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From the moment she could hold a book, Cherry Dawn was captivated by the magic of storytelling. As a child, she would lose herself in the pages of fantastical worlds, enchanted by the characters and adventures that unfolded before her eyes. Little did she know that this childhood fascination would ignite a lifelong passion for writing and lead her on an extraordinary journey to becoming a published author.
Cherry Dawn’s path to becoming a writer was unconventional. While many aspiring authors pursue formal literature or creative writing training, her journey took a different route. In her early adult years, she had the incredible privilege of working alongside a renowned published author, where she was allowed to develop her writing skills and learn from a master of the craft. During this time, she discovered her innate talent for storytelling and honed her ability to craft compelling and engaging narratives.
She quickly realized that her passion for writing needed nurturing. Although it was a gift that came naturally to her, she later enrolled in writing classes to improve the skills she had cultivated through years of dedication and hard work.
One of her most valuable lessons on this journey is the importance of pursuing her passion with unwavering dedication. Writing has always been more than just a hobby for her; it’s been a calling, a driving force that fills her with immense joy and satisfaction. Whether she’s penning stories for children, exploring the complexities of teenage life, or delving into the depths of human emotion in her upcoming novel, every word she writes is infused with passion and purpose..
With faith and determination, she is committed to continuing her journey as a writer, creating stories that educate, entertain, and enlighten readers of all ages. Whether sparking young minds’ imagination or offering comfort and inspiration to those navigating life’s challenges, she is dedicated to using her writing as a force for good in the world.
I invite you to join Cherry Dawn on this exciting and rewarding journey as she continues writing, creating, and inspiring. Follow her as she embarks on this new chapter of her life, and together, let’s explore the boundless possibilities of storytelling and celebrate the magic of words.
In "Bad Seed: The Midnight Cries of an Island Girl," love and pain intertwine in a story that challenges the boundaries of the human spirit. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Ironshore, Vivienne’s life takes a dark turn when she meets Jonathan—a chance encounter that awakens a nightmare.
Interviewer: Hello again, Cherry. It’s a pleasure to have you here discussing the release of your new book. I’m excited to introduce you to my audience. I have had the pleasure of speaking with you when the book was in the unpublished phase. 'Bad Seed: The Midnight Cries of an Island Girl' immediately grabs attention. But before we delve into the details, how are you feeling about its release?
Cherry Dawn: Thank you for giving me the platform to introduce my debut novel. First and foremost, I want to thank God, family, and friends for supporting me on this journey. I am very grateful to have the kinds of people around me who understand the work it takes for me to develop my writing. A big shout out to my husband for his understanding that I needed time to write and develop as a writer.
I’m doing well and am excited to discuss my new book with you. It has been years in the making, and it feels good to finally be here at its release.
Interviewer: What are your expectations now that Bad Seed is circulating worldwide? Have you decided what your next steps will be? And have you thought about a formal launch to boost sales?
Cherry Dawn: To answer your last question, yes. I intend to do a proper launch. This book has come a long way from the first day I decided to write it. It is such a heart-wrenching story. The title, ‘Bad Seed: The Midnight Cries of an Island Girl, ‘encapsulates the essence of the story. ‘Bad Seed’ symbolizes the trauma and struggles that Vivienne, the protagonist, faces, while ‘The Midnight Cries of an Island Girl’ represents the darkness and isolation she experiences. From the first sentence, I knew I might not get through writing it without a lasting impact. But I realize that someone must tell this particular story. At times, I wasn’t sure I could do justice to it enough for readers to understand the story’s gravity. It feels surreal I finally get to this moment and see my book in circulation with my name on it. While I’ve written other publications, this feels different. It is an 88,000-word book that I am very proud of.
Interviewer: Why did you decide to write this story? It is a powerful one to begin with. You tell it very well, and as I read the book, I couldn’t help but feel its intensity. You’ve put your heart and soul into narrating it. Your main protagonist coming full circle with trauma until she gets justice is packed with one heart-stopping scene after another. I immersed myself and was drawn into the story from the first chapter. How could you tell the story so beautifully amid the cover-to-cover tragedy?
