Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello, my name is Natasha Butler. Founder of Natty Gyal Productions, a company that independently publishes books through Amazon.com. Ugly Alter Egos – Part I, is the first of a three-part series that touches on the lives of four African-American characters navigating life’s day-to-day challenges at a fictitious HBCU in Tennessee.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘Ugly Alter Egos – Awakening Inner Me to my Enemies’?
My inaugural release, Ugly Alter Egos – Part I, has four main characters instead of one. It was challenging to write seamlessly from four main points of view (two males and two females) while ensuring each character was developed optimally. My goal was for everyone reading this book to identify with at least one character in the story line.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Toni Morrison is a huge inspiration to me! Her Netflix documentary, “The Pieces I Am,” really captures powerful views of her as an author, editor and business woman. She has always promoted staying true to yourself and your original voice when writing.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I love visiting Key West, FL! It is beautiful… There is so much to do and never enough time to do it all.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
For me, I take time to sort out my feelings, goals and objectives on what I am trying to convey with messaging in a book. It is important to develop your characters in your mind and heart first and honor them without placing your own personal filters on how they would respond to certain situations. Write without judgment when it comes to your characters but also use them to convey strong messages within the overarching story.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Ugly Alter Egos – Awakening Inner Me to my Enemies’?
A lot of the content in this first release, which is Part I of a trilogy, is inspired by my own personal challenges I’ve overcome. Some humorous, some inspiring and some painful. There were an overwhelming amount of emotions I had to sort through to get this story on paper and develop my characters accordingly. Because of this, it took me over 10 years to finish the text because I kept putting it down, not wanting to sort through certain things related to my feelings concerning events that inspired the book. But all timing is perfect and I’m glad the first part is now released!
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?
The audiobook is available on Audible. Hard copies can be purchased on Amazon.com. Autographed books can be purchased at http://www.nattygyalproductions.com
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Ugly Alter Egos – Awakening Inner Me to my Enemies’?
I wanted to develop something meaningful. The art resembles a yin-yang symbol indicating even though the characters are polar opposites, there’s still similarities between them on each end of the spectrum. They all come together to form one complete circle.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Within this book you get to experience the story through four main points of view so that you can decide right and wrong and what resonates with you for yourself. It’s not always as black and white as it seems 🙂
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
The characters Jada and Vicky are loosely based upon my personality in college versus becoming a full-fledged working adult. One is anxious and one can be callous at times, but it is merely a defense mechanism. Writing this story allowed me to see how much I’ve grown from both and that I am still a work in progress. Thank you for this opportunity!
Sassy Reviews 