Nina’s Whisper looks like a great read. What can you tell us about Nina? Nina is self-assured, confident and assertive. At least she thinks she is. When she meets Page, a seductive, attractive older woman, Nina falls quickly in love. The relationship is a roller coaster and Nina struggles to make sense of it all. Ultimately, it’s a story of allure, trauma, survival and triumphing over it all. Readers will be moved.
How did you come up with the story in Nina’s Whisper? I’m an author of several books (non-fiction, comics, graphics novels) as well as a documentary film called Remixing Colorblind. I’m constantly trying to push myself as a writer – to expand. As a survivor of domestic abuse at the hands of another woman, I felt it was important to represent a side of lesbian relationships that is not often talked about. Women can and do abuse other women. Hopefully this creates awareness around mental, verbal and physical aspects of domestic violence between same-sex couples. Often times, manipulation, gaslighting and verbal abuse go ignored in the court room and in our personal lives – this book is showing the full range of rage at the mercy of an abuser.
What will readers get out of your book? They will be taken on a fascinating and entertaining journey of several emotions. The reader will feel emotions as Nina feels them throughout the book- happiness, lust, confusion, disgust, love and freedom.
What inspired you when writing Nina’s Whisper? The void in media around domestic violence in the LGBTQ community inspired me. I wanted to tell the story of so many women who have been abused by their female partners, only to be dismissed. Also, Carmen Machado’s book In The Dream House was a big inspiration. That book was a memoir, but it gave me a glimpse into how a writer can talk about domestic abuse. Although Nina’s Whisper is fiction, readers have told me that it feels real, it feels raw.
Also, I’ve partnered with Womanspace, which is a non-profit in New Jersey that provides comprehensive domestic violence services. For every book sold between April 19th and May 19th, $1will be donated to Womanspace. I am hoping to sell $1,000 books!
When writing Nina’s Whisper did anything stand out as particularly challenging? Actually, coming up with the names of the characters was really difficult for me. Ultimately, I chose names from things and movies I like. For example, Nina is the main character from one of my favorite movies – “Love Jones”. I have a connection, in that way, to most of the characters in the book. Also, setting the scene was difficult at times. I wanted to be descriptive enough so that the reader feels like they are there and can touch and feel what is happening, but I didn’t want to overdo it either.
What do you like to do when not writing? When I’m not writing, I’m taking care of my toddler and working full-time as an Associate Professor of Communication at Rider University. I hang out at my co-working space in Philadelphia and I really like doing speaking engagements – talking to people one-on-one.
Where can readers find out more about your work? They can check out any online store where books are sold. They can go to Amazon for the book. Retailers who are partnered with Ingram Spark can order the book there. I will be running a book promotion soon, so those interested should check out my social media’s as well as my website, www.sheenachoward.com.
Twitter: drsheenahoward
Facebook Fan Page: Dr Sheena Howard
Instagram: Dr Sheena Howard
Amazon Book link here: https://www.amazon.com/Ninas-Whisper-Sheena-Howard-ebook/dp/B0848YGLTL