Cherry Dawn: Thank you for asking. The first draft of Bad Seed was completed in 2022. The word count was half of what it is now. I didn’t want to tell the story half-heartedly, so I revised and rewrote it to make it what it is today. This process involved revisiting the characters’ motivations, refining the plot, and enhancing the story’s emotional depth. I must say, I’m glad I took the extra time to create the compelling narratives that capture Vivienne’s struggles. Whether it was facing the harsh reality of an assault that almost took her life or her love for Jonathan, her struggles were real to me. As I said, it was hard to tell such a harrowing story without being affected. But I know what it feels like to be young, trusting, and taken advantage of. As I was writing this story, I saw myself in Vivienne. Unfortunately, I know men like Damien too.
At the heart of the story is a young girl’s fight to survive as a newly minted adult. We’ve all been in a position where we can sink or swim by our decisions or the people we encounter. Some aren’t as lucky as you or I. Before we turn eighteen, we have the love and protection of our parents, and if that’s no longer the case, bad people are just waiting to pounce. If we are lucky, we can make it through life without having to experience trauma like the ones Vivienne faced. I tell this story to those who have no voice or cannot talk about their victim stories. I tell this story because my two daughters are beautiful young women one encounter away from becoming Vivienne. God forbid that should happen to them.
I chose to portray Vivienne’s experience so that young women will know that regardless of their trauma, there’s a rainbow on the other side, and there is always a way out of tribulation. Resilience and determination should be the mantra of every young girl. Nothing or no one should prevent them from fulfilling their God-given potential. It doesn’t matter where you start. It’s where you end up, as the saying goes. I hope that every girl or woman who’s been left to feel less than, reads this book. Every woman who has ever thought they have no control of their body will know that we can chart our course so long as we have breath.
Vivienne survived because she never forgot the love of her family. Once you’ve experienced unconditional love, trauma is but a speed bump on your way to greatness. Bad Seed is a story that begs adults to search themselves and question whether they are doing enough to protect our young girls.
Interviewer: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?
Cherry Dawn: Unfortunately, trauma is universal. The fight to overcome it is not. I want my readers to know that there is a fighter in all of us. We need the courage to summon that innate ability that makes us unique. We can come back from almost anything. 'Bad Seed: The Midnight Cries of an Island Girl' is not just Vivienne’s story. You’d be surprised at the response you’d get if you surveyed to find out how many Vivienne Pearson there are. In every one of us, there is a person with her resilience. Whether you’re Jamaican, American, Asian, or African, we all have survivors’ instincts. Unfortunately, not all know that, so some don’t survive their traumas.
In some cultures, they are taught to accept their trauma as fate. However, even within those backward ways of thinking, some individuals refuse to live by what is often considered norms. 'Bad Seed' challenges us to question these norms and strive for a better, more just society.
Interviewer: In the book, Vivienne’s relationship with Jonathan is as compelling as it is heartbreaking. Why did you decide to include Jonathan as part of Vivienne's story?
Cherry Dawn: Because he is. Had she not met him, it could be argued that she might not have been attacked. Be that as it may, we all need something or someone to motivate us not to give up. Jonathan’s love for Vivienne was all the motivation she needed. Her love for him and her daughter was another, despite how she became a mother. From the beginning of the story, Jonathan knew his connection to Vivienne was beyond superficial. He recognized very early that she was different from all the other girls he dated. For him, it was love at first sight. Jonathan and Vivienne quickly realized they were fighting the same losing battle to stay away from each other. Vivienne was not the only victim of her assault. It can be argued that Jonathan’s suffering was just as intense as hers. His life was completely altered because of what happened to Vivienne. When you love someone as deeply as Jonathan loves Vivienne, nothing can change it.
Interviewer: Now that you are a published author, what will you be working on next?
Cherry Dawn: I am working on another novel. It’s called “The Jacket,” which is about a paternity dispute and the trauma the child suffers because of her family’s rejection. It’s in the editing stages and will hit the shelves soon. I’m also working on a children’s book called “The G-Stars Plus One,” a sequel to Beam Me Up, which I published several years ago.
Interviewer: I am very honored to be with you on your remarkable journey. To those who would like to order a copy of ‘Bad Seed,’ it’s available at major book outlets, including Amazon.com. I strongly recommend this book. Its lessons are vital to every young person who is about to enter adulthood. Bad Seed is transformative, well-written, compelling, and spellbinding. I read it in one sitting. I wholeheartedly recommend everyone gets a copy. I’m sure they’ll come to the same conclusions I have.
