What
inspired you to become an author?
I have always known I would one day write a story. My parents made sure they reminded me of that, ever so often when I go on a tangent or change directions. Mother always said the way I weave stories were very captivating even at the age of 4! My parents though do not write are my inspiration.
My life experiences also triggered my commitment to writing, as a mother of two who suddenly found herself in the middle of a divorce war (when my boys were 2.6 & 4 years old) and trying to hold on to dear life, writing was my solace.
Alas, today my story has changed --- a happily re-married woman with my two boys both in college, writing has found me again.
Every life experience is an opportunity to write for me. When I wake up in the morning and hear the birds chirp, I am reminded of life’s gifts and the wisdom embedded in creation. Then, I write. More importantly, in the case of my first young adult fantasy, the Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest, my trips back to Africa… retracing my steps back to my kingdom, Emure Kingdom in West Africa gave me a reason to pick up my pen and write again, after a long hiatus. Today, I have written yet another story, Of Sentimental Value which is a Suspense Romance with a tinge of Mystery. In this book, I pulled from my background experience living in Africa and transported my lead female character from Africa to America. This time, we follow her as she tries to conquer her challenges as an African Immigrant in America. Not only that, she is bringing with her, her African culture and what role, will that play in her surviving the rat race in America? I am so happy to announce the attention this story has been getting.
Here we go… are you ready for this? Of Sentimental Value Goes to Hollywood as an Indiefest &African Oscar Award Winning Motion Picture scheduled for release in 2015.
I have always known I would one day write a story. My parents made sure they reminded me of that, ever so often when I go on a tangent or change directions. Mother always said the way I weave stories were very captivating even at the age of 4! My parents though do not write are my inspiration.
My life experiences also triggered my commitment to writing, as a mother of two who suddenly found herself in the middle of a divorce war (when my boys were 2.6 & 4 years old) and trying to hold on to dear life, writing was my solace.
Alas, today my story has changed --- a happily re-married woman with my two boys both in college, writing has found me again.
Every life experience is an opportunity to write for me. When I wake up in the morning and hear the birds chirp, I am reminded of life’s gifts and the wisdom embedded in creation. Then, I write. More importantly, in the case of my first young adult fantasy, the Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest, my trips back to Africa… retracing my steps back to my kingdom, Emure Kingdom in West Africa gave me a reason to pick up my pen and write again, after a long hiatus. Today, I have written yet another story, Of Sentimental Value which is a Suspense Romance with a tinge of Mystery. In this book, I pulled from my background experience living in Africa and transported my lead female character from Africa to America. This time, we follow her as she tries to conquer her challenges as an African Immigrant in America. Not only that, she is bringing with her, her African culture and what role, will that play in her surviving the rat race in America? I am so happy to announce the attention this story has been getting.
Here we go… are you ready for this? Of Sentimental Value Goes to Hollywood as an Indiefest &African Oscar Award Winning Motion Picture scheduled for release in 2015.
Watch
the Trailer:
http://www.ofsentimentalvaluenovel.com/ - !ofsentimentalvaluetrailer/c66t
http://www.ofsentimentalvaluenovel.com/ - !ofsentimentalvaluetrailer/c66t
In preparation for the movie’s
release in 2015, it garnered the prestigious
dove seal and I am so excited about that:
Dove’s Review:
Dove’s Review:
“Of Sentimental Value” does a super job demonstrating the worth of every individual who lives on this planet. The film is unique in that it opens with actors in the movie sharing painful moments of their past, including abuse and health issues, and how they moved forward to find their “worth” as people of value. One actress tells of her manic depression and suicidal thoughts, but how she pushed through after hearing the voice of God speaking to her spirit, telling her she had a purpose and a reason to live. The themes of perseverance and faith are to be commended. We are awarding our Dove Family-Approved Seal for ages twelve plus to “Of Sentimental Value.” This film has many inspiring moments!”
Do you have a specific writing style?
I wouldn’t say a special writing style. It is mostly in preparation. Many start their writing at night. I on the other hand love to writer first thing in the morning, for as early as 2am! Whenever I start writing, I start with free writing without any hindrances. I have found out that if I get into correcting the grammatical errors, it hinders my work. It is important that as a writer, YOU HAVE TO DETERMINE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.
How
did you come up with the title for your latest book?
