Imani Wisdom's brainchild -- Pink Noire Publications -- has been known for her unpredictable style of storytelling. Now its founder is expanding the "pink and black" brand to shine on prolific artists. From the inspirationalist, Danica Worthy to bestselling author, Stacy Deanne, Pink Noire understand these talented individuals know how to express their craft through words, song, dance, and stroke of a brush.

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The Intriguing Mysteries of Lori Titus

There’s nothing more intriguing than an author who thinks outside and beyond a box to create frightful tales of ghosts, zombies, and dark characters from beyond.

A couple of weeks ago, as I was searching for new guests among a plethora of writers online to fill the Pink Lounge, Lori Titus had caught my eye in a writing group. Perhaps it was piercing her brown eyes and her gentle smile speaking to me from her profile picture; or, her love for the paranormal was just as profound as mine; or maybe...just maybe...I needed to know who this author was in a genre with so few African Americans. 




Imani: Lori, thank you for joining me in The Pink Lounge -- welcome. Let me ask you this question I ask all of my guest: What makes Lori Titus the woman she is today?

Lori: Many things go into making someone who they are. Two things that my mother taught me come to mind. Perseverance, because success requires trial, failure, and the stubbornness to get back up. The other value would be a curiosity about life and learning in general. .

Imani: As I was conducting research for this interview, I've noticed on many sites around the web that you convey mystery and intrigue. Share with the readers how writing "intrigued" you, and how did it lead you to the paranormal genre?

Lori: Writing, no matter what kind of story, is about unlocking mysteries. I love to get into the mind of a character, to hear their inner thoughts. Paranormal stories interest me because they allow you to operate without the ordinary rules. If you can create a world where monsters exist, telepathy is a given, or ghosts live among us, anything is possible.

Writing, no matter what kind of story, is about unlocking mysteries. I love to get into the mind of a character, to hear their inner thoughts. Paranormal stories interest me because they allow you to operate without the ordinary rules. If you can create a world where monsters exist, telepathy is a given, or ghosts live among us, anything is possible.

Imani: What's your methodology of a solid storyline?

Lori: My story ideas start with a question. What happens if a girl has abilities that she hides? What would happen if the dead could come back in one cursed town? From there the storyline develops through the actions of the characters. Each step supports the storyline and advances the characters' journey.

Imani: So is it fair to ask that you are character-driven?

Lori: Yes, I guess you could say that. I definitely like to experiment.  If I don’t like how something comes out it can always be cleaned up in the editing process.

Imani: Although we have known each other for a brief time, as well as reading most of your work online, I want to say before we go further that you are a phenomenal writer. So, share with the readers each of your titles and their brief descriptions.

Lori: Thanks so much for the compliment!

Here's a list of my titles:

Hunting in Closed Spaces: A young girl is abducted by a man who says he was sent to protect her. Why are the powerful members of The Circle out to get her at any cost?

Lazarus: In Lazarus, California, 1869, the dead don't always stay that way. Enter Luella, a woman with a mysterious past and a plan to stop the dead from rising.

Green Water Lullaby: A collection of stories featuring ghosts, ghouls and other bad things in the town of Chrysallis, South Carolina.

Hailey's Shadow: As an adult now accused of murder, Hailey had a troubled childhood, and was known for starting fires. Are the "shadows" that she sees a fabrication of a disturbed mind, or are they real?

The Guardians of Man: This novel was a collaboration with Crystal Connor. In an isolated mountain community, residents fear the coming of winter after a worldwide power outage has left them without heat. What starts off as a technological disaster is revealed to be something worse - the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Imani: Of all of your characters, which one you would like to interview and why?

Lori: I would like to talk to Justin, Marradith's love interest from Hunting in Closed Spaces. He's one of those characters you never know what he will say.

Imani: The Paranormal genre have a pool of talented writers, and yet the number of African American authors are minimal. Why do you think that is so? And could it be an unreasonable fear within the African American community towards the genre?

Lori: I am not sure what it is. I believe that fundamentalist religion has something to do with the fact we don't see many blacks writing in paranormal or horror genres. That said, we are big consumers of this kind of fiction, in books and movies. I believe it’s considered a guilty pleasure by most in the black community.

 I am not sure what it is. I believe that fundamentalist religion has something to do with the fact we don't see many blacks writing in paranormal or horror genres. That said, we are big consumers of this kind of fiction, in books and movies. I believe it’s considered a guilty pleasure by most in the black community.

Imani: Now, you have coauthored a few titles with authors; such as, Crystal Conner and Olivia Weston. Tell us how you met these individuals, and what are the pros and cons to coauthor books?

Lori: I met Crystal through Facebook. After a while we started talking about writing together. Crystal writes more horror driven and sci fi dark fiction as opposed to mine, which tends to be paranormal and romance driven. Olivia Weston had edited for Crystal before, and she agreed to edit The End is Now and The Guardians of Man.

Imani: Do you have plans for another collaboration with these ladies? Or, are you flying solo with your own project(s)? And if so, could you share with us the details?

Lori: Crystal and I don't have anything specific planned, but I am sure we'll collaborate again.  I have a plot idea that I am holding on to just in case.

Imani: Among your litany of accolades and achievements, you also own the website "Flashes in the Dark". Share with the readers the concept behind this site, and where do you see it going in five years?

Lori: My goal for the next five years remains the same but on a larger scale - to introduce new and established writers to readers who don't have much time but want to be entertained.

Imani: Tell us one thing you haven't shared with your readers. It can be a quirk, a favorite food, or a hidden talent. The floor is yours.

Lori: I think most people would but surprised to know that most of my stories have tie ins. Luella is a great aunt to Marradith. The Guardians of Man also has a tie in to The Marradith Ryder Series.

Imani:  Finally, as an artist, we have muses and person(s) we admired to help shape our craft. So, who is your inspiration and if they were here right now, what would you say to them?

Lori: I would tell my sister, Linda that it was all worth it.

Imani: Lori, thank you for stopping by The Lounge. I had a blast. Tell the readers where they can purchase your work, as well as finding you on the web?

Lori: My work is available on Amazon.com. I am expecting to have a new novel called The Bell House out in December or January. I also have two novels in progress. One is tentatively titled The Daughters of Cain, which is about halfway through the first draft. The second is The Art of Shadows, which will be going to an editor soon. Shadows is the second book in The Marradith Ryder Series.


To learn more about Lori Titus and her amazing work visit her at LoriBeth215.wordpress.com and FlashesInTheDark.com.
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