Xlibris Publishing introduces Areal Mitchell, author of For the Love of Art.
About Your Book and Yourself.
Please briefly describe your book (don’t forget to mention the title!) For the Love of Art follows the emotional struggles of two people who have been hurt by someone they love. As Art and Gina maneuver through the emotional wreckage of previous relationships, they struggle with issues of trust, honesty, and commitment.
Who is the author “behind” the book?
I am a mother, a HR professional, a writer, and lover of many things. I started writing as early as eight years old, I started with making up my own short stories, and songs. It wasn’t until I was in the 6th grade, and my language arts teacher, Mrs. Caldwell, introduced me to the art of poetry, and that became my first love. When I was 24, I published my first poetry collection titled, “From the Soul of a 24 Year Old: Introducing the Poetry of Areal D. Mitchell. That collection was very personal to me, because I cover my personal experiences in love, relationships, and spirituality. I’ve been in the field of Human Resources for close to 12 years now…and I am a Sr. Director of HR for a global organization, and I enjoy my work. But one day, I hope to be able to have a successful writing career and transition out of HR. Maybe even write a couple of professional HR books.
Do you have any particular literary influences that have helped you develop in your genre, subject and style?
Being my first novel, I am still trying to find my voice and my place in the literary world. But I have definitely been influenced by some of the greats, Maya Angelou, Terry McMillian, Bernice McFadden, and Mary M. Morrison, are just a few of my all-time favorite authors in their respective genres. I am going to continue to work on my craft, perfecting my voice so that when people read a story by Areal D. Mitchell… they know it’s a story by Areal D. Mitchell… just by the tone, language, and plot of the story.
What inspired you to write your book, and how long did it take you to finish it?
My son is the inspiration behind me completing this milestone of writing my first novel, and it is to him, whom I dedicate this first book too. I started writing For the Love of Art in February 2017, and I finished it in October 2018. The labor was hard, intensive, very time-consuming. I wrote at night when my son was sleep, on my lunch breaks at work, on my free weekends, and sometimes while visiting relatives. I just remembered, who I was doing it for- and that was for my son Elijah.
What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?
Trust the process. We all have had some relationships end, whether it was a job, friendships, family, romantic, etc. But trusting that it’s not the end all, be all, just because that one thing you had is no longer there. Maybe that “one thing” had to be removed for a better thing to move into its place. You’re never rejected…only redirected into something greater.
Are you working on a sequel to your book?
I played around with this idea while writing it…and because I have so many other book ideas in my head, I decided to make it the end of the Art and Gia’s era. So, the book does show finality with their story.
Are there any events, marketing ideas or promotions planned for your book?
Please feel free to mention any accolades you have received. I am planning a book release party, and a couple of book signings.
What was your favorite part of your publishing experience, overall and with Xlibris?
The fact that I could write at my own pace.
Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Write. Write…and keep on writing. No matter how long it takes for you to complete, if you keep at it, it would happen. And write what is true for you, and write what you believe in. Your voice comes across very authentically, when you’re writing something you’re passionate about.
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