Keysha Pierre
Last year, St.Lucian born, Leanne Anderson, released her first book “Painfully Silent.” This book sought to bring light to the dark side of young love.
Leanne Anderson brings to our attention the issue of domestic violence in an attempt to bring the problem to the forefront and change the cultural mindset.
The type of love that hurts both physically and emotionally. This type of love makes you lose your own identity. This year, she is set to release the second part of ‘Painfully Silent.”
Leanne currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mrs Anderson via email, to gain an insight into her life and writing. Here is what she has to say;
KP: Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
LA: I am a St.Lucian, and very proud of it. Raised by a single mother, I was always taught the importance and power of an education. I presently hold a Master of Science in Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, and have been teaching in the NY Public schools since 2011. I am presently the Director of Youth Education and Creative Arts at a not for profit organization called New Life Worldwide Ministries, and also the Director and Co-Owner of Empowering for Excellence, an after-school program dedicated to empowering young minds in Brooklyn, NY. Both organizations share the passion and dedication to help with the great task of empowering young people. I am an Educator, an Author, a Chaplin, a Mother, a Daughter, a Niece, a Friend, and all the hats I wear make me the woman I am today.
KP: What are your ambitions for your writing career?
LA: would love to be able to release a new book every year.
KP: When did you decide to become a writer?
LA: have always loved writing. I have stories and poems that I wrote since primary school. Publishing my work came about with a push from my brother Vitos St.Rose. He always loved the things I wrote about, and would encourage me to publish them every chance he got. Until I was sick of hearing it, and just did it…lol
KP: Do you write full-time or part-time?
LA: I write part-time for now. But to be honest, I believe that if you are a writer it is a full-time gig, because you think of things to write about everyday. You get inspired by a lot, and its sometimes hard to ignore stories. Sometime I find myself writing at the weirdest places.
KP: What inspires you to write?
LA: I really can’t say that I get inspired by one thing. I get inspiration from many things, places, and people. Sometimes the simplest things inspire me, or maybe a talk with a friend, or the news, or just observing my kids and listening to them vent or reach out for help. So I guess I’m inspired by life.
KP: What is the hardest thing about writing?
LA: The hardest thing about writing for me is not getting enough time to write during the day. I wear many hats, and sometimes in the midst of juggling, writing would take a back seat.
KP: What is the easiest thing about writing?
LA: The easiest thing about writing is writing. When I’m putting my thoughts down, it feels great. When my thoughts are stuck in my head it creates a problem in my daily routine( especially when writing takes the back seat to everything else)
KP: Do you ever get writer’s block?
LA: Luckily, I have never gotten writer’s block.
KP: How long on average does it take you to write a book?
LA: Once I decide on the story line, it takes me about 7 months to get it all down on paper.
KP: Tell us about your latest book.
LA: I have recently taken the opportunity to write the second part to my series Painfully Silent. The first part was called Painfully Silent: The Unread Pages Of Her Life, and now the second part Painfully Silent: A Silent Pain That Was. The series f follow a story line on Domestic Violence within a young relationship, which I believe will be helpful to young people everywhere. It is a short read; however, it is packed with explosive real life experiences, generational cycles, conversations that are forged between parents, and relationships and the painful secrets they keep.
KP: Where can we buy or see them?
LA: The Book Release Party is on Saturday March 26th, at 917 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203. Following the release, both books will be available on amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, St.Lucia Books. The books are available in both hard copy and e-book versions.
KP: Are you working on anything at the moment?
LA: Well, actually I am. The moment I was done writing the second part of Painfully Silent, I went straight into my next book. I am going to announce the name of my new book at my book release on March 26th. I am really excited about my next book.
KP: What’s your views on social media for marketing?
LA: Social Media is a blessing, especially for us self publish authors.
KP: What is your favorite motivational phrase?
LA: Your can’t keep doing the same thing and expect to get a different result.
KP: What advice would you give to young persons like yourself who want to become writers?
LA: Write. Write. Write. Keep writing down ideas when it comes. It could be a word, a sentence, a phrase, just write it down. You will be surprised how much more it may inspire. We all have a story to tell, and there are individuals waiting to hear that story.
You have proven yourself to be a very talented individual who has the capacity to do great things. Continue to make us proud as you move on to new and different challenges. I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.
Here’s a video on Leanne, when she released her book last year;
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