Friday , March 29 2024
"This book provides solutions readers can immediately use to help make their transition from college life into the real world easier," states Simpson.

Interview with ChaChanna Simpson, Author of Life After College – What Your Parents and Professors Never Taught You

ChaChanna Simpson is the editor of Twentity.com, an online magazine where young people in their twenties can go to learn what to expect after college. Before this, she had her own copywriting business and wrote copy for direct mail companies. She's been writing for twelve years now. Presently she's touring the blogosphere to promote the release of her first book, Life After College: What Your Parents and Professors Never Taught You.

Thnaks for being here today, ChaChanna. Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading?

Absolutely! I only read mystery books. Every other Saturday, my mother would take me and my brother to our local library to get books. I would always get so excited on those Saturdays. My mother encouraged me and my brother to read from the time we were born. She would read to us before we went to bed and then when we were old enough to read, we read to her before we went to sleep.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

Life After College: What Your Parents and Professors Never Taught You answers questions such as: I've graduated from college, now what do I do? How do I adjust to moving back home with my family? Why is it taking so long for me to find a job? How do I focus on what I want to do rather than what my parents want me to do? How do I manage my finances? And much more.

This book provides solutions readers can immediately use to help make their transition from college life into the real world easier. I’ve also included stories and tips from recent college grads sharing their wisdom and experiences so college grads know they are not alone in trying to make it in the real world.

I wrote this book to prevent those who are graduating or recently graduated from college from making the same mistakes I did when I graduated. Those who have been out of college or on their own for a while, we take what we know for granted such as how to get an apartment, things to ask on a job interview, balancing a checkbook and budgeting. These things are really not taught in schools.

From the moment you conceived the idea for the story, to the published book, how long did it take?

It took me one year and two months!

Are you a disciplined writer?

No, I am a lazy writer. I’ll write a couple of paragraphs, stop, look outside, look back to my notebook, maybe scribble down some more words and then decide I should lay down a bit and let the rest of my words marinate in my brain before writing anymore. It’s a wonder I get anything done sometimes.

Who are your favorite authors? Why?

Carolyn Keene (I guess that means all the authors that wrote under the pseudonym) and Mary Higgins Clark are my favorite authors. I loved the Nancy Drew series growing up. In fact, I believe the first book I ever read to my mother was The Secret Clock. I think it is the first book I ever read, period, now that I think about it. I fell in love with reading then.

I love Mary Higgins Clark because she is just a darn good mystery writer!

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

While I was freelancing as a copyeditor, I met a woman who had numerous books in print. And I remember saying to her that one day I wanted to write one book. But because I was so busy I didn’t think I’d ever have the time. She told me to write what I could, even if I just wrote a sentence a day. No matter how busy I was I could find time to write a sentence. And for this book, I actually followed that advice.

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

Yes, you can visit me at Twentity.com!

Thanks for stopping by! It was a pleasure to have you here!

Thank you for having me. This was fun.

About Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. Represented by Serendipity Literary.

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