VICES BY JOI MINER

Ladies  and gentlemen...I met this young lady while in Montgomery, Alabama...at one of the very first venues I performed in...she swayed the masses with her words and touched the souls of those who gazed upon her... please take a moment to check out her upcoming book, "Vices", which will be hitting stores soon!
Folks...it is my pleasure to introduce a true friend, mentor and a favorite poetess of mine...as if she needs an introduction...the one and only....Ms. Joi Miner....

Synopsis:

Everyone wanted a piece of Bonnie, but no one could… until Bonnie was at peace with herself.

Fresh out of an abusive marriage, 25-year-old Bonnie Jones is on a mission to recapture the youth her ex-husband, Keith, stole from her. With her young daughter, Zion in tow, she has to rebuild her life from the ground up. She finds solace in her poetry journal, cuddling with Zi, and the ability to leave her pain on the stage at the weekly open mic poetry readings.

When she has an itch she needs scratched or longs for companionship, she has her choice of partners to help soothe her suffering. Her one condition: they don't spend the night. After Bonnie falls asleep, her demons have their way with her. Eventually, they begin to invade her waking hours and no amount of writing, sex, or time with Zion can keep her from having to face them.

Book information:
Vices
The debut novel by Alabama Author Joi Miner
Page Count: 320
Genre: Erotic Drama
Publisher: Nayberry Publications
Release date: October 31, 2014
Preorders available: September 24, 2014
Paperback Preorder Link:
Digital Preorder Link:  http://www.nayberrypublications.com/apps/webstore/products/show/5260316

Five Things to Know about Author Joi Miner

When did you know that you were destined to be a writer?

I have always loved to write, but I think I realized I was meant to do more with my writing when I started to get paid to write poems for my classmates in middle school and high school. When I was a Senior at Jefferson Davis High School, in Montgomery, my creative writing teacher tried to get me suspended for plagiarism, because she said my writing was too good to have been written by a high school senior. I figured that could have gone one of two ways, I could have taken it as an insult and never written again or I could have, as I did, take it as a compliment and use it as motivation. I dedicated my first poetry collection to her.

Tell us a little about Vices?

Vices is an erotic drama. The main character, Bonnie Jones, takes you along on her journey to rediscovering herself after leaving an abusive marriage. You get to see her get into some very interesting fixes, get her heart broken, and find herself massaging away the pain and case of the lonelies with her vice of choice, sex.

Vices is what I like to call “autobiographical fiction.” It’s my life with a little bit extra thrown into it. It’s a very raw story, but I feel like it’s relatable. We all have been where Bonnie is or know someone who has. 

It’s my first novel and was picked up for publication by Nayberry Publications. It’s set to be released on October 31st of this year, my 33rd birthday. *Gasp I just told you my age*

Now tell us something personal about you. What is your favorite color?

Blue. When I was in kindergarten, they told me that pink was for girls and blue was for boys. But, I liked blue. I’ve made it my business since then to wear as much blue as possible.

Do you write full-time or do you have another profession?

I wish I was a full-time writer. For the last two years, I have been employed with Sykes powered by Alpine Access as a full-time work at home Customer Care Professional. I am also a full-time English/Creative Writing student at Southern New Hampshire University Online in my Senior Year (Class of 2015. Woohoo!). As if that weren’t enough, I am Owner and Co-Founder of a small for-profit company, Poetic Advisory, LLC.

What was the best advice you have received as a writer?

The best writing advice that I have ever received was to never take writing advice. Lol. Everyone is different. No one can tell you how to be your most original self. There are even debates about the basic writing techniques, so you need to find and do what works best for you.

Find Joi Miner on her personal website:

www.joiminer.com

And on Social Media:
Instagram @joihen
Twitter @joiminer
Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/joiminer2
Personal Facebook page: www.facebook.com/joiminer
Also visit my publisher, Nayberry Publications’ website and Facebook pages:
http://www.nayberrypublications.com
https://www.facebook.com/nayberrypublications

Vices will be available on Amazon, Joiminer.com and NayberryPublications.com.

CHANGE NOW...B4 THERE IS NO L8R

Name something in life that we cannot change:
One day we will die...

Name something in life that you can change:

The way that people think of you. Change is something that happens with time. When we demise... folks should be able to speak about your character w/o flaw or cutting around the edges.

WORK FOR YOUR WORTH

Thought for the day (and a lifetime beyond)... you are NOT entitled to anything! Work for your worth and the rest will follow. If you think you're entitled to the accommodations of life through using others to get there... then you really should seek therapy to help configure your direction of life. The problem w/ some folks is that they feel that they do not have to put effort into conditioning their  lives. Some may feel the need to think that they are owed awards w/out having to sacrifice and struggle to earn their way forward, as most sacrifice their lives or situations to strive hard for the best. Meanwhile, the "other" category become sponges or rather... parasites to use their hosts to acquire a lifetime of freebies and help themselves to what's not theirs. In fact, life's statement says that we should work smarter, not harder... but that does not mean cut throats or push others off the boat to confiscate what's theirs and sail off into your sunshine of "their" destiny. Honestly... here's the skinny and if this is your hideous dream to get to the top… then you are a virus to yourself and a piracy to the world... As you continue spamming the lives of others to advocate the needs of none other than...yourself. It is time to grow up, change your own diaper and take responsibility for yourself and each action... when you fail, you learn to prevail, mistakes are tools used to help you grow! Use those tools to ensure you do not help yourself to others lives, but to build your own foundation in life.

