Aloha to Treneice Collins and MY MOTHER'S HEART - THE STORY OF BROWN SUGAR

The romance world is buzzing about self publishing .... today's guest is hosting a self publishing seminar at the Hickam Library while I am off island.  But she joins us today at SOS Aloha!  Please join me in welcoming Treneice Collins!   From her bio,  

Treneice, born and raised in the inner city of Kingston, Jamaica, has seen and experience the various effects of poverty and over-abundance. Through these experiences, she has devoted her life in helping those that everyone has chosen to leave behind. Treneice writes not only for her own self fulfillment but also to strengthen and encourage her readers.

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Kim:  Can you share a glimpse into your homeland - an intriguing sight, sound, and smell of Jamaica?

Treneice:  The best way that I can describe my homeland is when I went back home to visit in 2009. When I stepped off the plane, I found myself hurrying along in the hustle and bustle with the many excited tourist and the fellow “Yardies” (translates as Locals) also coming back home. I found myself with a ting of fear. Fear that I had stayed away far too long and my Island wouldn’t recognize my love for it. But as soon as I say that exit door open and close before me. Allowing the smell of sweet mangoes, Jamaican apples, ripe bananas, and sweet papayas rushing in-reminding me of all that I has missed- it was almost too much to take in.

But nothing prepared me for what came after I stepped outside! The sight of the lush green mountain peaks and the sway of the banana branches, the sour-sop trees bending and turning in the wind, and the bright look of the ackee trees were like seeing an old friend again. Then an older gentleman, making jerk chicken in a half metal barrel, turned to me and said, “Wa Ya Se Dauta”, which translates as “How are you doing my dear”. That was when I knew that I was Home. My Country had not only forgiven me but it had been waiting for my return Home. That’s the best way that I can describe my Home-Land, Jamaica! 

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Kim:  You will be giving a seminar at Hickam AFB about self publishing - how did you find yourself seeking this option?  What resources have you used to hone your writing and publishing skills?

Treneice:  My biggest motivation for doing this Seminar stemmed from the overwhelming response that I received from hundreds of my readers. The common denominator was that they too had an amazing story to tell, but the fear of the unknown was having a crippling effect on them. So I made a choice, I could continue to just sell my books or I could motivate, educate, and equip them and many others to Self-Publish their own story. It’s the basic principle of “I can give you a fish or teach you how to fish”. The Self-Publishing Seminar will be held on June 29, and 30, 2011 at the Hickam Community Center, you can register or get more information on my website, www.AlloGroup.com/seminar

The main resource that I use to hone my writing skill is that I write, and then I write some more. I write what’s in my heart, I wait until a particular subject has invaded my heart, that’s when I know that a story has been born and that’s my green light to write and write some more. I never concern myself with editing or cohesion at this part in my writing, my job is to get it out of my heart and onto the paper (or laptop). I sharpen my publishing skills by constantly doing creative and bold strategies to open doors that others may not have thought of before. E.g., one of the things that I like to do is network with groups or organizations that are not related to the publishing world. I’m always amazed of how inviting these people are to my ideas and strategies.

Kim:  Tell us about My Mother's Heart:  The Story of Brown Sugar.

Treneice: ‘My Mother’s Heart: The Story of Brown Sugar’, is my first book that I self-published. I wrote the story as a tribute to my mother, she lost her mother very suddenly when she was a young girl and she never healed from this tragedy. To date, she refers to my grandmother as if she is sitting right next to her-this was my biggest motivation for writing this book. I wanted to help my mother take a single step forward. ‘My Mother’s Heart’ is a story of a young woman, Margaret, and her relationship with her mother, Irene. It journals the ups and downs of their relation, it invites you in to share in their secrets and fears. After Irene’s sudden death, Margaret, found herself fighting to find her mother’s heart again.

This is a story of love and lost and of love again, it’s about taking on single step forward into your destiny.  

Kim:  What's next for Treneice Collins?

Treneice:  I’m listening to my readers and one of the things that they are asking for is more - more of ‘My Mother’s Heart’. So I will be publishing the 2^nd book in a 3 part series entitled ‘My Mother’s Heart: The Story of Cinnamon’. This book will focus on Irene's story!

I will also continue what I have started with the Self-Publishing Seminars, the need is too great for me to ignore. The Seminar in June will be the first of many.

Kim, thank you again for this incredible opportunity to share my story!

A mother's heart comes in all sizes ....

Mahalo, Treneice, for joining us at SOS Aloha!  To learn more about Treneice, log onto her social media:

WebSite: http://www.allogroup.com/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/treneice

In honor of Treneice's visit, I am giving away something that represents my mother's heart - English Tea plus an English tea towel!   To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Treneice, Jamaica, self publishing, or what your mother taught you to be a good citizen.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 18, 3 pm in Tampa.  I'll post the winner on  Sunday, June 19.

Mahalo,

Kim in Tampa

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