She is a locally educated student who graduated from Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford. From there she attended Seminole State College and graduated with honors before entering the halls of the University of Central Florida where she is currently attending. She has been taking a slow approach to her career as a writer gathering information on what will be best for her future outlook as an up and comer. Now as she prepares to buff up her portfolio and really get her name out there she takes a moment to sit down and speak with me and give people a chance to get to know her. In this brief interview with the writer we discuss herself and her future in writing.
Me: So how did it all start for you?
Lizann: Well, it started in a small hospital in Charlotte Amalie. I was the second child born to my mother. Then again you probably didn't intend to for me to explain the very beginning. [laughs heartily before continuing]. Writing started for me at a young age, during elementary school. I just kind of fell in love with books and poetry from the start. I was very introverted growing up so imagination was a big thing for me. Not really having any friends I enjoyed reading a lot of books where things occured that weren't actually possible. It allowed me to see beyond this world so series like the Chronicles of Narnia or Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle were greatly enjoyed.
I also read Shel Silverstein and I remembered I wanted to be like him so I started writing poems that rhymed terribly using words like honey, bunny, funny to create end rhymes.
Lizann: Well, I not only work a regular job here at AAA but I am also currently a student at UCF. A lot of my free time is spent fulfilling class assignments, reading stories assigned by my teachers, and learning facts when I am not working. I have come across interesting concepts that have affected my writing which has been great and one of the reasons I enjoy pursuing my education. I have taken a variety of classes that have inspired me to explore my own poetry and fiction writing further.
I was already on my own looking for new ways to expand but with the courses I have attended I have what I guess I would call a more focused path which allows me to better define what I am doing as far as my writing. I take what I learn and attempt to go a step further on my own. As always I am trying to read and write more.
Me: And what are you currently reading and writing?
Lizann: [chuckles lightly] Being that I'm still in school I am still reading my books for class. As the semester winds down however I have like most others a list of books waiting for me to read. I tend to go for some lighter reading by the author Christopher Moore and I'll be re-reading some of my old favorites by Robin Mckinley starting with The Blue Sword.
As for my writing I am actually going to be working on a short story regarding the subject of lovej and my own retelling of that subject. I want to try and make it inviting to readers and not the same love story we usually read so crossing my fingers and hoping that pans out.
Me: What other writing are you doing these days?
Lizann: There are multiple projects I am working on. Poetry was my first writing interest and so I have attempted to take this interest up in a video blog of sorts via the use of YouTube. I have been, for a year approximately, producing one video a month. I am also planning to add a wider variety of short stories to my portfolio soon so that I can hopefully expand upon what I have available now. I know I need to do this because I have so little right now. My plan is to submit to publications in the near future as well so I can also add this to my resume.
Me: What do you want audiences to take away from your writings?
Lizann: This could possibly be the most important question for me and one of the reasons I started this blog. I want my stories to stick with the reader. I want the reader to put the book down and still reflect on the journey they were just a part of. The idea for my writing is that it's not only entertaining but also different by providing a new approach and taking risks in certain areas that allow the reading to stand out, teach something, and still be enjoyable.
As we part ways Lizann shakes my hand thanking me for taking the time to interview her for blog. She expresses her hopes of seeing herself on a book shelf in the future. Maybe she will find herself on the cover of her jacket wearing the same afro that crowned her head today. Time can only tell how the rest of the world will be introduced to Lizann Dennis.
