Award-winning playwright and director, Dee Dee M. Scott is
making a name for herself in the business with her vivid imagination and
creative writing. In 2011, Scott exploded onto the scene with her Stage play-
My Husband’s Woman, which toured South
Carolina , and is based on her book. Within a month
after the show premiered, it was brought back by popular demand and continues
to successfully tour. In 2013, Scott was named as one of the 30 women
considered to be very influential in a positive way for the generation Y women
by Miss Millennia Magazine. She also won: The Golden Pen Playwright award, and
Columbia Theater Review named her as: Playwright to Watch. Dee Dee's
productions have graced theatre stages at: The Town Theater, S.C State Museum , Francis
Marion University
Scott is also a film
producer, screenwriter author and publisher. Eight authors are signed to her
publishing company, Ahsyad Publication, and she adapted the screen play, Lake House Florence , South Carolina ,
she now resides in Columbia.
Imani: Mrs. Scott, I
am truly honored to have this interview. And from what I read from your bio,
which is not only impressive, but inspiring to believe dreams do come true. So
for those who aren’t familiar with your work, tell us a little about yourself?
Scott: Thank you for this, Imani. I am honored to be featured
on your website.I am a mother, wife
and down to earth lady who gives all the glory to Jehovah God and Jesus. I wear
many hats. I am a playwright; film Producer, Publisher, author, entrepreneur,
voice over actress, philanthropist and business woman.
For your writing
process, how do you organize your storylines – outline by chapters or acts, or
do you go with the flow?
I do a little bit of all of the above. Sometimes parts of
the story or acts come to me and I outline those parts. At other times, I just
go with the flow and let the characters drive the story.
How long have you
been writing, and when was that “ah-ha” moment you knew you were a writer?
I have been writing since the age of six. That “ah-ha moment
came shortly after the birth of my last son. I became ill and suffered with
anemia. During the time I was recovering, I thought about all of the stories I
had shelved, and all of the ideas and things that I wanted to do that I hadn’t done
due to fear. I promised God that if I recovered I would never hide any of the
talents he’d blessed me with. Once I was well, I hit the ground running.
You’ve written
several books based on love and heartache, where do you find the inspiration to
write these bestsellers?
Most of the stories come from my mind. I’ve always had a
good imagination. However, I want my stories to be heartfelt and realistic so I
mix in situations that could happen in real life.
The Tucker Series is
a hit among readers. Share with us the premise of the series, and its
characters.
The Sent From Heaven Series is
about a powerful family (One sister and five brothers) named The Tuckers who
head a successful Insurance company. To the outside world they appear perfect,
but in reality they are all still hurting and devastated due to an incident
that destroyed their childhoods. Sent From Heaven is a romantic suspense series that will consist of
five books, each featuring a Tucker family member on the rocky road to finding
love and healing from the past.
.
Another bestseller,
My Husband’s Woman, is now a successful stage play. Was the transition
difficult from converting the book into a play? And if so, how?
Yes, I had to study for quite some time on how to write a
play. With a book, readers use their imagination to create images as they read
the story. However, with the stage play, people would be watching live on
stage. I had to be extra creative and create characters and situations that
would keep them interested from start to finish.
You were
named by Miss Millennia magazine as one of the 30 influential women. With all
of the accolades and many credits to your resume; such as, film producer,
screenwriter, and voice-over actress, you’re also a Publisher and CEO for
Ahsyad Publication. What’s your company mission for its authors and readers?
Our mission is to create innovative stories with exciting
twists that will keep the readers engaged from start to finish. While reading
one of our novels, it is our mission to help you escape into another world
filled with excitement and well-developed memorable characters.
And speaking of film,
you’ve adapted a screen play based on your book, Lake House
I wanted to get out of the box and write something different.
The screen play:
I'm looking forward to its release! It sounds intriguing. And speaking of your husband -- you and he have two nonprofits for great causes. Explain to the readers what these
nonprofits entail.
Reading Through Cancer was the first ever EBook drive. It
was created so that people who are suffering with cancer can have a book to
escape to while in treatment or in recovery. Joseph & Kathy Gregg's Child
was named after my parents who both passed away from Cancer. We have free
workshops and classes that teach theater and acting to children and teens.
Mrs. Scott, you also
founded “Authors on the Rise” – a website for promoting authors and their
books. Which lead me to this question: What advice you have for up and coming
or even the seasoned authors, who want to follow in your footsteps and create
their own media empire?
Believe in yourself first, because there will be many people
who do not understand your vision. Have a strong and determined mind. Study and
do things daily to move you toward your goals. And that no is not the end. No
just means you have keep going until you get a yes. And if you don’t get a yes,
create your own yes.
After achieving
success (and I know you’re far from finished), if you could go back and meet
yourself as a novice writer, what advice would you share?
Keep writing, creating, studying and honing your craft even
when it appears as if nothing is happening for you so that when the time does
come, you will be ready. Flee from any negativity that may discourage you from
following your dreams. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and
lose the naysayers.
Every artist has that
one person that has helped shape their craft. If the person who had influenced
you were with us today, what would you say to them?
I would thank them. I had several key people who influenced
me at a young age. I had two amazing English teachers: Mrs. Blackburn and Mrs,
Usurer. I also had two college professors: Dr. Ann and Bret Breneman. Both are
also authors. Mrs. Breneman always had me speak my poetry at the college she
was teaching at, or other meetings she was a part of. That really shaped me and
helped me to overcome being shy. Mr.
Breneman was the first person to look at one of my handwritten books when I was
younger. He gave me so much encouragement and advice. He knew that I would be a
writer before I did and encouraged me to study. I am so thankful to have had
such influences in my life when I was developing as a writer.
And finally, what are
the top five things on your bucket list?
I would have to say:
1.)Teach at a
college.
2) I love psychology
and the way the mind works, so I want to pursue a degree in that field.
3.) Open my own
film production studio.
4.) Travel abroad
and volunteer with my husband and children.
5.) Bless other
people and help them to achieve their dreams.
Thank you, Mrs. Scott
for this awesome interview. If readers would like to know more about you and
your stellar work, where should they go online?
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| My Husband's Woman |
