and severe consequences to simple pleasures.
• A short term action can leave a lasting effect on everyone in your life—spouses, kids, friends, etc.

Were you able to use things you learned from your first book to make The Appetizer the best it could be?
There were a lot of lessons learned from publishing Over and Over Again. The most important lesson was not to limit myself. There is trial and error with everything a person does. Anything that worked for me the first time, I continue to utilize, and anything that would've been better I have tweaked to put out a better product.

What is next for you?
My next novel is Twisted, the direct sequel to Over and Over Again. It is due for release in December, 2010. Candy my villainess in Over and Over Again, has gained her own story, entitled Candy, and that will be the book after Twisted. My work will be included in several anthologies, as well in the coming year.

Do you have any parting words?
I try to ensure that all my stories connect. That way, no matter which book is read first, the reader will want to pick up one of the other books to find out more about my crazy characters.



Continue reading on Examiner.com Spotlight: Ni'cola Mitchell is an author on a mission - Las Vegas Writing | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/writing-in-las-vegas/spotlight-ni-cola-mitchell-is-an-author-on-a-mission#ixzz1VuI1PYcF

"When multi-dimensional characters meet true-to-life situations, the outcome is more than an appetizer. Ni'Cola presents a pleasing array of tantalizing dishes for readers of all appetites. Sample the characters, taste the plots, and fall in love with a dish so sweet, you'll examine your own relationships. It's all hand pounds and high fives with this one!" 
~Avah Lareaux, Author of Song of the Siren 

"The Appetizer was so true in every sense of the word that it will make you forget it is fiction and get caught up in each of the relationships like you are there. Ni'Cola did an excellent job tying every woman into at least one of these women with secrets and twists that only make the story even better! This is definitely a novel for every woman to read...whether or not you think you are his main course, Bon Appetite!" 
~LaQuita Adams, Owner of The Literary Joint Bookstore 

"Twists, turns and revelations, oh my! Ni'cola has stunned me with her character's viewpoints in this sizzling page-turner. You will want more from this powerful author!" 
~Loretta R. Walls, CEO, Nu Cherte Publishing 

"Nicola has mastered the art of page turning drama. The Appetizer definitely weaves juicy plots for hungry eyes." 
~Leila Jefferson, My Time Publications 

This is the hardest Urban fiction to hit 2010. Nicola has brought a Contemporary fiction and a urban fiction twist together to bring you a number one seller. Watch out for her, she is coming....... 
~Michele A. Fletcher National Best Seller & Essence Best Seller of "Charge It To The Game " 


"Ni'cola is kicking in the door proving she is here to stay and will be a forced to be reckon with. In her sophomore efforts she brings a gripping story of three couples that will have you laughing, crying, screaming, cursing and at points loving to hate them in this must read novel." 
~SiStar Tea. ARC Book Club Inc. 


"Ni'cola cooks up some delicious unpredictable drama in her newest masterpiece, The Appetizer when you're not his Main Course. The book will definitely have you held hostage while you read to see what happens next and even then you won't be prepared for the explosive ending." 
~Jessica A. Robinson, Best-Selling author of Holy Seduction and Pretty Skeletons 

"Why get the main course when you can have The Appetizer? It serves up a sampler platter of drama, love, and suspense that will satisfy the most discriminating palate. Only great writers can accomplish such a task. Watch out world, Ni'cola Mitchell's pen is on fire!" 
~Rekaya Gibson, Author The Food Temptress and The Food Enchantress 

"Not until I read this book did I realize just what a appetizer was. This drama filled novel had my griping the pages awaiting the events that will leave you shocked."
~Tamika Newhouse, AAMBC

Except from Author Ni'Cola Mitchell book "Twisted"

I have to do what’s best for me……Has been Dionni’s new motto since that horrible night when she found her finance Dale entangled between the legs of her best friend Eva.  Enraged and torn; Dionni goes on a hiatus trying to get as far away from Las Vegas as possible to clear her mind and get her heart back in order. 
Her much needed vacation was interrupted once Dionni was informed that Tiana, her other best friend was found raped and beaten and now in a coma and was in need of constant care.  Being the only family that Tiana has; Dionni has to return home to face her past while trying to put the shattered pieces of her life back together.Twisted, the highly anticipated sequel to Over and Over Again will explain if the demons of Dionni’s past will allow her to be free; or will they continue to keep her twisted.

Excerpt – I removed my Armani Exchange sunglasses and extended my left hand to take a good look at my ring finger.  I was in love with my two carat, sky blue diamond, platinum engagement ring that Dale gave me when he proposed to me.

The ring he gave me just hours before I went on a high speed chase with a damn near empty gas tank through the city of North Las Vegas chasing him and his chick of the moment.  The same ring that he gave me before he knew that Ashley, his mistress from the garage was pregnant.  The same ring that he gave me despite of the secret love affair that I discovered that him and Eva, my supposedly best friend was entangled in.

Yea, I was oh so in love with this beautiful ring, that I did not think twice as I stood in line at the small pawnbroker downtown to do the inevitable.
I was about to pawn it.

That’s right.  I walked up to the elderly Middle Eastern woman that stood behind the counter and asked her for her best offer.

The lady peered at me for a moment over her wire reading glasses, before stepping away to speak to her supervisor.  I really was not in the mood for speculations, and I glared right back at her.  My hazel colored eyes never blinking.

I knew that we were in Las Vegas, home of big dreams and huge losses.  Land of gambling your rent money away, and spending all night at the neighborhood casino trying to flip it back.  The city known for its connection of sin, and the motto of by any means necessary; but this situation was not the case.

I am far from being hard up for money.  I do not harbor any typical addictions such as gambling, drinking, sex or smoking.  I did not have to live by the rules of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

My kryptonite was on a totally different level.  My addiction was Dale, and the heartbreak that he proposed on me on so many occasions.  Getting rid of this ring was going to be the first step of my road to recovery, and I really didn’t care about what this old lady nor anyone felt or thought about what I was doing.
Pawning this ring was in the best interest of me.

Get to Know Ni’Cola read part one of this series and check out the following website....Read this BOOK!