Madam author, I wish you continued success in sales and distribution, and I can’t wait for when you release your next masterpiece.
Congratulations on your amazing journey.
Cherry Dawn: Thanks again for allowing me to introduce my work.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was raised in Jamaica, and I now live in Maryland with my very supportive family who gives me the boost I need to write. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned on my writing journey is the importance of pursuing my love of writing with passion and unwavering dedication. Writing has always been more than just a hobby. It’s been the force that fills me with immense joy and satisfaction outside my family. Whether I’m penning stories for children, exploring the complexities of teenage life, or delving into the depths of human emotions, every word is infused with passion and purpose.
I have published five books and I have two yet to be published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Bad Seed: The Midnight Cries of an Island Girl. It’s about a young woman whose life was upended at eighteen after finding love with a guy from the city. I wrote this book because every young woman needs to know the dangers that lurk, waiting to pounce. Most times the people we trust are the most dangerous to us. Sadly, this story is very similar to so many girls’ as experienced by Vivienne, the main character in Bad Seed.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if my writing habits are unusual, but I write constantly. Wherever I go, I’m always looking for ideas to write about.
What authors, or books have influenced you?For fiction, I’m a big fan of Colleen Hoover. She is such a prolific writer. I also admire Sally Hepworth and Freda McFadden. I also love to read biographies of political figures.
What are you working on now?
I am working on another novel called, 'The Jacket'. This book is about a paternity dispute and the trauma the child suffers because of her family’s rejection. I’m also working on a children’s book, a sequel to Beam Me Up, which I published several years ago.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books? www.greatvalleybooks.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Getting past the “imposter syndrome” will make you become the best writer you are meant to be. Self-doubt crushes any dream.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Education is the vehicle that will transport you to greatness.
What are you reading now?
The Teacher by Freda McFadden.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll never stop writing and getting better at it. I want to gain the respectability that comes with being a published author and being called a best-selling author, and the only way to achieve that is to be the best writer I can be.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This question makes me smile because I just finished reading Stranded by Chris Bruno and David Howard. If I were stranded on a desert island, the books I would take would be: The Bible, The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth, Something Lost, Something Gained by Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hover.
Dear Universe,
It’s three a.m., and today is Shannon’s sixth birthday. I woke to the sound of someone knocking on my neighbor’s door. I wonder if today my baby will finally come home. A year has gone by, and I cannot find her anywhere. There’s no place else to look, I’ve traveled everywhere. People keep telling me it’s way past time for me to move on, but now I’m out of my mind and running out of time.
They tell me that I’m crazy when I talk to myself. But why is it so terrible for me to talk back to the voices in my head? I scream and holler. I cannot bear this much trauma, one after the other. I hear the dogs howling outside, and I cannot sleep, it’s as if I can hear Shannon’s tiny feet.
I’m all alone, and I don’t know how much longer I can go on. Very soon, I may have to make my bed on Barnett Street under the big tent because I cannot pay my rent. Or Dr. Spencer will have no choice but to lock me away to save me from myself. I wrap my head to keep it from exploding. Sometimes, it feels like it will pop open. The voices are getting louder, and the throbbing inside is unbearable sometimes. I don’t know how to get past this internal battle that consumes me. Something in me is taking over my will to survive. I need to end this misery inside.
I keep seeing the blood splatters on the sheet and feel a knot on my head. I hear my screams for mercy bounce off the bedroom walls. It’s like my life is over, and I’m already dead.
And that’s not even the worst part, losing my daughter was how my madness started. I am in for a long fight to find Shannon. I’ve walked almost every corner of Montego Bay. Strand Street is off-limits, though. I cannot bring myself to get close. It reminds me too much of
Jonathan. The voices in my head grow louder whenever I get close, and my heart beats faster as if it’s coming out of my chest. My meals are exceedingly rare, though I don’t have the time to sleep, much less to eat, and I haven’t taken a shower since last week. If I stay awake, Shannon might walk through my gate. Tell me, Dear Universe, am I getting better? Or have I gone completely insane?
A piece of my shoe fell off yesterday. My feet are sore, and I’m tired to my core. I don’t know how much more of this heartache I can endure. I won’t be able to sleep tonight. That’s when I am most afraid. I must keep my eyes open in case the ruffian attacks me again.
Until next time,
-Vivienne
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