Spotlight Interview with Author Monua Cary

Q1: Thanks for participating in our Authors.com Spotlight Interview series Monua! Please introduce yourself and your book to help our readers get to know you.
A: My name is Monua (pronounced Monya) Cary, and I am the co-author of The Accountability Project: Get The @#$! Out of the Box. I'm also a two time Hall of Fame Martial Artist, business owner and grandma. In other words I'm a busy chick with "skills".

Q2: Please explain how you came to be a writer, what inspired you to write your book(s) and how long it took. 
A: I'm an avid reader first off, and I happen to love to write about everything you can possibly think of, whether it was a school project or just a story. Writing is fun and it allows me to flex my creative muscles. This particular book was inspired by the lack of accountability exercised by people who were in positions of authority in various things i.e. clergy, martial arts, business. And it occurred to me how important our legacy is and the more responsibility we are given the more accountable we have to be. Thus, a like-minded wonderful individual, Tamalyn Rice, and I started talking more and more about this and we decided to write a book. 

Q3: What did you enjoy most about creating this book? 
A. Writing it at The Isles Teashop! The people there went totally out of their way to allow us to brainstorm for hours all of ideas even when they were closed. Bottomless pots of tea, scones, and input from everyone there. It was such an unforgettable experience and I will always cherish the memories.

Q4: What facets of your life, both personal and professional, are  woven into your book, if any?  
A. There isn't much about me as a person on a "soulular" level that isn't actually. I've had to personally peel myself down to the "hardwood" and work my way up. I had to face myself and what I'm made up of so I could find out WHO I was and what brought me to where I am today. It was painful sometimes but it has helped me be the person I need to be because I do affect generations by my every day actions and example. 

Q5. How did you get published?

A. Tamalyn and I decided from the beginning to Self-Publish. It is out of the box yes, and a difficult road to travel, but this is also the road many authors are taking. It allows us creative control and the rights to our work also. It helps us to learn patience though! 

Q6: Did you have any surprises or hiccups along the way during the  book writing and/or publishing process?
A. Absolutely! Neither one of us had ever done this before so we had to research the entire process alone. From starting our LLC to working our way through the publishing process. It costs money to do this also, so that became a major hiccup sometimes. We had to create a roadmap through our own sweat and determination.

Q7: What one thing did you wish you'd known before you started this project? 
A. That OUR book wasn't going to be a best times seller from the first day! LOL! We knew it would not be, but I wish I knew how much patience I would need...but then again, I wouldn't have learned a thing if it was all laid out in front of me.

Q8: You're a fly on the wall when readers are discussing your book.   What would you hope to hear them say about it?
A. That they can walk away with something that will change their life and maybe that of someone else.

Q9: Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know or  would surprise them. 
A. Growing up I had no support mechanism in place from my family. I was self taught with so many things and I've had to work for everything that I've done. There are people who think I grew up with all the right things from education to a perfect life....and that is so far from reality. I do what I do because I was determined to never allow negative circumstances rule who I was and what I could be. 

Q10: What single piece of advice would you give new authors?
A. Write what you love and don't let anyone dictate what and who you should be. And be PATIENT! 

Q11: Share a short summary of a typical day in your life with us  please. 
A. I run an insurance business, teach martial arts, I'm writing a novel, spend time with my grandchildren, and read even if it is only 10 minutes. Somewhere in there I eat and sleep. And I am also helping a couple people write their biographies, and I am working on an article for a couple of famous martial artists. That just about covers most of my time. Some days, all of that is wrapped up into one day :) 

Q12:  Describe where you do most of your writing. What would I see if I was sitting beside you?
A. I live with relatives at the moment, so my laptop is on my lap, and my coffee is next to me perched on the step of a stair climber. You would also see a bazillion romance novels at my back :)

Q13: What's your motto or favorite quote you like to live by?

A. “I want to be here to inspire others for what they have in them to do, not for what I can do.”Monua Cary

Q14: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us in closing such as your website, an imminent book launch or what you're working on presently? 
A. The current website for our book is: www.theaccountabilityproj.com

I am writing a time-travel romance under my pen name Lady Sinclair, and I hope to be able to submit it fairly soon so wish me luck!

Authors.com profile: http://www.authors.com/profile/MonuaCary

Thanks for your time Monua! Please share this Authors.com Spotlight Interview with friends and fans by linking to it, Tweeting it, Digging it, sharing it on Facebook and generally shouting about it anywhere you can. We'd ask fellow members to support you by doing the same.

Members, want to be interviewed too? It's free! Instructions are here: http://www.authors.com/forum/topics/be-interviewed-for-the-new