December 24, 2005 was a critical moment in my life. At 12 mid-night, I received a call from Africa. It literally changed my life! I was told my 22 year old niece had died after being in labor of over 3 days! What was painful about it was that it was death that shouldn’t have happened! Few months back, she had moved out of her home to live with her older boyfriend. She constantly said she didn’t feel that she was loved at home, hence she went looking for love. Unfortunately, she found it was a man who later allowed her to stay in labor for 3 days rather than get her straight to the hospital.
After 3 days of
frustration on his part, his family finally took my niece to the hospital where
she gave birth to the baby and died thereafter! Her senseless death go me
thinking, what if we had let her know how much she was loved? What if she knew
in her core her self worth? Would she have made a decision to go with the man?
Then, it dawned on me that we are all of
sentimental value. We are divinely created in the image and likeness of
God. Our DNA is unique hence no one can duplicate what is already planted
inside of us. One event changed the life
of my niece, it definitely changed the course of or lives. My niece can
never ever get to do make over again but those of us who are still alive and
well, we get that chance to take whatever event that is, turn it around
positively.
Is
there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
One Event Can Change Your Life Forever!
One Event Can Change Your Life Forever!
They (individually)
have a choice to make a negative event one that will positively impact their lives
or otherwise.
Purchase your copy on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Sentimental-Value-Fumi-Hancock-ebook/dp/B00LX2GK8K
http://www.amazon.com/Sentimental-Value-Fumi-Hancock-ebook/dp/B00LX2GK8K
Is
the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true-life experience, someone
you know, or events in your own life?
The book, Of Sentimental Value is pure fiction. However, the underlying message; the challenges encountered by the lead female character is real to society. In addition, I featured in the movie as The Princess of Suburbia, an award-winning author who comes in to save the day.
What
books/authors have influenced your life?
John Maxwell’s “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” has been and continues to be a source of empowerment for me as I progress in my writing career as well as the leadership role I take in my non-profit organization. One major quality he mapped out in the book is “The First Impression Can Seal the Deal”. When writing, I am constantly reminded of that. I applied that nugget of wisdom to my first chapter in The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest. I have done the same with my new book, Of Sentimental Value (Amazon.com).
What
is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?
After the successful release of my very first young adult novel, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest, an opportunity to write a novel, which would be made into a movie came. I had to stop writing the sequel to the young adult novel. Of Sentimental Value the novel has been launched and we are now waiting in the wings to see the feature movie released in 2015. I am ready to jump right back into completing the sequel to The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell. The second in the sequel, The Sorcerer’s Purgatory will provide an opportunity for readers to get to know even closer one of the great characters, Kaya Darkling in the first book. The Cover Reveal of this can be seen: http://www.worldoffumihancock.com/#!buy-a-book/ciyu. This is scheduled for release in 2015. Stay tuned!
Of Sentimental Value
Princess Fumi Hancock
Genre: Mystery / Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Princess in Suburbia
Date of Publication: July 17, 2014
ISBN-10: 0990584801
ISBN-13: 978-0990584803
ASIN: B00LX2GK8K
Number of pages: 328
Word Count: 68, 183
Cover Artist: Phatpuppy Arts Studios
Book Description:
One event Elects Who You Are
One event Molds Your Values and Beliefs;
One event Charts the Course of Your Journey… Good, Bad or Indifferent;
One event Determines Your Destiny… For Life
One event Will Change Your Life… Forever
Bestselling Author, Indiefest and African Oscar Award Winning Filmmaker, Host of an African Oscar nominated TV Talk show, An African Heritage Leadership Award recipient and a globally sought after transformation interventionist, Princess Fumi Hancock delivers an inspirational and intriguing romantic suspense story, yet laced in mystery and comedy. Of Sentimental Value, a titillating and jaw dropping adventure set between the deep rich forest of Africa and the southern flat plains of Nashville, Tennessee.
A Twenty-one year old, Young African Immigrant, SIBERIA TONKA has all the ingredients of a successful writer: Commitment, dedication, and drive to become famous. Until her dream of becoming the next bestselling media sensation in America is threatened by an inexplicable cosmic force! Buried and spiraling in unsurmountable debt and a string of misfortune hovering over her, she is forced to pawn her most valuable possession. But when told her sister’s life in Africa hangs in the balance and that would die if artifact is not returned back to the rightful owners, Siberia in desperation sets out to retrieve the artifact at any means necessary. A Mystery enigma is released and the stakes are high! The harder Siberia tries… the closer she seems yet the farther she was from solving the turmoil.
