I’d like to welcome Mansu Edwards, co-author of Plush Couches, as a guest to my blog.

Let’s start by just getting to know you a little before we dive into Plush Couches and find out what your story is all about.

• What is your name and do you write under a pen name? Omar Glenn. My pen name is Mansu Edwards
• Where do you call home? Brooklyn
• Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I’m a Brand Ambassador. It’s a freelance gig. I’m very good at what I do. It’s cool.
• What is your family like? My father likes reading online news articles. My mother watches movies on the Internet.
• If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like? My room was plastered with hip hop posters. I had the N.E.S. and S.N.E.S. consoles and video games. The apartment was cool. It was a typical apartment.
• Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy reading and visiting new places in New York City. Also, I enjoy watching videos, listening to music and podcasts on YouTube.
• What is your greatest dream? To leave a positive and powerful legacy.
• What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? Nothing is stopping me. Right now, I’m transforming into the person God wants me to be.
• Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? My first love is food. I love to eat.
• What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? I had an Asthma attack in the 2nd or 3rd grade. My Mother took me to the hospital.
• What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? When I was young, I loved school writing assignments. It gave me the opportunity to use my imagination. I’ve been writing for 10 plus years.
• What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? I was a big wrestling fan. I wanted to become a Wrestler. I discovered that Wrestling was scripted and I think that’s what swayed me away from pursuing it. I eventually replaced it with video games and Hip Hop.
• Who is your role model? Jay-Z, M.F. Doom, Jay Electronica
• What is your greatest fear? Not having enough time to achieve all my goals.
• Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Paperbacks.
• Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, what was it? Yes. “As A Man Thinketh” by James Allen

• What is your opinion of novellas? I like an engaging story. A great story doesn’t have to be 200+ pages. Quality is key.
• Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? Yes.
• What is your favorite film based on a book? The Talented Mr. Ripley

• What is your favorite book genre at the moment? I don’t have one.
• What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? “Outwitting The Devil” by Napoleon Hill. I like reading self-improvement books.

• What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? I’m reading, “How To Talk To Anyone At Work”. Paperback.

• If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? Nipsey Hussle, Jay-Z, Ghostface Killah, Bishop Nehru. I would invite them because they’re innovative risk takers. Our ideas can change the trajectory of the Art world.

Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.

• What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? The name of my most recent book is “Plush Couches”. On the way to a job interview, Rio Akuba experiences a critical and unsettling case of gas on the train after eating organic, Sweety Berry Bears.

• Is the above book part of a series? No.
• How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? That’s a good question. I believe I left the idea up to the Illustrator.
• Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? I didn’t listen to music while writing “Plush Couches”.
• How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? God gave me the title.
• Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? I don’t have a book trailer.
• In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her? The main character is Rio. He’s unambitious and lives with his parents. Rio is the type who needs external motivation to take action.
• What is your character’s greatest strengths? His greatest strength is emotionally connecting with people.
• And what are his/her greatest weaknesses?  He’s too dependent. He doesn’t trust himself.
• What are some of his/her favorite foods? He doesn’t have any favorite foods.
• What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has? He’s observant and perceptive.
• Will readers like or dislike this character, and why? Readers will like the character because he’s charismatic and witty.
• What first gave you the idea for your latest book? God gave me the idea.

Let’s talk now about your writing process.

• What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter? I’m a Panster. I prefer writing the story instead of using an outline. It’s more enjoyable.
• Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? My challenge is selecting the best idea from several. I’m still looking for a solution to the problem.
• Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company? I’m a self-published, indie author.
• If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? I spent an exorbitant amount of money with a Vanity Publisher which made me switch to self-publishing.
• What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Finish the story. It’s only a draft.
• Where can your readers follow you? . www.twitter.com/Ohassa, Instagram: @mansuedwards , www.facebook.com/Ohassa