AMACHI'S HOPE - STATUS

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

Amachi’s journey continues! I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do another interview; this time with the blog DiversifYA. www.diversifya.com/ DiversifYA is an awesome blog that addresses diversity in writing (YA and other genres) and the experiences that come with it.  They want to give writers the courage to write outside their comfort zone.  If you’ve already taken steps to do just that, they want to share your story. Most importantly DiversifYA wants people to know that there is more to the world than what you and I see and hear each day.  

Please check out my interview.  I would love hear your comments!
http://www.diversifya.com/cultural-and-ethnic/diversifya-sharon-mitchell/

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-

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Thanks for visiting ‘Amachi is Hope.’ If you were inspired or felt a connection with today’s blog (or any of my previous entries) please leave a comment. J

BAWO AND EK'ABO!

Bawo and Ek'abo!  Hi and welcome!  I am Sharon and this is my very first blog entry!  I sound green don't I? LOL! I can't help it.  I know a handful of people who have their own blogs but I was never compelled to create one until now.

You see, I am the author of Amachi's Hope, a rich and colorful (YA) young adult fantasy that is influenced by West African culture.  The idea for the story was a seed that took root over 10 years ago and was originally meant to be a pre-school book for my boys.  What mother wouldn't want to leave a part of themselves for their children? :)  This journey started in Jamaica (where my fam. is from) and ended in West Africa (particularly in Nigeria).

You're wondering, "Who is Amachi?" Well Amachi Yenyo Inotu is an immortal woman and powerful oracle that becomes the catalyst of change for her people. Responsible for unifying tribes and ending an ancestral war, her presence in the world heralded the return of UNITY and HOPE; beliefs that seemed to be lost to humanity.

Through her bloodline she bestows upon her ancestors, a number of extraordinary abilities.  As a result, they are exposed to dangers from the Orisa (gods) and humans alike. And that's just the beginning :)

After many starts and stops, I finally finished the book in 2011. HOORAY!!  Then I began the next part of my journey: editing, revisions, brainstorming.  Even when you are done, are you ever truly done? LOL! The stressful process of creating queries, synopses etc. made me feel like I was back in school.

More importantly, this process has left me w/ a lot of questions.  I'm left wondering whether the world is ready for my story.  Wondering if they are ready to help me bring Amachi "into the light?" Hence my tagline :)

Another reason for my blog, is to hopefully reach out to other authors whose stories have a multicultural influence.  There's a big difference (in my belief) between African-American fiction and multicultural fiction.  Have you been published?  Are you like me, a newly minted author who has just started down the road to publishing multicultural fiction? I would love to hear your stories, opinions and advice :)

Od'aro and Good Night!

S-