For my very first blog interview, I found an author and illustrator of the children's book "NyAshia's Freedom Ride". I sit down with both of them to get their story.
Deserie, what's this book about?
NyAshia (Swahili for Beautiful African Princess of Purpose) herself is a 7 year old African-American girl who has dreadlocks, glasses and a dark complexion. She enters her dream a bit discouraged and tired of being teased by other kids. She meets her dream guide and travels through dreamland on a journey to learning her African Heritage, self-awareness and freedom. NyAshia learns that there are no limits to what she can do in life after meeting such leaders as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & President Barack Obama.
Deserie, tell me about your book and what your inspiration/reason was for creating it:
As a child I struggled with self identity and I was teased constantly about my dark skin and nappy hair. Quite like today, I didn't see my likeness reflected positively in the media and this played a major role in my battle to acquire the 3-S's: self-worth, self-pride and self-awareness. In my early 20's I began mentoring teen girls and realized they were a lot like me when I was their age...lost. This led me to dig closer to the root and reach out to a younger audience in an effort to make an impact in their molding years and lay a foundation of those very 3-S's to stand on and hold onto during those trying teenage years.
Eman, as an illustrator, what's your process in creating characters that was envisioned by someone else?
Since the character is envisioned by someone else there is a challenge in aligning our collective mental pictures. I try to get as much information on the character as I can. Their personality and as many physical attributes as I can. There are so many elements to a character that can depict them visually.
Eman, as an illustrator, what's your process in creating characters that was envisioned by someone else?
Since the character is envisioned by someone else there is a challenge in aligning our collective mental pictures. I try to get as much information on the character as I can. Their personality and as many physical attributes as I can. There are so many elements to a character that can depict them visually.
Deserie, tell me what demographic is this book reaching out to, and what do you want them to get from it's story?
NyAshia is targeting 4-8 year old African-American little girls and my prayer is that this book fosters dialogue between parent and child as well as give the young reader a sense of pride in their heritage and themselves. That they will begin to love their "uniqueness" and appreciate where they came from and who they are...just as they are.
Was there something personal that gave this book it's inception?
Low self-esteem led me to making a lot of damaging decisions in my life and I am passionate about saving our little girls from living that self-destructing lifestyle. Believe it or not, NyAshia was written 10 years ago and sat on the shelf partly because of self-imposed obstacles. I have to also say that she sat until God said she was ready because in the interim; we made history by electing President Barack Obama and that history had to be documented in NyAshia's journey.
Eman, how did you relate to the book? Did that affect your artistic view?
I can deeply relate to the book, because I know how important a high self image and feeling empowered can be to a child. They need to know they're important, encouraged and celebrated. I feel this book communicates all those powerful affirmations and so much more.
An added motivational factor for me was keeping my niece in mind throughout the production of the book. She believes she's a princess and I want her to hold on to that as long as she can.
Eman, how did you relate to the book? Did that affect your artistic view?
I can deeply relate to the book, because I know how important a high self image and feeling empowered can be to a child. They need to know they're important, encouraged and celebrated. I feel this book communicates all those powerful affirmations and so much more.
An added motivational factor for me was keeping my niece in mind throughout the production of the book. She believes she's a princess and I want her to hold on to that as long as she can.
How did you find your illustrator Eman Faulkner and describe your experience working with him?
WOW! I met Eman Faulkner at the Soul Factory and immediately adopted him into my family. I was so impressed with this gentle giant. LOL. I affectionately call him TREE because he was about 6ft at 15 and his faith is strong,planted firmly like a tree and he remains steadfast bearing much fruit. I loved his manners, intelligence and vision. He was the only illustrator out of a few that sketched exactly what I had envisioned! I really did not have to give him any instruction...I told him what I saw and he drew it as if he saw it through my eyes. He is a dream to work with; professional, communicative, timely and just as invested in my dream as I am. I love him and recommend him to everyone looking for a skilled illustrator.
Eman, how did you come up with the style of the illustration?
I like to think my style has been a culmination of everything I've taken in. I watched a lot of Disney Animation and Loony Tunes growing up. So they are very influential in my style. I usually draw characters with big heads and large eyes. I always make sure the colors are very vibrant. I find the more expressive I can be through faces and colors, I can effectively communicate the mood of whats happening.
Last time you and I spoke, we were co-hosting a poetry corner in Forestville MD called Hyroglificks. How has your writing changed since then and are you still doing poetry?
Let's see, I still write poetry but more or less as an addition to a story. I still perform Spoken Word as well and I find my writing getting softer. I'm not angry anymore...I've always tried to tell a story through my poetry but I have noticed it's more teaching, more encouraging and not always personal. I am growing into my gift as a writer using my past experiences to show how real God is! Letting others in on the secret that isn't really a secret...YOU ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE. YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE. GOD CAN CHANGE ANYONE...ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LET HIM.
Tell us about yourself and where we can find more of your work.
I have been a speaker since I can remember. I would always be the first to raise my hand in school to read to my class. I loved two things: Reading and speaking, and writing came later. I introduced Marion Barry at his 1st Mayoral Inaguration and served as the Mistress of Ceremony at all of our school events. At 12 I gave a speech in front of thousands and received a standing ovation. None of that surpassed my feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem as a child so I became very promiscuous, was raped at age 16, had 7 abortions by 7 different guys, abused drugs and alcohol, transported drugs across state lines and to top it all off, as a single mother of two...stripped and sold my body and soul. God snatched me out of all of that after falling to my knees before Him. I currently battle Ankylosing Spondylitis, Sarcoidosis, Chronic Iridocylitis, Fibromyalgia, High Blood Pressure and God and I kicked Cancer's @zz! Despite it all, I wouldn't change my life for anything! God has shown me that He loves me unconditionally and that my life has not been in vain! This is why my name is changing to Sanjo Jendayi which is African for "One who appreciates her past and gives thanks". God has given me a lot to write about but most importantly, he has placed a burden on my heart for women and young girls. We as sistah's must encourage one another and stand together...so my mission is to encourage, enlighten and empower women and girls through positive poetry, workshops & seminars to rise above their circumstances, take responsibility and turn mistakes into learning lessons. I share a message of self-love, forgiveness and empowerment! My works include a poetry book,"Black Butterfly...Soaring on the Wings of Poetry"; a spoken word cd, "listen2myhearspeak"; "Girl, Get Empty" an empowering book challenging women to empty themselves of all that God has placed inside of them, this book was written in two months after a stroke scare had me declaring to go to my grave empty and then there is "NyAshia's Freedom Ride."
Thank you for taking the time to interview me and share in my dreamwalk! www.deeprootzinspirtainment.
I can be found at my personal website, where you can see all of my current work! http://emanlfaulkner.squarespace.com/
