Meet Miss Trish

Miss Trish (Vallejo, CA)

Miss Trish is a storyteller. That’s it. That’s all. From describing a trip to the grocery store, to detailing a trying day, she has always had the keen ability of capturing the attention of many and getting more than one outburst of, “Hurry up, Trish. This story is so good.” Born and raised in Richmond, California, she is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. While employed at a local Housing Authority, she was the co-editor of the Resident Services Newsletter and her articles were distributed every quarter. Her passion for writing started at a very early age and was an escape outlet from many peer-pressures throughout her adolescence. Even as an adult, the joy of writing has not faded. She currently lives in Vallejo, California with her teenage daughter. This is her first novel. 

About Cayenne Peppa: A Novel

Cayenne was spoiled rotten and used to getting her way; but, along the journey of life, things unexpectedly went awry? When every intuition inside of Cayenne screams for her to reverse her steps, she ignores the overwhelming uneasiness and falls weak to her addiction. In a blink of an eye, she regretfully advances forward. For over seventy-two hours, Cayenne endures the unthinkable by the repulsive hands and twisted mind of her boyfriend's brother. Cayenne heals from the assault with the assistance of those close to her. Papa Joe and Glo, however, are both old-school “G’s” with discrete old-school gangster mentalities. Battered and abused, Cayenne smiles inside at the mere fact that the rapist did not kill her. That was his mistake! This leaves plenty of room for revenge. Cayenne is consumed with it. When those close to Cayenne get word of the rape and torture, the hunt for the assailant begins...street justice style. The inner battle between good and evil consumes every character as they all secretly plot to get even. Cayenne Peppa is an urban “who-done-it?” at its finest! 

Name 3 things about yourself readers may not know
Though a city-girl, I love to fish. It is not uncommon for me to cast my pole in one of my many favorite fishing spots and on good days, load up on fresh cat fish and blue gill. 

Cooking is a favorite pastime. When I was a little girl, I used to follow my granny (Big Mama) around; including, in the kitchen. She would let me help her by allowing me to cut-up the seasonings, pick the greens, snap the beans, shuck the corn, and stir the simmering pots. Cooking has become second nature and not to sound too cocky; but, I'm pretty good at it.

Gardening and growing fresh produce has become a major part of my being. Mixing the earth with fertilized soil, planting seeds, and knowing that the end result of fresh & beautiful fruits and vegetables was because of my hard work is fascinating!! 

What is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is my one and only daughter. We have been buddies, within reason of course, since the day she was born. It has not always been easy during the journey; but, I must be the example for her. She is fourteen years old now, I must show her that this life we live is full of opportunities, and that no matter how tough times may get, she can do and be anything she wants to be is she works hard. I am her example.


What led up to you becoming an author?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a writer and I have the old journals to prove it. Becoming an official published author has always been in the back of my mind as a "maybe someday" type of thought. I decided to get serious and publish my first book because of an extremely vivid dream I had. It was a little over a year ago and shortly after my maternal grandmother (whom I was very close to) passed away. I was asleep one night and just like any other night I began to enter R.E.M. sleep and so the dream began:

I am twelve years old. I am at my Big Mama's house spending the summer. As usual, she needs a few items from the mom-and-pop store located several blocks away and she tells me to walk to the store and get them for her. It is hot outside. I do not feel like walking because of the heat; but, I know I can not refuse. I am not crazy! I'm wearing red short-shorts, a yellow spaghetti tank top, and yellow flip-flops. I am skinny. (Had to be a dream, right?) After returning from the long, hot, walk from the store, I put the items of the kitchen table. Big Mama carefully looks them over. She raises her head up and looks me directly in my eyes and says, "Trish, you forgot something." Puzzled, I respond in my childish voice. "Huh? I don't understand, Big Mama. I got everything you wanted me to get from the store." With a smile on her face, and a certain amount of certainty, she looks at me directly only this time, the glance is as if she is asking, "Understand?". "No, Trish." She says. "You can do it. Go get it. I know you can do it. Go get it. I have confidence in you and I know you can do it."

When I woke up the next morning my face was drenched in tears. I shared this dream with those close to me. I also shared the fact that I knew exactly what Big Mama was referring to. In the weeks following "the dream", I completed and polished-up my manuscript and today I am an official published author.

How would you describe your writing style?
I like to tell stories. I like to tell stories that draw the reader in. To me, what you write about is not as important as how you write. My goal is to make an ordinary walk in the park seem like the most interesting walk ever. When I communicate verbally, I talk with my hands, my facial expressions, and with my entire body and emotions. (It's really a sight to see.) I can't help that; but, I draw in the listener. It took years for me to come to the realization that I have a gift; so, I would describe my writing style as memorizing.

What would you say is the most important thing an author should do before publishing his/her book?
The most important thing an author should do before publishing his/her book is edit, edit, and then edit again. The slip of a key-stoke is not uncommon; however, it is up to us as writers to showcase the very best in all of us.

If you could go back and change one thing about your book, what would it be?
If I could go back and change one thing about my book it would be to give more of a background history on one of the main characters. Since becoming published, I have gotten many questions regarding Glo. I can't go back and change what I've already published; but, this leaves plenty of wiggle-room for a sequel.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing?
Well recently, when I am not writing, I am marketing for Cayenne Peppa: A Novel. When I am not marketing, I love to spend quality time with my daughter. She and I are very close. Because writing and marketing takes much of my time these days, I am always finding fun and interesting things for us to do together. She has a birthday coming up soon and I have planned to take us both on a five-day cruise. I think it’s good to step away from the writing from time-to-time so that upon my return, I can approach my writing completely refreshed and full of new ideas.

How can readers and others in the literary community reach you?
I am on all of the social networks like FaceBook and Twitter (@authormisstrish.com); however, the best way to reach me is my email:[email protected] or I can be reached via my website:authormisstrish.com

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