Alas, in the midst of this chaos evolves an undeniably love triangle between Siberia, a wealthy rugged-looking African, but Nashville-based, art collector (Alan) and a simple American consignment store owner (Jake).
Will Siberia retrieve the artifact in time to save her dying sister, Naiya? Who / what wins her heart? Money or True Love?
Book Available at Amazon
Book Trailer Produced by Cambium Break Pictures
Of Sentimental Value Motion Picture Scheduled to Release 2015
Starring
Malik Yoba, New York Undercover and Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? and
Tommy Tiny Lister, Deebo on Friday, 5th Element with Bruce Willis.
VIP Screenings and Private Book Launches
in Los Angeles, California and Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville
Award
Winning Filmmaker Princess Fumi Hancock shares clip of SOLD OUT "
Live" Nashville TN Red Carpet Event: http://youtu.be/s0LlaKZyI7Y
Video Reviews
Miss
Haiti International, Régine Pierre Shares Her Review of, Of Sentimental Value: http://youtu.be/21hlsgE81lQ
Los Angeles
Of
Sentimental Value VIP Movie Screening and Book Launch Raving Reviews Bring
Producer to Tears! http://youtu.be/4VwnYXNAoHI
LA
welcomes Red Carpet Screening of Award Winner, Of Sentimental Value
The Video Reviews
Award
Winning Filmmaker, Princess Fumi Hancock Shares a “Kairos Moment” with Host,
Lola Ogunleye Reviewing Of Sentimental Value http://youtu.be/417hPzsQ4C4
Gift
Items Available at:
Excerpt:
Murky Haze
Spiraling
through the murky haze is a stream of white smoke; Africa’s humid and gloomy
weather punctuated the striking of an African “bata” drum; a sign of impending
doom in this Never-never land called Oyo, set majestically in the flat plain
fields of West Africa.
Wrapped in
ruffled white sheets and face painted with pungent white chalk, distinct tribal
marks from Oyo; she chuckles and giggles out loud, sometimes overpowering the
African “bata” beats rippling the air. This enigma of a mystery woman’s deep
tones carries with it an air of danger and magic. Her fiendish chuckles are
exaggerated by her threatening mannerisms. She adds to the mystery in the air
by thrusting out her spectacularly painted arms, holding a uniquely designed
African clay pot filled with bubbling steaming water. The steam spiraling out
of the magical pot is hypnotic. She begins to laugh again as the rhythmic
African beat gently fades, instantly replaced by an urgent tick-tock sound,
intensifying the anxiety. Seeing my clandestine woman’s animated and daunting
striking face, Yemoji becomes boisterous as she squints her overpowering eyes;
eyeballs fiercely protruding, eliciting intense fear in those who behold the
strange sight.
As the tick-tock
sound gets louder, Yemoji abruptly clutches her magical pot to her bosom. Her
arms stretch out with purpose, displaying her remarkably long claw-like nails.
She beckons me closer. Yemoji welcomes hushes me into undeniably captivating
presence, placing one finger to her sultry lips.
“Sshh!
Sshh!”
Suddenly, the
tick-tock sound intensifies yet again as Yemoji’s thunderous and wickedly cold
laughter reverberates into the atmosphere.
“Did
you hear me? I said.... Sshh! Sshh! Siberia! Si-be-ria!”
Wisdom
Nugget from Siberia Tonka:
“A
person who sows love reaps a harvest of good friends and family. It doesn’t
really matter where we come from; we all have something of sentimental value.
And this crazy chain of events has led me to my destiny….it has led me to fight
for the people I love” ~Siberia
About the Author
Princess Fumi
Stephanie Hancock Ph.D.:
Bestselling Author, NAFCA African Oscar People’s Choice Winner, Indiefest Films Merit Award Filmmaker, TV Host, Transformation Interventionist and Philanthropist are just a few accolades to describe this dynamic woman.
Born in the heart of Nigeria, Lagos State; Princess Fumi Hancock was raised to appreciate her royal roots from the South Western region of Nigeria, Emure Kingdom, where her family, the Adumori Nigeria Royal Household have ruled since the 1800s’.
