For Ebonee Monique, it’s fun to write from different perspectives while the overall theme running through all of her stories is we are all prone to make mistakes.

Recently, The Inkwell, had the opportunity to chat with Ebonee Monique to discuss reading, writing, and her journey as an author.

“It’s been a world whirl,” she said, when asking to describe her life since releasing her first book. “Every year since “Suicide Diaries,” I’ve consistently put a book out. It’s been an experience.” 

Author Ebonee Monique of Tampa, Florida, launched her first book, “Suicide Diaries” in February 2009. Three years and two books later, she is defining success for herself in the demanding, every changing literary industry.

Her latest release is titled, “Blitz.”

Recently, The Inkwell, had the opportunity to chat with Ebonee Monique to discuss reading, writing, and her journey as an author.

“It’s been a world whirl,” she said, when asking to describe her life since releasing her first book. “Every year since “Suicide Diaries,” I’ve consistently put a book out. It’s been an experience.”

At the same time, she’s finding bliss in an industry many believe is as shady as music.

“The publishing industry has been good to me. I think the readers appreciate the fact I’m staying true to who I am,” said Ebonee Monique, who, although rather young in age, does not consider herself an “urban lit” writer and feels no pressure to do become one regardless of the so-called demand for the genre.

Instead, she wants to be known as the everyday voice for the Black women, an author who talks about things the everyday woman relates to. “There’s enough fans, enough money, attention span for every author to have their own lane,” she continued.

And, in essence, she is pretty much the everyday woman herself. Despite working full-time, she thinks of herself as a full-time writer since it takes up all of her free time.

Getting to her books, “Blitz” is the story of a woman who takes her daughter and leaves an abusive marriage. She goes on to have success in real estate and become apart of the upper echelons of society but quickly learns that money can’t solve all problems. 

“It addresses pregnancy in wealthy circles,” Ebonee Monique explained. “It’s a good book about making mistakes.”

Her second book, “Walk a Mile” is about a woman trying to escape her past. She leaves her fiancé at the alter and, when she thinks she’s found a wonderful guy, he turns out to have more secrets than she could imagine, threatening everything she’s built.

Her debut novel, “Suicide Diaries,” deals with betrayal beyond the grave and the disbelief and heartache that comes after suicide.

She went on to reveal that the biggest challenge she’s encountered as a writer is consistently come up with new, innovative material in addition to actually finding time to sit down and commit to writing. “It’s takes a lot of hard work,” she said.

However, the biggest reward is when people send emails saying they read her books, are fans of her work, and that her words inspired some to write. “It speaks volumes.”

When asked who she likes to read, she said she stay away from fiction when she gets in the writing mode. With that, she found the “Biography of Zora Neale Hurston” quite interesting but, fiction wise, she’s a fan of BeBe Moore Campbell and Sheneska Jackson.

In fact, an encounter with Jackson at age 15 years inspired Ebonee Monique to pursue writing, an interest she’s had since childhood.   

For Ebonee Monique, it’s fun to write from different perspectives while the overall theme running through all of her stories is we are all prone to make mistakes. In all of her books, the main characters have flaws, she said.

“Life is not perfect. People are not perfect.” 

When it comes to aspiring authors, she advises them to stay true to their voice.

“Don’t pay attention to what’s selling. Stay true to the story God put in you. And, continue to write.”