Spotlight Interview:

Shaneka Jones Cook
 

ZE: With so many magazines already published, what inspired you to create your own?

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SJC: I have always wanted to run my own magazine. I wasn’t sure which direction to go in. As time went on, I noticed that Black and Brown writers needed more platforms and outlets focusing on them and their work. So, I decided to start Literary Lenses (LL).

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ZE: Tell me about the book and/or magazine which fueled your passion for reading and writing.

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SJC: I wasn’t a reader, so in my teens, I would see my Aunt Elaine reading. One day I started talking to her about books and reading. She started me on V.C. Andrews, “Flowers in The Attic.” I was immediately hooked, I read the entire series. I loved that I could go into other worlds and experience what the characters were experiencing.

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ZE: Elaborate on the type of reading experience you hope Literary Lenses will provide its readers.

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SJC: I am hoping, LL will bring joy to readers. I would love for them to experience the feelings I have when I read a book. Reading is like time travel to other worlds, cultures, and time zones.

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ZE: Describe the skills you possess that will help to ensure the quality of content being published in Literary Lenses will be well worth the read.

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SJC: I am an avid reader, I love researching the latest authors, and books to read as well as bringing attention to every aspect of writing and publishing. I try to take at least one course, or workshop to keep my skills up to par.

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ZE: Literary Lenses is a pretty cool name. Is there a special story about the name choice?

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SJC: Thank you! Actually no, there is no special meaning to LL. I played around with different words to create the name, and Literary Lenses just stuck. I guess you can say it spoke to me.

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ZE: Share your perfect writing zone with me. What is the number one distraction that can immediately break you from your zone?

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SJC: Being in a space with no interruptions is the perfect space for me to write. I need to be in a space where there are no tv or social media (laughing).

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ZE: As a writer what has been your greatest challenge? How did you overcome this obstacle?

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SJC: Procrastination and second-guessing myself are my biggest challenges. Sometimes, I may get an idea and I’ll tell myself, readers may not want to read about this. I have a tendency to procrastinate a lot. So, I keep a journal with a “To Do List” to keep myself on track and focused.

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ZE: If the opportunity presents itself, what person would you love to have the chance to interview for L.L.? Why?

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SJC: I would love to interview Toni Morrison. I am a huge fan of hers. I have loved her since reading “Disappearing Acts.” I have to know if her books are based on her life experiences because they are so relatable. I would like to know her writing process and what motivates her.

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Zyriphia Edmond resides in Murfreesboro, NC where she is a Hertford County Employee. Her passion for helping others is the driving force behind who she is and whom she's becoming. Zyriphia is an author, photographer, mentor and artist. You can learn more about her work by visiting the website: http://vizualsbylilliansdaughter.weebly.com/