After acquiring her first degree in English from one of the most prestigious colleges in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University; she stormed the United States of America with a pen, a script and the dream to change the world. Little did she know that it would take her over thirty years to finally fulfill her dream of becoming a prolific writer and most importantly, one who would have the ability to translate her literary works into movies.
As an author, she has written several inspirational books for women, Beyond Idol Worship: A Diary of an African Warrior Princess; Starting Right Now to name a few! After writing these inspirational books and her return back to African after over 25 years absentia; she reaches out to help her community through her US based nonprofit organization, Adassa Adumori Foundation, Inc. (www.adassafoundation.org); she also decided to venture into the world of young adult fantasy. To her surprise, her very first young adult fantasy, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest became an amazon bestseller! There has been no stopping her since then.
Her new novel, Of Sentimental Value, a mystery and suspense drama is yet another landmark for her. The book was made into a feature film which is scheduled for release soon (www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com ). In the advent of its release, it has garnered multiple award interest. It was nominated in the NAFCA African Oscar Peoples’ Choice category for Favorite Trailer and Original Score while the Princess took home the winning trophy as Favorite Screenwriter. Since then, the movie itself has been nominated in the following categories: Best Diaspora Drama and Best Make-up. One of our supporting actors, Malik Yoba was also nominated as Actor in Foreign Film category.
Princess Fumi is one who truly believes that dreams do come true if we keep plugging away at it and never give up! Her very first crack at writing, she will never forget her professor at a college in New York telling her, “you need to quit! You are a horrible writer!” “I was devastated,” she said. But did not allow that to keep her down. With time, even the professor finally announced to the post graduate class that she was the best student he’d ever had. That screenplay, “The Royal Bird” ended up winning Best Screenplay of the year in 1988 in a New York festival. It was later auctioned to one of the largest television stations in Africa, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). The rest of her time today is spent presenting her new empowerment program, Your Vision Torch, an Innovator’s Prescription to Igniting Your Dreams and Harnessing Your Vision to leaders, business owners and women across Africa and the United States of America. More details on how to bring her to your event: www.worldoffumihancock.com
Born in the heart of Nigeria, Lagos State; Princess Fumi Hancock was raised to appreciate her royal roots from the South Western region of Nigeria, Emure Kingdom, where her family, the Adumori Nigeria Royal Household have ruled since the 1800s’.
After acquiring her first degree in English from one of the most prestigious colleges in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University; she stormed the United States of America with a pen, a script and the dream to change the world. Little did she know that it would take her over thirty years to finally fulfill her dream of becoming a prolific writer and most importantly, one who would have the ability to translate her literary works into movies.
As an author, she has written several inspirational books for women, Beyond Idol Worship: A Diary of an African Warrior Princess; Starting Right Now to name a few! After writing these inspirational books and her return back to African after over 25 years absentia; she reaches out to help her community through her US based nonprofit organization, Adassa Adumori Foundation, Inc. (www.adassafoundation.org); she also decided to venture into the world of young adult fantasy. To her surprise, her very first young adult fantasy, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest became an amazon bestseller! There has been no stopping her since then.
Her new novel, Of Sentimental Value, a mystery and suspense drama is yet another landmark for her. The book was made into a feature film which is scheduled for release soon (www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com ). In the advent of its release, it has garnered multiple award interest. It was nominated in the NAFCA African Oscar Peoples’ Choice category for Favorite Trailer and Original Score while the Princess took home the winning trophy as Favorite Screenwriter. Since then, the movie itself has been nominated in the following categories: Best Diaspora Drama and Best Make-up. One of our supporting actors, Malik Yoba was also nominated as Actor in Foreign Film category.
Princess Fumi is one who truly believes that dreams do come true if we keep plugging away at it and never give up! Her very first crack at writing, she will never forget her professor at a college in New York telling her, “you need to quit! You are a horrible writer!” “I was devastated,” she said. But did not allow that to keep her down. With time, even the professor finally announced to the post graduate class that she was the best student he’d ever had. That screenplay, “The Royal Bird” ended up winning Best Screenplay of the year in 1988 in a New York festival. It was later auctioned to one of the largest television stations in Africa, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). The rest of her time today is spent presenting her new empowerment program, Your Vision Torch, an Innovator’s Prescription to Igniting Your Dreams and Harnessing Your Vision to leaders, business owners and women across Africa and the United States of America. More details on how to bring her to your event: www.worldoffumihancock.com
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