FAMILY...WHEN RAW COMPETITION BECOMES WAR....(yes bassakwards)

I used this title based upon RAW is WAR...WWE...from my kid days...(guess it's good to site my references huh) LOL! They say that family is all you need, but at times…family can be your own worst enemy! You would think that they would be your front line of support, but the competition involved to “be the best” or “beat one another to the trophy of claim to fame” is the case when you deal with envy, spitefulness and most notibly pride! Sometimes, they want to see you fail, in order to…make themselves/children prevail/look favorable and are no different than friends…or should I say frenemies…you know…those who are friends, but in disguise wear Cobra Commanders mask…or play Hasbro’s Destro (set to sabotage and destruct your life at all cost) or wait…how bout Zartan…you know the guy who wore disguises and fooled folks….blah…blah…blah…you get the gist! Anyhow, a friend of mine noticed this within their family and asked my advice…and I told him to keep on trucking! Be that silent sniper or tree that no one hears fall in the forest. There is no need to brag about your accomplishments…be humble…smile, wave and enjoy the escapade. Use your surroundings to fuel your hopes and dreams and know that God blesses you among other measures! Your personality is very well critiqued by those around you…so your work speaks volumes within itself, so never allow family or friends to get in the way of who you are by not recognizing you/your accomplishments! In short...BE THE TREE…or rather…the flower…that bloomed in a dark room…Hidden gems are the best to find and are more surprising than one may ever know! Life also has a way of coming full circle among us and those that never noticed you before, will ultimately be those that are the frontrunners saying that they know you later on. Now, here's the second half of the discussion...never...I repeat...never rub it in their face, because what God giveth...he also taketh away! My advisement to those family members built on outdoing one another...wake up...smell the aroma of success in your blood! Know that your gene pool is successful, therefore you should be proud and never echo the words..."he/she was the first to accomplish..." or use a measuring stick between each child associated w/ the other. Life is not about crashing others hopes and dreams...nor is it about competing for position for favortism or hierarchy. Life is short...and last I checked...everything you earn in life...does not exist when you demise...you can't take it w/ you, when you close your eyes....forever.  

4th GRADER ON DECK

Well... today my daughter started the 4th grade. Seems like time is moving by as the generation we birthed embarks upon the world. I remember when my youngest Alanna was born, I was scared to hold her as I thought I would drop her. One of the first fears of fatherhood, among many. Now... 9 years later, I have the fear of not teaching her enough and allowing the freedom of independence. The first time for everything(s) and taking wins and losses in the game of life. As time moves forward, I am sure that I will become comfortable with some or most things, but every day I wonder what will be my hardest task as a father to see my flesh and blood go through. All that matters, at this point in time is that she is my heart and  no matter what... I love her!

NO STRUGGLE...NO PROGRESS (Repost from Aug 2009)

I now have a clear understand as to how the world turns…and now…I am a firm believer that people will not help people unless it truly benefits them in the process. I am a believer in helping others that truly want to be helped and don’t look for a “handout or pass” if that person was to “skyrocket” to cloud nine, but the problem is…where is the love and support shown in return? I have encountered many poets, musicians, and friends…who say…”pass the word about me”…”do this for me”…”can I borrow”…”I promise”…etc, etc….until you wouldn’t believe how tiresome it gets.

Most of these people tend to be lame, but I gamble on what they are…to what they may well one day become…you never know…the skinniest knock-kneed guy at the end of a lineup on a high school basketball team, could be the NBA’s #1 draft pick years later…so my reference is this...watch how you treat people, because that person could be the same person to pass you by in the blink of an eye, while you’re still soul searching for stardom.

So where does the table turn if you are in the category of asking yourself… when will it be my turn? Why will no-one notice me? Should I buy someone else’s CD, book, or set up shows…if they don’t understand what my method of madness may be in the long run? Am I being used to help others that don’t respect my work ethics…the answer is easy…keep grinding and never stop grinding…life doesn’t stop, because you feel no one is watching…the truth is…there is someone watching…you just haven’t found the right connection yet, but one day…you will…keep grinding…without struggle…there’s no progress...the more progress equals success!!!

LOVE THE WORLD...EVEN WHEN IT HATES YOU BACK?!? (Repost from Jan 2011)

Feels like I've been gone a while...I mean...I have...but most of my time has been figuring out people in my life...those close to me and those that are associates. I think 2011 is the year to cut ties with people and start looking out for what I can do to further myself beyond my expectations. Most people don't understand when you're there for them and if you don't give them the answers they are looking for...they get negative with you...I've been subjected to putting people first all my life, but at times you get tired when others decide not to lend a hand or say I'm sorry in return for putting you less on their totem pole/radar then you deserve to be. I say "you" for those that sympathize with me. I feel like I've supported a lot of people...it's like being a back up singer to R Kelly...waiting to get the chance to take front & center stage...yet no one acknowledges you...because your voice is lost in the background to those you support. I'm always going to be the nice guy, but I think it's time to be a little more selfish. Am I wrong for feeling that way? A motto I have is "Love the world, even when it hates you back", which I clearly do...but...it doesn't mean I should leave myself open to experience backlash or griminess.